VX220 or Elise s1/2 Advice
Discussion
pt06j3b said:
Hi Guys, I am thinking of changing to either a elise s1/2 or a VX220.
Main worry is I want to use it as my everyday car.
Any problems to look out for? ie, hardtop essential?
Also are they ok in the rain?
If it was outside in winter would that be ok?
Cheers for the guidance/advice,
Jamie
I don't really have anything to add to your question apart from to say thats some superb lurking there chap Main worry is I want to use it as my everyday car.
Any problems to look out for? ie, hardtop essential?
Also are they ok in the rain?
If it was outside in winter would that be ok?
Cheers for the guidance/advice,
Jamie
Personally I prefer the look of the VX220 to the Elise, I think they will both leak a little bit but you can get some good aftermarket hoods
ETA: Are they hard to get in and out of with the hood on if you are 6' plus or is this a myth? I've always faniced a VX Turbo
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 19th May 15:40
I can only really comment on the VX220 - IMO slightly better value than the loti.
People do use them all year round, every day and keep them outside in the winter. Do be aware that it will require love and attention if you do (e.g getting up 10 minutes earlier to scrape the ice off the inside of the windscreen most winter mornings), that doesnt mean to say it will be heavy on the wallet.
Hardtop is probably a good idea if keeping it outside all year.
The fun will outweight any inconveniences
Also - check out VX220.org.uk very friendly and helpful people. They even have a buying guide well worth reading before anything else.
People do use them all year round, every day and keep them outside in the winter. Do be aware that it will require love and attention if you do (e.g getting up 10 minutes earlier to scrape the ice off the inside of the windscreen most winter mornings), that doesnt mean to say it will be heavy on the wallet.
Hardtop is probably a good idea if keeping it outside all year.
The fun will outweight any inconveniences
Also - check out VX220.org.uk very friendly and helpful people. They even have a buying guide well worth reading before anything else.
Edited by Torquey on Wednesday 19th May 15:52
Best posting in the Lotus forum.
Plenty of people use these as every day cars.
Personally, I couldn't - I have an Elise S2 that gets used on high days and holidays.
Most seem to leak to some extent but we're not talking puddles in the footwell, more like trickles along the header rail.
S1 is the purest - Lightest, least equipment, widest sills to clamber over to get in, fiddliest roof and given the relatively low numbers produced the future classic.
VX220 the most watered down - abs brakes etc.
S2 sits in the middle (and moves more towards the VX220 the newer you go).
You will hear lots of horror stories about K-series engines and head gasket failure, which may point you towards a VX220 or a later toyota engined Elise S2.
Plenty of people use these as every day cars.
Personally, I couldn't - I have an Elise S2 that gets used on high days and holidays.
Most seem to leak to some extent but we're not talking puddles in the footwell, more like trickles along the header rail.
S1 is the purest - Lightest, least equipment, widest sills to clamber over to get in, fiddliest roof and given the relatively low numbers produced the future classic.
VX220 the most watered down - abs brakes etc.
S2 sits in the middle (and moves more towards the VX220 the newer you go).
You will hear lots of horror stories about K-series engines and head gasket failure, which may point you towards a VX220 or a later toyota engined Elise S2.
I used an S1 all year around with little issue. The S2 and VX220 roofs are better than the S1, particularly the later 'short' S2 roofs. They leak less and are far quicker to remove and replace. None of them leak dramatically from what I can tell. My S1 roof used to leak when it got properly soaked but generally this would only happen in very heavy downpours or if the car had been left out in the rain for a long period of time. A shower cap cover would solve the latter. If you are not too hung up on shape, I would go with an S2 (specifically 111s). I genuinely think its the best prospect for daily use but I always loved the S1 shape, so unless I was going for an Exige, I'd always gravitate towards the S1. That said the VX220 Turbo is a fine steed too. If anything, my waffling just goes to show that you can't really go far wrong!
For daily use, do consider the following though.
Standard S1 seats are very uncomfortable for long distances.
S1's benefit a lot from S2 dampers
Carpets reduce the noise enormously
Getting in with the hood on is a little awkward with all of them but you get used to it.
Don't fit too loud an exhaust if you really are racking up the miles. I did 3000 miles in two weeks last summer and had to resort to ear plugs in the end.
But bottom line is this, just get one, any one. You'll love it.
For daily use, do consider the following though.
Standard S1 seats are very uncomfortable for long distances.
S1's benefit a lot from S2 dampers
Carpets reduce the noise enormously
Getting in with the hood on is a little awkward with all of them but you get used to it.
Don't fit too loud an exhaust if you really are racking up the miles. I did 3000 miles in two weeks last summer and had to resort to ear plugs in the end.
But bottom line is this, just get one, any one. You'll love it.
I was after an S2 some years ago and then drove the VX. The reason I bought the VX in the end was the engine and gearbox were way better than the Rover stuff in the S2 at the time and to my eyes, looked better, and still does. The box in S2 really was a horrid thing IMO. If I was in your position now, I'd be getting a VX Turbo.
Used mine all year round with no issues apart from they are crap in the snow.
Used mine all year round with no issues apart from they are crap in the snow.
unpc said:
I was after an S2 some years ago and then drove the VX. The reason I bought the VX in the end was the engine and gearbox were way better than the Rover stuff in the S2 at the time and to my eyes, looked better, and still does. The box in S2 really was a horrid thing IMO. If I was in your position now, I'd be getting a VX Turbo.
Used mine all year round with no issues apart from they are crap in the snow.
Must admit the standard linkage on the PG1 Rover box is crap. Eliseparts sell a bush kit that improves it significantly though.Used mine all year round with no issues apart from they are crap in the snow.
pt06j3b said:
Hi Guys, I am thinking of changing to either a elise s1/2 or a VX220.
Main worry is I want to use it as my everyday car.
Any problems to look out for? ie, hardtop essential?
Also are they ok in the rain?
If it was outside in winter would that be ok?
Cheers for the guidance/advice,
Jamie
I have owned:Main worry is I want to use it as my everyday car.
Any problems to look out for? ie, hardtop essential?
Also are they ok in the rain?
If it was outside in winter would that be ok?
Cheers for the guidance/advice,
Jamie
111S S2
Exige S2 190
Elise 190 (one off stripped out special).
Mine all lived outside. None leaked.
As for being a daily driver, this sort of depends on your daily journey - long journeys on the motorway are a bit tiresome, and I wouldn't want to be driving it in the snow or on muddy lanes, but you can certainly use them every day without issue.
Personally, I wouldn't buy an Elise or VX220 without air conditioning if you're going to use it as a daily driver in the winter and don't have a garage because even if it doesn't leak, the interior will get a bit damp and the small cabin volume makes it very prone to misting up.
All Elise variant cars need careful window alignment to avoid leaks, and early ones (pre MY04) will all leak around the top of the A-pillar in heavy rain if the wind is strong enough and in exactly the wrong direction whatever you do. Hard tops aren't really any more waterproof than soft tops as they tend to leak around the roof rather than through it.
All Elise variant cars need careful window alignment to avoid leaks, and early ones (pre MY04) will all leak around the top of the A-pillar in heavy rain if the wind is strong enough and in exactly the wrong direction whatever you do. Hard tops aren't really any more waterproof than soft tops as they tend to leak around the roof rather than through it.
Had a VXT as daily drive for three years now. Never driven an Elise so I can only give one side.
Good:
Access for munchkins. I'm only 5'8" and getting in & out is easy peasy.
Fuel economy is about 32mpg if you take it easy.
Short of a kit car you will struggle to find something which matches the same level of performance per pound. The standard car is blisteringly quick anyway; a remap and replacement downpipe which eliminates the precat will cost you about £800 and give you 230-240bhp and 250-260lb/ft torque - realistically this is all you will ever need on the road in a car weighing 930kgs.
Exclusivity; you will struggle to drive past another on the road in a long time.
Handling is excellent as you would expect; the Turbo is heavier than the NA due to the iron block. You can upgrade the shocks and get a geo to improve the handling but practically speaking for most drivers, you will run out of ability before the car does.
Parts for maintenance are on the whole cheap with it being a Vauxhall and sharing a lot of oily parts with the Astra, Zafira etc.
Bad:
Access for lankies. If you are tall you may struggle.
A hardtop for winter is, IMO, essential as it makes it a much cosier and warmer place to be.
The heater is rubbish, but this can be improved somewhat.
The ABS is poorly-designed, intrusive and annoying but can be disabled if required.
Replacement 220-specific body parts are staggeringly expensive: clams are £2k and headlights are £700-800; you can see why a rear-end shunt will come close to writing a car off relatively easily.
It rattles. A lot.
Best you check out the VX220 forums: http://www.vx220.org.uk as they provide an enormous wealth of information.
Good:
Access for munchkins. I'm only 5'8" and getting in & out is easy peasy.
Fuel economy is about 32mpg if you take it easy.
Short of a kit car you will struggle to find something which matches the same level of performance per pound. The standard car is blisteringly quick anyway; a remap and replacement downpipe which eliminates the precat will cost you about £800 and give you 230-240bhp and 250-260lb/ft torque - realistically this is all you will ever need on the road in a car weighing 930kgs.
Exclusivity; you will struggle to drive past another on the road in a long time.
Handling is excellent as you would expect; the Turbo is heavier than the NA due to the iron block. You can upgrade the shocks and get a geo to improve the handling but practically speaking for most drivers, you will run out of ability before the car does.
Parts for maintenance are on the whole cheap with it being a Vauxhall and sharing a lot of oily parts with the Astra, Zafira etc.
Bad:
Access for lankies. If you are tall you may struggle.
A hardtop for winter is, IMO, essential as it makes it a much cosier and warmer place to be.
The heater is rubbish, but this can be improved somewhat.
The ABS is poorly-designed, intrusive and annoying but can be disabled if required.
Replacement 220-specific body parts are staggeringly expensive: clams are £2k and headlights are £700-800; you can see why a rear-end shunt will come close to writing a car off relatively easily.
It rattles. A lot.
Best you check out the VX220 forums: http://www.vx220.org.uk as they provide an enormous wealth of information.
kambites said:
Personally, I wouldn't buy an Elise or VX220 without air conditioning if you're going to use it as a daily driver in the winter and don't have a garage because even if it doesn't leak, the interior will get a bit damp and the small cabin volume makes it very prone to misting up.
All Elise variant cars need careful window alignment to avoid leaks, and early ones (pre MY04) will all leak around the top of the A-pillar in heavy rain if the wind is strong enough and in exactly the wrong direction whatever you do. Hard tops aren't really any more waterproof than soft tops as they tend to leak around the roof rather than through it.
Just a small note, you cannot buy a VX220 with aircon as it was never an option. If you need this as a dealbreaker then the Lotus is your only option.All Elise variant cars need careful window alignment to avoid leaks, and early ones (pre MY04) will all leak around the top of the A-pillar in heavy rain if the wind is strong enough and in exactly the wrong direction whatever you do. Hard tops aren't really any more waterproof than soft tops as they tend to leak around the roof rather than through it.
pt06j3b said:
Hi Guys, I am thinking of changing to either a elise s1/2 or a VX220.
Main worry is I want to use it as my everyday car.
Any problems to look out for? ie, hardtop essential?
Also are they ok in the rain?
If it was outside in winter would that be ok?
Cheers for the guidance/advice,
Jamie
I see no reason why you can't use such a car as these as a daily, but you need to go into it with your eyes open. They are specialist sports cars, so evidently have compromises that a Focus won't.Main worry is I want to use it as my everyday car.
Any problems to look out for? ie, hardtop essential?
Also are they ok in the rain?
If it was outside in winter would that be ok?
Cheers for the guidance/advice,
Jamie
In terms of which one. Well a VX is a tad cheaper for the same age/condition. Although turbo ones are more money.
The VX and S2 are probably more weather proof and arguably more refined.
But the S1 IMO looks the best and I've seen it claimed that they offer the purest driving thrills.
But I think in all cases it's splitting hairs, they are all fab and only minor differences to separate them.
My biggest concern with the VX as a daily would be spares and if the clam shell got damaged.
can't comment on VX220 ownership - but i expect it's pretty much the same as the Elise.
S1 hoods - later ones (from 2000 or maybe slightly earlier) are better than the really early cars..channel rain away better. After 4 yrs or so mine started to leak. Easily cured with reproofing (camping shop - around £12-15). Some drips at the front edge in heavy rain - but nothing significant.
S2 - hoods - easier to put on/off, double layered so less noise.
S2 is better as everyday driver, IMO. air-con is nice (gets hot inside in winter !), better damped (although S1 can have the S2 dampers fitted ), S2 easier to get in/out with hood up.
if you fit a sport exhaust/cat then choose wisely..some are a bit too wearing for everyday use.
S2 seats are better - but have done 5+ hour drives in an S1 without problems....
snow - yes it's tricky...but do-able...
to be honest.....in short...... buy any of the cars you've mentioned... get the best you can sensibly afford..... you'll just want to drive in everyday whatever.
S1 hoods - later ones (from 2000 or maybe slightly earlier) are better than the really early cars..channel rain away better. After 4 yrs or so mine started to leak. Easily cured with reproofing (camping shop - around £12-15). Some drips at the front edge in heavy rain - but nothing significant.
S2 - hoods - easier to put on/off, double layered so less noise.
S2 is better as everyday driver, IMO. air-con is nice (gets hot inside in winter !), better damped (although S1 can have the S2 dampers fitted ), S2 easier to get in/out with hood up.
if you fit a sport exhaust/cat then choose wisely..some are a bit too wearing for everyday use.
S2 seats are better - but have done 5+ hour drives in an S1 without problems....
snow - yes it's tricky...but do-able...
to be honest.....in short...... buy any of the cars you've mentioned... get the best you can sensibly afford..... you'll just want to drive in everyday whatever.
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