Elise Vs VX220 - yearly running costs -
Discussion
I know the VX220 is a bit of a bad word on this forum but I thought you guys would be able to impartially advise on running costs of both cars. I am probably going to trade in my MK1 clio 172 as I dont seem to be getting any serious interest, which is a shame as its mint and very low miles. Anway I am hoping to get reasonable money for the clio but will only be really looking at a VX or Elise for around 10-12k max.
I know that both cars are not as cheap to run as a hot hatch, but is the VX a lot cheaper to run and maintain than an Elise? Haven't seen any VX's under 10k but have seen alot of S1 Elise for under 10 grand, but wouldn't they need more money spent on them to keep them in top form?
VX's seem to be 2001/02 for around this money, but Elises seem to be 1997-2000 for this money, so logic would suggest the VX being a newer car = less trouble and less to maintain?
I am looking for the cheapest solution to run one as I am racing again next year and I swore to my girlfriend that if I raced next year I wouldn't have an impractical, expensive to run sports car as well!!!
But, I want both!!!!
I know that both cars are not as cheap to run as a hot hatch, but is the VX a lot cheaper to run and maintain than an Elise? Haven't seen any VX's under 10k but have seen alot of S1 Elise for under 10 grand, but wouldn't they need more money spent on them to keep them in top form?
VX's seem to be 2001/02 for around this money, but Elises seem to be 1997-2000 for this money, so logic would suggest the VX being a newer car = less trouble and less to maintain?
I am looking for the cheapest solution to run one as I am racing again next year and I swore to my girlfriend that if I raced next year I wouldn't have an impractical, expensive to run sports car as well!!!
But, I want both!!!!
IMHO (and I'll be harassed for this by the Lotus mob 
), the VX is a much better car than the S1 Elise. You can see where the extra development time and cash has gone, and you don't have to put up a tent every time you attach the roof. 
Running costs over the year I had mine are in my profile. The servicing is from the Vauxhall school, and uses a fixed price menu system. The yearly service was around the £150 mark. Tires aren't cheap, but aren't expensive either. Insurance should be less than the Elise. What else? Oh yes - Vauxhall dealers are rubbish. Both cars are likely to need some sort of fixing over the time you own them - it's entirely possible that yours won't, but you should be aware that it's on the cards, particularly as the cars get older. Get a warranty for peace of mind.
Given the section you've asked in, the Lotus lot will now be along to extol the virtues of the S1 Elise. You'll hear that the S1 is more driver orientated (read 'twitchy' ), lighter (wonder why you'd care given that the VX is also very light compared to other cars), and has a shinier badge (very true - no girl you ever speak to in a pub will have the vaguest idea what a VX220 is, but you can watch their eyes light up should you have a Lotus and she starts to work out how many handbags you're likely to buy her. As KanYe said, I ain't saying she's a gold digger...).
Mainly, drive both and see which appeals more. It's a buyer's market at the moment for both, so you should be able to get one of either, and haggle hard.
Dan
>> Edited by DanL on Monday 28th November 11:02
), the VX is a much better car than the S1 Elise. You can see where the extra development time and cash has gone, and you don't have to put up a tent every time you attach the roof. Running costs over the year I had mine are in my profile. The servicing is from the Vauxhall school, and uses a fixed price menu system. The yearly service was around the £150 mark. Tires aren't cheap, but aren't expensive either. Insurance should be less than the Elise. What else? Oh yes - Vauxhall dealers are rubbish. Both cars are likely to need some sort of fixing over the time you own them - it's entirely possible that yours won't, but you should be aware that it's on the cards, particularly as the cars get older. Get a warranty for peace of mind.
Given the section you've asked in, the Lotus lot will now be along to extol the virtues of the S1 Elise.
You'll hear that the S1 is more driver orientated (read 'twitchy' ), lighter (wonder why you'd care given that the VX is also very light compared to other cars), and has a shinier badge (very true - no girl you ever speak to in a pub will have the vaguest idea what a VX220 is, but you can watch their eyes light up should you have a Lotus and she starts to work out how many handbags you're likely to buy her. As KanYe said, I ain't saying she's a gold digger...). Mainly, drive both and see which appeals more. It's a buyer's market at the moment for both, so you should be able to get one of either, and haggle hard.
Dan
>> Edited by DanL on Monday 28th November 11:02
garydvo said:
The Lotus Owners club have always stated that the VX will be considered a Lotus in years to come.
Also it has the GM engine which has its problems but I belive is better than the K.
Like the lotus cortina and the lotus carlton?
The cortina is refered to as a ford first.
At least the carlton had the right badge attached!
I think it is Lotus in Vauxhall clothing but is foremost a Vauxhall.
tuscan_thunder said:
to my thinking, the VX has more in common with the S2 than the S1.
Indeed, as the S2 chassis is the same as the VX, bar a slightly different rear subframe.
One thing is for sure, the VX is a lot cheaper to run. I do my own servicing and maintenance but even using a specialist or Vauxhall it is a lot cheaper. There is no cambelt to change, the engine and drivetrain are bulletproof. Insurance for me is also £400 per year cheaper than a basic S1 Elise!
In terms of pace the 2.2 has more torque than every Elise and the Exige. It is also lighter than an Exige S2 and running up against Davey's S2 Exige at vmax it is only a couple of mph off the same top speed, in the same distance.
The engine is also more civilised for day to day use. For me, it's an absolute no brainer. In my view the 2.2 along with the VXR will be the "one to have" in a few years time and will hold its value pretty well.
I have seen no comparison of Apples and apples.
To get a critical point of view you need to have a VX and a 111R (comparitive performance and model) both serviced at a main dealer and a specialist. You would need a JD power style survey.
Without these details you are going to get opinion.
I will add my opinion to the list.
You wil probably find the VX cheaper to service via the main dealer network. You will probably find the quality of work done is less than a Lotus dealer or specialist as the VX is not what a Vauxhall dealer will have expertise in. Remember the VX is a status car for vauxhall in the same way the T5 is the Volvo sports model designed to invigorate the brand.
This offset by the pride and the joy of owning a Lotus and the obvious "kudos" that owning a lotus brings.
Swings and roundabouts.
From reading between the lines with the original post you are in favour of the VX, but thae majority of posters here are Lotus owners and therefore biased (including me). It is shallow but I place a lot of value on owning a Lotus and not a vauxhall and I am prepared to accept a premium to do so.
My point is dont expect an unbiased POV and my POV is the Vauxhall is 6th best. I would have the 111R, S160, any S2 then any S1 then an Elan before I choose the VX.
Sorry if that ruffles any feathers but as I said it is my POV and I am not going to quantify with performance figures.
To get a critical point of view you need to have a VX and a 111R (comparitive performance and model) both serviced at a main dealer and a specialist. You would need a JD power style survey.
Without these details you are going to get opinion.
I will add my opinion to the list.
You wil probably find the VX cheaper to service via the main dealer network. You will probably find the quality of work done is less than a Lotus dealer or specialist as the VX is not what a Vauxhall dealer will have expertise in. Remember the VX is a status car for vauxhall in the same way the T5 is the Volvo sports model designed to invigorate the brand.
This offset by the pride and the joy of owning a Lotus and the obvious "kudos" that owning a lotus brings.
Swings and roundabouts.
From reading between the lines with the original post you are in favour of the VX, but thae majority of posters here are Lotus owners and therefore biased (including me). It is shallow but I place a lot of value on owning a Lotus and not a vauxhall and I am prepared to accept a premium to do so.
My point is dont expect an unbiased POV and my POV is the Vauxhall is 6th best. I would have the 111R, S160, any S2 then any S1 then an Elan before I choose the VX.
Sorry if that ruffles any feathers but as I said it is my POV and I am not going to quantify with performance figures.
garydvo said:I'm not aware of any problems with the 2.2 in the VX. It's also a Lotus designed engine, should that sort of thing be of interest.
The Lotus Owners club have always stated that the VX will be considered a Lotus in years to come.
Also it has the GM engine which has its problems but I belive is better than the K.
gooby said:No feather's ruffled here, and entirely understandable. Rather than buy a specific type of car, you'd buy a Lotus. An entirely reasonable point of view, IMHO.
My point is dont expect an unbiased POV and my POV is the Vauxhall is 6th best. I would have the 111R, S160, any S2 then any S1 then an Elan before I choose the VX.
However, at his price point he'd be looking at an Elan, an S1 and the VX. If they all had the same badge, I'd be surprised if you didn't put the VX first in that list. Dan
gooby said:
I have seen no comparison of Apples and apples.
To get a critical point of view you need to have a VX and a 111R (comparitive performance and model) both serviced at a main dealer and a specialist. You would need a JD power style survey.
If he's looking at up to £12k then it'll be a -220, not a turbo. Thus the comparable car, performance-wise, is a 111S (Mk 1 or 2).
Overall costs-wise, inc. depreciation and repairs, from what I'm reading the VX should have it covered over a Mk1 (even with the £££ parts), and be comparable to a Mk2 111S...which would be out of his price-range anyway.
Anyone looking for something everyday and reliable should be looking to compare a Mk2 with a N/A VX, I guess.
look at the total cost of ownership - the Elise may cost slightly more (its not gonna be huge unless you do like 15-20K miles + per year) but Elise prices have stabilised whereas the VX has probably yet to bottom out...no-one can see into the future, but Id say its a safe bet that the VX still has a few grand to lose, whereas the ELise could be sold on for nearly the same price in a years time if you look after it........
bogie said:
look at the total cost of ownership - the Elise may cost slightly more (its not gonna be huge unless you do like 15-20K miles + per year) but Elise prices have stabilised whereas the VX has probably yet to bottom out...no-one can see into the future, but Id say its a safe bet that the VX still has a few grand to lose, whereas the ELise could be sold on for nearly the same price in a years time if you look after it........
bogie - I am pretty sure I could sell my 2.2 for the same price I paid for it a year ago.
Muncher said:
look at the total cost of ownership - the Elise may cost slightly more (its not gonna be huge unless you do like 15-20K miles + per year) but Elise prices have stabilised whereas the VX has probably yet to bottom out...no-one can see into the future, but Id say its a safe bet that the VX still has a few grand to lose, whereas the ELise could be sold on for nearly the same price in a years time if you look after it........
bogie - I am pretty sure I could sell my 2.2 for the same price I paid for it a year ago.
I think Boggy is stating as a general rule, as with every rule there will be an exeption that proves it
I run this thought through my mind a lot.
It's one of those head vs heart things. Heart will always say Lotus for me, but in some respects, my head says VX220. Especially on insurance!!
The VXTurbo does tempt me to the bad side though, just for the modifications possible
I think the main reason I'd go Elise is that Gooby looks like a strong chap and I don't fancy getting a slap
>> Edited by rico on Monday 28th November 18:26
It's one of those head vs heart things. Heart will always say Lotus for me, but in some respects, my head says VX220. Especially on insurance!!
The VXTurbo does tempt me to the bad side though, just for the modifications possible
I think the main reason I'd go Elise is that Gooby looks like a strong chap and I don't fancy getting a slap
>> Edited by rico on Monday 28th November 18:26
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff