S Reg Elise v VX220NA

S Reg Elise v VX220NA

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Discussion

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,220 posts

256 months

Monday 16th August 2004
quotequote all
I've decided that I want an Elise S1 around the time of my 21st birthday, looking for an early one and probably doing most of the servicing myself to keep costs down.

Elephant have quoted me £1,260 for one.

However, just running a VX220 through the quotes system (51 plate), they'll only charge me £827 for one!

In terms of ownership costs and depreciation, how does the VX220 compare to an older Elise?

vex

5,256 posts

253 months

Monday 16th August 2004
quotequote all
Ownership and running costs at typically Vauxhall (IE Low).

£120 odd for small service and closeer to £200 for a major.

As with Loti dealler, dont buy the consumables from them though. £150 for a pair of stock pads (fitted)!

I got green stuff fitted to all four corners for that.

I would drive both before you chose though. A friend had a S1 elise and got rid because of his back, but he will quite happily sit in my VX for a couple of hours.

t80rbo

45 posts

244 months

Monday 16th August 2004
quotequote all
Muncher said:
I've decided that I want an Elise S1 around the time of my 21st birthday, looking for an early one and probably doing most of the servicing myself to keep costs down.

Elephant have quoted me £1,260 for one.

However, just running a VX220 through the quotes system (51 plate), they'll only charge me £827 for one!

In terms of ownership costs and depreciation, how does the VX220 compare to an older Elise?


I guess you are budgeting between 10k - 14k buying a car at that age it should be to much of a worry with depreciation. I run a VXT and it only cost £100 for a 10k service. Tyres are normally good for 15-20k miles my last set cost be £450 fitted. Performance Brakes Pads £100 approx 15k-20k miles (20min to fit yourself). Any panels / light clusters are expensive on the vx to replace and the book price to replace a light cluster on 1 corner is £600.

The vx engine tends to be a more reliable option.

You are also going to get a newer vx pound for pound.

Test drive both cars see what you prefer.(as long as its a vx!)

c3 gtk

896 posts

262 months

Monday 16th August 2004
quotequote all
t80rbo said:

Muncher said:
I've decided that I want an Elise S1 around the time of my 21st birthday, looking for an early one and probably doing most of the servicing myself to keep costs down.

Elephant have quoted me £1,260 for one.

However, just running a VX220 through the quotes system (51 plate), they'll only charge me £827 for one!

In terms of ownership costs and depreciation, how does the VX220 compare to an older Elise?



I guess you are budgeting between 10k - 14k buying a car at that age it should be to much of a worry with depreciation. I run a VXT and it only cost £100 for a 10k service. Tyres are normally good for 15-20k miles my last set cost be £450 fitted. Performance Brakes Pads £100 approx 15k-20k miles (20min to fit yourself). Any panels / light clusters are expensive on the vx to replace and the book price to replace a light cluster on 1 corner is £600.

The vx engine tends to be a more reliable option.

You are also going to get a newer vx pound for pound.

Test drive both cars see what you prefer.(as long as its a vx!)


You know it makes sense

See you Sunday Dell

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,220 posts

256 months

Monday 16th August 2004
quotequote all
Any idea of anticipated depreciation on the VX, compared with an older S1?

tja

1,175 posts

261 months

Monday 16th August 2004
quotequote all
Muncher said:
Any idea of anticipated depreciation on the VX, compared with an older S1?

I bought mine (X reg) for £14.5k about 18 months ago, probably get around £13k for it now. Can't see it dropping much more than £500 per year for the next 3 or 4 years.

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,220 posts

256 months

Monday 16th August 2004
quotequote all
If I did go for a VX, I'd be looking for pretty much the cheapest one I could find, on autotrader the cheapest is £13.5k, has anyone seen any cheaper?

I'd be buying in december, a couple of weeks before christmas, high mileage not a problem.

tja

1,175 posts

261 months

Monday 16th August 2004
quotequote all
Muncher said:
If I did go for a VX, I'd be looking for pretty much the cheapest one I could find, on autotrader the cheapest is £13.5k, has anyone seen any cheaper?

I'd be buying in december, a couple of weeks before christmas, high mileage not a problem.

That's the cheapest I've seen, other than insurance write-offs. Have a look here in the "For Sale & Wanted" forum section. Currently two (one 02 & one 03) going at £15500.

Also worth getting the reg number of any you're looking at as it might have been previously owned/known by a forum member.

t80rbo

45 posts

244 months

Tuesday 17th August 2004
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c3 gtk said:


See you Sunday Dell


Looking forward to it, stage 2 will aid my case this time!!!

DanL

6,437 posts

272 months

Tuesday 17th August 2004
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Muncher said:
Any idea of anticipated depreciation on the VX, compared with an older S1?
Bought my Y reg one (from a Vauxhall dealer) for £14,995, sold it just over a year later for £14,300 (although I'd bought a hard top for it for £700 that went with the car).

Newer cars tend to loose a fair bit in the first 1-2 years, but the bottom end of the market is pretty good, depreciation-wise.

Dan

rico

7,916 posts

262 months

Tuesday 17th August 2004
quotequote all
Insurance does seem to be a lot cheaper for the VX.

For parking in Central London;

Elise - £2800
VX - £1700

Thats just doing a quick quote on elephant. Sure i could shop around and get it down to around £1200/£1400..

VX makes economical sense for sure

TrevCos

28 posts

242 months

Saturday 6th November 2004
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Just my opinion, but if you're choosing between the S1 Elise and the VX200 NA I'd go for the VX every time, and I did in fact. I went out in an S1 and it was far inferior, much crashier suspension, thashier noisy engine and daft hood. The VX is smooth, handles incredibly (as does the S1) but doesn't knock your teeth out every time you go over a pothole and the engine is an ultra smooth Vauxhall 2.2.
And certainly compared to the S1 I looked at the finish on my VX is a lot better, the panel gaps etc. I think maybe Lotus improved that area on the S2 Elise and the VX.
The Lotus name definitely has more cache but I think you're paying dear for it.

Mine's for sale on VX220.ORG.UK but I'm afraid I want a bit more than you're looking to pay because it's very low mileage and a real minter. Have a look at the ad though by all means.

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,220 posts

256 months

Saturday 18th December 2004
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I went to the dark side and came back with this




www.muncher.org.uk/VX220

cathalm

606 posts

251 months

Sunday 19th December 2004
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Hey dude, shes a beaut. Just got one myself, well picking up wednesday. I was loking for one in blue like that had to settle for silver, guess you got the blue one, glad you made the vx choice?

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,220 posts

256 months

Sunday 19th December 2004
quotequote all
cathalm said:
Hey dude, shes a beaut. Just got one myself, well picking up wednesday. I was loking for one in blue like that had to settle for silver, guess you got the blue one, glad you made the vx choice?


Very, very pleased.

Given how easy I am taking it at the minute I feel there is a lot left to it.

Are you getting an NA? How much are you paying?

cathalm

606 posts

251 months

Monday 20th December 2004
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Yeah it's a n/a one, silver with red interior/roof. I'm gettin it for 12700, doesnt seem too bad to me, but the waiting is driving me insane! only 2 days.....