Vx220 vs elise s1....
Discussion
Ok i know you guys on here love your specs and your little battles
, which us onlookers love to keep an eye on 
.
So my question being, my good friend who is a vauxhall nut, and would not drive any other make! began to argue with me that the vauxhall vx220 had more design by vauxhall and input than from lotus and also said its a much rarer car than an elise.
I dont know if hes a tad jealous as im the throws of buying an s1! or if indeed hes right, so come on people help me settle this once and for all...
Oh yeh, on haloween we got into the conversation again and he started to bounce around the badge snobbery thing...come on guys help me out!
, which us onlookers love to keep an eye on . So my question being, my good friend who is a vauxhall nut, and would not drive any other make! began to argue with me that the vauxhall vx220 had more design by vauxhall and input than from lotus and also said its a much rarer car than an elise.
I dont know if hes a tad jealous as im the throws of buying an s1! or if indeed hes right, so come on people help me settle this once and for all...
Oh yeh, on haloween we got into the conversation again and he started to bounce around the badge snobbery thing...come on guys help me out!
LOL - its rarer because no-one wants one ! ...they intended on making 3000 per year and set up a production line to suit...dont think theyve sold more than 300 or so in 3 years yet.
Give it another year or so and the local Nova boys will be able to afford them then they will become more common
Give it another year or so and the local Nova boys will be able to afford them then they will become more common
Oh dear my friend wont be happy about that comment!
I saw a vx 220 on my way home from work last week-only ever actually seen about 3!, to me its got no appeal, bit to square for me - the elise for me has instant "smile" factor, always had..for me the badge is a bonus!!!!!
Similar to people who hate s2's, but love the s1..
nothing wrong with a bit of badge snobbery I say...would you rather tell people you've got a lotus or that you've got a vauxhall and then have to explain that it is actually a pretty good sports car developed with lotus......
I drove both before plumping for the elise, performance wise nothing really in it but the look/badge of the elise won it for me...
I drove both before plumping for the elise, performance wise nothing really in it but the look/badge of the elise won it for me...
Although I really enjoyed the vx drive experience the car I drove sounded like it was falling to peices. The dealer also admited that the roof was "shower proof" and this was a car that was straight out of the packet. Despite all the great press reviews there were too many niggles and an insufficient history for me to buy one with confidence.
Having said that though it isnt really vx220 vs elise is it. More vauxhall vs lotus.
Having said that though it isnt really vx220 vs elise is it. More vauxhall vs lotus.
DanH said:
As to the 'more input from Vauxhall' than Lotus. What a load of cobblers. I think the only thing Vauxhall are responsible for is the 'styling' (ahem) and the 18" rims!
Depends on who you believe - the VX was (supposedly) all set for production somewhere in Italy, but Lotus were already all set up to produce the bonded ali gubbins.
Me? I reckon it's a Lotus body, Vauxhall skin. Wheels are 17". The roof is shower proof until you Fabsil it, when it becomes properly waterproof (well, so far!).
Dan
Mister Kevlar to answer your query.
I believe the vx to be basically an elise, the extra 10mm comes from a slightly larger steel sub-frame attached to the same aluminium chassis. This is to accomodate the larger engine. This gives slightly more power but adds more weight.
Add a slightly different body mould, add a few servos and other bits to create a car more in keeping with vauxhalls rather than a lotus. Place into an oven at gas mark 3 for about 30mins and hey presto its a vx220.
Its a lotus marketed by vauxhall to give it back some credibility.
As an aside I think you will also find that Lotus have consistently been given the job of sorting out the handling on all recent vauxhalls: corsa, astra, vectra etc. Some with a marked success, the new astra is an excellent drive, some beyond redemption, vectras are still scary on corners!
Lotus are a specialist company who do alot of work for the major brands both directly and through in-house projects which will filter into the market place. The vx is a specialist car (its a lotus!) and only differs from the elise in terms of its marketing philosophy.
I could go on but I sense I'm beginning to witter on a bit
Hope this helps, they're both great cars, they're both Loti(SP!?).
Regards, Neil
I believe the vx to be basically an elise, the extra 10mm comes from a slightly larger steel sub-frame attached to the same aluminium chassis. This is to accomodate the larger engine. This gives slightly more power but adds more weight.
Add a slightly different body mould, add a few servos and other bits to create a car more in keeping with vauxhalls rather than a lotus. Place into an oven at gas mark 3 for about 30mins and hey presto its a vx220.
Its a lotus marketed by vauxhall to give it back some credibility.
As an aside I think you will also find that Lotus have consistently been given the job of sorting out the handling on all recent vauxhalls: corsa, astra, vectra etc. Some with a marked success, the new astra is an excellent drive, some beyond redemption, vectras are still scary on corners!
Lotus are a specialist company who do alot of work for the major brands both directly and through in-house projects which will filter into the market place. The vx is a specialist car (its a lotus!) and only differs from the elise in terms of its marketing philosophy.
I could go on but I sense I'm beginning to witter on a bit
Hope this helps, they're both great cars, they're both Loti(SP!?).
Regards, Neil
I guess CAR magazine have answered the question, or at least the question they themselves ask, in the latest Performance Car of the Year exercise.
From a stable of over 30 cars, including Ferrari, Aston Martin, Noble, Jaguar, Bentley (!), Mitsubishi etc. etc., the judges settled on the VX220 turbo, and not just because it is good value. It was the best car, period. The Elise 135R didn't even make the cut of 11 finalists, despite being the best track car by a country mile.
From a stable of over 30 cars, including Ferrari, Aston Martin, Noble, Jaguar, Bentley (!), Mitsubishi etc. etc., the judges settled on the VX220 turbo, and not just because it is good value. It was the best car, period. The Elise 135R didn't even make the cut of 11 finalists, despite being the best track car by a country mile.
Here we go thats the fightin' talk if ever i heard it!!!
Personally, i think its all personal taste and doesnt bother me either way! if the vx does it for you then so be it!..some people love ferraris-im not that keen on the whole thing myself, but its what butters your muffin i think..
If the elise was a ford, that wouldnt bother me..i just fell for the looks-likewise the s2 is not that nice looking to me unless its in that nice red colour..
LOL - I did say it a bit tongue in cheek
I honestly think the VX and the VXT are the performance bargains of the year based on value for money alone. I dont particularly like the styling or the badge, or the softer handling, or the airbag wheel, or the abs, or the interior, or the wheels....but for the dosh, especially 2nd hand they are great
I honestly think the VX and the VXT are the performance bargains of the year based on value for money alone. I dont particularly like the styling or the badge, or the softer handling, or the airbag wheel, or the abs, or the interior, or the wheels....but for the dosh, especially 2nd hand they are great
If you own an Elise, then you know you have made the wrong choice and in your position I would try to defend it. I would be absolutely gutted to find that the best Lotus is marketed by Vauxhall and there is not an Elsie version that can touch it.
Just look in this month's CAR magazine to see how highly it is rated.
VXT_KING
Just look in this month's CAR magazine to see how highly it is rated.
VXT_KING
The bottom line is, the market has spoken. There is no doubt Vauxhall and Lotus have been disappointed in the VX's slow sales, despite the Turbo's excellent showing and all testers agreeing it is the better 'day-to-day' car for the vast majority of punters in this market.
When it comes to voting with your wallet, the Lotus brand counts hugely. Thats why we are devoted to it. I guess you could say I am a Vauxhall man through and through (currently driving an Omega MV6), but if I was spending my money in this market, it would be the Elise every time. But then again, if I was spending my money it would be an Esprit, so maybe my opinion doesn't count......
When it comes to voting with your wallet, the Lotus brand counts hugely. Thats why we are devoted to it. I guess you could say I am a Vauxhall man through and through (currently driving an Omega MV6), but if I was spending my money in this market, it would be the Elise every time. But then again, if I was spending my money it would be an Esprit, so maybe my opinion doesn't count......
I really think it has done what Vauxhall had hoped it would - raise the profile of the brand and get a new generation of enthusiasts interested. I think when (if) they get around to doing the VX Lightning then it may be a better seller ..as long as the price is right...I reckon they just cocked up with their predictions on the market for such a car (VX220) - its pretty niche ...and even Lotus havnt sold as many S2s as they thought (not so many S1 owners 'upgrading')so if Lotus could only sell 1000 S2s per year how the hell did Vauxhall think they were gonna sell 3000 VX's when the price differential (originally) was a couple of grand?
i do like the VX, and commend those that have one (VXT) as the badge doesnt bother them.
but the very fact that its not "really" accepted as a genuine car, i.e. owners always defend their cars in this debate, is a huge stumbling block for me.
also, a VX owner bought a car, whereas my money was split between a car and badge, which holds with it a certain "mindset" that makes me grin, every time i make an excuse to go somewhere.
just the word aswell L-O-T-U-S. its like listening to porn.
you'll never get that in a VX.
El 'star
but the very fact that its not "really" accepted as a genuine car, i.e. owners always defend their cars in this debate, is a huge stumbling block for me.
also, a VX owner bought a car, whereas my money was split between a car and badge, which holds with it a certain "mindset" that makes me grin, every time i make an excuse to go somewhere.
just the word aswell L-O-T-U-S. its like listening to porn.
you'll never get that in a VX.
El 'star
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff