37 replies to this topic

[BrentFordTaff]

Hi all, After nearly 4 years ownership of my beloved '02 S2000 I think its about time for a change. A bit about myself - I'm 28, live in the Birmingham area, work as a design engineer in the automotive industry, no kids / wife (still somehow holding off the innevitable with the GF) & i'm looking for a new toy. Reason for change - well there isn't one really, i just simply fancy a change. my current car is fantastic, reliable, cheap to run, rare(ish), fun & has ticked all the boxes since i bough it. However - I think after 4yrs I could be time for a change. Previous car history - 205 gti as a runaround, 306 Diesel (work horse), subaru impreza turbo (left standard & shifted before the image went downhill). Why a VX220 - After something that has all the values of my current car but if i'm honest with a bit more poke - so the Turbo option would be my preferred choice. Concerns so far (after reading a fair bit on the site) - the usual badge issue, but as with most i've seen i'd debage straight away & besides having a distant friend that owned one from new (& loved it) I've only ever seen a few passing on the road. So i guess thats pretty much me................ As pre usual being a newbie to the community & the car - any advice as to the ownership experience, buying, stuff to read / watch, etc etc etc would be much appreciated. Thanks Brent

[Nev]

Leave your Vauxhall badge on with pride! It's always nice to let the car you've just overtaken know that he's been overtaken by a hunble Vauxhall Why not try supercharging your S2000 - I am sure that would help with the lack of torque and give it a lot more beans.

[2.2_na]

Hi all,

Welcome to the VX forum.

[starlight]

Well, you've certainly picked a good time to buy as there are some really good cars out there. Wise choice on the turbo! Welcome along

[barrybethel]

the vx's (and elises) usp is the driving experience not really the poke. The steering, the handling, the grip, the involvement. It is unlike any mainstream motor. Take one for a test drive and you will see what I mean. The poke is a bonus. They are also very cheap to run and now, it would seem, buy. You have to be realistic about whether you can live with its rawness day to day though. Some cant. And most girls think they are uncomfortable!

[Big Steve]

You have to be realistic about whether you can live with its rawness day to day though. Some cant. And most girls think they are uncomfortable!

Welcome to the forum Brent,

In my experience, girlfriends think that the VX is squeezed directly from the bottom of Satan's goat. Comfort barely enters the equation.

The Vauxhall Badge? - If you are that bothered by a badge, it's better to buy a Lotus, go on pistonheads and post ill informed crud about Mbes' "little incident". The number of people who ask what the car is, then wheel away in abject horror when you tell them, never ceases to amaze me.

I've always thought that the acceleration was a bit of an irrelevance in either the NA/SC or Turdo. The feel of the thing, the sheer joy of just getting round corners is the thing! Try one and see.

Have fun looking! Take your time and you'll find a beaut. Plenty about at a low price right now. Plenty of dogs too .

Good luck.

Edited by Big Steve , 08 September 2011 - 01:46 PM.

[bunsenburner]

Welcome to the forum (and potential ownership).

You have timed it well as there are a few VX up for grabs at historical low prices? There is a good range from the untouched to the heavily modded.

The advice as always is to get a passenger ride in all 3 variants NA, Turbo and SC (although perhaps you might want to skip the NA if it's bigger power you are after). There will likely be someone local more than happy to talk you through their pride and joy.

Best of luck with the hunt.

[2.2_na]

You have to be realistic about whether you can live with its rawness day to day though. Some cant. And most girls think they are uncomfortable!

I'd say that the leg room and head room is fine and adequate once you're inside the VX.
The one thing your passenger might notice, is the seat position & closeness to the driver - I can't comfortably change gear / apply the handbrake without slightly encroaching on the passenger's 'space' each time.

[VXT Tim]

Welcome I think you'll miss the comfort of the s2000, if it's your only car then definitely need to consider the winter 'issues'.

[2.2_na]

The advice as always is to get a passenger ride

But don't be put off...the first time I ever got into a VX (a brand new one in a main dealer's showroom) I thought to myself - there is no way I could ever live with it, but far from putting me off, it just ended up making me think: I really want one!

[Tuuurtle]

Hi Brent, welcome I bought a VX at the weekend after owning a significantly more practical car than your S2000 and have no regrets at all. Yes my girlfriend doesn't like it and probably never will, but tough! The instant bond between your car and you is very strong, I felt so anyway, and it must be due to the feedback you get when driving, and that really is one of the great pleasures of it. I've never driven anything like it. If you're tall you'll have to learn the knack of getting in and out with the roof on, but that all adds to the event of driving! Plus if you're a fan of music whilst driving then you'll have to sacrifice that a bit, but go for it! Everyone on here is a great help and there's so much info on the forum. Good luck

[ChrisS1]

Hi and welcome! PM Turboluca he has S2000 and VX so can offer a good comparison

[Seb.F]

They are completely different cars. I for one, never debadge, I just change its colour. I can't stand the "chrome" look.

[BrentFordTaff]

Hi all - sorry for the delay in reply had a filthy car that needed some elbow grease !!!

Thank you all very much for the responses & for the sheer amount in such a short amount of time :-)


Nev - The badge comment is just what i've read on generic webpages - for me its not really an issue, like others have said its the car thats the appeal. However if i'm honest i do like the clean look with the badge & chrome "V" shape removed - personal opinion though. If i was a badge snob i'd go for (dare i say it) a TT or a Z4 - however thats never going to happen !!!
As for your comment on supercharging my S2000, have thought about it, but like with most cars for the money i'd have to shed out to get it done just wouldnt be worth it, plus at the moment mine is 110% standard & it'd be a shame to change that.


2.2_na - Thanks already impressed with the forum - Hi back.

pjohn151 - Again cheers & hi back. Certainly does seem like there are a few out there to choose from, however i'd need to shift my car first & i'd like to get more "familiar" with model before i go shedding out my hard earned cash (spent a good few months learning about S2000's before buying mine & glad i did as its been a gem).

I think going back to turbo powered is the only way really, miss the surge & instant power - as much as i like working for my current cars rewards, i do miss turbo characteristics - plus should i want to modify seems like there is much more opportunity.

barrybethal - I totally agree & its the driving experience that i'm after. Some may disagree but my impreza was great just a bit too easy to drive & my S2000 does give me that "steady!!!" feeling when i ask for it which love & by what you've said the VX220 will give me that & the extra poke wouldnt go a miss either ?!?

I've heard that the running costs are good & yes they do seem well priced, but also doesnt seem that the bottom has fallen out of them either (reassurinf i hope).


As for your comment on the rawness - yes will be something i'll need to bare in mind, but hopefully i can cycle/train to work most days so shouldnt be a daily runner & as for the girlfriend, thats why she has a Fiat 500 haha !!!



Big Steve - Cheers & hi back. Haha great quote - but like i've said above, it'll be my car not hers (so, well, tough) & I wont be forever that i'll be able to have these kinda cars as my only car, so when in Rome :-)

I have thought about the Lotus, but it just have the performance & i guess exclusivity that the VX seems to have. As for what people think doesnt really bother me, if they know anything about cars (from what i've read so far) they'll understand - plus i would quite like the "wtf was that!) haha.

To be honest I like cars that have the whole package - acceleration, handling, braking etc etc - which i believe the VX has - as for a test drive, bit of a tough one, as i hate tyre kicking joyriders & i really dont want to be one of those, but yes i agree unfortunately i'm not really going to understand the car until i drive one ???


Ta for the good luck - i'm hoping to learn before i buy & then hopefully i'll be able to sift through the crap thats out there.

bunsenburner - Cheers & hopefully ownership :-) Prices do look good & seems same as everything - prices have dropped, which sadly includes my car as well !?!

I totally see where you are coming from which getting grips to all variants, the problem is as mentioned above, i dont want to be a tyre kicking joyrider, but yes I would like to be shown the ropes etc so i can make the best informed decision before i buy & so i'll know first hand what to look out for when i go hunting.

2.2_na - I enjoy cars that have a bit of theatre or character about them, i want to be excited & intrigued from when i see it to, getting in & driving away - so shouldnt be an issue for me. As for the passenger comment, my lass will spend the most time next to me so shouldnt be too much of an issue (however i will keep my eye on where my hands go should any mates grace the seats haha).

VXT_tim - Cheers - I've lived daily with my S2000 for the last 4 years & to be honest it doesnt bother me at all, I understand that the VX is more uncompromising, but then if it delivers in all other aspects i'm happy to live with tha & like i said before my lass has a 500 & i'll hopefully not be driving it daily on the work run.

2.2_na - I thought the same when i attended a honda run track day at the prodrive circuit & got to play in the new Civic Type R (crap) & the S2000 - hence why i've owned one for 4 years ;-)

Tuuurtle - Hiya mate - Just bought one great (jealous) - how was the buying experience & how's ownership so far??? (As for the GF comment - agreed 110% haha)

So what car did you go from if you dont mind me asking? Well like i've said above, i've not even sat in one let alone driven one yet - but i'm excited so far, so just need an opportunity to arise now.

Um i do like my music - the sound system isnt great in the S2000, but bareable - is it really that bad? Are the not opportunities to upgrade the stereo & speakers to get a respectable sound?

As for your comment on the forum - well so far so good & very impressed so far :-)

Chris$1 - Cheers for the shout - i'll drop him a PM in time, thanks. (Already a bit jealous he gets to own both tho haha).

Seb.F - Thats good news, as i want something different & like i've said above I like the decluttered look (personal opinion tho i agree) and like you personally dont like the chrome look.



Again thank you all for the comments & please keep them coming, any advice is much appreciated.


Actually whilst it comes to mind - what is the car like in terms of reliability, what are the common problems & what are the insurance premiums like?



Cheers all, Brent

[2.2_na]

Wow! What a long reply! Glad too see such interest and enthusiasm.

[BrentFordTaff]

Haha cheers :-) I always think if people are nice enough to reply then the least i can do is respond - although maybe should of done a bit of proof reading & maybe i wont leave it so long next time haha. I'm a member of the S2K forum & have been of both scoobynet + psooc - I always aim to be polite, respectful & honest - thats the best way to get to know the product, people & hopefully so i can be a part of the community. (oh & my lass goes mental + rips me to shreds when she sees me writing on forums as well haha - especially detailingworld - pot kettle black in my opinion as half the pap she does is beyond me ;-)

[turboluca]

hello mate..yep ive had 20 vx220turbos now and 3 s2000......sell a few.... i love both cars and always have ,but the vx is the car that you want to get back in and drive..theres days when i wake up and think vx then days s2000....i love the s2000 as its reliable and a flick of the switch and hoods down an up...air con.....amazing heater...really good car....but you always gota be screaming the hell out of it to get the preformance....my vxt is low down torque....with pulls asap.....9000rpm and all hell breaks loose.... similar cars ,vx feels more brutal and involved.you got to be willing to put up with a few issues with vx.but your young enough mate....vx is my first choice over everything,s2000 second,,,

[BrentFordTaff]

20 VXTURBO'S & 3 S2000's !!! Sh*t the bed !!! Ok so your a good person to make a comparison then haha ?!?!? Yeah i know what you mean with the S2000 - you do have to work for the rewards but then again thats half the run - its like having another car when it comes on cam. However, I do want a change & i'm sure i can live without AC (open the window + drive faster) or without the heater (which is only really used by my mrs anyways). Must admit lost me a bit with the 9000rpm all hell breaks loose ??? Which car are you referring to ??? VX issues - oh dear - please tell me more . . . . . . & exactly, why not - I can now, so in my head that means i definately SHOULD haha

Edited by BrentFordTaff, 08 September 2011 - 09:48 PM.

[Seb.F]

With regard to 'issues' he's talking about the little things that some do if they've had owners that don't know the ins and outs. Leaking roof, terrible heater, broken bonnet/boot handles etc. Along with the usual things like bubbling paint due to water retention and so on.

[turboluca]

With regard to 'issues' he's talking about the little things that some do if they've had owners that don't know the ins and outs. Leaking roof, terrible heater, broken bonnet/boot handles etc. Along with the usual things like bubbling paint due to water retention and so on.

seb has summed up mostly everything,nothing major...

in my eyes for money you cannot buy anything and i mean anything for that price range that comes near....clarkson would agree i think.....a vxt im talking bout..

i meant all hell breaks loose when your screaming the tits off the s2000....but its gota take it all the way to 9000rpm to get true potential..there ordenary till those cams kick in....juicey aswell....

Edited by turboluca, 08 September 2011 - 10:41 PM.