Elise Vs VX220

Author
Discussion

egoold

Original Poster:

549 posts

275 months

Monday 10th December 2001
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I am looking for peoples opinions and advice on this topic. I am considering buying either a VX220 or Elise in the new year, however my dilemma is comes down to money, @ the moment there appears to be quite a few VX220 demonstrators (6months old) at Vauxhall dealers for around £20,000 with nominal mileages, which is considerably cheaper than a new Elise or new VX220. Another consideration is that I have been offered a RHD opel speedster form an Opel dealer in Southern Ireland for export at approx £20,000 in Vat back in the UK. However this of course would be badged an opel and I am unsure a a)if a Vauxhall dealer would honour any warranty claims? b)be badged an opel how this would effect its resale value? One last point is does anyone know if dealers are willing to discount new elises or Vx220?

I would prefer a Lotus over a Vx220 but it seems silly to pay what seem like a couple of £1000 just for a lotus badge. Any thoughts?

smeagol

1,947 posts

291 months

Monday 10th December 2001
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You're not just paying for a Lotus badge, The elise is a better car (I don't own one so hardly any bias). The vaxhaul whilst still being a good car is out-performed by the standard elise Mk 1 in most areas. You can also buy modifications for more power for the Elise if required. The Mk2 is head and sholders over the VX220. If you prefer the Elise I would definately go for it as you will always be wondering....

Nightmare

5,230 posts

291 months

Tuesday 11th December 2001
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I think Smeagols last sentence says it all in a way....

You also have to think about why you cant get any sort of discount at all on an elise, but Vauxhall have ex-demos for 20K.

Long term, the VX (which is a bloody good car) will depreciate far quicker than an elise I would imagine - even with the greater long term rarity value.

Night

Ben Elliott

2 posts

275 months

Wednesday 12th December 2001
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I have driven both the elise and VX220. Ive just bought a second hand elise Mk1. The VX has more power and is faster out of the box. it drives very well and is made 'safer' than the elise by having 175 width front tyres. I have a friend who works at a vauxhall dealership who loves the car. it's more practical than an elise. The Vauxhall badge is putting customers off though. One note. The dealerships demonstrator has covered 10,000 miles and has needed two front end resprays in that time. the slab like front end takes a pounding from stones. Power wise QED will up an elise to 150bhp for £950 + VAT and fitting and 175bhp for £1600 +VAT and fitting. Get an Elise!!

Nightmare

5,230 posts

291 months

Wednesday 12th December 2001
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quote:

Power wise QED will up an elise to 150bhp for £950 + VAT and fitting and 175bhp for £1600 +VAT and fitting.



ello, ello, as they say - fancy bunging a URL in with that company name please? I am well aware that 150 is available for around 900 quid with porting, new valves and a decent exhaust, but cant be bothered to do it myself! so this sounds like the way forward

N

jaydee

1,107 posts

276 months

Wednesday 12th December 2001
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www.qednet.demon.co.uk/ Excellent quality work in my experience.

Nightmare

5,230 posts

291 months

Thursday 13th December 2001
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thankee squire...and hurray for more power....the lise is lovely, but is so down on power on everything else I own that it is feeling unloved (honest)

abenbow

67 posts

272 months

Saturday 2nd March 2002
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had a standard elise last summer wipe the floor with the vx220 i raced on the a34 (irresponible I know but I had to find out)Now have a 111s (143 bhp compared to 150 for the vx) Wipes the floor with friends vx and it looks a whole lot better! Power to weight see vx is a good 100 - 150kgs heavier so it need the extra 30 bhp just to keep up with the standard car

hungryjim

883 posts

272 months

Tuesday 21st May 2002
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Get an Elise with a Turbotechnics conversion

philmcaleese

3 posts

269 months

Monday 24th June 2002
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Bravo! You hit the nail on the head. Take an Elise, give it a smoother, more powerful and more reliable engine (did someone say head gasket failure?), ABS and an airbag. If it was badged lotus, you would buy the vx.

Given the probable depreciation, I think in a couple of years the vx will the the bargain of the decade.

I ran a mk1 elise and have only been in the passenger seat of a vx. That was enough to convince me.

philmcaleese

3 posts

269 months

Monday 24th June 2002
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There is also talk of a turbo variant later in the year. I bet that's faster than a 230 k series, not to mention much, much more tractable.

For anyone thinking of a turbo technics conversion, I ran an Astra GTE with a turbo conversion from them. Even at 10 years old it was reliable and devastatingly torquey.

douglasr

1,092 posts

279 months

Tuesday 25th June 2002
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One word - depreciation - unless you get a very good deal on a VX220.

The magazines reckon there is not much in it - the VX is slightly cheaper for the same spec (sports tourer in Elise speak) and has a superior engine, but totally lacks the image and is not quite as tactile as the Elise.

m700 tus

26 posts

277 months

Tuesday 25th June 2002
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Get yourself an Elan s2 (mini esprit). Eats both for on the road pace, at the supermarket (very large boot) and even when taking your grannie to have her hair done (comfy leather seats that you can get too in a skirt).

Elise/VX only worth while as a 2nd track day car. On the road s2 is better (pop-up lights too) if you can find a good one - only 800ish made...


>> Edited by m700 tus on Tuesday 25th June 15:03

philmcaleese

3 posts

269 months

Wednesday 26th June 2002
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Do you really think an elan s2 has more pace than an elise or vx220?

Besides if you own one, shouldn't you be able to cut your grannies hair for her? ;-)

PhilipM

m700 tus

26 posts

277 months

Wednesday 26th June 2002
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quote:

Do you really think an elan s2 has more pace than an elise or vx220?

Yep.

adeewuff

567 posts

277 months

Wednesday 26th June 2002
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I agree about the S2 having more pace, certainly in a real world driving environment it's alot easier on the limit in comparison. I would say the Elise would have the advantage in a track situation though.