VX220's in NZ?

[peterpsg]

As I don't spy any on trademe for confirmation, has anyone seen or brought one of these into NZ ?

Any reasons they might not be able to, emmissions, frontals, etc etc ??

Emotive, sans Clarkson, statements about handling etc from ex owners/passengers welcome!

[Esprit]

Check the emissions compliance of the engine. It must be EURO3 or better to make it into NZ without an SIV permit.

You'll be able to bring one in on an SIV permit, but it means extra cash, extra hassle, extra caveats and extra paperwork.

There are already a few here. I know of at least 3 VX220 N/A and one VXR220. Don't know of any VX220 Turbos (other than the VXR of course) but that's not to say there aren't any here.

[Oscar the Grouch]

Theres definately a couple of them here
There was a VX220 at Lotus Cars four or so years ago when Elise purchased
Theres also black one in the picture on Lotus Cars website from a recent event
http://www.lotuscars.net.nz/portal/

[mikeS350]

I've just gone down the SIV permit route myself to bring in a Lotus, so if you end up having to get an SIV permit I can pass on my experience with the process. It's pretty much everything "esprit" says. Keep in mind that NZ only allows 200 SIV permits a year, although I started the process towards the end of last year (November) and I was only #42!!! But from year to year you never know.

[Esprit]

Jem Thompson said:

I remember talking to a guy who owned two of them, a non turbo one (blue I think), and a VXR220 (Red with black wheels).

Daniel Crayford... occasional writer for Top Gear mag. Originally had a silver N/A one, think he sold that not long after getting the VXR.

[Kylie]

Yip few here now, seems theres always one of these turning up at most Club Lotus events now. OK which lurker here has the red one with lambo scissor doors

[peterpsg]

Cool, so it's another one added to my list of possible 'bring backs'...

Anyone seen in the engine bay, i.e. could you get a V6/VR6 in there without too much hack and slash?

Had a ride (passenger sadly) not long ago in a mates M12 Noble, pretty nice, felt a lot more sorted than the Ult was, and you could get in to it without being a gymnast, but I'm guessing one of those would definately be a "SIV" import...?

[Esprit]

Peter... just the same as an S1 Elise maybe... just a touch more room in the engine bay.

There's an S1 in the UK with a VR6 engine in there now, although with that you do lose most of the boot. But it works so I hear.

[Omerta]

Noble probably would be, unless they did the required testing to sell cars in the US? If it's what you want, and assuming you plan to keep it for a few years at least, don't let the need for SIV certification stop you though - the scheme was set up to enable exactly that sort of vehicle import and they're not about to run out of the 200 per year quota. Also depending on your circumstances, you might qualify to bring it in as a baggage vehicle which doesn't have the same resale limitations as SIV.

I'd be the last one to try to tell anyone what to do with their own car and money, but are you sure you want to bring in a conversion project when there's soooo many very desirable and NZ$ cheap supercars to choose from over there right now?

[Kiwi Carguy]

A quick Google showed up a few of the cars mentioned.

http://www.clublotus.org.nz/Lotus60th-FullReportFi...
http://www.sccnz.co.nz/upload/event/17/Taupo%20200...
http://www.marktime.co.nz/rfiles/081130/BEST.PDF
http://www.wheelnut.co.nz/wn/jadehttp.dll?Wheelnut...
http://www.performancecar.co.nz/Members/VOSNZ/my-i...

Edited by Kiwi Carguy on Monday 11th January 06:28

[VoxPop]

Hiya.

I'm the guy who has the VXR220 (and used to have the VX220 NA). If you're interested I'll be at Hampton Downs on Auckland Anniversary Day, so come and say hello.
Here's an in-car view of a lap from last year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbpPVFoCf2k

The VXR is now doing 1.19 around the circuit, and should be quicker on Monday with new rotors and Pagid pads.

[Matt ATR]

Very tempted at bringing a VX220T into NZ with the current exchange rate - as it's Euro IV compliant it looks like it should be relatively easy to do, as long I can find a reasonable example...

Was thinking of using carwebs.co.nz to sort out the paperwork for me (they helped me import a car many moons ago from Japan and see they now do UK imports too) - or is it easy enough yourself? Anyone else imported a similar car recently?

Matt