RE: Vauxhall VX220: PH Used Buying Guide
Discussion
Retset said:
I had an NA VX220 and it was an understeering pig.
I have one and was really disappointed when I first drove it with the understeer. I have 17/16 TD's now and have Gaz coilover's along with a few other changes and dialed it out to be more balanced.I have supercharged mine recently and it has made a huge difference to the driving experience. The 2.2 just doesn't feel powerful enough and the Turbo doesn't really have the character as the engine isn't very smooth in it's power delivery.
There were 2 reasons why I got mine. Firstly, I wanted a car that I could take on the track and not worry about binning a £20k+ Elise (as I feel an S1 wouldn't of been fast enough on a track). Secondly, I remember sitting in one when I was at a car garage as a teenager when they first came out and loved it and always wanted on since.
I really like mine and will probably keep it for a while as I don't see myself getting bored any time soon. That doesn't mean that I won't be buying an Elise or Exige at some point too as although they are similar in many ways, they are different cars with their own character to drive. It owes me about £12k and I don't know a better/fun car you can get for that sort of money!
kambites said:
Basic maintenance can really be done by anyone - they're very simple cars. The problem is that to keep them driving properly they need other work as well. Geometry adjustment is a good example - I do the geometry every year on my Elise and despite the fact that I can't feel it going out throughout the year, it's amazing how much better it feels each time after I've done it. Same with the suspension refresh - I replaced the bushes a couple of years ago and despite the originals looking and feeling fine and certainly being nowhere near the point where the MoT man would notice play, the difference in how the car drove after the replacement was huge.
The good thing for second-hand buyers is that none of that lack of maintenance actually damages the car so how it's been maintained in the past is pretty irrelevant. You can buy a car which drives like a dog and with a few hours or work (or a few days if the bushes need doing) get it driving exactly as it should.
Yep, as I discovered with mine.The good thing for second-hand buyers is that none of that lack of maintenance actually damages the car so how it's been maintained in the past is pretty irrelevant. You can buy a car which drives like a dog and with a few hours or work (or a few days if the bushes need doing) get it driving exactly as it should.
This reminds me, applies to Elise owners too I believe, sub frame shims.
Galvanised steel frame is bolted to the aluminium tub with some shims in between.
This leads to a pretty nasty build up of corrosion which has been more prominent on cars used all year round.
Left untreated it will eventually fail in a spectacular way (though no stories yet) when those bolts can't take the additional strain.
I, like many others, got new shims (made by a company on the forum) less likely to react and covered them with a very healthy coating of Duralac (the yellow stuff between the black frame and the ally chassis)
kambites said:
Basic maintenance can really be done by anyone - they're very simple cars. The problem is that to keep them driving properly they need other work as well. Geometry adjustment is a good example - I do the geometry every year on my Elise and despite the fact that I can't feel it going out throughout the year, it's amazing how much better it feels each time after I've done it. Same with the suspension refresh - I replaced the bushes a couple of years ago and despite the originals looking and feeling fine and certainly being nowhere near the point where the MoT man would notice play, the difference in how the car drove after the replacement was huge.
The good thing for second-hand buyers is that none of that lack of maintenance actually damages the car so how it's been maintained in the past is pretty irrelevant. You can buy a car which drives like a dog and with a few hours or work (or a few days if the bushes need doing) get it driving exactly as it should.
Totally agree but I think a lot of people buy one that appears 'good' ie sold by a garage and low miles expecting it to be perfect when the truth is like you say, if it's never had these things done and has been getting progressively worse then they may be picking up a neglected car that on paper is cared for. With basic tools I've done full suspension refresh, gearbox and clutch change, SC install and mapping, manifold change and servicing all myself. It's a great car to learn that sort of thing on. The good thing for second-hand buyers is that none of that lack of maintenance actually damages the car so how it's been maintained in the past is pretty irrelevant. You can buy a car which drives like a dog and with a few hours or work (or a few days if the bushes need doing) get it driving exactly as it should.
Best off taking someone from the forum (there are loads of people that will freely give up their time to come and look at cars) to go and have a look over a potential purchase. Or the car may be known to a lot of people.
you have four years until the Americans wade into the market (ie: first-year cars will be near 25 years old)
true, the Opel Speedster, being LHD, is a more natural fit
moreover, the world has moved on and there won't be any great new wave of buyers, so to speak
but the idiosyncrasy of RHD, coupled with a marketplace and parts suppliers who are native speakers of English, will pique the interest of some
I adore this car and the delightful contrast between its look / feel and relatively affordable costs of acquisition / maintenance; the UK and Europe have deserved many more cars "of this equation"
a real treat: the photos and stories from VX220 owners here
edited to state the correct number of years regarding US importation of non-compliant cars; it is 25 years
true, the Opel Speedster, being LHD, is a more natural fit
moreover, the world has moved on and there won't be any great new wave of buyers, so to speak
but the idiosyncrasy of RHD, coupled with a marketplace and parts suppliers who are native speakers of English, will pique the interest of some
I adore this car and the delightful contrast between its look / feel and relatively affordable costs of acquisition / maintenance; the UK and Europe have deserved many more cars "of this equation"
a real treat: the photos and stories from VX220 owners here
edited to state the correct number of years regarding US importation of non-compliant cars; it is 25 years
Edited by unsprung on Thursday 15th November 15:22
I loved mine. Used it as a daily driver North London to Cambridge, and Basingstoke. I could beat the sat-nave estimated journey time from Basingstoke by 15 minutes. But then you always want to get away from Basingstoke as fast as possible.
Too noisy for a decent phone conversation, great turn in, spun it once on a wet roundabout (got away with it full 360 degrees and carried straight on).
Really hanker for another one or ideally a Europa.
Too noisy for a decent phone conversation, great turn in, spun it once on a wet roundabout (got away with it full 360 degrees and carried straight on).
Really hanker for another one or ideally a Europa.
Regarding the inability to correlate the Luton reference, i'd assume it's to do with the fact there's a giant Vauxhall factory in Luton? Surely it's not that hard to work out....I have no idea if these were made there though....
My pal has one, and has done for a long time. It's a quick car, and looks good on the road. Although they are and always will be compared to an Elise it ain't a Lotus and therefore will never had the same credence / resale value.
My pal has one, and has done for a long time. It's a quick car, and looks good on the road. Although they are and always will be compared to an Elise it ain't a Lotus and therefore will never had the same credence / resale value.
unsprung said:
you have 12 months until the Americans wade into the market (ie: first-year cars will then be 20 years old)
true, the Opel Speedster, being LHD, is a more natural fit
moreover, the world has moved on and there won't be any great new wave of buyers, so to speak
Not all Speedsters are left hand drive true, the Opel Speedster, being LHD, is a more natural fit
moreover, the world has moved on and there won't be any great new wave of buyers, so to speak
Track_Cit said:
Regarding the inability to correlate the Luton reference, i'd assume it's to do with the fact there's a giant Vauxhall factory in Luton? Surely it's not that hard to work out....I have no idea if these were made there though....
My pal has one, and has done for a long time. It's a quick car, and looks good on the road. Although they are and always will be compared to an Elise it ain't a Lotus and therefore will never had the same credence / resale value.
They were all made in Hethel, in Norfolk. The same location as the Elise. I guess if PH are going to do an intro to a buyers guide, some very quick googling is worth 2 minutes of their time!My pal has one, and has done for a long time. It's a quick car, and looks good on the road. Although they are and always will be compared to an Elise it ain't a Lotus and therefore will never had the same credence / resale value.
simonrockman said:
I loved mine. Used it as a daily driver North London to Cambridge, and Basingstoke. I could beat the sat-nave estimated journey time from Basingstoke by 15 minutes. But then you always want to get away from Basingstoke as fast as possible.
Too noisy for a decent phone conversation, great turn in, spun it once on a wet roundabout (got away with it full 360 degrees and carried straight on).
Really hanker for another one or ideally a Europa.
As you may not be surprised to hear, I'd recommend a Europa in SE spec. The cabin was more civilised, the boot is fairly decent, and you could have a decent phone conversation. It even had (primitive!) sat nav. Oh, and it went like stink and handled brilliantly.Too noisy for a decent phone conversation, great turn in, spun it once on a wet roundabout (got away with it full 360 degrees and carried straight on).
Really hanker for another one or ideally a Europa.
Johnny 89 said:
Not all Speedsters are left hand drive
sad, this spanner in the thread worksyes, there were Opel Speedsters produced in RHD for places like Cyprus, Malta, and Republic of Ireland, but these units are reckoned to be very low in number
nobody is left scratching his head about how configurations were clearly and overwhelmingly divided between Opel and Vauxhall
for those interested, more detail here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
as well as from June of this year:
Johnny 89 said:
I'm the proud owner of an Opel Speedster.
It's a fantastic car and represents great value. Being a RHD speedster makes it quite rare too
It's a fantastic car and represents great value. Being a RHD speedster makes it quite rare too
coldel said:
Track_Cit said:
Regarding the inability to correlate the Luton reference, i'd assume it's to do with the fact there's a giant Vauxhall factory in Luton? Surely it's not that hard to work out....I have no idea if these were made there though....
My pal has one, and has done for a long time. It's a quick car, and looks good on the road. Although they are and always will be compared to an Elise it ain't a Lotus and therefore will never had the same credence / resale value.
They were all made in Hethel, in Norfolk. The same location as the Elise. I guess if PH are going to do an intro to a buyers guide, some very quick googling is worth 2 minutes of their time!My pal has one, and has done for a long time. It's a quick car, and looks good on the road. Although they are and always will be compared to an Elise it ain't a Lotus and therefore will never had the same credence / resale value.
http://www.vx220.org.uk/forums/topic/105819-pics-o...
https://automotivemanufacturingsolutions.com/focus...
Edited by gofasterrosssco on Thursday 15th November 16:12
gofasterrosssco said:
coldel said:
Track_Cit said:
Regarding the inability to correlate the Luton reference, i'd assume it's to do with the fact there's a giant Vauxhall factory in Luton? Surely it's not that hard to work out....I have no idea if these were made there though....
My pal has one, and has done for a long time. It's a quick car, and looks good on the road. Although they are and always will be compared to an Elise it ain't a Lotus and therefore will never had the same credence / resale value.
They were all made in Hethel, in Norfolk. The same location as the Elise. I guess if PH are going to do an intro to a buyers guide, some very quick googling is worth 2 minutes of their time!My pal has one, and has done for a long time. It's a quick car, and looks good on the road. Although they are and always will be compared to an Elise it ain't a Lotus and therefore will never had the same credence / resale value.
http://www.vx220.org.uk/forums/topic/105819-pics-o...
https://automotivemanufacturingsolutions.com/focus...
Edited by gofasterrosssco on Thursday 15th November 16:12
They don't have a Lotus badge though do they, so it's largely irrelevant I suppose!
I maintain my point on people being obtuse in relation to the Luton connection...it's the home of Vauxhall innit, made sense to me.
king great cars. So much so that I've owned 7 of themHad mine for 14 years, 32K miles on her now, some beneficial mods and the geo is set up for fast road use, very cheap to insure and run, bar servicing she has basically cost me nowt save for a new alloy rad as the plastic end cap exploded at a McD's 'drive thru' She is one of 6 cars and gets used now about 1K miles a year. I shudder at the thought of her being outside or use as a daily driver, she is basically enjoyed and used as a play thing when the Summer evenings allow; for a B road country blat....and for that she is a brilliant, no gimmicks, no electronic wizadary, no weight basically a high powered go-kart. A modern classic in the making (now) and a keeper for sure.
Edited by Flanners on Thursday 15th November 17:36
Didn't Pistonheads already do this guide, albeit much more comprehensively six years ago?
https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-buying-gui...
I've got Lightening Yellow number 68 which has just ticked over 100k miles, with all the niggles sorted out they are great cars to own!
https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-buying-gui...
I've got Lightening Yellow number 68 which has just ticked over 100k miles, with all the niggles sorted out they are great cars to own!
I always loved the vx220 and knew I had to have one... bought a 2.2, fitted a supercharger, met a great bunch of people through the owners club and regularly showed owners of the ‘superior’ Elise and Exige that it’s on track pace was decent.
Here’s how it compared the it’s lotus cousins at brands hatch:
https://youtu.be/zWi_XVSoI8k
Had to sell it to fund the next adventure but will be back in a vx220 one day! Great under appreciated cars!
Here’s how it compared the it’s lotus cousins at brands hatch:
https://youtu.be/zWi_XVSoI8k
Had to sell it to fund the next adventure but will be back in a vx220 one day! Great under appreciated cars!
It's amazing how many people have had a VX in their past and I recognise a lot of the old names.
Disclaimer it's the chap that sells em here....
My involvement with them started in 2006 when I got my first one and continues to this day. We have a dedicated track car and a pristine road car.
I have to say as someone with a lot of experience in both VX220 and in Lotus there really isn't that much difference in the basics of how they handle in the grand scheme of things. They have the same chassis and 99% of the same architecture in terms of the wishbones etc so they can never be too drastically different. I think a lot of difference can be placebo. The thing with VX220s which is unfortunate is that they are really very rare to find a properly nice example so you often get ratty old things compared at the side of a probably better, newer Elise. To me there are no variations in the understeering characteristics comparing like with like but the VX edges the Lotus setup for B roads with a really sweet suspension setup and slightly longer wheelbase they really are one of the best things Lotus have built.
They still represent pretty good VFM against the Elise but really these days generalised arguments are a bit moot point as remaining examples of both cars really can be so variable in quality it makes direct comparison impossible. There are lots of great options in the Lotus world and the VX is certainly a compelling one even still now. You can stick together a 250BHP supercharged car that will be quicker than a 50k Elise Cup for about 13k and you essentially have the same car all be it older. Looks are always subjective I have always thought they look great and so does the Elise.
Gratuitous pic of out track car. Lots and lots of fun. Basically stock with very basic tyre and suspension mods. Supercharger to go on over winter.
Worth mentioning our road car is a totally stock low mileage 2.2 and it's truly a sublime car. It really is one of the best things to drive and holds permanent resident status in our garage. The only car to hold this status!
Disclaimer it's the chap that sells em here....
My involvement with them started in 2006 when I got my first one and continues to this day. We have a dedicated track car and a pristine road car.
I have to say as someone with a lot of experience in both VX220 and in Lotus there really isn't that much difference in the basics of how they handle in the grand scheme of things. They have the same chassis and 99% of the same architecture in terms of the wishbones etc so they can never be too drastically different. I think a lot of difference can be placebo. The thing with VX220s which is unfortunate is that they are really very rare to find a properly nice example so you often get ratty old things compared at the side of a probably better, newer Elise. To me there are no variations in the understeering characteristics comparing like with like but the VX edges the Lotus setup for B roads with a really sweet suspension setup and slightly longer wheelbase they really are one of the best things Lotus have built.
They still represent pretty good VFM against the Elise but really these days generalised arguments are a bit moot point as remaining examples of both cars really can be so variable in quality it makes direct comparison impossible. There are lots of great options in the Lotus world and the VX is certainly a compelling one even still now. You can stick together a 250BHP supercharged car that will be quicker than a 50k Elise Cup for about 13k and you essentially have the same car all be it older. Looks are always subjective I have always thought they look great and so does the Elise.
Gratuitous pic of out track car. Lots and lots of fun. Basically stock with very basic tyre and suspension mods. Supercharger to go on over winter.
Worth mentioning our road car is a totally stock low mileage 2.2 and it's truly a sublime car. It really is one of the best things to drive and holds permanent resident status in our garage. The only car to hold this status!
Edited by fridaypassion on Thursday 15th November 20:47
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