The key difference between the normally aspirated VX220 and the Turbo model with the bodywork is the side air intakes. For the Turbo, they were enlarged and sit further out from the main body. The only other visible difference is the wheels, where the 2.2 models sit on five-spoke alloys and the Turbo has a Y-spoke design.
All VXs have a much simpler, easier to use soft-top hood arrangement than the Elise S1. Lotus then adopted this design for the Elise S2. The hood clicks into place in the screen rail and B-post and is held taut in the middle with two removable plastic spars. It all rolls up together and is easily stowed in the boot. However, like the Elise, the VX's hood is notorious for leaking, so if you find a car that doesn't you're very lucky. The hood's cable can snap, but replacements are available. A hard top was an option for the VX220 and the Turbo's came lined for added sound deadening.
Leaky hood? They all do that sir...
For the body itself, crash damage and stone chipping are the two prime concerns. Minor accident damage can result in a VX being written off as the front and rear clam sections are very expensive to fix or replace. The clams are now out of production, so replacements are hard to find. Expect to pay £1,000 for a secondhand clam in good condition. Missing wheel arch liners indicate a poorly rebuilt crash victim.
Stone chips are more easily dealt with by respraying the car, but make sure any new paintwork is of a good quality. Some owners use a clear film to protect the paintwork from stones, but chips are inevitable on the VX due to its flat-fronted and low slung shape.
The other area to look out for with the VX is bubbling paintwork. This isn't corrosion as the bodywork is made from glassfibre. However, the clam sections were not cured properly when they were originally made, which means water retained in the bodywork expands when it freezes and bubbles the paint. Cars that have lived outside will be worst effected by this and rear clams are more prone to this than the front section. A respray is the only option here.
Bubbles in the paintwork are not uncommon
Also look for cracks where the front clam meets the windscreen as this can crack where passengers pulls themselves up and out of the car. While looking here, also inspect the plastic sill covers that can crack when occupants lean on them getting in and out of the car.
Underneath the passenger cabin, check the jacking points are in good condition as the sill can be damaged if the car is jacked up on the wrong spot. The correct jacking points have a mark to indicate them.
Don't be surprised if the front and rear lights have condensation on the inside. It's a common VX problem and most owners simply live with it as replacement headlights cost around £900 new. Some owners separate the lenses from the backing to cure this problem. The lights themselves are not the most powerful or brightest, so more powerful bulbs are a cheap and easy upgrade.
Owner's view:
"There are many CAT D VX220s out there but do not let this deter you. Due to the body panels being fibreglass and expensive from Vauxhall, insurance companies can sometimes write off a car that will only have cosmetic damage. However, as long as there is a good record of before and after photos/invoices then all should be fine."
Ben Bourke