The VX220's bonded aluminium chassis tub was assembled on the same line in Hethel by Lotus as the Elise. For the VX, Vauxhall had the wheelbase extended by 30mm and the rear track widened by 20mm, which many reckon makes the VX more stable and less oversteer-happy than the Lotus. Vauxhall also insisted the VX come with ABS-equipped brakes, which is not the most sophisticated system and explains why many owners upgrade to VXR spec for a four-channel system rather than the original's two-channel set-up.
Vauxhall issued a recall as the brake hose to the brake servo can wear and break down. Not every VX has been upgraded, so best to check the service history of any potential purchase to see if the work has been done and allow for this in the price paid. Owners also report a worthwhile improvement in braking by switching to Mintex pads, though the standard 288mm vented discs front and rear seem up to the job unless the car is driven very hard on track. When Vauxhall launched the Turbo, it didn't see the need to change the brakes from the standard VX set-up, though it did offer the option of lighter, cross-drilled discs for the Turbo.
The 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/45 R17 tyres Vauxhall used on the VX are fine at the back, but the 175/55 R17 fronts are an unusual size and hard to come by. At the outset, Bridgestone tyres were the only option as these were designed specifically for the VX220. There are some other tyre options out there now, but a simpler solution is to fit the 16-inch front alloy wheels from a Lotus Elise S2 which opens up a much broader selection of tyres.
The alloy wheels themselves were subject to a recall as the rear wheels could snap, shearing off around the hub. This was due to a batch of wheels that were not properly heat treated during production and it's easy to spot the right wheels as they have an 'HT' stamp marked on their inner faces.
As well as the wheels, the rear hubs can come loose due to the two retaining bolts snapping. It's common to the 2.2 and Turbo models and leads to the whole wheel and hub assembly parting company from the car. A simple fix is to replace the original bolts with 10.9 strength bolts, especially if you attend track days or fit stickier tyres that put more stress on the hubs.
The suspension itself is pretty robust and uses double wishbones front and rear with coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers. There's an anti-roll bar at the front, while the steering is unassisted rack and pinion that gives a turning circle of 11.25m. The Turbo has slightly softer set suspension than the 2.2 VX which some reckon makes it less nimble in conjunction with the Turbo's heavier engine. The VXR has revised suspension and is 8mm lower than the standard VX. All VXs are 3,790mm long and 1,884mm wide, with a wheelbase of 2,330mm.
Watch for corrosion of the spring seats and snapped toe links at the rear of the VX as they can go without warning. Worn suspension bushes all round will ruin the handling of the VX220, so budget for this every 35,000 miles or four years to maintain the car's balance. Uprated suspension systems are common on VXs, so look for quality parts, such as Bilstein, GAZ and Nitron, but check as normal for signs of wear.
Returning to the aluminium tub, it's essential the front crash box is intact if the car has been damaged in an accident. Plenty of VXs have been written off due to the cost of repairs to the bodywork. At the back of the car, if the chassis and subframe are undamaged, a rebuilt Category C or D write-off can be a cheap way into VX ownership, though remember the car will be worth substantially less when you come to sell.
Owner's view:
"Despite being on a relatively safe factory suspension geometry, I was more than comfortable pushing my VXR220 to the limits and beyond on its first track day due to the massive amounts of feedback the chassis gives you."
Alastair Rimmer
Buying Guide contents:
Introduction
Powertrain
Rolling chassis
Body
Interior