VXT - A revalation!
Discussion
Hi all,
Been looking for a replacement for my MINI Cooper S thats going back to BMW.
Thought an Elise or a VXT would be the order of the day as they both seem popular with all the mags.
Tried the Elise, smart little car, lovely looking, sweetest gear change of any car I have ever driven, marvellously short throw, quick direct steering and a tremendous amount of fun on the whole. However, being used to the laziness of a TVR (before the MINI) I found it a little gutless and I dont like wringing the neck of cars for some reason.
Onto the VXT then...
Much the same general feel to the car, started spitting with rain, love the one big wiper - you could almost be driving Le Mans when that is on. Instant feeling, even in low revs that its got a lot more there to push you along. Quick stop for some fuel and off onto a local A road. Down from 4th to 3rd, nice straight, nail it and by god this is rapid. Corner approaching, good visibility, nothing coming, quick detour onto other side of road and I dont appear to be acquainted with the brakes at all, no need, the chassis is so bloody good!
Saunter back to the dealership, exceptionally impressed.
All things being equal I should own one by the end of the day.
Stunning and Vauxhall badge schmoxhall badge you cant see it when you are inside the car...
Been looking for a replacement for my MINI Cooper S thats going back to BMW.
Thought an Elise or a VXT would be the order of the day as they both seem popular with all the mags.
Tried the Elise, smart little car, lovely looking, sweetest gear change of any car I have ever driven, marvellously short throw, quick direct steering and a tremendous amount of fun on the whole. However, being used to the laziness of a TVR (before the MINI) I found it a little gutless and I dont like wringing the neck of cars for some reason.
Onto the VXT then...
Much the same general feel to the car, started spitting with rain, love the one big wiper - you could almost be driving Le Mans when that is on. Instant feeling, even in low revs that its got a lot more there to push you along. Quick stop for some fuel and off onto a local A road. Down from 4th to 3rd, nice straight, nail it and by god this is rapid. Corner approaching, good visibility, nothing coming, quick detour onto other side of road and I dont appear to be acquainted with the brakes at all, no need, the chassis is so bloody good!
Saunter back to the dealership, exceptionally impressed.
All things being equal I should own one by the end of the day.
Stunning and Vauxhall badge schmoxhall badge you cant see it when you are inside the car...
Welcome to the world of VX ownership 
Hope to see you at vx220.org.uk soon...everything you wanted to know about VX220s but were afraid to ask
Hope to see you at vx220.org.uk soon...everything you wanted to know about VX220s but were afraid to ask
Hi,
As usual the best advice is to try over at www.vx220.org.uk//
You will find lots of people willing to help
As usual the best advice is to try over at www.vx220.org.uk//
You will find lots of people willing to help
Yesterday went for a test drive of the VXT down at my local dealer in Ruthin. Gareth threw me the keys and said enjoy!
I did! What a car, I was smiling from ear to ear when I got back. The engine is terrific, the handling sublime and the looks? Well it is different.
I don't give a monkies about the badge that's just snobbery, although I think that they should get rid of the big 'V' up-front. They tell me this car develops 200BHP and I can well believe it what amazed me about the car was how civilised it was. Having driven my friends 160 Elise I was expecting the same cacophony from the VXT but got none of it; although I have to say my friends car has a sports exhaust system.
If I have to critisise the car at all it would be on two points only. Number one is the fact that I could not see the rev counter or speedo other than by bending down appreciably which could be considered dangerous at speed, and number two is, why don't they fit a six speed gearbox?
Gareth, my friendly dealer says that there is a VXR edition out soon and this will develop 250BHP! Already booked a test drive.
Anyway just to say to all you VX fans out there, forget the badge, just enjoy the driving pleasure and be content in the knowledge that there are not many cars out there that can match this cars sublime driving characteristics no matter what the cost or the badge says on the front!
p.s. I normally drive a Griffith 500
I did! What a car, I was smiling from ear to ear when I got back. The engine is terrific, the handling sublime and the looks? Well it is different.
I don't give a monkies about the badge that's just snobbery, although I think that they should get rid of the big 'V' up-front. They tell me this car develops 200BHP and I can well believe it what amazed me about the car was how civilised it was. Having driven my friends 160 Elise I was expecting the same cacophony from the VXT but got none of it; although I have to say my friends car has a sports exhaust system.
If I have to critisise the car at all it would be on two points only. Number one is the fact that I could not see the rev counter or speedo other than by bending down appreciably which could be considered dangerous at speed, and number two is, why don't they fit a six speed gearbox?
Gareth, my friendly dealer says that there is a VXR edition out soon and this will develop 250BHP! Already booked a test drive.
Anyway just to say to all you VX fans out there, forget the badge, just enjoy the driving pleasure and be content in the knowledge that there are not many cars out there that can match this cars sublime driving characteristics no matter what the cost or the badge says on the front!
p.s. I normally drive a Griffith 500
Good, aren't they?
re: the V - easily removed from the front clam (although to do it without destroying the V requires the front clam to be removed. DIY-able, takes about 3 hours each way).
re: VXR - going to come with 220 bhp as standard, plus lots of other uprated bits (brakes/suspension from Exige, for example). Has a blacked out V, which looks a bit nicer.
They've already sold 40-odd out of the run of 60 tho'!
Dan
re: the V - easily removed from the front clam (although to do it without destroying the V requires the front clam to be removed. DIY-able, takes about 3 hours each way).
re: VXR - going to come with 220 bhp as standard, plus lots of other uprated bits (brakes/suspension from Exige, for example). Has a blacked out V, which looks a bit nicer.
They've already sold 40-odd out of the run of 60 tho'!
Dan
I agree with your summation of the two cars. The VXT is quite a car but I still don't want one on practicality issues. However, for me, the biggest disappointment was that the engine sounded terrible and really not like a proper sports car should sound. Academic in many ways but important.
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