S2000 vs. VX220 (Speedster)
Discussion
Well, I'm biased, because I have an S2000. I looked at the VX, but it was just as uncomfortable as the Lotus and the badge is a no no as far as I'm concerned. I also find that living in Scotland, a roof that has to be hand assembled is a problem.
If you believe the magazines, the VX is the second best handling car out there (The lotus would be first). Personally I feel that the latest S2000 is underrated and a more viable everyday proposition than the Elise/VX. In terms of depreciation, it will hold its value as well as the lotus and a lot better than the Vauxhall.
I would test drive the S2000, the Elise and the VX220. The are all great cars, but you need a decent test drive to make the right decision...
If you believe the magazines, the VX is the second best handling car out there (The lotus would be first). Personally I feel that the latest S2000 is underrated and a more viable everyday proposition than the Elise/VX. In terms of depreciation, it will hold its value as well as the lotus and a lot better than the Vauxhall.
I would test drive the S2000, the Elise and the VX220. The are all great cars, but you need a decent test drive to make the right decision...
douglasr said: Well, I'm biased, because I have an S2000. I looked at the VX, but it was just as uncomfortable as the Lotus and the badge is a no no as far as I'm concerned. I also find that living in Scotland, a roof that has to be hand assembled is a problem.
If you believe the magazines, the VX is the second best handling car out there (The lotus would be first). Personally I feel that the latest S2000 is underrated and a more viable everyday proposition than the Elise/VX. In terms of depreciation, it will hold its value as well as the lotus and a lot better than the Vauxhall.
I would test drive the S2000, the Elise and the VX220. The are all great cars, but you need a decent test drive to make the right decision...
Haven't you had any bad surprises with the back end snapping at the limit, while the roadsurface isn't perfect. (That's what some magazines telle, while others do not mention this)
Cheers
Patrick
roulli said:
douglasr said: Well, I'm biased, because I have an S2000. I looked at the VX, but it was just as uncomfortable as the Lotus and the badge is a no no as far as I'm concerned. I also find that living in Scotland, a roof that has to be hand assembled is a problem.
If you believe the magazines, the VX is the second best handling car out there (The lotus would be first). Personally I feel that the latest S2000 is underrated and a more viable everyday proposition than the Elise/VX. In terms of depreciation, it will hold its value as well as the lotus and a lot better than the Vauxhall.
I would test drive the S2000, the Elise and the VX220. The are all great cars, but you need a decent test drive to make the right decision...
Haven't you had any bad surprises with the back end snapping at the limit, while the roadsurface isn't perfect. (That's what some magazines telle, while others do not mention this)
Cheers
Patrick
The 2002 model had suspension setting changes that remove a lot of the "snap". It has less bump-steer and more progressive break-away. I cant vouch for this personally as I have not driven a pre-2002 model, however a member on the EVO forum has driven both and reckons the 2002 model is a big improvement.
I got my car in April and the majority of the time have driven in the dry. I would be lying if I denied approaching the limit occasionally, but in the dry it has been progressive and controllable (a slight lift and a little opposite lock have killed the overseer immediatly|). I'm old enough to know my limits and therefore dont attempt four wheel drifts or kicking the tail out in 3rd gear at 80mph (2nd gear at 40 on a roundabout or open bend is about as daring as I get).
I have driven on wet greasy roads recently and found the car OK, I alter the way I drive completely and use the throttle and brakes as smoothly as possible and only use full throttle when the car is straight. I've had no "moments" yet. Some may accuse me of wimping out, but I dont want to bend my pride and joy, so why take the risk ?
A colleague at work has an Elise and is more nervous of the fact there is no ABS than the potential tail happines of his car in the wet.
The 2002 model had suspension setting changes that remove a lot of the "snap". It has less bump-steer and more progressive break-away. I cant vouch for this personally as I have not driven a pre-2002 model, however a member on the EVO forum has driven both and reckons the 2002 model is a big improvement.
I got my car in April and the majority of the time have driven in the dry. I would be lying if I denied approaching the limit occasionally, but in the dry it has been progressive and controllable (a slight lift and a little opposite lock have killed the overseer immediatly|). I'm old enough to know my limits and therefore dont attempt four wheel drifts or kicking the tail out in 3rd gear at 80mph (2nd gear at 40 on a roundabout or open bend is about as daring as I get).
I have driven on wet greasy roads recently and found the car OK, I alter the way I drive completely and use the throttle and brakes as smoothly as possible and only use full throttle when the car is straight. I've had no "moments" yet. Some may accuse me of wimping out, but I dont want to bend my pride and joy, so why take the risk ?
A colleague at work has an Elise and is more nervous of the fact there is no ABS than the potential tail happines of his car in the wet.
I've lost the end of my TVR S in the dry, early this year, so I'm a little bit carefull now when choosing my next pride...
Thanks for your review, I'll take into account post 2002 models then.
Cheers
Patrick
PS: Your colleague, probably suffering from badgesnobbery (like most of us), would be better of then with a VX then, wouldn't he?
I tried both. The S2000 is a proper car. Good fun, well sorted and useable every day. A bit frantic on the gear changes as all the power comes high up the rev range. Cockpit is a bit cramped (I'm 6ft) but nice to be in. Expensive to buy and the Honda dealers weren't doing any deals. Totally weatherproof. Likes fuel.
VX220. Great fun to drive on a summer day. Just a big go-kart really. Wouldn't want to drive it every day, awful on the motorway when the steering becomes really light at speed. Roof leaks etc. Cheap to run and the dealers were practically throwing deals at me.
I bought a used TVR Chimaera in the end. Cheaper to buy than the S2000 or the VX, more useable than the VX220. More fun than both, more room inside (and in the boot!). Drinks heavily but not hideous to run if you don't use main dealers to service. Hope this helps.
VX220. Great fun to drive on a summer day. Just a big go-kart really. Wouldn't want to drive it every day, awful on the motorway when the steering becomes really light at speed. Roof leaks etc. Cheap to run and the dealers were practically throwing deals at me.
I bought a used TVR Chimaera in the end. Cheaper to buy than the S2000 or the VX, more useable than the VX220. More fun than both, more room inside (and in the boot!). Drinks heavily but not hideous to run if you don't use main dealers to service. Hope this helps.
I think that any quick rwd car will be a little tail happy in the wet. If you want this to become much less of a risk then I imagine some driver training to build up confidence would be a better bet than assuming a change of car will fix the problem.
I've lost the end of my TVR S in the dry, early this year, so I'm a little bit carefull now when choosing my next pride...
Regards,
Mark
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