Buying a VX220
Discussion
So, after years of kits car ownership (Westfield, Sylva Striker, Dutton Pheaton) and also owning some pretty special classic sports cars including an Alpine Renault GTA Turbo I have decided to enter the world of the VX220!
Initially, I thought I'd look at the Turbo model but after driving a mates N/A car I have opted for the later. Its just what I want in a weekend toy but with the practicality to be able to take it abroad in poor weather, something that I wasn't to keen on doing in my Westy! Also, SWMBO will be able to drive me home easily if I decided to have a drink while we're out in it!
So here's an example what I'm after.
Lightning Yellow
25,000 mile
Hardtop
Larini full exhaust system
Induction kit
Around £7500 - £9,000
What should I be looking out for with regards to other mods? ( I've read that there might be some cooling, engine mount problems?) Should I cough up the extra dosh and go for a turbo? How much should I expect to pay to insure it/where should I insure it?
Thanks.
Initially, I thought I'd look at the Turbo model but after driving a mates N/A car I have opted for the later. Its just what I want in a weekend toy but with the practicality to be able to take it abroad in poor weather, something that I wasn't to keen on doing in my Westy! Also, SWMBO will be able to drive me home easily if I decided to have a drink while we're out in it!
So here's an example what I'm after.
Lightning Yellow
25,000 mile
Hardtop
Larini full exhaust system
Induction kit
Around £7500 - £9,000
What should I be looking out for with regards to other mods? ( I've read that there might be some cooling, engine mount problems?) Should I cough up the extra dosh and go for a turbo? How much should I expect to pay to insure it/where should I insure it?
Thanks.
Insurance obviously depends on your history..but try Flux, CCI, Heritage etc..or Admiral.
Engine mounts aren't a problem to change, they are around £50 from Autovaux.
With the N/A there's always the option to S/C it if you need more power at some point...this is happening more and more.
Have you joined VX220.org? Loads of useful info on there..although there are some teething problems regarding membership at the mo. You can still read plenty of posts though
Engine mounts aren't a problem to change, they are around £50 from Autovaux.
With the N/A there's always the option to S/C it if you need more power at some point...this is happening more and more.
Have you joined VX220.org? Loads of useful info on there..although there are some teething problems regarding membership at the mo. You can still read plenty of posts though
i wouldn't get too hung up on mileage, buy on condition as then all the niggles will have been attended to and kept on top of rather than sat in the garage.
I have a turbo so may be a bit biased, but the na is very capable and more importantly fun. Turbos can be tuned to big power but then you get lazy!
check the bodywork very carefully for cracks, crazing and chips as clams are expensive and bubbling is getting more common. Make sure the lights are good too as they are expensive and rare to get hold of.
expect stone chips on the front clam, if it doesn't have them it will have been resprayed, so check for quality of the job, and also crash damage as they can be very expensive to repair hence botch jobs not uncommon.
they are mostly repmobile bolt on mechanical parts underneath, so cheap to replace and service if things go a bit wrong. if it feels like it drives right, it probably is!
tyre wear makes a significant difference to handling as you may guess, but front tyres will last forever, so check they aren't cracked down the central grooves as you'll need new ones.
Have fun!
to add - radiator is a weak point, and will go at some point if standard, think i'm about to get no 4....
insurance wise I was with elephant before the mods, but now flux - £800 a year for a 50% power increase plus extra bits and a couple of large claims against me.... CCI and a few others seem to be competitive too.
I have a turbo so may be a bit biased, but the na is very capable and more importantly fun. Turbos can be tuned to big power but then you get lazy!
check the bodywork very carefully for cracks, crazing and chips as clams are expensive and bubbling is getting more common. Make sure the lights are good too as they are expensive and rare to get hold of.
expect stone chips on the front clam, if it doesn't have them it will have been resprayed, so check for quality of the job, and also crash damage as they can be very expensive to repair hence botch jobs not uncommon.
they are mostly repmobile bolt on mechanical parts underneath, so cheap to replace and service if things go a bit wrong. if it feels like it drives right, it probably is!
tyre wear makes a significant difference to handling as you may guess, but front tyres will last forever, so check they aren't cracked down the central grooves as you'll need new ones.
Have fun!
to add - radiator is a weak point, and will go at some point if standard, think i'm about to get no 4....
insurance wise I was with elephant before the mods, but now flux - £800 a year for a 50% power increase plus extra bits and a couple of large claims against me.... CCI and a few others seem to be competitive too.
Edited by vxsmithers on Wednesday 28th July 00:26
Edited by vxsmithers on Wednesday 28th July 00:26
I all depends how you drive I suppose. If you are a motorway racer then you will probably be better off in the Focus, if you like B roads and track days however the VX is in a different league.
The VX is more about feel and communication between driver and car. My car is a stage 2 turbo and using a performance box I have recorded a 4.5 second 0-60 time so it's no slouch but i'm not great at launch starts TBH (I think very low 4's can be had). In a FWD car you are asking the front wheels to accelerate and steer at the same time which is always going to be a problem in high powered cars.
I look a it this way; One of the cars is designed to carry passengers and shopping comfortably and was then modified to make it more sporty. The other was designed as a pure sports car and was then modified to make it more comfortable.
Not that I'm knocking the focus, I've owned 2 (not an RS) and love them.
The VX is more about feel and communication between driver and car. My car is a stage 2 turbo and using a performance box I have recorded a 4.5 second 0-60 time so it's no slouch but i'm not great at launch starts TBH (I think very low 4's can be had). In a FWD car you are asking the front wheels to accelerate and steer at the same time which is always going to be a problem in high powered cars.
I look a it this way; One of the cars is designed to carry passengers and shopping comfortably and was then modified to make it more sporty. The other was designed as a pure sports car and was then modified to make it more comfortable.
Not that I'm knocking the focus, I've owned 2 (not an RS) and love them.
AMST09 said:
Rather than start another topic
Will I find the VX in another league to my focus RS
Or will it just be the handling side it favours rather than outright straight line speed?
An non-turbo wont be as quick as the focus on the straights but would more than make up for it on the twisties. A vx turbo will have the straight line pace and i would say if both cars were standard the vx would be noticeably quicker in a straight line than the rs. Depends what your after really and what floats your boat.Will I find the VX in another league to my focus RS
Or will it just be the handling side it favours rather than outright straight line speed?
I BOUGHT IT!!!! 
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1860107.htm
Looks twice as good as in the pics, lovely Larini exhaust, very tidy!!!!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1860107.htm
Looks twice as good as in the pics, lovely Larini exhaust, very tidy!!!!
Edited by Lordbenny on Saturday 31st July 14:52
Denno B said:
AMST09 said:
Rather than start another topic
Will I find the VX in another league to my focus RS
Or will it just be the handling side it favours rather than outright straight line speed?
An non-turbo wont be as quick as the focus on the straights but would more than make up for it on the twisties. A vx turbo will have the straight line pace and i would say if both cars were standard the vx would be noticeably quicker in a straight line than the rs. Depends what your after really and what floats your boat.Will I find the VX in another league to my focus RS
Or will it just be the handling side it favours rather than outright straight line speed?
But i'm not interested in high speed tbh, license is too important
Prefer the B road blasts
Thinking the N/A would be easier to live with more torque down low?
Lordbenny said:
insanojackson said:
i just bought a 2002 n/a vx220 today.
We should stay in touch! More details/pics?
Its in good nick, 49000 miles and standard apart from a zorst and induxtion.The bloke i bought it off seemed a real enthusiast and assures me its never been crashed. the noise it makes is class. it has a small key mark on the off side but tobe honest you can hardly see it. will get it sorted soon. Picking it up tues morning and just sorted my insurance out with cci not too bad really 370 quid with both me and the woman on, 5000 miles a year.
a few pics
[url=http://img514.imageshack.us/i/imag0180i.jpg/]
[/url][url=http://img831.imageshack.us/i/imag0183.jpg/]
[/url][url=http://img508.imageshack.us/i/imag0184.jpg/]
[/url]That's nice, would you consider de-badging it?
I'm currently wrapping the dash & light switch surrounds in 3M carbon wrap as these have one or two scratches. If that works I'll do the door cards that seems to be made of silver paper!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GENUINE-3M-DI-NOC-CARBON-FIB...
It looks great and is easy to apply.
I'm currently wrapping the dash & light switch surrounds in 3M carbon wrap as these have one or two scratches. If that works I'll do the door cards that seems to be made of silver paper!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GENUINE-3M-DI-NOC-CARBON-FIB...
It looks great and is easy to apply.
insanojackson said:
Its in good nick, 49000 miles and standard apart from a zorst and induxtion.The bloke i bought it off seemed a real enthusiast and assures me its never been crashed. the noise it makes is class.
looks like a vse exhaust - optional extra and LOUD!very nice
edited for rubbish quoting!
Edited by vxsmithers on Monday 2nd August 22:03
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