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Why would you choose and Elise over a VX220?

Similar mileage VX's seem to be a third less in price.

I think the Elise looks better but I still like the look of the Vauxhall.

Or is that the issue? Badge snobbery

I don't know much about either cars but am reading up on them now.

Best ones to go for, known problems etc

I'd say the later s2 Elise is a safer bet than the earlier rover k-series cars, the Toyota engines are pretty reliable.
I did consider a vx but it just doesn't look like an Elise, some cruel lotus owners even say the Vauxhall is made from lego because of its square shape
Rob

What year was the Toyota engine standard? Was it only in the 111R for early S2's

Dan what are you thinking i was on a very narrow road yesterday & pulled in to let a VX get past so had a good eye level view as it came by just no mate not for me not on any level
I would honestly rather have a Golf Gti Mk5

mr wilks wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2017 9:04 pm Dan what are you thinking i was on a very narrow road yesterday & pulled in to let a VX get past so had a good eye level view as it came by just no mate not for me not on any level
I would honestly rather have a Golf Gti Mk5

Steady on Mr Wilks, nothing else is that bland, not even a Vauxhall.

I quite like the VX 220T but it would be the Elise all day long for me, if I could only fit.

I still need to drive a VX220 Turbo

mr wilks wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2017 9:04 pm Dan what are you thinking i was on a very narrow road yesterday & pulled in to let a VX get past so had a good eye level view as it came by just no mate not for me not on any level
I would honestly rather have a Golf Gti Mk5

After getting my garage setup I've got a maximum length of 4000mm left so that doesn't leave a great deal of options.

Elise, VX220, MX5 or MR2

DPG wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2017 9:30 pm

mr wilks wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2017 9:04 pm Dan what are you thinking i was on a very narrow road yesterday & pulled in to let a VX get past so had a good eye level view as it came by just no mate not for me not on any level
I would honestly rather have a Golf Gti Mk5

After getting my garage setup I've got a maximum length of 4000mm left so that doesn't leave a great deal of options.

Elise, VX220, MX5 or MR2

Oh dear
Best of luck & don't slam the door on your way out

DPG wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2017 8:48 pm Why would you choose and Elise over a VX220?

Because one is made by one of the world's greatest sportscar manufacturers and the other is made by the one of the world's biggest manufacturers of blandmobiles.

If you buy a VX220, other people will think that you can't afford the better car. Markets are rarely wrong, hence Elises go for greater money.

I had a VX 2.2 for 2 years and it was no end of problems. It also gave me sciatica (6ft3). I still loved it and miss it dearly. Its the only car that made me laugh out loud when driving and they're getting very very rare - they still sell for what i 'sold' mine for in 2008.

For the un-initiated, Lotus built the VX beside the Elise. They were just told to drop in a Vauxhall engine and put 17" wheels on the front to make it look more macho (which was a mistake many owners now undo).

The 2.2 engine is a complete dog in every respect, but stick a supercharger on it and its fun. I ended up crashing mine by losing the back end on the tiniest of crests, whilst following a 1.4 VW Polo on a gentle 50mph run. All i can say is if you do get one, respect it and don't put on aftermarket coilovers - Dont mess about with what Lotus designed! In hindsight, the Z4 was the perfect change for me - 80% the fun, but 1000% safer!

DPG wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2017 9:03 pm What year was the Toyota engine standard? Was it only in the 111R for early S2's

The 134 "S" from 2006 had the 1zz 5speed engine-only had variable valve timing as opposed to the 2zz fitted to the 111r which had variable valve timing & lift along with a 6speed box. Many people prefer the 1zz as it has linear power delivery without the abrupt cam transition phase of the 2zz
Not to be confused with the pre 2006 S model which used a rover K series engine in 118bhp tune.
Rob

We were all waiting patiently for you to come back to the fold Dan

Ed Id agree... There was a spate of Westy owners I knew who went to a vx as it was considered more friendly than the Westy.

The vicar obviously had favour from his boss as he stuffed it in the armco on A563 twice in the same place

if you haven't already, get yourself over to SELOC and have a look around OP (Thanks for the heads up Rob) loads of info from Lotus owner and racers - a linear power delivery and light weight seems to be the preferred recipe as opposed to out and out power when it comes to Elises to tame it's mid engined traits - Lotus set the cars up for handling, they don't seem to believe in the benign understeering chassis you get from main stream manufacturers. Which probably explains why the VX220 with the 2.2 boat anchor in the back has a bit of a rep for lift off over steer (As EdButler can confirm)

Stu.

TR4man wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2017 9:48 pm

DPG wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2017 8:48 pm Why would you choose and Elise over a VX220?

Because one is made by one of the world's greatest sportscar manufacturers and the other is made by the one of the world's biggest manufacturers of blandmobiles.

If you buy a VX220, other people will think that you can't afford the better car. Markets are rarely wrong, hence Elises go for greater money.

Urm, the Lotus, Vauxhall VX and Opel Speedster were all actually made by Lotus at the Hethel plant

Since the Rover engined Elise had a pretty poor rep' for reliability compared to the more powerful GM units in the VX (which also had ABS and EBD and a wider track) this really is a case of badge BS and styling preferences over fact.

I famously turned up with a steaming pile of cash for a lovely VX220 but couldn't physically fit in with the lid on! Could have cried. I've since been told seat/rail mods can make things easier for the taller driver but it was always going to be tight