Polar opposites or closer than I think
Discussion
Although the title is a little misleading this is actually a what car type thread. I’ve been wanting a change for a while now and have narrowed it down to two cars, a VX220 (either turbo or supercharged) or a corvette c5.
To a degree these are very different cars, ones a giant bruiser with a mooosive V8 and the other a lightweight go kart like racer. However, look a bit closer and they are not so far apart. Both built round tubs with fibreglass bodies, both a rare sight on the UK roads, both sub 5 sec to 60 and faster top speeds than I will ever use, both can be daily drivers, both depreciation proof to a degree, both cheap(ish) to run for the performance on offer.
My budget is ideally around 10-14k, there are plenty of vx220’s about its just waiting for the right colour and spec that suits me, corvettes on the other hand are thinner on the ground. There are a few about but most seem to be overpriced, I mean that in they are still the same ones for sale from around 4 months ago. I have seen others marketed at lower prices and sell in a fewf weeks but most seem to hang about for a very long time. Another problem is 70 or 80% of corvettes are auto. Again, this might not be such a bad thing as the car will be my daily and even in auto the car is quick but will I miss that gear change experience for the 10% of the time I get to drive the car for fun?
I have no doubt the corvette will be a comfier proposition for daily duites with better insulation and heating but it’s a large car so not so good for the works car park and out and about, the VX is much smaller and will be a doodle to fit anywhere.
Performance and economy wise although the vette will be a little thirstier theres not much difference really and they are both very fast although the VX will be quicker on tighter, twisty roads.
I’m really torn between the two. Normally I’d go and visit some cars and get test drives but these two are rare cars so that’s not as easy.
So anyone have any experience of the two, ultimately I think either would be great fun but I guess I just need a shove in one direction or another.
To a degree these are very different cars, ones a giant bruiser with a mooosive V8 and the other a lightweight go kart like racer. However, look a bit closer and they are not so far apart. Both built round tubs with fibreglass bodies, both a rare sight on the UK roads, both sub 5 sec to 60 and faster top speeds than I will ever use, both can be daily drivers, both depreciation proof to a degree, both cheap(ish) to run for the performance on offer.
My budget is ideally around 10-14k, there are plenty of vx220’s about its just waiting for the right colour and spec that suits me, corvettes on the other hand are thinner on the ground. There are a few about but most seem to be overpriced, I mean that in they are still the same ones for sale from around 4 months ago. I have seen others marketed at lower prices and sell in a fewf weeks but most seem to hang about for a very long time. Another problem is 70 or 80% of corvettes are auto. Again, this might not be such a bad thing as the car will be my daily and even in auto the car is quick but will I miss that gear change experience for the 10% of the time I get to drive the car for fun?
I have no doubt the corvette will be a comfier proposition for daily duites with better insulation and heating but it’s a large car so not so good for the works car park and out and about, the VX is much smaller and will be a doodle to fit anywhere.
Performance and economy wise although the vette will be a little thirstier theres not much difference really and they are both very fast although the VX will be quicker on tighter, twisty roads.
I’m really torn between the two. Normally I’d go and visit some cars and get test drives but these two are rare cars so that’s not as easy.
So anyone have any experience of the two, ultimately I think either would be great fun but I guess I just need a shove in one direction or another.
I think they're two fairly different propositions as a daily - on the right road the VX will be a better drive, but you'd need some traffic-free bits with plenty of bends etc to really appreciate the mid-engined balance etc.
The 'vette on the other hand, is all about the engine. You can enjoy that on a dual carriageway, overtaking on wide straight roads or pointing it down a twisty road. It won't excel in the corners, but it'll feel special where the VX can't imo.
The 'vette on the other hand, is all about the engine. You can enjoy that on a dual carriageway, overtaking on wide straight roads or pointing it down a twisty road. It won't excel in the corners, but it'll feel special where the VX can't imo.
I had an NA VX220 for a few years as a daily driver and it's the one car I regret selling. Having said that though if I had my time again I would have it as a 2nd car and have something else for the day to day. I guess it depends on where you live but I was commuting around South London at the time and sitting in traffic on a cold winters morning for 45 mins every day became very tiresome when the car had very few creature comforts. The car was parked outside which meant in winter it would take ages to defrost as the heater was terrible!
I replaced it with a 350Z convertible, which I guess is similar to the Corvette, reasoning that it would be the best of both worlds and on the daily commute it was warm and comfortable. Unfortunately I found it really boring in comparison to the VX for everything else. I've now realised that trying to get a 'jack of all trades' car will always leave you a little bit frustrated so once funds allow I plan on getting another VX to sit along side my Citroen C6.
If your day to day driving is going to be more fun than the wonders of Crystal Palace, Streatham, Mitcham and Sutton and you don't mind wrapping up in the cold then go for the VX!!
I replaced it with a 350Z convertible, which I guess is similar to the Corvette, reasoning that it would be the best of both worlds and on the daily commute it was warm and comfortable. Unfortunately I found it really boring in comparison to the VX for everything else. I've now realised that trying to get a 'jack of all trades' car will always leave you a little bit frustrated so once funds allow I plan on getting another VX to sit along side my Citroen C6.
If your day to day driving is going to be more fun than the wonders of Crystal Palace, Streatham, Mitcham and Sutton and you don't mind wrapping up in the cold then go for the VX!!
Love the VX220s, would love a supercharged one one day. Look at this one in the classifieds.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
Quick as b
ks and proper baby Lamborghini spec in that lime green with red seats.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
Quick as b
ks and proper baby Lamborghini spec in that lime green with red seats. Krikkit said:
I think they're two fairly different propositions as a daily - on the right road the VX will be a better drive, but you'd need some traffic-free bits with plenty of bends etc to really appreciate the mid-engined balance etc.
The 'vette on the other hand, is all about the engine. You can enjoy that on a dual carriageway, overtaking on wide straight roads or pointing it down a twisty road. It won't excel in the corners, but it'll feel special where the VX can't imo.
erm no...The 'vette on the other hand, is all about the engine. You can enjoy that on a dual carriageway, overtaking on wide straight roads or pointing it down a twisty road. It won't excel in the corners, but it'll feel special where the VX can't imo.
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