Considering a VX220 or S1...
Discussion
I've had my S1 111s for 3 years and no problems. I think a lot of it comes down to how the engine is treated. Give it time to warm up, that's oil temp not just water temp, before you give it serious beans and you'll be fine.
If you are worried about HGF then take a £65 policy with the AA which covers parts up to £500 which will pretty much cover the cost of repairs in a K series.
IMHO I wouldn't lose any sleep over it
If you are worried about HGF then take a £65 policy with the AA which covers parts up to £500 which will pretty much cover the cost of repairs in a K series.
IMHO I wouldn't lose any sleep over it
s111dpc said:
I've had my S1 111s for 3 years and no problems. I think a lot of it comes down to how the engine is treated. Give it time to warm up, that's oil temp not just water temp, before you give it serious beans and you'll be fine.
If you are worried about HGF then take a £65 policy with the AA which covers parts up to £500 which will pretty much cover the cost of repairs in a K series.
IMHO I wouldn't lose any sleep over it
Same here, my 111s is on 60,000 miles now and no hint of a problem (touching every bit of wood I can lay my hands on). However, I'm not daft, it is a weak point and is likely to go at some point. I've got the AA cover for mine as well. An awful lot is made of the HGF issue but its not a particularly expensive thing to sort. I've said it before but its bascially the price of a service on some cars.If you are worried about HGF then take a £65 policy with the AA which covers parts up to £500 which will pretty much cover the cost of repairs in a K series.
IMHO I wouldn't lose any sleep over it
Ive had my Elise for 18 months & driven it on a daily basis & warmed it up properly! To be honest i dont even drive it hard once it has warmed up because its my daily drive & i treat it with respect. Having said that my head gasket failed last year, so im a great believer in "if its going to happen, it will"...... It only costs around £500 so its really not worth worring about because alot of cars costs that much just for a service.
I wouldn't worry about HGF. As said above its not that expensive to fix and if done properly shouldn't happen again.
One thing you're going to have to get used to is the ongoing cost of consumables (suspension components/steering racks etc in addition to the normal brakes etc - I'm about to completely overhaul the suspension of my 60k mile S1 (new bushes, balljoints, TREs, toelinks, dampers :in fact new everything!)).
Have you driven either the VX or S1? Try both - they are different (but both very good). I prefer the Elise (and won't say any more for fear of opening a can of unwanted worms).
One nice thing about the K is that it is a very charismatic engine and can be very safely tuned to give as reliable 160bhp relatively inexpensively.
Don't worry too much about miles on the car - a garage queen is as likely to need bits replaced as a well used car. In fact a well used and cared for car is normally recommended. Same with cars that have been tracked - they tend to be very well looked after. Buy on condition, condition, condition and provenance. Best of luck.
One thing you're going to have to get used to is the ongoing cost of consumables (suspension components/steering racks etc in addition to the normal brakes etc - I'm about to completely overhaul the suspension of my 60k mile S1 (new bushes, balljoints, TREs, toelinks, dampers :in fact new everything!)).
Have you driven either the VX or S1? Try both - they are different (but both very good). I prefer the Elise (and won't say any more for fear of opening a can of unwanted worms).
One nice thing about the K is that it is a very charismatic engine and can be very safely tuned to give as reliable 160bhp relatively inexpensively.
Don't worry too much about miles on the car - a garage queen is as likely to need bits replaced as a well used car. In fact a well used and cared for car is normally recommended. Same with cars that have been tracked - they tend to be very well looked after. Buy on condition, condition, condition and provenance. Best of luck.
Just thought I'd add that in terms of reliablity my car has been superb. I'd get into it now and drive to the other end of the country without a second thought. In fact in November I drove a 700 mile round trip and fitted a track day in between (car didn't miss a beat) and I'll be doing the same again in a fortnight.
I don't think anyone has ever asked this before? Get the VX......yes......definately get the VX.....
Might be biased, but if your're generally not a worrier then S1 (and AA warranty). I however, have had both and now have one less thing to worry about.
p.s. Personally I wish I hadn't read the forums, and then could have enjoyed the car more without being constantly paranoid about temps/water levels etc. Just get in and enjoy it!
p.s. Personally I wish I hadn't read the forums, and then could have enjoyed the car more without being constantly paranoid about temps/water levels etc. Just get in and enjoy it!
Edited by ahdguy on Tuesday 8th January 10:37
I agree with most of the posts above. There's a thread going on in "General Lotus Stuff" that's worth reading. Ignore all the crap, there are some uselful snippets in there. Suffice to say, both are brilliant and, whilst you're right to ask about reliability, both should prove very robust although with low volume cars, you'll always get the niggles. Drive both, they're subtely different and just pick the one you prefer and enjoy it.
Olly, ok so I'm biased but in my opinion the VX220 beats the S1 Elise hands down as an all rounder, plus the engine is pretty unburstable. If you're not bothered about 'the badge' then its a no-brainer IMO Pop down to vx220.org.uk and say hello ;-)
Also, if you're looking for a focused sports car like either of the above I think you'd find either the MR2 or the S2000 disappointing.
JJ
Also, if you're looking for a focused sports car like either of the above I think you'd find either the MR2 or the S2000 disappointing.
JJ
To be honest they are pretty similar cars. Yes they handle slightly differently (the VX220 feels softer and heavier) but they both handle better than anything else on the road. In outright performance terms they're similar, the VX probably has a slightly stronger engine. The VX will be significantly cheaper to insure but cost more to fuel and tax...
Drive both and see which you prefer. Oh and if you want to drive with the roof off, make sure you try removing and refitting it on both cars; some people find the S1's roof rather fiddly.
For what it's worth, if I'd been looking at spending a little less than I did, I think I would have ended up with a VX.
Drive both and see which you prefer. Oh and if you want to drive with the roof off, make sure you try removing and refitting it on both cars; some people find the S1's roof rather fiddly.
For what it's worth, if I'd been looking at spending a little less than I did, I think I would have ended up with a VX.
jazzyjeff said:
Olly, ok so I'm biased but in my opinion the VX220 beats the S1 Elise hands down as an all rounder, plus the engine is pretty unburstable. If you're not bothered about 'the badge' then its a no-brainer IMO Pop down to vx220.org.uk and say hello ;-)
Also, if you're looking for a focused sports car like either of the above I think you'd find either the MR2 or the S2000 disappointing.
JJ
S2000 is a cracking car and teaches a few elise's / exiges a thing or two and that even round the track ! Very capable car.Also, if you're looking for a focused sports car like either of the above I think you'd find either the MR2 or the S2000 disappointing.
JJ
piooly said:
S2000 is a cracking car and teaches a few elise's / exiges a thing or two and that even round the track ! Very capable car.
I heard a review of an S2k from an elise driver that had one for a couple of months that would totally disagree with that statement.I was seriously looking at a s2k before the 'liz. I really didnt think much of it. Calling the S2k a "focussed sports car" after being in an Elise is like saying a double decker would be a "serious rally car".
Oh, sorry, I have just read, VX driver. Did he say "all rounder" in his description? An all rounder is a 406 or 325. We are talking sports cars here.
Gooby said:
piooly said:
S2000 is a cracking car and teaches a few elise's / exiges a thing or two and that even round the track ! Very capable car.
I heard a review of an S2k from an elise driver that had one for a couple of months that would totally disagree with that statement.I was seriously looking at a s2k before the 'liz. I really didnt think much of it. Calling the S2k a "focussed sports car" after being in an Elise is like saying a double decker would be a "serious rally car".
Oh, sorry, I have just read, VX driver. Did he say "all rounder" in his description? An all rounder is a 406 or 325. We are talking sports cars here.
Tried an S2000 for mrs zebs when she replaced her car. I personally thought it was quite poor for the money. No feel of the road, inadequate suspension and underpowered performance compared to the liz.
Elise and S2000's are not for comparison.
Zebra
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