VX220 v Elise S2
Discussion
do a search, has been discussed for many years, the pros n cons of both
out of the box, the VX is set-up a bit softer, has a few more daily comforts compared to an early S2 Elise
the looks and price are up to you ...some people dont mind the looks, its all down to opinion
but they are an Elise chassis underneath, with difference clams/trim/engine, so can be made to handle similar if you spend a few quid...the turbos can be tuned easily if you crave more power
but ultimately, for a lot of people, they are not a Lotus, and are not as aspirational to own
so as with most things - its personal preference and what you are going to use it for/how much you want to spend
out of the box, the VX is set-up a bit softer, has a few more daily comforts compared to an early S2 Elise
the looks and price are up to you ...some people dont mind the looks, its all down to opinion
but they are an Elise chassis underneath, with difference clams/trim/engine, so can be made to handle similar if you spend a few quid...the turbos can be tuned easily if you crave more power
but ultimately, for a lot of people, they are not a Lotus, and are not as aspirational to own
so as with most things - its personal preference and what you are going to use it for/how much you want to spend
Try here: http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=vx220+v...
Although a lot of these threads go off topic in one way or another depending on whether they're in the Lotus, VX, or General Gassing section.
I think it depends on your budget and whether the car is going to be a toy or an everyday drive.
FWIW, I just bought a VX220 NA. (
) It is going to be my only car, and an Elise S1 would be just a bit too raw for me, and the roof for example is a bit more of a fiddle. I also don't consider myself a skilled enough driver to really be able to exploit the handling differences between the two cars. If I had a bigger budget would I have gone for an Elise S2? Probably, but only if it had the Toyota engine, and I'd have been sorely tempted by the VX Turbo at that price as well.
For day to day use I would imagine there isn't much to put between the VX220 and the Elise. Perhaps slightly higher running costs with the Elise (especially insurance I found). But it's down to personal preference at the end of the day. You pays your money and you takes your choice...
Although a lot of these threads go off topic in one way or another depending on whether they're in the Lotus, VX, or General Gassing section.
I think it depends on your budget and whether the car is going to be a toy or an everyday drive.
FWIW, I just bought a VX220 NA. (
) It is going to be my only car, and an Elise S1 would be just a bit too raw for me, and the roof for example is a bit more of a fiddle. I also don't consider myself a skilled enough driver to really be able to exploit the handling differences between the two cars. If I had a bigger budget would I have gone for an Elise S2? Probably, but only if it had the Toyota engine, and I'd have been sorely tempted by the VX Turbo at that price as well.For day to day use I would imagine there isn't much to put between the VX220 and the Elise. Perhaps slightly higher running costs with the Elise (especially insurance I found). But it's down to personal preference at the end of the day. You pays your money and you takes your choice...
Edited by ad551 on Friday 12th June 18:37
They are both Lotus Elise chassis, and therefore have a hell of a lot more in common than they have differences. Obviously some die-hard Lotus badge guys will sneer at the VX, and there is inexplicable bad blood between the various ultra 'fans', but get past the horses
t and they're pretty much the same car.
However as with all Elise variants, subtle differences in setup make the car feel very different. And there are two VX220s - the N/A variant (with the 2.2 nasp engine) and the Turbo (with the 2 litre Z20LET) - these two feel as different from each other as the VX N/A feels different from the K-series S2 Elise!
The big thing with the VX cars is that they have 17" front alloys, which you can only get OEM skinny tyres for (an odd size). Switch to Lotus sized wheels (16" front, 17" rear) and you can choose from the much wider range of tyres that Lotus owners enjoy. The 16" fronts make the VX handle a lot more Elise-like.
I've owned an S1, a VXT and currently have an S2 Exige S. They're all the same, but that's why they're all distinctly different. As a result, you *really* have to drive them to decide. If you're completely open-minded about the VX cars (don't kid yourself about the badge - if it *does* matter to you, then it will nag away at you over time) then give them both a try, they're different from each other as well as from the Lotus cars.
Be careful with potential cost savings though. Whilst the VXs were built better than contemporary Elises and the engines are arguably cheaper to maintain, clamshells are becoming rare and light clusters etc. are very expensive. This leads many VX220s to get written off by insurers for tiny dings, and this insurance sword of Damocles hanging over the car, some could get worried and a bit 'precious' about it.
Oh yeah, if you do get a VX, I've got a set of Turbo wheels and tyres for sale, and a mint soft-top
t and they're pretty much the same car.However as with all Elise variants, subtle differences in setup make the car feel very different. And there are two VX220s - the N/A variant (with the 2.2 nasp engine) and the Turbo (with the 2 litre Z20LET) - these two feel as different from each other as the VX N/A feels different from the K-series S2 Elise!
The big thing with the VX cars is that they have 17" front alloys, which you can only get OEM skinny tyres for (an odd size). Switch to Lotus sized wheels (16" front, 17" rear) and you can choose from the much wider range of tyres that Lotus owners enjoy. The 16" fronts make the VX handle a lot more Elise-like.
I've owned an S1, a VXT and currently have an S2 Exige S. They're all the same, but that's why they're all distinctly different. As a result, you *really* have to drive them to decide. If you're completely open-minded about the VX cars (don't kid yourself about the badge - if it *does* matter to you, then it will nag away at you over time) then give them both a try, they're different from each other as well as from the Lotus cars.
Be careful with potential cost savings though. Whilst the VXs were built better than contemporary Elises and the engines are arguably cheaper to maintain, clamshells are becoming rare and light clusters etc. are very expensive. This leads many VX220s to get written off by insurers for tiny dings, and this insurance sword of Damocles hanging over the car, some could get worried and a bit 'precious' about it.
Oh yeah, if you do get a VX, I've got a set of Turbo wheels and tyres for sale, and a mint soft-top
eswmartin said:
Wow thanks for the replies! Didn't mean to start a political debate!
Still cant decide driven both.... I dunno Aghhhhh
Whichever one you decide on I'm sure you'll be happy _ there is no right or wrong answer to this debate, just personal taste. Enjoy yourself when you've made your purchase.Still cant decide driven both.... I dunno Aghhhhh
Zebs
In terms of handling, each car can be adjusted to feel more like others in the range. An aggressive geo on a base standard S2 Elise can make it twitchy and hyper-responsive. The VX220 has the benefit of being a completely different car when you swap the 17" fronts for 16" fronts (you can go from softer 'GT' ride to sharp track feel with 17/16s and sticky tyres) - though this approach with the VX220 costs a significant sum (need to buy a new set of wheels, and the Exige size wheels in Vauxhall bolt pattern are bespoke).
I love the VXT, but only compared to Lotus branded models of that era - Lotus have moved the game on, and all of the quality / usability evolutions are now available in the Exige S. On a budget, the VX220s make a strong case for themselves - tuning the N/A gives good gains (expensive though as the market is small) as does the Turbo. The early K engined S2 Elises must be sought after for Honda conversions these days, surely?
I love the VXT, but only compared to Lotus branded models of that era - Lotus have moved the game on, and all of the quality / usability evolutions are now available in the Exige S. On a budget, the VX220s make a strong case for themselves - tuning the N/A gives good gains (expensive though as the market is small) as does the Turbo. The early K engined S2 Elises must be sought after for Honda conversions these days, surely?
Said it many times before, and Ill say it again, the vxt put the biggest smile on my face of any car Ive ever driven. Therefore, I went out and bought a 120bhp Elise. VXT was great, but I didnt like the looks as much as the Elise, and Ive always loved Lotus from being a kid due to having Motorsport rammed down my thoat from an early age by a Dad who was obsessed with Jim Clark and motorsport engineering.
All of them are fantastic, its just down to your preference!
All of them are fantastic, its just down to your preference!
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