VX220's - your thoughts?

[sideshowfred]

Basically i'm finding myself getting bored of the golf and fancy a completely different style of car. I've always had a thing for VX220's and looking at all the facts and figures it's only about £20 more on insurance and tax and stuff to run. Was just wondering if anyone has had any experience with one?

It'd be my daily vehicle and would be the 2.2 engine.

Or thoughts on similar cars that are about the same money so £7k ish

cheers,
Fred

[Tortaruga]

My mate has an 08 Astra and it's a mess. Everything rattles and the engine sounds like it's about to give up the ghost at any time.
The overall impression is of a very low quality product.

The 220 would be a blast though.

[sideshowfred]

I know the build quality and comfort levels will be low to non existent. But as i'm a single bloke with no reason not to have a silly car for a daily it makes sense. Also I hardly ever see any about which appeals to me

[jhtrophy]

friend of mine had one new, sold after a week due to bad back, quite tall mind, fantastic fun car but for 7k i would get an s2000 for a daily.

[Scottymon]

Your brave to consider a VX220 as a daily driver - I'd opt for something that you don't have to crawl out of.
I like the S2k suggestion; or perhaps a 3.0 Z4.

[dokez]

Love em!!!

[Markyed30]

Always liked them aswell but the 2.0t is the one to have.

[Janner_Sy]

The 220Turbo is immense but haters will hate.

 Its essentially an Elise (it was designed by lotus iirc) but it has more power thnan the elise
EVO rated the handling and engine as better than the BMW Z4.

And 0-60 in 4 seconds when stock.....nothing more to add!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM5XSDuU1MA

[tony_danza]

They're about as far removed from a Vauxhall of that era as you could possibly get, which is a good thing.

Only appreciating in value, great fun, little more lively than an Elise (so be careful), and no K-series engine to worry about grenading. What's not to like?

Buy one.

[wigit]

Pitty vauxhall didn't call it the Opel Speedster over here, massively overlooked

[tony_danza]

Funny how it instantly seems much cooler as an Opel Speedster. Snag the badges of eBay.de and job's a good'un!

I didn't realise these were so cheap either.

[sparky]

Sold my first MK 5 GTI back in 09 and bought a Lotus europa 2.0T with factory 225 map  , which is basically VX220 turbo. I was in the same situation as yourself didn't need something sensible as a daily and thought I would have no problems with it on a day to day basis, it was immense fun and handled unbelievably, but I only lasted five months before the novelty wore off.

It was O.K when you were in the mood but most of the time it was noisy and not that comfortable and I found my self missing the golfs build quality, effortless performance and creature comforts, hence after going through a couple of other cars since and including some other vag metal I'm back in MK5  ED 30

[sideshowfred]

Cheers for the replys guys, they're very useful. I did consider the s2000 but insurance is £200 more than the golf or VX. Unfortunately the turbo is out of my price range so it would have to be the 2.2.

Just been looking at videos of how to get into one which will be useful. I suppose it becomes second nature once you get the technique.

[Jaywoo-GTI]

A mate at my work has got one as a daily driver, All i can say is the ain't built for it, After enduring it for nearly 3 years through all weather he has now finally succumb to getting another car for winter.

Getting in and out of them is art-form (Especially if you want to keep any dignity)
Snow in these is a no go (not enough weight over the front wheels)
Heaters are very poor, so clearing the windows on a winter morning is fun
Visibility becomes a very large issue in the winter due to dark night (even so much that my mate had built a full perspex roof for better light in the winter)
They all leak water, with softtop or hardtop.
And any kind of work other than a service involves taking the rear clamshell off so add a extra 2 hours labour to the bill.

But that all said there are awesome fun to drive (just a bit tedious if you have to use everyday)

[berg]

Cheers for the replys guys, they're very useful. I did consider the s2000 but insurance is £200 more than the golf or VX. Unfortunately the turbo is out of my price range so it would have to be the 2.2.

Just been looking at videos of how to get into one which will be useful. I suppose it becomes second nature once you get the technique.

how tall are you? i got into one of these at the motor show once and had to crawl out on my hands and knees