RE: Vauxhall VX220: Spotted
Discussion
Bought and had a lightning yellow 2002 car for a year. Loved it despite issues with lack of heating, ice on inside of windscreen in the winter among other things. Got written off by someone driving 15mph into the back of it when parked. Worst motoring day of my life. Got a measly £7k for it and only had 20k miles on clock, limited edition and a hard top from insurers. Miss it despite its issues.
Only worry is structure if involved in a proper crash. Other than that great car, would be best as a second car though rather than daily as mine was.
Only worry is structure if involved in a proper crash. Other than that great car, would be best as a second car though rather than daily as mine was.
There are fixes for the heater and the ABS:
1. Turn the ABS off - mine has a kill switch under the front clam
2. There's an upgraded heater out there - it still takes a while to warm up compared to my daily, but once it's warm you can get the cabin stupidly hot.
Nonetheless, I'd agree - I'd not fancy it as a daily. As a second car it's more fun, and MILES cheaper than my 987 Cayman S was.
1. Turn the ABS off - mine has a kill switch under the front clam
2. There's an upgraded heater out there - it still takes a while to warm up compared to my daily, but once it's warm you can get the cabin stupidly hot.
Nonetheless, I'd agree - I'd not fancy it as a daily. As a second car it's more fun, and MILES cheaper than my 987 Cayman S was.
suffolk009 said:
HeMightBeBanned said:
...and the marketing department saw fit to have Griff Rhys Jones advertise it whilst wearing only a pair of underpants.
Quite. It might take a whole generation to forget the adverts.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od-kenmFD_I
The design looks contemporary all these years later. To the uninitiated, you may have bought it new, yesterday, right off the forecourt.
A tune-able lump, a skateboard stance, and a targa top. All for a reasonable sum? Come on!
I guarantee: If the US would not insist upon the draconian 25-year embargo on non-compliant cars, the VX220 and its Speedster siblings would have long been hoovered up -- RHD, LHD, it doesn't matter.
I'd buy this, or one like it, in an instant, if I lived in the same time zone. To you current owners: I'm envious! I raise a virtual pint.
Hmmm, I still miss my 2.2 NA. Only thing I don't miss is trying to get 6ft4 of me in and out of it in a tight garage. Best thing I've ever driven. Child number three turned up and it was sold to fund a seven seater purchase.....
I always enjoyed the fact that it (as a Lotus Type 116) had slightly more Lotus DNA than an Elise due to the fact that it had a Lotus (designed) engine in it and not a Rover/Toyota unit.
I always enjoyed the fact that it (as a Lotus Type 116) had slightly more Lotus DNA than an Elise due to the fact that it had a Lotus (designed) engine in it and not a Rover/Toyota unit.
I was looking at these the other day, wondering if I could get my ample frame comfortable enough to enjoy one properly on nice days and track days... I'm only 6'1 but quite wide/big shoulders (for rugby types: I played prop in the distant past!) so not sure if I could get comfy, plus being in NE Scotland it's not the easiest to find one that I can just pop round and take a look at and have a seat in.
For reference, I was a couple of stone lighter, but I managed to slip into a Honda S2000 without much fuss and really enjoyed it so I'm hoping that the VX would have a similar amount of interior space and low driving position as that. Does the steering wheel move up/down?
For reference, I was a couple of stone lighter, but I managed to slip into a Honda S2000 without much fuss and really enjoyed it so I'm hoping that the VX would have a similar amount of interior space and low driving position as that. Does the steering wheel move up/down?
Krikkit said:
When you're not far off an S1 Elise at this kind of money, why would you?
Because the VX220 is a better car, based off the S2 chassis (they literally rolled off the line in the same building), with a more powerful and reliable engine with many more modification upgrades available - better OEM suspension on the NA (stiffer ride than the Turbo VX220) there are quite a lot of things that put a VX above an S1 except brand and heritage.Loved my VX220 and its the only car I still hanker after after selling it, would love to own an S2 too but prices going a bit too far north for a fair weather car - loads of forum support for it as well from supercharging work to roof liner upgrades (the VX brought in the roll over roof whilst the S1 and some S2s still struggled with the larger ungainly ones which stretched back over the rear or the car).
RS Grant said:
I was looking at these the other day, wondering if I could get my ample frame comfortable enough to enjoy one properly on nice days and track days... I'm only 6'1 but quite wide/big shoulders (for rugby types: I played prop in the distant past!) so not sure if I could get comfy, plus being in NE Scotland it's not the easiest to find one that I can just pop round and take a look at and have a seat in.
For reference, I was a couple of stone lighter, but I managed to slip into a Honda S2000 without much fuss and really enjoyed it so I'm hoping that the VX would have a similar amount of interior space and low driving position as that. Does the steering wheel move up/down?
The wheel doesn't move, but I daresay you'd fit - just that any passengers would be very very close to you indeed as it's a narrow cockpit once you're over the sill.For reference, I was a couple of stone lighter, but I managed to slip into a Honda S2000 without much fuss and really enjoyed it so I'm hoping that the VX would have a similar amount of interior space and low driving position as that. Does the steering wheel move up/down?
RS Grant said:
I was looking at these the other day, wondering if I could get my ample frame comfortable enough to enjoy one properly on nice days and track days... I'm only 6'1 but quite wide/big shoulders (for rugby types: I played prop in the distant past!) so not sure if I could get comfy, plus being in NE Scotland it's not the easiest to find one that I can just pop round and take a look at and have a seat in.
For reference, I was a couple of stone lighter, but I managed to slip into a Honda S2000 without much fuss and really enjoyed it so I'm hoping that the VX would have a similar amount of interior space and low driving position as that. Does the steering wheel move up/down?
I'm in Aberdeen Grant if you wanted to try one for size. Essentially the same as an S2 Elise / Exige also.For reference, I was a couple of stone lighter, but I managed to slip into a Honda S2000 without much fuss and really enjoyed it so I'm hoping that the VX would have a similar amount of interior space and low driving position as that. Does the steering wheel move up/down?
The only thing adjustable is the drivers seat (forward / backward). Even the passenger seat is fixed..
RS Grant said:
I was looking at these the other day, wondering if I could get my ample frame comfortable enough to enjoy one properly on nice days and track days... I'm only 6'1 but quite wide/big shoulders (for rugby types: I played prop in the distant past!) so not sure if I could get comfy, plus being in NE Scotland it's not the easiest to find one that I can just pop round and take a look at and have a seat in.
For reference, I was a couple of stone lighter, but I managed to slip into a Honda S2000 without much fuss and really enjoyed it so I'm hoping that the VX would have a similar amount of interior space and low driving position as that. Does the steering wheel move up/down?
I've had mine for 6 or 7 years now and still love it. Great write up.For reference, I was a couple of stone lighter, but I managed to slip into a Honda S2000 without much fuss and really enjoyed it so I'm hoping that the VX would have a similar amount of interior space and low driving position as that. Does the steering wheel move up/down?
Access isn't elegant but you do get the knack. I'm sub 6' but not the slimmest, and I know a few taller owners who manage fine, and I've had some big passengers - though you'll be rubbing shoulders with two blokes in as the seats are set close together. Steering wheel doesn't adjust at all, and the seat only slides back and forward. It's actually harder to get into the passenger side as the seat doesn't move at all, and isn't set as far back as the driver's slides, so don't be put off if you happen to hop in one.
Once you're in I find it very comfortable even on long trips, but an S2000 has more interior space and generally more 'car like' inside.
MFR_TT said:
A rare breed, a Vauxhall that you cannot hate. The only thing anyone can complaint about on these, is the badge, and if that's what you're concerned about, then maybe you should change your interest to fashion instead of cars.
Always lusted after the red and black VXR220, but these still have aged really well and I feel like even with It being a Vauxhall, that 10k is an investment and the cars will only become more sought after.
There is a actually one thing I don't like, the wheels... but the fella above with the Speedlines has got it spot on.
Couldn't afford a VXR, and - to be honest, having had a Turbo - never really got on with the power delivery, so supercharged a 2.2 and turned it into a VXR look-alike..Always lusted after the red and black VXR220, but these still have aged really well and I feel like even with It being a Vauxhall, that 10k is an investment and the cars will only become more sought after.
There is a actually one thing I don't like, the wheels... but the fella above with the Speedlines has got it spot on.
Interesting to see nicely-presented dealer examples come in at this price point.
I had a red one in my watch list only the other week. It didn't look to be in a particularly salubrious area in the next town along, nor did it look particularly well-presented, but it struck me as good value nonetheless and one I'd have taken a look at if I was actually in the market and not just day-dreaming. That one was circa £10k iirc.
Tempting stuff.
I had a red one in my watch list only the other week. It didn't look to be in a particularly salubrious area in the next town along, nor did it look particularly well-presented, but it struck me as good value nonetheless and one I'd have taken a look at if I was actually in the market and not just day-dreaming. That one was circa £10k iirc.
Tempting stuff.
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