Don't wish to start an argument, but...
Discussion
I had been seriously looking at getting an Elise next year, but have just done an insurance quote for a VX220 Turbo. It came out a full £600 less than an S2 111S and £200 less than I currently pay for my Type-R. While I appreciate I shouldn't worry about money when buying a sportscar, but at 25 with a mortgage to pay by myself, £600/annum is a useful chunk of cash.
Do any of you chaps run a VX220 Turbo? How will I find it as a daily driver? I love my Type-R, but I need something quicker and more involving. How much extra is a hard top as a retro-fit item? Can you service them through main dealers? What should I look out for when investigating potential purchases?
Many thanks for the help chaps. I hope this doesn't cause another Elise/VX220 argument. I'm just after some objective facts on running one.
Cheers,
Swifty.
Do any of you chaps run a VX220 Turbo? How will I find it as a daily driver? I love my Type-R, but I need something quicker and more involving. How much extra is a hard top as a retro-fit item? Can you service them through main dealers? What should I look out for when investigating potential purchases?
Many thanks for the help chaps. I hope this doesn't cause another Elise/VX220 argument. I'm just after some objective facts on running one.
Cheers,
Swifty.
I run an N/A, not a tubby. But I can give you a bit of an insight into the slower, noisier model.
As a daily driver it is great, provided you dont have trouble getting in and out and you don't have loads of luggage to carry with you. In the deepest depths of winter the slow heater warmup can be a bit frustrating as can the misting up screen as soon as you leave your driveway(!). But these things can be dealt with using anti-fog coatings and a bit of modification to the heater ducting.
Hard tops are ~£600 if you try and get one of ebay. Quite a few cars do come with them though. Its a good addition for the winter months. I have a Thorney Motorsport one and its noticeably lowers wind noise and makes the cabin a bit cosier. You can also whip it off in less than 5mins should the sun make an appearance! I've also carpeted the interior (£60 from a guy in the owners club) which makes it look a feel a bit more car like.
Servicing costs are very reasonable. You can get it done at a Vauxhall dealer but you will be better off going to a specialist. Theres a price list for an idea turbo costs here - http://www.psrautomotive.com/servicing-vauxhall.ph... (The 4yr/40k service is when the cambelt is done)
As for what to look for, have a look at www.vx220.org.uk. Its got a great buyers guide and is full of people with very good knowledge of the cars.
I am considering upgrading my VX at the moment, but the only cars I'm looking at are turbos and exiges
As a daily driver it is great, provided you dont have trouble getting in and out and you don't have loads of luggage to carry with you. In the deepest depths of winter the slow heater warmup can be a bit frustrating as can the misting up screen as soon as you leave your driveway(!). But these things can be dealt with using anti-fog coatings and a bit of modification to the heater ducting.
Hard tops are ~£600 if you try and get one of ebay. Quite a few cars do come with them though. Its a good addition for the winter months. I have a Thorney Motorsport one and its noticeably lowers wind noise and makes the cabin a bit cosier. You can also whip it off in less than 5mins should the sun make an appearance! I've also carpeted the interior (£60 from a guy in the owners club) which makes it look a feel a bit more car like.
Servicing costs are very reasonable. You can get it done at a Vauxhall dealer but you will be better off going to a specialist. Theres a price list for an idea turbo costs here - http://www.psrautomotive.com/servicing-vauxhall.ph... (The 4yr/40k service is when the cambelt is done)
As for what to look for, have a look at www.vx220.org.uk. Its got a great buyers guide and is full of people with very good knowledge of the cars.
I am considering upgrading my VX at the moment, but the only cars I'm looking at are turbos and exiges
Thanks very much for the info, dude. I'm going to start seriously looking in the New Year. I reckon a 2006 model in that nice titanium metallic grey with a hard top will be on the shopping list if I can find one. I will also investigate the windscren coating - sounds like a good call! Good luck with the Exige/Turbo. I'd love an Exige but I couldn't justify the extra cost at this stage in life. I get a company car next year or year after so maybe that'd be the time to think about an Exige or a Noble...
NightDriver has pretty much told you everything you need to know - esp directing you to VX220.org
I would also stress that you ought to avoid dealers at all costs, but if you're looking at an '06 car then you'd need to at least keep the service history at Vauxhall until the warranty expires..
The grey you're referring to is called 'Moonland', and it is a gorgeous colour. Have a go in both the Elise and the VX if you can, as there are differences in the way they drive and you might prefer one over the other..
And don't worry, you won't generally start an argument asking this question on a VX forum, but have a go on a Lotus forum and see how you get on there..
I would also stress that you ought to avoid dealers at all costs, but if you're looking at an '06 car then you'd need to at least keep the service history at Vauxhall until the warranty expires..
The grey you're referring to is called 'Moonland', and it is a gorgeous colour. Have a go in both the Elise and the VX if you can, as there are differences in the way they drive and you might prefer one over the other..
And don't worry, you won't generally start an argument asking this question on a VX forum, but have a go on a Lotus forum and see how you get on there..
I went from a type r to a vx as a daily driver... you will be a lot slower point to point in the vx at first, but have a lot more fun - they are worlds apart to drive.
after a year i gave up on mine as a daily driver, it just got too monotonous on the 90 mile a day drive - completely killed the experience for me. now it is more of a weekend / occassional car and i have fallen in love with it again, plus it is now stage 4 so induces plenty of grins. much better to have a shed to munch boring miles and enjoy the fun miles in the fun car!
steer clear of vauxhall - they are incompetent in the main, and have extortionate rates compared to independents
oh and moonland is the best colour...
after a year i gave up on mine as a daily driver, it just got too monotonous on the 90 mile a day drive - completely killed the experience for me. now it is more of a weekend / occassional car and i have fallen in love with it again, plus it is now stage 4 so induces plenty of grins. much better to have a shed to munch boring miles and enjoy the fun miles in the fun car!
steer clear of vauxhall - they are incompetent in the main, and have extortionate rates compared to independents
oh and moonland is the best colour...
. Let me know how your test drive tomorrow goes 
I am also looking to get a VXT as soon as I can sell my Clio V6. Does anyone use Regal and how do they find them? I used to use them years ago but was not that keen on them, but they are local to me as I am in Winchester.
Is there anything major to look out for when buying them other than the usual and of course accident damage? Am I right in thinking C/Locking was an optional extra?
Also I had a little play with a silver VX wearing a carbon rear wing and diffuser on Poles Lane near Winchester a while ago. Was very rapid and sounded awesome. Think the reg was T3 XXX. Anyone on here?
Is there anything major to look out for when buying them other than the usual and of course accident damage? Am I right in thinking C/Locking was an optional extra?
Also I had a little play with a silver VX wearing a carbon rear wing and diffuser on Poles Lane near Winchester a while ago. Was very rapid and sounded awesome. Think the reg was T3 XXX. Anyone on here?
I purchased my vxt at 21 and still have it now im 27. As you say, insurance qoutes can be quite shocking.
As others have said you would be better getting services done at specialists, Thorneymotorsport (who can also carry out Vauxhall warrenty) is normally where i get my work done. The other main specialist is courtenaysport who have a great rep.
I used to drive 70miles a day for work, the car can handle it with probs but as someone has already said, when your driving the car that amount of milleage you kinda lose the love for it. Its now my weekend toy.
I also have the hardtop and extra carpet fitted, does make it a little cosier but dont be to fussed about the hardtop, i think i have only fitted mine about 4 times since i owned it lol.
Yes, central locking was a optional extra on the vxt (not the n/a).
As for Regal, you could have a search on the owners forum but if im honest i dont really remember reading any good reviews about them..
Not sure what your price range is but i would recommend at stage 2 vxt(around 240bhp)as it transforms the car. Where abouts are you located, there may be a local owner that could show you around
As others have said you would be better getting services done at specialists, Thorneymotorsport (who can also carry out Vauxhall warrenty) is normally where i get my work done. The other main specialist is courtenaysport who have a great rep.
I used to drive 70miles a day for work, the car can handle it with probs but as someone has already said, when your driving the car that amount of milleage you kinda lose the love for it. Its now my weekend toy.
I also have the hardtop and extra carpet fitted, does make it a little cosier but dont be to fussed about the hardtop, i think i have only fitted mine about 4 times since i owned it lol.
Yes, central locking was a optional extra on the vxt (not the n/a).
As for Regal, you could have a search on the owners forum but if im honest i dont really remember reading any good reviews about them..
Not sure what your price range is but i would recommend at stage 2 vxt(around 240bhp)as it transforms the car. Where abouts are you located, there may be a local owner that could show you around
Edited by Joe-turbo on Monday 15th December 16:23
Agree with Joe-turbo,try and get a car that is already stage2 as after a few months in a standard car this is what you will want!At 240-250bhp and no annoying flat spot it completely transforms the car.This would cost over £2k seperatly hence you would be better off buying one that has already been done.As for everyday use i struggled when i had my n/a a few years ago,especially in the winter months and it wasnt long before i bought a shed as a second car.It makes the experience of driving the vx more pleasurable in my opinion when its not an everyday driver.
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