Lotus Elises V Vouxhall VX220
Discussion
Seriously.
Rumour has it that you could get a good discounted new or ex-demo VX220 (they are not selling well).
Badge snobbery comes into it, and if its not a keeper then re-sale value needs to be considered.
The cars are similar, but the VX is not a re-bodied Elise.
As mentioned, drive them and see which you prefer.
I think generally the VX would suit more people's requirement for everyday use, but that does not mean the Elise is not useable everyday. All depends on what you need or want the car for, and what your price limit is (you can get an Elise with the same or more power than a VX at a price!).
Rumour has it that you could get a good discounted new or ex-demo VX220 (they are not selling well).
Badge snobbery comes into it, and if its not a keeper then re-sale value needs to be considered.
The cars are similar, but the VX is not a re-bodied Elise.
As mentioned, drive them and see which you prefer.
I think generally the VX would suit more people's requirement for everyday use, but that does not mean the Elise is not useable everyday. All depends on what you need or want the car for, and what your price limit is (you can get an Elise with the same or more power than a VX at a price!).
I have not driven the Elise but I have had its big brother the exige and the VX220 on the track ..the VX was very forgiving and well balanced. I thoroughly enjoyed driving it.
I was told it is a better balance than the standard Elise (but cant say for deff as it was word of mouth)
If you could spend a bit more the exige is amazing! when it comes to grip (with the good rubber fitted)
Pound for pound the VX220 is the better buy new IMHO, not sure about resale values though.
/waits for elise guys to shoot him
>> Edited by CleG on Wednesday 16th October 14:33
I was told it is a better balance than the standard Elise (but cant say for deff as it was word of mouth)
If you could spend a bit more the exige is amazing! when it comes to grip (with the good rubber fitted)
Pound for pound the VX220 is the better buy new IMHO, not sure about resale values though.
/waits for elise guys to shoot him
>> Edited by CleG on Wednesday 16th October 14:33
A magazine this month recommends waiting for the VX220 turbo. From what I understand, Vauxhall and Lotus have a 3 year deal, and its unlikely to be extended so the VX220 will be rarer.
And EVERYBODY knows its built by Lotus, so who cares about the badge on the front?
Drive both and see which you prefer. But I cannot imagine anyone turning their noses up at a VX220. Especially not at Pistonheads!
And EVERYBODY knows its built by Lotus, so who cares about the badge on the front?
Drive both and see which you prefer. But I cannot imagine anyone turning their noses up at a VX220. Especially not at Pistonheads!
Drive them both. I've never driven the VX but I'm told it's a very, very good car and dare I say it easily an equal to the Elise. VX220s are welcomed on Elise meets and runs so at the end of the day it comes to what you want from the car and how much you want to spend.
Don't buy a used VX as it'll depreciate very quickly but nearly new used ones are very cheap I've heard.
Don't buy a used VX as it'll depreciate very quickly but nearly new used ones are very cheap I've heard.
The 'average' price of a used VX (from Vauxhall) seems to be a grand or two below the price of a similarly aged Elise, but the purchase price is different by about the same amount.
They're good cars, although having read the VX board on yahoo (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vx220/) there might be a problem with the ABS system - reportedly there have been moments when the car hasn't stopped when the brakes have been applied quickly. If the brakes are released and re-applied all is well, but it still worries me a little.
As I understand, you can't get them serviced anywhere - there are dealers who specialise in the VX, and it has to go to one of them. The same dealers sell the things, so if you find one that'll flog you a VX you've found someone to service it.
I'd ask the VX board for an opinion on the VX pros and cons - they all seem like a friendly bunch.
Dan
They're good cars, although having read the VX board on yahoo (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vx220/) there might be a problem with the ABS system - reportedly there have been moments when the car hasn't stopped when the brakes have been applied quickly. If the brakes are released and re-applied all is well, but it still worries me a little.
As I understand, you can't get them serviced anywhere - there are dealers who specialise in the VX, and it has to go to one of them. The same dealers sell the things, so if you find one that'll flog you a VX you've found someone to service it.
I'd ask the VX board for an opinion on the VX pros and cons - they all seem like a friendly bunch.
Dan
Having driven both on road and track, to sum up the VX220 is very very forgiving, and very easy to control on the throttle, although lifting off suddenly *will* provoke lift off oversteer that can be quite violent. However, if you do spin a VX it tends to do it in a dead straight line. Power oversteer is a no-no - the car just understeers if you push it too hard.
In comparison, a (Series 1) elise is very much more "hard core" in my view. Power Oversteer is easy to provoke, and lift off oversteer.... well I've only managed to catch it once
.
For the roads, ensure you get a S1 with the Advans or SO2's on it. My personal preference was the VX for A road jaunts, the elise for B road. If it's tight and twisty - the elise wins hands down - if it's more "sweeping" the VX feels less 'edgy' and more at home.
Acceleration in the VX "feels" much more sedate - probably due to the engine noise not being so intrusive.
As for SII - sorry - no real experience with it.
Ensure you drive both if youre not worried about badge snobbery - a large number of friends have preferred the VX over an Elise - especially the "non car nuts" that really don't equate Lotus with something special.
J
In comparison, a (Series 1) elise is very much more "hard core" in my view. Power Oversteer is easy to provoke, and lift off oversteer.... well I've only managed to catch it once
. For the roads, ensure you get a S1 with the Advans or SO2's on it. My personal preference was the VX for A road jaunts, the elise for B road. If it's tight and twisty - the elise wins hands down - if it's more "sweeping" the VX feels less 'edgy' and more at home.
Acceleration in the VX "feels" much more sedate - probably due to the engine noise not being so intrusive.
As for SII - sorry - no real experience with it.
Ensure you drive both if youre not worried about badge snobbery - a large number of friends have preferred the VX over an Elise - especially the "non car nuts" that really don't equate Lotus with something special.
J
Do you have a beard and wear blue underpants ?
If not buy a lotus ... the Vx is ok but is a little civilised - abs and so on - also you can hear the radio ... whats that all about.
Get an elise sport 160 series one for about 17k (for a decent one) - you'll be glad you didn't compromise.
(assuming you don't mind the odd niggle)
If not buy a lotus ... the Vx is ok but is a little civilised - abs and so on - also you can hear the radio ... whats that all about.
Get an elise sport 160 series one for about 17k (for a decent one) - you'll be glad you didn't compromise.
(assuming you don't mind the odd niggle)
Thanks for the the info so far... 
I have seen some VX220 for 16K.
I well only be using the car at weekends so it still seams a bit 50/50.
Lotus well, is a Lotus and is just what it should be..
Vauxhall is just a bit safer.....
But will the new turbo VX fit the old
(PS I know it will not as it's 1.8)
I have seen some VX220 for 16K.
I well only be using the car at weekends so it still seams a bit 50/50.
Lotus well, is a Lotus and is just what it should be..
Vauxhall is just a bit safer.....
But will the new turbo VX fit the old
(PS I know it will not as it's 1.8)
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