Anyone own an Elise/VX220 or S2000? Help

[adam24]

Hi all,

Has anyone got one?? I am only asking as I am looking at getting one of the above in time for next summer and I would love the opportunity to hear from real life owners and what you think of them.

This is not another what car thread as I know it will be one of the above and the ultimate decision is with me, however I would really appreciate any owners comments and or experiences.

In addition, I wonder if anyone lives local - Sheffield/Leeds area as I would really like to see one close up, the only problem is I don't like to waste a sellers time as like I said I won't be buying for 12 months... However these things take time and I want to have got the research out of the way asap so I can focus my energies on one of the three.

Many thanks in advance,
Adam

[v15ben]

Lotus/VX220 wise there are plenty of owners at the West Yorkshire Pub Meets. Always worth popping along or dropping a post in the thread. It's on tomorrow too!

[markmakak]

As it happens I've owned all 3 (exige rather than elise though), but sold the exige on Friday so can't offer a ride. Feel free to ask anything you like. I guess the choice of car depends on how your using it, and the budget you've got (now, and for servicing etc in the future).

[fridaypassion]

If its a weekend car VX/Elise every time. S2000 is a good car though and more practical for every day use.

[ellroy]

Driven both the elise and the honda.

If you're looking at the most fun, the elise wins hands down, but not really the most practical day to day. The Honda i found a bit dull, you had to rev the nuts off it to get any get up and go, also quite cramped interior. Certainly more practical though.

[BlueMR2]

Should have come to Cars in the Park. About 15-20 VX's and similar number of Elise's there today.

[Simon813]

Adam,

I've owned an S2 Elise and driven an S2000.

Any qiestions let me know.

Si

[teapea]

BlueMR2 said:

Should have come to Cars in the Park. About 15-20 VX's and similar number of Elise's there today.

I was just about to say that :P

i have a vx220 turbo and live in market weighton if you want a poke around/passenger ride

vx220 and elise are very similar, the elise 111S and NA vx220 compare in spec
as does the elise 111r and vx220 turbo
so depends which you prefer the look of really, VX220's are a bit cheaper also, and significantly cheaper to insure.
S2000 is much more civalised but not as exciting to drive.
About sums it up really

[R60EST]

I've owned a VX220 N/A and currently have the S2000 ( Not for much longer see classifieds) . I know I'll get shot down by some on here but I hated the VX . I knew it was going to be a stripped out drivers car but it was too raw for me. On a track , maybe, but 99% of the time on the road it was just not for me. The S2000 is a much better car , everything about it is easier , the roof , the way you get in and out , stability once into 3 figures, and it will easily keep up with a vx n/a on the road , the vx may be slightly more nimble in the twisties but quickly runs out of pace when things straighten up. I like the Honda a lot , but sadly the whole 2 seat thing is not fitting in with my lifestyle at the moment so it's going ,to make way for.....

as soon as I've decided I'll let you know

[chevronb37]

I have an Elise 111R. If you can get to Leeds one evening or at a weekend, I will happily show you round it and take you out for a decent blast around so you can see what it's all about. Just drop me a PM, buddy.

Andy

[M44TNH]

1999 Series 1 Elise: I will be at the Railway meet tonight if that helps

[adam24]

First of all thanks for all your replies - much appreciated

All I know is that getting up close to these cars will only make me one want even more however it's really important for me as at present I don't know which one of the three I would choose... For example I don't know if I'd fit in one nor do I know which one is the most fun? I am being drawn to the VX220 however the Lotus is a close second.

The purpose of this car would be to sit alongside a company car and to be used evenings/weekends and maybe the odd trackday and it will be a 25th bday present to myself I don't really need the practicality of the S2000 and infact I want something more extreme, however long term I don't know if I would miss the boot space and creature comforts ..

Out of interest what's insurance like for you guys? Running costs etc?

Ben - thanks for your reply, I will certainly get myself to some meets.

markmakak - I will certainly take you up on your offer of advice, thanks.

BlueMR2 - Damn! I wish I had been there!!

Si - I will email you with some questions for sure, thanks.

teapea - thanks for your sharing your knowledge, very informative. I would love to see the car etc,it would be fantastic as I am being drawn towards a VX. I will email you in due course. Thanks.

Andy - You're right I need to see what it's all about! I would love the opportunity to see/have a ride in the 111r & it would be an excellent comparison to teapea's VX turbo too. I will definitely drop you an email. Thanks

Thanks again guys

Edited by adam24 on Monday 11th May 21:30

[chevronb37]

No worries, buddy. I look forward to an email; any excuse to go for a drive :-)

[Trickie Dickie]

Give the VX220 a miss

I am very dis gruntled at the moment as I have a Vectra Sri 2.2 which is supposedly the same engine
The first one gave up the ghost at only 29996 miles after approx 2 1/2 years old and luckily was under warranty
The second has just given up at about 46000 miles on the brand new replacement engine

Both times due to a fault they have had oil starvation problems to the top of the engine
the first time snapping the cam shaft and this second time just cooking it

Vauxhall obviously want nothing to do with this second one which is now out of warranty
although I have always had it serviced properly

I used to think it was a great engine but it appears to be too fragile
and makes many early TVR Speed 6 engines look like long distance runners

HTH
Richard

Edited by Trickie Dickie on Tuesday 12th May 16:06

[teapea]

Trickie Dickie said:

Give the VX220 a miss

I am very dis gruntled at the moment as I have a Vectra Sri 2.2 which is supposedly the same engine
The first one gave up the ghost at only 29996 miles after approx 2 1/2 years old and luckily was under warranty
The second has just given up at about 46000 miles on the brand new replacement engine

Both times due to a fault they have had oil starvation problems to the top of the engine
the first time snapping the cam shaft and this second time just cooking it

Vauxhall obviously want nothing to do with this second one which is now out of warranty
although I have always had it serviced properly

I used to think it was a great engine but it appears to be too fragile
and makes many early TVR Speed 6 engines look like long distance runners

HTH
Richard

Edited by Trickie Dickie on Tuesday 12th May 16:06

the turbo has the 2.0 turbo out the astra/zafira
I haven't heard of any reliability problems on the 2.2's either
sounds like you've had no fun though

the Vauxhall dealers are terrible though, thats worth noting, they really couldn't be any more unhelpful/rude if they tried most of them.
I have had a few problems and won't take mine into them anymore.

[Mr Whippy]

Reports of frozen locks and ice in the foot wells put me off a fair bit as a year-round car.

VX220 Turbo is meant to be better with more carpet and central locking (bit less hardcore)

S2 111S would be what I'd have if I were going for a VX220/Turbo/Elise kinda thing.

[fridaypassion]

Trickie Dickie said:

Give the VX220 a miss

I am very dis gruntled at the moment as I have a Vectra Sri 2.2 which is supposedly the same engine
The first one gave up the ghost at only 29996 miles after approx 2 1/2 years old and luckily was under warranty
The second has just given up at about 46000 miles on the brand new replacement engine

Both times due to a fault they have had oil starvation problems to the top of the engine
the first time snapping the cam shaft and this second time just cooking it

Vauxhall obviously want nothing to do with this second one which is now out of warranty
although I have always had it serviced properly

I used to think it was a great engine but it appears to be too fragile
and makes many early TVR Speed 6 engines look like long distance runners

HTH
Richard

Edited by Trickie Dickie on Tuesday 12th May 16:06

Hmm I think you've been unlucky there TBH m8. I've had a total of 2 years of VX ownership in two different VX's both without any issues (second VX had 48k on the clock too) Having spent a fair bit of time on the vx220 forum I've only heard of a handfull of engine failures in the VX. I guess the VX's are less prone to the cam chain type issues as they do far less miles in between services. If you compare the VX risk of cam chain/engine failures to the risk of a rover head gasket failing it would be a great dis service to the VX to discount it on reliability grounds. In my experience the only common issue is failing engine mounts which are quite common but also cheaply fixed.

Pound for pound you'll never beat a VX on value for money. I did a ring trip in one of mine and loads of trackdays in both and never even had to replace so much as a brake pad. They really are very good cars.

Cars in the park has also re ignited my love for the VX it has to be said! Next time I must have a red one though!

Edited by fridaypassion on Tuesday 12th May 21:30

[Trickie Dickie]

fridaypassion said:

Trickie Dickie said:

Give the VX220 a miss

I am very dis gruntled at the moment as I have a Vectra Sri 2.2 which is supposedly the same engine
The first one gave up the ghost at only 29996 miles after approx 2 1/2 years old and luckily was under warranty
The second has just given up at about 46000 miles on the brand new replacement engine

Both times due to a fault they have had oil starvation problems to the top of the engine
the first time snapping the cam shaft and this second time just cooking it

Vauxhall obviously want nothing to do with this second one which is now out of warranty
although I have always had it serviced properly

I used to think it was a great engine but it appears to be too fragile
and makes many early TVR Speed 6 engines look like long distance runners

HTH
Richard

Edited by Trickie Dickie on Tuesday 12th May 16:06

Hmm I think you've been unlucky there TBH m8. I've had a total of 2 years of VX ownership in two different VX's both without any issues (second VX had 48k on the clock too) Having spent a fair bit of time on the vx220 forum I've only heard of a handfull of engine failures in the VX. I guess the VX's are less prone to the cam chain type issues as they do far less miles in between services. If you compare the VX risk of cam chain/engine failures to the risk of a rover head gasket failing it would be a great dis service to the VX to discount it on reliability grounds. In my experience the only common issue is failing engine mounts which are quite common but also cheaply fixed.

Pound for pound you'll never beat a VX on value for money. I did a ring trip in one of mine and loads of trackdays in both and never even had to replace so much as a brake pad. They really are very good cars.

Cars in the park has also re ignited my love for the VX it has to be said! Next time I must have a red one though!

Edited by fridaypassion on Tuesday 12th May 21:30

As a follow up to my post above then in the last week or so of talking to a variety of people in the car industry
I am finding many mechanics and garages agreeing with me that many of the Vauxhall 2.2 are having big problems

I have just bought a S Type Jag this morning as a replacement and the garage said they don't touch
the 2.2 petrol engine cars anymore due to past problems at relatively low mileages

The common fault on them of "jumping a cog" on the timing belts could also be due to lack of oil to the camshaft
and I am unable to source a second hand 2.2 engine as they are like "rocking horse Poo" due either to desirability
or mine not being the first one to pop prematurely!!!!

And normally I wouldn't class myself as unlucky

Richard