All, my apologies for the delay in replying - got called away with work last minute & I've not been able to get on with my works computer! However, thank you to everyone for your responses & here we go:
Tuurtle - Glad to hear things are going well for you. I would look to buy privately, but having the glimpse at that info you went with when you made your purchase would be appreciated ;-)
Ok, so the sound system doesnt sound too great only having rear speakers - but I am used to the road noise & front speakers only of my S2k now tho. Like you said tho, i would look to upgrade the speakers + headset & hopefully when i get a ride or dare i say to drive one i'll get more of a first hand understanding of the situation.
2.2_na - Thats reassuring to hear that there are not common faults to everycar - however i guess its going to come down to how well educated I am to spot any faults when i go shopping (although by how this thread alone is going i should be ok!). In terms of the common problems, what are they & how easy are they to fix? Plus i'm guessing that they are pretty easy to fix or not that common considering yours is fine (unless you got lucky that is?).
In terms of the price i would look to pay - i am patient & will always wait for the right one to come along, if that means saving a bit more then i will do :-)
jonnyboy - Cheers for the heads up & to be honest at this newbie stage i cant really comment on whether it'd be too hardcore for or not ?!?! I'm hoping that'll change soon tho
Harry Hornet - I totally agree - test / passenger ride needed.
Ok so the heater is pap - are we talking painfully cold in the winter, i.e you leave the same clothes on you got into the car with & frozen inside + out ??? How bad are the leaks & do you know how easy to fix? Mine would unfortunatey be kept outside as no access to a garage. Crap sills - could you tell me a bit more? As long as i can get a weekend bag & some shopping in every now & then - boot space isnt really a big deal. I dont play golf (yet) & the boot in the S2k isn't great.
Cheap servicing at respectable intervals - sounds good to me. I like the fact that its rare & i agree it does have the WTF was that appeal.
It is very reassuring to hear that you've had yours as a daily driver for 8 years tho & by the sounds of it your still enjoying it :-)
techieboy - Haha, great video ! Tis a pretty, well, intricate boot space - but then again i'm not buying it to put the dog in - thats why i need to make sure my lass keeps her practical car.
Jonnyboy - You get a big shop in there??? Thats seems pretty good going or do you use the passenger seat / footwell also???
Gigo - I would love to take you up on that opportunity - thank you !!! I'm B27 so not too far, but i'm thinking more of a weekend activity. Unfortunately i'm up to my eyeballs over the next few weekends tho with weddings, birthdays & moving - however in exchange for some beers/wine of your choice, i would very much like the chance to meet up.
I'll drop you a PM to hopefully get something sorted over the coming weeks if thats ok?
dw1 - WOW !!! What a great post !!! Thank you & great to get an indepth insight of comparisons between the two - i'll do my best to comment on each section with my newbie knowledge:
Owners Forum - Agree, enough said. Great communities so far on both.
Engine Noise - I am slightly disappointed to hear that the exhaust note & engine noise of the VX doesnt compare to the S2k. I do have to agree with you tho the lid off does sound immense, but I dont leave mine off as i cant deal with the heat soak & the vacuum sound, and if i'm honest i am a little, well, unexcited by its standard noise now. I guess i'll be able to hear the VX when i get first hand experience of one & then i'll let you know if i agree :-)
Engine - Well although I do check my oil everyweek, fortunately i dont need top i up each time - but totally know where your coming from & having that reassurance if i do forget one day then i'll be ok would be nice haha. I would definately be looking to get a turbo & am used to lag from my impreza, but its great too hear its relatively easy to get the power & you dont have to prepare like you do in the S2k. In terms of tracking, i've never done one & yes at some point in the future i'd like to, if i ever get round to it that is :-(
Servicing - I must admit i've done ok with the Honda dealers so far (FHSH), but i do my research before hand - so i'll take your advice & do the same with this car, except i'll look into the specialists more with the VX.
Practicality - Pretty much what i expected, less & more awkward. But then again people seem to use them as everyday cars & i'll have access to another car anyways so not really fussed - again decide more when first hand experience.
Costs - As you said you wrote this a while back, would you still agree with the depreciation??? & unfortunately unlike then, MPG does actually have a slight impact on car choice now, sad but true.
Speed - All sounds good to me - turbo please.
Build quality - Haha, yeah i guess i'm going to have to get used to the "hand built" car, rather than the japanese build quality i've been used to - still all adds to the experience & theatre tho. The only thing i guess that worries me is the reliablity? It would be used as primarily my only car as so i would need to rely on it & unfortunately i wont have a garage to do any work on it (not the i'm great with tools anyways) - would this be something i need to worry about? & Also i'm a bit of a detailer on the sly, with buying a second hand car would i be disappoined with how well they age?
Comfort/Ride - All sounds good again - the heater is for my lass, AC i can live without & I want / looking forward to the theatre of ownership :-)
Handling - Great :-)
Steering - Great again :-)
Brand - Yeah agreed once again.
Sense of occasion - I must admit I still love the look of my car & it definately still gets the looks - however i do like the look of the VX also & agree with your points / comparison - the rare factor is great.
Summary - I'll totally take on board what you say & it is helpful, but again i guess I need to wait to experience one before i can really comment here ;-)
However, fantastic post, all very helpful & I'll be posting my findinds etc as time goes - thank you.
Jameslemanski - I would have to agree with you, I love the car in pretty much everyway, but i am getting bored with it & hence why i think its time to change. I'm really sorry to hear you've had a bad experience with yours so far, can i ask what went wrong ???
Cheaper insurance would be a bonus too :-)
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Again thank you all for the posts & please keep the responses - advice - help - etc etc coming. :-)
I should be able to access the forum everyday now until perhaps the weekend, so shouldnt take so long to reply.
Edited by BrentFordTaff, 13 September 2011 - 08:40 PM.