VX220 - Talk me out of it
Discussion
All,
Pretty set on a VX220 (naturally aspirated) for my next car. Been to view/drive one, done the research etc. and can't think of anything which will be as exciting and fairly reasonable to run for a budget of around £7500. I do love an M3, but I've been to view 3 in my budget and they have all been very poor.
I'm expecting to be able to get a very nice N/A for that from an enthusiast so hopefully will have had recalls/niggles sorted but have a slush fund for other issues and am handy with a spanner. Will be doing a few thousand miles a year, nothing major.
So basically, does anyone have anything to say against them? I'm a bit concerned that VX exclusive parts like clams and lights will be incredibly expensive thus making even minor damage a write off, but I expect everything else to be pretty affordable (consumables, servicing etc.)
Any real life experience appreciated.
(Budget isn't stretching to a decent S2 so think I'm better off with a VX from the Elise family at this stage)
Pretty set on a VX220 (naturally aspirated) for my next car. Been to view/drive one, done the research etc. and can't think of anything which will be as exciting and fairly reasonable to run for a budget of around £7500. I do love an M3, but I've been to view 3 in my budget and they have all been very poor.
I'm expecting to be able to get a very nice N/A for that from an enthusiast so hopefully will have had recalls/niggles sorted but have a slush fund for other issues and am handy with a spanner. Will be doing a few thousand miles a year, nothing major.
So basically, does anyone have anything to say against them? I'm a bit concerned that VX exclusive parts like clams and lights will be incredibly expensive thus making even minor damage a write off, but I expect everything else to be pretty affordable (consumables, servicing etc.)
Any real life experience appreciated.
(Budget isn't stretching to a decent S2 so think I'm better off with a VX from the Elise family at this stage)
CrouchingWayne said:
All,
Pretty set on a VX220 (naturally aspirated) for my next car. Been to view/drive one, done the research etc. and can't think of anything which will be as exciting and fairly reasonable to run for a budget of around £7500. I do love an M3, but I've been to view 3 in my budget and they have all been very poor.
I'm expecting to be able to get a very nice N/A for that from an enthusiast so hopefully will have had recalls/niggles sorted but have a slush fund for other issues and am handy with a spanner. Will be doing a few thousand miles a year, nothing major.
So basically, does anyone have anything to say against them? I'm a bit concerned that VX exclusive parts like clams and lights will be incredibly expensive thus making even minor damage a write off, but I expect everything else to be pretty affordable (consumables, servicing etc.)
Any real life experience appreciated.
(Budget isn't stretching to a decent S2 so think I'm better off with a VX from the Elise family at this stage)
I ran an S1 elise for about 3 years, which were brilliant fun.Pretty set on a VX220 (naturally aspirated) for my next car. Been to view/drive one, done the research etc. and can't think of anything which will be as exciting and fairly reasonable to run for a budget of around £7500. I do love an M3, but I've been to view 3 in my budget and they have all been very poor.
I'm expecting to be able to get a very nice N/A for that from an enthusiast so hopefully will have had recalls/niggles sorted but have a slush fund for other issues and am handy with a spanner. Will be doing a few thousand miles a year, nothing major.
So basically, does anyone have anything to say against them? I'm a bit concerned that VX exclusive parts like clams and lights will be incredibly expensive thus making even minor damage a write off, but I expect everything else to be pretty affordable (consumables, servicing etc.)
Any real life experience appreciated.
(Budget isn't stretching to a decent S2 so think I'm better off with a VX from the Elise family at this stage)
With that budget, buy the VX (I hope you have a garage!)
If I was in your position I'd be looking at the VX. More better value than the S1 and, in my eyes looks better too. Especially when you remove the silly big V from the front of it.
As for damage, I think you can pick up clams used at pretty decent prices and removing and fitting isn't a major problem, although going through an insurance job I think it's gonna be touch and go.
I had an accident last month in an Elise S2, I took out the headlamp, holed the front clam and damaged the crash box with a few other odds and sodds. The repair bill is 7300 quid. If it was a cheaper car it would have been written off.
As for damage, I think you can pick up clams used at pretty decent prices and removing and fitting isn't a major problem, although going through an insurance job I think it's gonna be touch and go.
I had an accident last month in an Elise S2, I took out the headlamp, holed the front clam and damaged the crash box with a few other odds and sodds. The repair bill is 7300 quid. If it was a cheaper car it would have been written off.
I absoloute LOVED. Mine the only reason it went was because I had the oppertunity to buy a car I desperately wanted also and couldn't afford both. I would however have it back in a heartbeat, it was that good. I bought mine in the winter and sold in the summer and made £1500 if that helps also ! Do It ha.
RWA441 said:
Having had an S1 Elise and an N/A VX220 I thought the VX was a better all round package. The engine was much better than the S1 and it actually didn't leak where as the S1 was like a sieve!
Go for it, you'll not regret it.
Not all S1's leak - mine didn't at all.Go for it, you'll not regret it.
An aside: the VX220 with the Z22SE 2.2 NA engine is pretty much all Lotus, because that engine was designed for GM by... guess who?
Escy said:
My brother bought one recently. I had a go of it, I have to say I was impressed, loved the handling but I wouldn't fancy one as a daily. They are tricky to get in and out of, visibility is poor, not very comfortable. I'd personally rather the M3.
Getting into and out of Elise variants is a technique thing which you tend to pick up pretty easily in the first few weeks. The majority of people who have used one for a while don't think it's a problem - even fat, non bendy, tall feckers like me.
If you're doing it wrong, it can feel like you need to be a yoga instructor, but really you don't need to bend much at all once you know how to get in and out.
Escy said:
My brother bought one recently. I had a go of it, I have to say I was impressed, loved the handling but I wouldn't fancy one as a daily. They are tricky to get in and out of, visibility is poor, not very comfortable. I'd personally rather the M3.
If you are average height and weight getting in and out is a doddle. The only issue is being so low down compared to suicide mothers in their zafiras. The M3 and the VX220 are totally different prospects though.
I've run an S2 Elise as my daily driver for the last five years or so, and have thoroughly enjoyed it. It's the only car I've owned that I can't see myself ever getting rid of.
The VX220 is a pretty similar proposition (unsurprisingly given how much it shares). It's well worth finding one with Elise-sized wheels, though. Vauxhall's decision to fit the same diameter to the front and rear is responsible for most of the handling difference between the two cars (Vauxhall eventually rectified it on the VXR).
They can also be an arse to keep dry. Even if they don't actually leak (and most do to some degree in certain weather conditions) they tend to get damp inside and are an arse to demist in the winter if you don't have a garage to dry them out in. It's well worth investing in some caravan dehumidifiers or something if you're going to keep it outside.
The VX220 is a pretty similar proposition (unsurprisingly given how much it shares). It's well worth finding one with Elise-sized wheels, though. Vauxhall's decision to fit the same diameter to the front and rear is responsible for most of the handling difference between the two cars (Vauxhall eventually rectified it on the VXR).
They can also be an arse to keep dry. Even if they don't actually leak (and most do to some degree in certain weather conditions) they tend to get damp inside and are an arse to demist in the winter if you don't have a garage to dry them out in. It's well worth investing in some caravan dehumidifiers or something if you're going to keep it outside.
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