Vauxhall VX220

[IanOE]

I've thought about buying a VX220 or an Elise before, but the fact that I live close to central London meant that it was never a sensible option. However I managed to distract myself from being sensible temporarily and bought this a week and a half ago:

















The car came with a few modifications that the previous owners had carried out. The engine has a Courtenay Sport stage 5 kit, a 2.4 inlet manifold and ITGMAXOGEN induction. Handling wise it has Nitron NTR suspension, Lotus Europa wheels and updated braided brake lines and pads. From an aesthetics perspective it has a turbo boot spoiler, Tat diffuser and front splitter.

The only other modification that I am planning in the near future is an upgraded heater as I've been informed that the standard ones are poor.

I am looking to do some track days and autosolos in the car so that I can get the most out of it and I can't wait to get out there on track in it.

[e46acs]

Very nice. This is an itch I am yet to scratch......

Can't see that front spoiler lasting very long in London!!!

[IanOE]

e46acs said:

Very nice. This is an itch I am yet to scratch......

Can't see that front spoiler lasting very long in London!!!

Thanks, it's well worth giving them a go but they're certainly a compromise.

I was really worried about the front splitter over speedbumps bearing in mind the car's quite low but it's fine over most speed bumps without having to slow down to a ridiculous pace.

I'm a bit more worried about the car not lasting very long in London generally!

[anonymous-user]

Love these. I think they're so underrated, people often overlook them as a fun/track car option. Certainly top of my list if I get the chance for a second car in the future.

[Japveesix]

Nice car, really well modified. Those wheels definitely suit it and the whole car shape has actually aged really nicely. I can see these ooking better and being more desirable than equivalent elises a few years down the line.

What kind of power should you expect from those engine mods?

[tbc]

don't see the point in removing the badge on the front but keeping it on the back

it's like being ashamed that it's a vauxhall

[IanOE]

Thanks all for the compliments.

Japveesix said:

What kind of power should you expect from those engine mods?

When it was on the rolling road last year it made 181bhp, which is an increase of around 35 from standard.

tbc said:

don't see the point in removing the badge on the front but keeping it on the back

it's like being ashamed that it's a vauxhall

I can see your point but I think that the front of the car looks a lot cleaner without the big V and the badge.

I don't care whether it's a Vauxhall or not, I just enjoy driving it.

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

It wasn't so much the threat of the car being stolen that bothers me, more of a plastic car being damaged by people parking by touch and vandalism.

[IanOE]

I've still been enjoying the car and managed to survive an autosolo at Bovingdon airfield and a track day at Woodbridge.

Here are some photos of the autosolo:





And some of the track day:









I've booked myself in for a carlimits day early next month and I'm planning to do another track day and autosolo too.

[myles1972]

I have an NA with piper cams, the ITG induction, 2.4 manifold, remapped. It produces 162bhp. What have Courtenay done to eek out the extra 20bhp?

Looking very nice by the way!

[IanOE]

myles1972 said:

I have an NA with piper cams, the ITG induction, 2.4 manifold, remapped. It produces 162bhp. What have Courtenay done to eek out the extra 20bhp?

Looking very nice by the way!

Thanks, I'm really chuffed with it and looking forward to getting more experience driving it.

Here's the link to the Courtenay website to show how much is done for each stage tuning: http://www.courtenaysport.co.uk/vx220-2-2-16v/info...

[dragonheart]

Is it wrong to say i really don't like the look of your car? It's not that i don't like the VX220, i do a lot, i just think that the front splitter, grill and lights make the car appear almost comical, also the rear diffuser almost appears out of place. These are only opinions and as the car belongs to you, you are entitled to do as you wish with it.

[IanOE]

dragonheart said:

Is it wrong to say i really don't like the look of your car? It's not that i don't like the VX220, i do a lot, i just think that the front splitter, grill and lights make the car appear almost comical, also the rear diffuser almost appears out of place. These are only opinions and as the car belongs to you, you are entitled to do as you wish with it.

You're entitled to your opinion so no problem. if we all liked the same things then the world would be a boring place.

[rtbpfd]

Looks like a fun car, wouldn't mind one of these myself in the future - enjoy it!

[myles1972]

dragonheart said:

Is it wrong to say i really don't like the look of your car? It's not that i don't like the VX220, i do a lot, i just think that the front splitter, grill and lights make the car appear almost comical, also the rear diffuser almost appears out of place. These are only opinions and as the car belongs to you, you are entitled to do as you wish with it.

The rear diffuser looks a lot better in the flesh, the picture doesn't do it justice. The front grille could do with the 'V' to break the front aspect up a little IMO.