VX220 - Everyday.
Discussion
Can I realistically live with a VX220 turbo as my only car.
I've wanted one for ages, then talk myself of the idea due to practicality etc and though an S2000 would be a better option.
Now, I want one again.
I probably do about 5000 miles a year and don't need a daily drive.
I also have access to my bro old golf he uses as a run around.
Just wondering, do they become tiresome.
I'm 6'2" and average build. I've heard getting in and out get's easier with practice, but really, does it??
I know the heater are crap, they can leak, they steam up etc, but, can you live with that?
I've wanted one for ages, then talk myself of the idea due to practicality etc and though an S2000 would be a better option.
Now, I want one again.
I probably do about 5000 miles a year and don't need a daily drive.
I also have access to my bro old golf he uses as a run around.
Just wondering, do they become tiresome.
I'm 6'2" and average build. I've heard getting in and out get's easier with practice, but really, does it??
I know the heater are crap, they can leak, they steam up etc, but, can you live with that?
cramman said:
Can I realistically live with a VX220 turbo as my only car.
I've wanted one for ages, then talk myself of the idea due to practicality etc and though an S2000 would be a better option.
Now, I want one again.
I probably do about 5000 miles a year and don't need a daily drive.
I also have access to my bro old golf he uses as a run around.
Just wondering, do they become tiresome.
I'm 6'2" and average build. I've heard getting in and out get's easier with practice, but really, does it??
I know the heater are crap, they can leak, they steam up etc, but, can you live with that?
In order;I've wanted one for ages, then talk myself of the idea due to practicality etc and though an S2000 would be a better option.
Now, I want one again.
I probably do about 5000 miles a year and don't need a daily drive.
I also have access to my bro old golf he uses as a run around.
Just wondering, do they become tiresome.
I'm 6'2" and average build. I've heard getting in and out get's easier with practice, but really, does it??
I know the heater are crap, they can leak, they steam up etc, but, can you live with that?
Many people do run them as daily drivers. You may find it tiresome after a while but that's not to say you will.
Pacticality - the boot on the Turbo is smaller than the N/A (and that's not very big). Some create packing can see you sorted for a weekend away though.
I'm also 6' 2" and I have to say that getting in & out was a little awkward at first but you soon find a technique that suits you. Mine was the left leg in, bum flop and right leg in approach.
Heater can be improved with the aid of some silicone hose, but essentially, the heater matrix just isn't very good. Leaks can generally be sorted by adjusting windows. mine never leaked. At all. You can get a heated windscreen fitted, if yours were to mysteriously develop a nast crack in it. You might have a bit of a job getting the insurance to cough up for it as they aren't cheap but it is possible.
Head over to vx220.org.uk for everything you need to know - word of advice though, make sure you read the New Members section, as there is a whole load of stuff in there that is pretty useful. Some posters get a bit irritated answering the same questions over & over again when the info is freely available already
HTH
Cheers for the info.
I've been lurking on vx220.org for a while. Just thought a post on here may develop a few less one sided opinions.
I love them, been in me mates when he had it and the performance was excellent. I just can't halp thinking that a S2000 or 350z just won't be even similar and I may as well by a normal car.
I'm not really after a convertible, I just want a drivers car. You only live once etc etc.
Cramman
I've been lurking on vx220.org for a while. Just thought a post on here may develop a few less one sided opinions.
I love them, been in me mates when he had it and the performance was excellent. I just can't halp thinking that a S2000 or 350z just won't be even similar and I may as well by a normal car.
I'm not really after a convertible, I just want a drivers car. You only live once etc etc.
Cramman
Your thinking is like mine when I was looking at changing my car. First I was looking at a hot hatch, then 350Z/S2000 etc, but then the VX220 came up.
If you get the opportunity to run something like it, then you should take it.
So I bought a VX
oh yeah, and the heater is crap so winter might be fun. I think the highs are higher, the lows will no doubt be lower though!
If you get the opportunity to run something like it, then you should take it.
So I bought a VX
oh yeah, and the heater is crap so winter might be fun. I think the highs are higher, the lows will no doubt be lower though!
Edited by ad551 on Friday 7th August 16:58
I got rid of my other car as I never drove it, what's the point when you have a VX sat on the drive ? I don't commute, but use it whenever I need 4 wheels, as have a bike for when 2 will do.
All depends on what YOU want out of it. If you don't try, you'll never know.
Minuses; getting in and out, only 2 seats, not many around.
Pluses; not much luggage space, only 2 seats, not many around.
All depends on what YOU want out of it. If you don't try, you'll never know.
Minuses; getting in and out, only 2 seats, not many around.
Pluses; not much luggage space, only 2 seats, not many around.
cramman said:
Can I realistically live with a VX220 turbo as my only car.
I've wanted one for ages, then talk myself of the idea due to practicality etc and though an S2000 would be a better option.
Now, I want one again.
I probably do about 5000 miles a year and don't need a daily drive.
I also have access to my bro old golf he uses as a run around.
Just wondering, do they become tiresome.
I'm 6'2" and average build. I've heard getting in and out get's easier with practice, but really, does it??
I know the heater are crap, they can leak, they steam up etc, but, can you live with that?
They are fine as long as it doesn't rain. I seen more rain on the inside than out. They are fine to drive, if a little like a go kart, but not tiresome. Getting in and out becomes an art form you will master in no time. They are cheap to run and generally good fun. Strangely enough the luggage space as small as it is was twice the size I had on my Alfa GTV! I did take it for a long drive once though (Only 160 miles) and it nearly destroyed my back. There is no need for seats to be that uncomfortable. Short journeys are fine though!I've wanted one for ages, then talk myself of the idea due to practicality etc and though an S2000 would be a better option.
Now, I want one again.
I probably do about 5000 miles a year and don't need a daily drive.
I also have access to my bro old golf he uses as a run around.
Just wondering, do they become tiresome.
I'm 6'2" and average build. I've heard getting in and out get's easier with practice, but really, does it??
I know the heater are crap, they can leak, they steam up etc, but, can you live with that?
I had an n/a for a year as an everyday car before finally giving up and buying a shed as a 2nd car. The vx became too tiresome mainly over the winter months, windscreen taking an age to demist, crap heater etc,etc. Plus to be honest when it's absolutely pelting down with rain an visibility is poor it actually felt dangerous to be in. I now have the turbo but still run another car which just makes the driving pleasure of the vx even more enjoyable by not using it everyday, if that makes sense. Yes you would have the comfort in a 350z,s2000,boxter etc but doubt you would get the thrill.
I ran mine as a daily commuter for 90 miles a day - lasted about 9 months before I was sick of it. Just ruins your appreciation of the car. Its been a weekend / second car for a further 2 1/2 years now and is great in that role
for 5k miles a year it will be fine but you'll need to look after it - ie don't leave it for more than a few weeks at a time as the battery can go flat easily, and they like to be driven.
I drove for almost 10 hours straight last month and my back was murdered by the end of it, but I did have an underlying problem at the time - they're normally pretty comfortable for at least a tank of petrol (200 ish miles).
unless you need to shift furniture / pets / people you won't have a problem with it as a sole car
for 5k miles a year it will be fine but you'll need to look after it - ie don't leave it for more than a few weeks at a time as the battery can go flat easily, and they like to be driven.
I drove for almost 10 hours straight last month and my back was murdered by the end of it, but I did have an underlying problem at the time - they're normally pretty comfortable for at least a tank of petrol (200 ish miles).
unless you need to shift furniture / pets / people you won't have a problem with it as a sole car
Sorry to re-fuel this topic - I am too considering getting a VX220, not the turbo but the n/a. I really wanted a RX8 but due to the wankel oil heating situation, my 5min commute will cause havok with the engine.
I notices someone further up the topic said these cars are cheap to run, can someone elaborate on that slightly? Are we talking replacement parts/ repairs or fuel economy etc? At the moment I have an angel and devil sat on my shoulder - one is saying dont bother wasting your money on petrol guzzlers and the other is saying save your money and get something economical...
I notices someone further up the topic said these cars are cheap to run, can someone elaborate on that slightly? Are we talking replacement parts/ repairs or fuel economy etc? At the moment I have an angel and devil sat on my shoulder - one is saying dont bother wasting your money on petrol guzzlers and the other is saying save your money and get something economical...
Sion5 said:
Sorry to re-fuel this topic - I am too considering getting a VX220, not the turbo but the n/a. I really wanted a RX8 but due to the wankel oil heating situation, my 5min commute will cause havok with the engine.
I notices someone further up the topic said these cars are cheap to run, can someone elaborate on that slightly? Are we talking replacement parts/ repairs or fuel economy etc? At the moment I have an angel and devil sat on my shoulder - one is saying dont bother wasting your money on petrol guzzlers and the other is saying save your money and get something economical...
The NA is a reliable engine and returns pretty decent fuel economy. As Defcon said it has a camchain as well so no need for belt replacements - although the chains can need some maintenance.I notices someone further up the topic said these cars are cheap to run, can someone elaborate on that slightly? Are we talking replacement parts/ repairs or fuel economy etc? At the moment I have an angel and devil sat on my shoulder - one is saying dont bother wasting your money on petrol guzzlers and the other is saying save your money and get something economical...
The nice thing about these cars is that they are relatively simple and easy to work on, even with limited mechanical knowledge. I'm no spanner monkey but I managed to change both my engine mounts a couple of months ago in one evening, as well as converting the lights to HIDs and doing my own discs, pads and fixing a bust ABS sensor.
Generally a VX is very cheap to run considering the performance available.
Service is less than £150, you'll get 30+mpg all the time, Tyres are somewhere around £100 each. Parts are generally not too expensive, engine parts are as per a Vectra so very reasonable, disks and pads are about £100 for a pair, a set of coilovers about £500.
There are plenty of after market parts out there, a lot of which are shared with the Elise.
Crash it though and things get pricey! Body parts and lights are not cheap and some items are hard to get hold of.
Service is less than £150, you'll get 30+mpg all the time, Tyres are somewhere around £100 each. Parts are generally not too expensive, engine parts are as per a Vectra so very reasonable, disks and pads are about £100 for a pair, a set of coilovers about £500.
There are plenty of after market parts out there, a lot of which are shared with the Elise.
Crash it though and things get pricey! Body parts and lights are not cheap and some items are hard to get hold of.
Thanks for the info!I guess its always a double edged sword when a car is uncommon - bodywork repairs can be expensive but then you do turn heads when you drive past!
I am completely sold on a VX220, the insurance was very reasonable (im 24) at £800 and now the luxury of good mpg. Now I need to source one for the £7k that I have to spend :-D
I am completely sold on a VX220, the insurance was very reasonable (im 24) at £800 and now the luxury of good mpg. Now I need to source one for the £7k that I have to spend :-D
I've got an NA and it is a good car to be fair. I think the engine is from the Astra GTE rather than the Vectra.
If you are using this car as anything but a weekend play-thing then you need to be aware of the following:
1) Vauxhall really struggles to get parts for the car. I waited 2 weeks for some engine mounts and have been waiting 4 weeks for rear tie-rods. I have a Vauxhall dealer within 5 mins walk from my house and I can't use them because they don't want to service it, so it's gone to a Lotus garage and a sportscar specialist. If it's your only car and a part goes that's not a common Vauxhall one - be prepared to wait.
2) It's a very fragile car - not mechanically but bodily. Internally especially. It's lightweight and stripped down - don't know how many of these will be on the road in another ten years.
Still, you could buy one, try it and if you don't like it sell it again! What've you got to lose? They hold their value - in fact have gone up a little. It's one beautiful little motor and a joy to drive. And it grows on you too. It's a very subtle and sensitive driving experience - that's the whole ethos of the car and it makes no compromises in doing so.
Go for it - have a blast - sell it if you can't live with it.
H
If you are using this car as anything but a weekend play-thing then you need to be aware of the following:
1) Vauxhall really struggles to get parts for the car. I waited 2 weeks for some engine mounts and have been waiting 4 weeks for rear tie-rods. I have a Vauxhall dealer within 5 mins walk from my house and I can't use them because they don't want to service it, so it's gone to a Lotus garage and a sportscar specialist. If it's your only car and a part goes that's not a common Vauxhall one - be prepared to wait.
2) It's a very fragile car - not mechanically but bodily. Internally especially. It's lightweight and stripped down - don't know how many of these will be on the road in another ten years.
Still, you could buy one, try it and if you don't like it sell it again! What've you got to lose? They hold their value - in fact have gone up a little. It's one beautiful little motor and a joy to drive. And it grows on you too. It's a very subtle and sensitive driving experience - that's the whole ethos of the car and it makes no compromises in doing so.
Go for it - have a blast - sell it if you can't live with it.
H
They generally go anywhere between 30K & 50K, depending on how lucky you are.
It's not a huge job to replace as it is usually the left and right mounts that go, rather than the front.
New ones are about £80 from memory and then your time in replacing (it's fiddly but reasonably easy to do).
Rule number one of VX ownership - never let a Vauxhall Dealer anywhere near it. Ever.
Rule number two - see above.
There are several parts sites around on the web and Ebay can be a good source as well. I wouldn't get it serviced anywhere other than an independent who has worked either VX's or Lotuses.
It's not a huge job to replace as it is usually the left and right mounts that go, rather than the front.
New ones are about £80 from memory and then your time in replacing (it's fiddly but reasonably easy to do).
Rule number one of VX ownership - never let a Vauxhall Dealer anywhere near it. Ever.
Rule number two - see above.
There are several parts sites around on the web and Ebay can be a good source as well. I wouldn't get it serviced anywhere other than an independent who has worked either VX's or Lotuses.
Ive had my VXT for a couple of months now and I can honestky say I love it. I am 24 and do similar millage to the original post and can honestly say its been easy to live with. Mine doesnt leak a drop and although I have been thinking about a hard top for winter I do think I could manage without one! Just go for it!
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