RE: Vauxhall VX220: Spotted
Discussion
sr.guiri said:
Krikkit said:
When you're not far off an S1 Elise at this kind of money, why would you?
Because it has something the Elise doesn't have - TORQUEHowever, seeing that badge on the steering wheel all the time would make my eyes hurt
I think a few buy it because of the badge - comes with absolutely no pretensions, and you save a decent amount because of it..
This thread really isn't helping my want for one. Had a chance to look around/ follow this supercharged one to the pub over the weekend;
And I haven't stopped looking in the classifieds since...they really are a stunning looking car.
Seem to remember researching these a few years ago and being told parts etc are cheaper than the equivalent Elise, due to the amount of parts bin components on it...is that true, or complete nonsense and it is in fact like most other performance cars, when 'VX tax' is applied on parts?
And I haven't stopped looking in the classifieds since...they really are a stunning looking car.
Seem to remember researching these a few years ago and being told parts etc are cheaper than the equivalent Elise, due to the amount of parts bin components on it...is that true, or complete nonsense and it is in fact like most other performance cars, when 'VX tax' is applied on parts?
I used to have a Mandarin N/A, back in 2009 ish. I would love another one, but I wouldn’t want to go through the pain of getting all the bodywork replaced, due to badly baked out panels again. I can’t remember if they all eventually suffered from this, but it was a large number, especially if kept outside. Vauxhall weren’t overly helpful at replacing them either.
rallye_turbo said:
Nice! Talk to me about the supercharged 2.2!
What do you want to know?Very common and popular mod for the 2.2. This engine (which had Lotus design input afaik, which makes the VX possibly more Lotus than the K-series or Toyota-engined Elises.. even if it's not true, it's fun to wind-up the Lotus fanboys with that fact..
) saw service in the US in several cars and was supercharged by the factory, so it's almost OE! Plenty of places do it for up to around £4.5k (Jon Seal, who's selling the one at the top of this thread, does a SC conversion iirc) but you can get cheaper and it is possible to DIY as well if you're handy with a spanner.
Stage 1 gives you around 210-220 hp, stage 2 250-ish. Engines are fine on standard internals at 250 brake (and often much more). Mine's at around 260 and it flies.. love the whine of the supercharger as well.. All the advantages of the NA (smooth, linear power delivery) with way more urge than a standard Turbo. Having had 2 x NAs, and a Stage 3 Turbo this is by far and way my favourite. Absolutely love it..
T5SOR said:
I used to have a Mandarin N/A, back in 2009 ish. I would love another one, but I wouldn’t want to go through the pain of getting all the bodywork replaced, due to badly baked out panels again. I can’t remember if they all eventually suffered from this, but it was a large number, especially if kept outside. Vauxhall weren’t overly helpful at replacing them either.
Early ones definitely suffered from osmosis, later ones less so. Elises suffered the same, though. A lot have been sorted now. If it hasn't suffered yet, it's unlikely too now unless, as you say, it's been garaged all it's life and then is suddenly kept outside.JohnoVR6 said:
Seem to remember researching these a few years ago and being told parts etc are cheaper than the equivalent Elise, due to the amount of parts bin components on it...is that true, or complete nonsense and it is in fact like most other performance cars, when 'VX tax' is applied on parts?
Engine stuff availability not too bad.. both the 2.2 and the 2.0 Turbo saw service in lots of far less interesting cars (Vectra, Astra, Zafira etc). Body stuff, until relatively recently, was a bit of a 'mare and defo had 'VX tax' but now you can get aftermarket clam shells (Jon Seal - lotushardtops - again), lights (a very handy owner has started these) and all sorts of other bits. A very active and proactive owners forum at vx220.org.uk really helps to maintain them as well, along with a good few independent specialists. Never take one to Vauxhall for any work, though, they'll look very blankly at you!
JohnoVR6 said:
Seem to remember researching these a few years ago and being told parts etc are cheaper than the equivalent Elise, due to the amount of parts bin components on it...is that true, or complete nonsense and it is in fact like most other performance cars, when 'VX tax' is applied on parts?
Unless you're crazy enough to buy parts from main dealers, I don't think there's much in it. The obvious difference is the engine which is MGR vs Vauxhall prices (not much in it, price-wise). The suspension, chassis, steering etc. is largely the same - a mixture of parts-bin stuff and Lotus specific. Body panels for both are made by Lotus; interior is a mix of parts-bin and Lotus. The only major (in terms of price) things I can imagine being cheaper on the VX are the lights, maybe? At least compared to the S2 Elise.
Strugs said:
kambites said:
Body panels for both are made by Lotus.
VX clams are NLA from Lotus now.. but, as above, Jon Seal at Lotushardtops has started making them..There's various companies making aftermarket Elise clams too but I've no idea how they compare price-wise to the VX220 ones.
I've owned 5 in my time, first was supercharged, next 3 were NA, and after a 6 year break I just bought another last week. Working on restoring it to its former glory as the previous owner had unfortunately left it outside on axle stands for nearly 18 months after failing to complete the supercharger conversion.
Many of the 'hard to find' parts are now being offered up by third parties (Jon Seal producing clams/fezzasus on the owner's club producing light clusters and lenses and other associated items), or there are workarounds (the £115 yellow starter relay [which in itself is now being produced by a third party in Europe] in the boot can be rewired to use a normal relay - just don't press the start button when you're driving!).
Many of the 'hard to find' parts are now being offered up by third parties (Jon Seal producing clams/fezzasus on the owner's club producing light clusters and lenses and other associated items), or there are workarounds (the £115 yellow starter relay [which in itself is now being produced by a third party in Europe] in the boot can be rewired to use a normal relay - just don't press the start button when you're driving!).
Out of interest are the after-market light clusters properly type approved? Otherwise they are illegal and whilst I'm sure they're fine in reality, there's a risk of getting caught up in the anti-HiD kit backlash.
Or has someone actually bought the OEM production facilities and rights from Lotus or Vauxhall or whoever made them originally.
Or has someone actually bought the OEM production facilities and rights from Lotus or Vauxhall or whoever made them originally.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 7th June 18:02
145bhp from a 2.2 litre engine isnt great. The K-series vvc 1.8 generates similar numbers.
I like the rear end of the vx220 but the front is very wrong.
If i ever had to cut back on my car costs then a vx220 would be a great option.
I heard that some of the parts are no longer available since Vauxhaul abandoned the VX220 and Lotus have no reason to support it.
I like the rear end of the vx220 but the front is very wrong.
If i ever had to cut back on my car costs then a vx220 would be a great option.
I heard that some of the parts are no longer available since Vauxhaul abandoned the VX220 and Lotus have no reason to support it.
Edited by lotuslover69 on Thursday 7th June 19:52
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