Higher mileage perfect spec VX220 or lower mileage standard?

[.Adam.]

I've got a bit of a dilemma, looking to get a VX220 Turbo in the near future, and have seen one for sale that is my almost ideal spec, Miltek exhaust, stage 2 tune, new suspension and brakes etc, but is higher mileage than I ideally wanted at nearly 60000.
For a little bit more money, I can get a standard Turbo with half the mileage, but then I would want to get it up to the spec of the other car over the next few years of ownership.
If I was only planning on doing small mileage or not keeping the car for too long then the extra mileage wouldn't bother me, but hopefully if I get on with it, I shall be keeping it for 10+ years and doubling the mileage, so not sure what the best way of going is, and was after some opinions from current or previous VX220 owners.

[Andy_sx]

.Adam. said:

I've got a bit of a dilemma, looking to get a VX220 Turbo in the near future, and have seen one for sale that is my almost ideal spec, Miltek exhaust, stage 2 tune, new suspension and brakes etc, but is higher mileage than I ideally wanted at nearly 60000.
For a little bit more money, I can get a standard Turbo with half the mileage, but then I would want to get it up to the spec of the other car over the next few years of ownership.
If I was only planning on doing small mileage or not keeping the car for too long then the extra mileage wouldn't bother me, but hopefully if I get on with it, I shall be keeping it for 10+ years and doubling the mileage, so not sure what the best way of going is, and was after some opinions from current or previous VX220 owners.

Hi Adam, didn't expect to see you letting the Atom go!

Mileage wise I would almost discount (obvious exceptions) go on condition and the owner and previous owners (should be able to do some back ground checks through vx220.org.uk)

I would work on he premise that if the car is near the spec you are after, I would purchase that one, having checked with the garage that did the work, and researching the parts / companies used. If you are spending more on the base car for the mileage factor alone, you will then have 2+k to come for the other parts to be fitted, which over 10 years is negligable, but will add to the maintinance / ownership costs, and could be avoided on the initial purchase.

The mileage is hidden fairly well by these cars, there are plenty on or approaching 100k with good servicing and maintinance for teh type of car they are, consumables dont wear out all that quick (although possibly quicker than the westy) engines are generic Vauxhall lumps, so can take normal service schedules.

Why is it in particular you are after a turbo? I tried both when buying, and for me the turbo engine alomst didnt 'gel' with the chassis, a little lethargic under the boost threshold and then almost manic on boost speeds easily obtained that shouldnt be. The na is a bit firmer and lighter, and although the engine cant be described as a peach, it seems better suited to the car, an na that will do the docile about town, but can be wound up. I was going to supercharge mine to get it to or beyond turbo power / pace, while remaining tractable, but circumstances have changed.

[.Adam.]

It will be hard to let the Westie go, but I have had it almost 10 years now, and this year has been the first when I have thought I might want something different.
Regarding getting a Turbo verses n/a, I want similar performance to my Westie, and I'm worried that the N/A might feel a bit slow. I've read that the Turbo doesn't handle quite as well, but figured it would be cheaper and easier to get a Turbo handling than a N/A quicker.
The car I have my eye on is for sale on VX220.org, for sale by someone who seems to be well respected on there, the only slight downside is the mileage and the colour as I would have liked a change from blue!

[Andy_sx]

.Adam. said:

It will be hard to let the Westie go, but I have had it almost 10 years now, and this year has been the first when I have thought I might want something different.
Regarding getting a Turbo verses n/a, I want similar performance to my Westie, and I'm worried that the N/A might feel a bit slow. I've read that the Turbo doesn't handle quite as well, but figured it would be cheaper and easier to get a Turbo handling than a N/A quicker.
The car I have my eye on is for sale on VX220.org, for sale by someone who seems to be well respected on there, the only slight downside is the mileage and the colour as I would have liked a change from blue!

Christ, it surely isnt that old, certainly doesnt look it thats for certain!

You are welcome to have a go in my VX if you want mate, get a feel for it and see what you think.

think i know the one you mean, but you can always change the colour, as said earlier, buy on the cars condition and the owner, the rest can be sorted / tweeked to preference, hell a colour change in 3-5 years would make it a new car for 1-2k

[.Adam.]

Thanks for the offer, but a good friend has just got rid of his Westie and got a N/A VX so should be having a good look around that on Sunday. Colour won't put me off a car if the rest is good, unless it's silver!

[Andy_sx]

.Adam. said:

Thanks for the offer, but a good friend has just got rid of his Westie and got a N/A VX so should be having a good look around that on Sunday. Colour won't put me off a car if the rest is good, unless it's silver!

Haha, and just what is wong with silver

[Andy_sx]

Would I be right in guessing its fiveoclock's car? if so, it will be bloody good

now is the right time to be a buyer (unlike myslef as a sodding seller), and it will be easy to worrrrrk out which are the good and bad cars / owners mate

good luck with the hunt

[.Adam.]

That's the one, it certainly looks good. Really have to sell my Westie first though, so hopefully if it goes soon then fiveoclocks car will still be available.

[stu1984]

Yeah fiveoclock's car looks like a good one. It won't hang around for long though I would have thought. Still, don't get too disappointed if you miss out, it is a buyers market at the moment

[rob999]

Come and say hello on .Org.
5oc's VX is a good un.

[cliffie]

Don't worry about the mileage on Fiveoclock's car, it is a really good example and in lovely condition and has been looked after by Back on Track.

[.Adam.]

If I sell my Westie before fiveoclocks car goes, then I think that is at the top of my list to look at.