carpmart
|
| posted on 12/5/11 at 12:30 PM |
|
|
VX220
Has anyone got or had a VX220? How do they compare to kit and will I be disappointed by anything using it as an every day hack? How are they in the
winter, usable?
You only live once - make the most of it!
Radical Clubsport, Kwaker motor
'94 MX5 MK1, 1.8
F10 M5 - 600bhp Daily Hack 
Range Rover Sport - Wife's Car
Mercedes A class - Son's Car
|
|
|
|
|
jossey
|
| posted on 12/5/11 at 01:12 PM |
|
|
ive been in one for track days and its nice but didnt fair well against the lotus elise in same class.
was hell fast though.
just cornering was crap.
maybe the driver or tyres but was a little over excited on bends.
Thanks
David Johnson
Building my tiger avon slowly but surely.
|
|
|
FazerBob
|
| posted on 12/5/11 at 01:30 PM |
|
|
they're not bad, but you will always want it's much better sibling, an Elise, instead
Bob
|
|
|
designer
|
| posted on 12/5/11 at 01:46 PM |
|
|
Agree.
I prefer the looks but the Lotus is better.
|
|
|
Confused but excited.
|
| posted on 12/5/11 at 01:59 PM |
|
|
Hasn't Fozzie got one?
U2U maybe.
Tell them about the bent treacle edges!
|
|
|
MikeFellows
|
| posted on 12/5/11 at 01:59 PM |
|
|
I ran one as a daily driver for almost 3 years, ended up at 320bhp.
are you looking at a 2.2 or a turbo?
Thought I would add some generic things incase people pick up on the thread later.
the 2.2 produces around 150bhp as standard compared to the 200bhp of the turbo. however there is around 100kg difference in weight making real world
performance very similar
both share identical parts to a point. the rear clam shell on the 2.2 is different and gives a bigger boot.
Parts from Vauxhall are expensive and usually from other cars work out what its from and buy the alternative vx220.org.uk is a good source of info
also type116.com
dropping the wheel sizes from 17" all round to 16" fronts (like the lotus) transforms the car, that and 888's was the single biggest
improvement on the car.
they all leak and adjusting the windows is a nightmare, they all have wind noise, on most the blowers/heaters dont work and wasps/shit/dust come
through them all the time.
the ABS is dog poo and is a hazard in rain, I turned mine off and added a switch to the electrics when i sold it as the buyer wanted to be able to
turn it back on.
they are blisteringly quick, I bought my VX brand new and chose it over the lotus purely for the turbo and the fact the z20let is pretty much bullet
proof and mods are cheap (to a point)
I stripped mine down after 3,000 miles and rebuilt the engine with JE pistons, Forged Rods, Schrick Cams, lightened the flywheel, had the cylinder
head ported and polised, uprated the turbo/manifold, 4 pot brakes 16/17 wheels and 888's and Plans/Quaife LSD
I only found 2 things quicker on track a Atom and a gugeleimi (god knows how you spell it) racing mk1 exige with 380bhp
in my opinion they are exception value for money seeing as though you can get a good example for £10k
[Edited on 12/5/11 by MikeFellows]
|
|
|
Fozzie
|
| posted on 12/5/11 at 02:15 PM |
|
|
Yep...we have a 220 Turbo ... owned it for 5 years now......
It is much better than the N/A version .... and having driven and knowing the Elise,
the 220 (Turbo) is a far more sorted car ....and faster ..... but if you are a 'label' freak
you will prefer the Elise ... if you know your cars.....where performance is more important
than the 'label' .... 220 Turbo every time ....
The 220 was designed by the Lotus designer in the same 'stable' .... so it is just the label you pay for.... 
The downside, is they can be a bit twitchy in 'slippy' conditions ..as can the Elise of course, but if you like the feel
of 'proper' driving you wont be disappointed .... 
Have a look at the website for vx220 owners .... at
http://www.vx220.org.uk
and have a good read of the forums...
Fozzie
'Racing is Life!...anything before or after is just waiting'....Steve McQueen
|
|
|
scootz
|
| posted on 12/5/11 at 02:19 PM |
|
|
I've owned an Elise, Exige and VX220. All were NA and all were fantastic cars.
I'd rate the Exige as being in a different league to the other two, however the Elise and the VX220 were pretty much eeksy-peeksy. The Elises
handling was probably better 'out of the box', but I reckon that with a little bit of work the VX could be made to go, turn and stop as
well as an Elise.
IMHO, if you're not a 'badge-snob' then the VX220 is by far the best value for money. It's the one I would go for if I
decided that I wanted to go back to any of them.
It's Evolution Baby!
|
|
|
Fozzie
|
| posted on 12/5/11 at 02:21 PM |
|
|
Just read Mikes post....and can say that we have had no leaky windows, and the heater was ok.....
but other half did a few mods, and it is now much better ....
So I guess in that respect it is the luck of the draw ....
'Racing is Life!...anything before or after is just waiting'....Steve McQueen
|
|
|
scootz
|
| posted on 12/5/11 at 02:39 PM |
|
|
My VX had leaky windows... I had to leave small tuppers on the sill to collect the rainwater if it was left outside!
Mind you, the Exige let water in from the footwell area!
It's Evolution Baby!
|
|
|
carpmart
|
| posted on 12/5/11 at 02:47 PM |
|
|
Seems like the tubby is the one to go for.
Whats a reasonable price for a good car?
What's the major downside of the tubby of the NA car?
I hear the turbo is a little 'softer' is this true?
Compared to the ZX12 Striker I have am I likely to be really disappointed?
How many ponies can be realized with minor mods like mapping and running a little more boost? What boost are they running as standard?
Thanks for all the replies so far!
You only live once - make the most of it!
Radical Clubsport, Kwaker motor
'94 MX5 MK1, 1.8
F10 M5 - 600bhp Daily Hack
Range Rover Sport - Wife's Car
Mercedes A class - Son's Car
|
|
|
mikemph
|
| posted on 12/5/11 at 02:52 PM |
|
|
I also had vx220 turbo.... 258bhp with a good slice of torque 280ft/lb
I used it every day.... Never tied of the acceleration and handling... Again I had 16/17 wheels and it does help soo much. Gaz shocks allow you to get
a little more to your liking... Along with spending time getting geometry setup in a way you like.
I sold mine to build the r1 powered Haynes roadster I am building now... I hope it gives me as many thrills as the vx220 did.
Few pics and a video to wet your appetite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlzgVS0eQDo&feature=youtube_gdata_player
|
|
|
mcerd1
|
| posted on 12/5/11 at 02:55 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by scootz
I've owned an Elise, Exige and VX220. All were NA and all were fantastic cars.
are there any cars you havn't owned ??  
-
|
|
|
MikeRJ
|
| posted on 12/5/11 at 02:55 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by carpmart
Seems like the tubby is the one to go for.
 'Turbo' please. Had far too much of the "tubby" thing when I had my MR2, makes me cringe when I hear someone above
toddler age using the word in this context.
|
|
|
carpmart
|
| posted on 12/5/11 at 03:02 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
quote:
Originally posted by carpmart
Seems like the tubby is the one to go for.
'Turbo' please. Had far too much of the "tubby" thing when I had my MR2, makes me cringe when I hear someone above
toddler age using the word in this context.
Appolgies - I feel suitable reprimanded and will be compliant moving forward
You only live once - make the most of it!
Radical Clubsport, Kwaker motor
'94 MX5 MK1, 1.8
F10 M5 - 600bhp Daily Hack
Range Rover Sport - Wife's Car
Mercedes A class - Son's Car
|
|
|
scootz
|
| posted on 12/5/11 at 03:19 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by mcerd1
quote:
Originally posted by scootz
I've owned an Elise, Exige and VX220. All were NA and all were fantastic cars.
are there any cars you havn't owned ??
Yes... loads!
It's Evolution Baby!
|
|
|
02GF74
|
| posted on 17/8/11 at 06:53 PM |
|
|
... what are they like for space inside, will a tallish driver (let's say 6 ft 1) fit and be comfortable to drive?
|
|
|
big_wasa
|
| posted on 17/8/11 at 07:08 PM |
|
|
Would also like to know this at 6'3"
|
|
|
carpmart
|
| posted on 17/8/11 at 07:14 PM |
|
|
I've owned one for 3 months now and love it!
6'1" should be OK, 6'3" may be a little tight Warren!
You only live once - make the most of it!
Radical Clubsport, Kwaker motor
'94 MX5 MK1, 1.8
F10 M5 - 600bhp Daily Hack
Range Rover Sport - Wife's Car
Mercedes A class - Son's Car
|
|
|
scootz
|
| posted on 17/8/11 at 07:46 PM |
|
|
I'm 5'11" and it's very comfy once inside and has loads of room.
It's just a complete PITA (literally) to get in or out of with the hood on!
It's Evolution Baby!
|
|
|
mangogrooveworkshop
|
| posted on 17/8/11 at 08:04 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by mcerd1
quote:
Originally posted by scootz
I've owned an Elise, Exige and VX220. All were NA and all were fantastic cars.
are there any cars you havn't owned ??
JUST THE ONES HE HASNT BOUGHT YET
|
|
|
Ninehigh
|
| posted on 18/8/11 at 02:24 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by scootz
quote:
Originally posted by mcerd1
quote:
Originally posted by scootz
I've owned an Elise, Exige and VX220. All were NA and all were fantastic cars.
are there any cars you havn't owned ??
Yes... loads!
The one's he's stolen he hasn't owned!
|
|
|
