VX220 v Vx220T

[brianm]

Getting to old to keep waiting for sunny days sooooo, after 1 beach buggy, 2 duttons, 2 westies and the cyclone, may have to go semi civilised.  

Problem is I will still need my fix for a while to come, so am really thinking the Vx 220 would fit the bill, 2nd hand of course. Love vx's so no stigma there , and so much more reliable, I'm told than an elise

Now I usually go for the cheap option then spend forever and a day on upgrades, but has anyone had / driven both versions of the VX, and are the benefits of the turbo version that great?

B.

[James]

No experiance Im afraid but if Clarkson is anything to go by buy the turbo

[steve_m]

I drove one when they first came out (n/a) and it was a great fun car, was at a Palmer Sport corporate day at Bedford Autodrome and out of the cars there (Exige, S3, S2000, Integra R etc) it was the most fun car, best feedback, easiest to drive fast.  (Yep, it did understeer sooner than the Exige)  The Exige was faster but didn't feel it and was a miserable drive, not a road car at all, I'd rather have a BEC than the old Exige.

Given how similar they are to the Elise and the comments on the Elise thread, I would wonder what the VX220 is like with 40,000 miles on the clock like the Elise I drove- hopefully still faster and less rattly than the Elise.

I'd get the turbo version if you want a quick car, the n/a was OK on a small circuit but on the road I'd think it would get boring if you'd bought it for some fun.

[brianm]

I know I want the turbo version, guess I'm just after some justification for buying the standard car    

Nah      Any advantage, apart from longevity/ cheaper service etc??

b.

[brianm]

To put this into context I've been driving the same '98 vectra for the last 6 years, so need some distraction, theres more to life than payin the gas bill    

B.

[Bafty Crastard]

Whilst the VX220 was a an Elise wipper…… the VX220 is a wowwww

Having said that both are likely to suffer heavy residual values losses

[Buzz Billsberry]

who cars? there both descent cars

Buzz

[GTFCTIM]

The VXT wont be as sharp as the NA VX.

Try www.vx220.org.uk

[CocoPops]

I've had my VX220 (NA) for 3 weeks now and loving it.

It's a very different car to the westfield, but still makes me grin from ear to ear every time I drive it.

I went for a Ltd Ed Lightning Yellow one to stand out from the crowd.

See here for Photos

The concensus on VX220.org.uk is that the tubby is quicker, but the NA handles better as the VXT was softened up.

[BLOGGY S7]

I used to work for Vauxhall when the first VX220 came out and went on an action day were we did a slalom test etc and as I remember I was really impressed. But the handling was well upto the power of the engine in fact it could have taken alot more power. This was mentioned at the time, which is probably why the Turbo version came out later? But for road use come it was great, because with it being a 2.2 it had plenty of Torque. But on a flatout straight line drag you just felt it needed MORE POWER. But then no matter how much power you get, you always want more, well I know I do.

But it was a nice car, the only thing that let it down as far as I was concerned, was that it had a Vauxhall badge on it, which meant that it wasn't going to hold its value. But thats good news if your buying one secondhand now.

At the time I called it the Bat-mobile, becasue the shape was way ahead of its time, and reminded me of Batmans car.

[CocoPops]

But it was a nice car, the only thing that let it down as far as I was concerned, was that it had a Vauxhall badge on it, which meant that it wasn't going to hold its value.

That was why I bought it.....

a 51 plate VX or a T/V plated Elise..

bit of a no brainer really, especially when you compare the very torquey 2.2 to the Elise's 1.8.

[Darren B]

I agree with Bloggy.  My GF has a VX220 and whilst I haven't driven a VX220T I found the N/A version to run out of grunt.  It's definately Nippy and handles very well but lacks the mid rev punch that a turbo gives.  It certainly couldn't keep up with my Impreza UK STI and felt like it needed some extra ponies.

Darren B

[windy]

It would be interested to see how an old red top engine would perform in this car.

[hogman]

Well I have only tried the VX 200 Turbo and compared to my Westie (SE R1) I can say its no where near as quick!

Also found the handling when pushed had a tendancy to understeer massively!

Dont get me wrong, as an everyday car it was great, quick and very useable, compared to a westie - not a patch!

Guess it all depends on what you want it for!

As for turbo vs N/A - cant imagine the N/A being quick enough at all!

[Mike dB]

What about a mk3 rev3 MR2 Turbo - or too old?