Thinking of buying a VX220

E

Easty-5

Member
 Aberdeen
I'm seriously contemplating changing my MR for a VX220 Turbo. This one to be exact;

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/vauxhall/vx220/2003-vx220-turbo-very-high-spec-ultra-rare-petrol-blue/4389823

As you can see from the ad, it's incredibly well specced and has all of the right bits. I was initially wanting a Lotus but buying one with some decent 'get up and go' is very expensive. I never really wanted a VX purely due to badge snobbery. However, this one has got me really, really thinking hard.

Pros:
It will scratch the lotus type car itch
It will be a far more involved drive than the M
It will be fast, very fast. Most certainly quicker than the M
Cheaper to run and look after than the M
Cheaper and easier to mod and upgrade
Far better suited to trackdays

Cons:
Zero luxuries
Uncomfortable for any long journeys
Loud and rattly
It's a Vauxhall
No character from the engine
Noise
Unsure how values will hold

So I'm pretty torn. I have been offered a very fair trade in price for my M. I am just worried the novelty will wear off and I'll miss the luxuries and civilisation of the M. I've had my M for 2.5 years now which is the longest I've owned any car for. I like to experience different cars, life is too short to just own one car for a lengthy period if you are a true petrolhead, IMO of course.

So, I'm obviously expected very biased views here but would be interested to hear other people's thought. Especially if anyone has made the same switch of went the opposite way.
 
It's a special example to be sure but quite obviously a track focussed tool and a very different proposition to own and drive regularly. I really wanted one until I test drove an example I turned up with cash to buy, at 6'3" I literally couldn't sit in the thing with the roof on! I was so disappointed. I can't see values dropping drastically now, possibly up in the future?
 
I had one as a company car a few times until another salesman wrote it off into a barrier.
They are fun but :-

Not much room if your tall.
The roof is a pain in the arse to take on and off.
In the damp or winter it gets very steamed up with condensation. The heater isn't brilliant.
The boot is pretty small.
No soundproofing at motorway speeds.
Gets really hot in the summer with the engine in the back.

But it's good fun but only on short blasts.
 
My good buddy had one for a few years. 220 turbo with all the high end gear. It blew up in the end at 400hp
Real street go kart. You've listed most of the pros and cons.

Comfort is truly appalling and when he used to swap to my Zed he could not believe the comfort and performance balance.

Be aware that they've all been ragged to an inch of their 10 year life ( I used to join their track days and road races ( I mean cruises))
Body parts (new clam) usually means write off and there are no headlights available, so again a write off.

All said if it's an itch go scratch it.
 
Yip, comfort will be well and truly out of the window. I expect that though and I think if the pace and handling of the VX is good enough then it will make up for having no luxuries.

With regards to them being ragged, you can say that about every performance car. Who buys a car like a VX220 and doesn't drive it hard?
 
They are very moddable for performance, my mate has an astra with the same engine that's pushing 450bhp, but he has spent three to four times as much time with it in pieces than with it on the road. Re value of it last time I looked was a few years ago and I saw a few around the 10k mark so they definitely seem to have gone up in price, and why not it's an elise with a bigger (and turbo'd) engine in it! Awesome toy but no good as a regular car if I had an m I'd stick with that but that's just me
 
Easty-5 said:
Yip, comfort will be well and truly out of the window. I expect that though and I think if the pace and handling of the VX is good enough then it will make up for having no luxuries.

With regards to them being ragged, you can say that about every performance car. Who buys a car like a VX220 and doesn't drive it hard?
Click to expand...

I'd disagree about all performance cars are ragged. I think very few ///M's are, neither are Astons, F types, Merc. sports cars, etc. etc. just as instances. They are more like scubbies and Evo's, that the folks that buy them just live that way. I'm in no way against them and think they are great cars but have met so many owners and drivers of them.

Just be very sure of what you are buying and if not really qualified get it looked at.
I'd join the forum and ask the history of a car too, same as folks come on hear and ask.
 
I've driven a vx and it's nice for short blats in warm weather but in terms of handling it's not in the same league as a Caterham as a weekend toy .Drive a 7 then decide .
 
I nearly bought one instead of my MC, they were a good bargain a couple of years ago at around 10 to 12k but have risen quite a bit in value the last year as have a few other low number sport cars, I can see good ones retaining or increasing value well now.
I decided not to in the end mainly due to them being a bit ugly from some angles and the lack of luxuries/rattles, it didn't phase me too much but SWMBO would've hated it being used for our weekend trips which is when I'd be getting the most use of it.

If it fits the bill for what you want then I'd go for it!
 
Love the VX 220 took a long ride in the turbo, around Castle Combe, when they first came out, alas I don't fit in the drivers seat. :(

No way the turbo was as quick as an ///MR on track, but was massive fun. the guy span it, at the chicane, trying to catch a Silver Carrera 4..

That one looks like a solid car. If you've got the itch , scratch it. :thumbsup:
 
Found this thread on PH. worht ten minutes of your life. :thumbsup:

http://www.pistonheads.com/GASSING/topic.asp?h=0&f=181&t=908553&mid=69892&i=-11&nmt=VX220+Turbo+to+Z4M+Roadster&mid=69892
 
I had one really good fun but def only a toy no good as a daily drive etc. I loved it but would never buy one again the build quailty was terrible and it leaked everywhere :headbang:
 
same chassis as the elise, which is great for handling but not so good if you clout a curb, the wishbone mounts cannot be replaced if damaged & will write the car off for a minor impact.
I loved my elise as a toy, as a daily driver it grated, mrs smartbear hated it & would rather have travelled on a skateboard!
regards
 
I came from a VX220 to a Z4MC although mine was an NA version. It was a great fun little car, but totally useless in cold or wet weather and even worse if ever you were stupid enough to try drive it in the winter. Mine also started to become unreliable so i sold it for the Z4MC and honestly have zero regrets.

Each to their own though and it may just tick all the boxes you need. They are very enjoyable motors in the dry.
 
simonlpearce said:
I came from a VX220 to a Z4MC although mine was an NA version. It was a great fun little car, but totally useless in cold or wet weather and even worse if ever you were stupid enough to try drive it in the winter. Mine also started to become unreliable so i sold it for the Z4MC and honestly have zero regrets.

Each to their own though and it may just tick all the boxes you need. They are very enjoyable motors in the dry.
Click to expand...
Spot on Simon :thumbsup:
 
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