66 replies to this topic

[WayneG]

The vx220 is at the top of my list by far but it's always good to consider other options. I'm just after a second car for the weekends and I like the soft top aspect of the vx. I also like the running costs as it sounds relatively economical when not planting your foot, I've found a great insurance quote and the tax isn't too bad. It also sounds reliable from what you guys are saying :-) The other cars I've been thinking of that fit into the £6000 or so I'd be spending are... - Renault Clio 197... I drove one at oulton park and couldn't get over the acceleration. Seemed much more fluid than the works MINI I owned even though that had more power. The handling was also very predictable, although maybe a little boring but I had an instructor so couldn't tell properly. - Honda S2000 - Never driven one but 240bhp and 9000rpm sounds fun. Doesn't sound very economical though. It's Japanese so should be reliable. Does anyone have any other recommendations?

Edited by WayneG, 28 March 2012 - 07:38 AM.

[swisscott]

Why any more suggestions ? You're talking about 3 different layouts already: VX: mid engine, RWD Clio: Front engine, FWD S2000: Front engine, RWD

[slindborg]

The RS clios are a riot when driven with a keen foot, but I got very bored very fast of my 182.... despite it being a better all round road car than the NA VX (imho of course) S2000's might be cheap to buy but insurance is mental, as is road tax and I believe they aren't as reliable as everyone believes. for £6K you are likely to find a sheddier VX than only spending a grand more (unless the good ones are that cheap too, in which case I'm buying in again )

[WayneG]

Why any more suggestions ? You're talking about 3 different layouts already:

VX: mid engine, RWD
Clio: Front engine, FWD
S2000: Front engine, RWD

True, but they're all quick and suitable as weekend cars so I'm just looking for suggestions with these criteria. I don't really see what the layout has to do with it.

The RS clios are a riot when driven with a keen foot, but I got very bored very fast of my 182.... despite it being a better all round road car than the NA VX (imho of course)

S2000's might be cheap to buy but insurance is mental, as is road tax and I believe they aren't as reliable as everyone believes.

for £6K you are likely to find a sheddier VX than only spending a grand more (unless the good ones are that cheap too, in which case I'm buying in again )

I was lead to believe £6k would allow me enough money to pick up a decent example but if not, please excuse my ignorance. I'm new to these cars, hence my threads asking for help on the main discussion forum.

[Harry Hornet]

Does anyone have any other recommendations?

get a tractor for the weekend..loads of fun..and think of the furrows you can drill and join the best ploughing competitions in your area for neatness and staightness, open top as well , robust, and has a great exhaust sound

[CocoPops]

A clio isn't a weekend car. It's an everyday car. You drive a VX (Elise/Exige/Westfield/Caterham) it's an experience, you drive a clio and it's an appliance. Been there done that, I had a 172,182 and I've also had an S2000. Back on my 2nd VX now, having had the above plus GolfGTI Ed30 (330bhp), MK3 MX-5 etc in the middle.

[rob999]

Kit cars of some sort? Not checked prices lately but possibly Mac's or Robin Hood's.

[Mozen]

If you think the Clio is fast with 0-62 in about 7 seconds and wants a convertible perhaps a Miata/MX-5, a Boxter or a MR2? I think the Miata/MX-5 has low running costs as well. I heard that the corrosion on them is bad so you can’t drive it in the winter if you have salt on the roads and you need to be careful when buying. The sensation of driving in the Miata is also good, especially on the earlier versions. In the last years they have become too heavy and then boring to drive. When you put a turbo or SC on them they become acceptable fast. The VX220 is more hard core with less comfort but also with great sensation of driving and it will give you a smile almost every time you drive it. Running cost is low as well. With the VX220 you get two cars, one convertible for relaxing open top driving and one sport car for fun both in straights as well as in corners. Other options are Elise but has higher running costs and not as much power for the money.

[Bumblebee]

Out of that list I'd pick the s2000,my brothers got a 400hp supercharged s2000 and my other brother has a s2000 too, they are really reliable cars the only downfall is insurance.id have to have a white 1 though but they cost ££

Edited by Aimy, 28 March 2012 - 08:57 AM.

[WayneG]

Does anyone have any other recommendations?

get a tractor for the weekend..loads of fun..and think of the furrows you can drill and join the best ploughing competitions in your area for neatness and staightness, open top as well , robust, and has a great exhaust sound

Would you recommend a John Deere or a Massey Ferguson? There's no need for sarcasm. I understand I'm asking this question on a VX220 website BUT at the end of the day, it seems like a good bunch of knowledgable people on here and I'm sure, most have you have had other sportsweekend cars other than the VX220. Therefore I was hoping for a good general idea of other experiences.

Thanks for the proper recommendations above. I went to look at an MX-5 recently but it didn't do anything for me.

In fact I think I'm just clutching at straws looking for anything other than a VX220 to be completely honest BUT they aren't easy to come by and I'm used to the other 26 cars I've owned... where I've gone to see several examples and had a choice to pick from :-)

Edited by WayneG, 28 March 2012 - 08:54 AM.

[Harry Hornet]

Does anyone have any other recommendations?

get a tractor for the weekend..loads of fun..and think of the furrows you can drill and join the best ploughing competitions in your area for neatness and staightness, open top as well , robust, and has a great exhaust sound

Would you recommend a John Deere or a Massey Ferguson? There's no need for sarcasm.

Wayne..no sarcasm meant, my weekend drive is a tractor !...

after nearly 10 years of owning a VX as a daily, which is the longest time I have ever owned a single car, I am still looking for an alternative...there is nothing to match it IMHO....ooohhhh aaargh

get on board and enjoy the ride and the community, get a PX ride and smile, smile smile

HH

[WayneG]

Wayne..no sarcasm meant, my weekend drive is a tractor !

Ohhhh! Lol. Sorry mate, I thought you were having a go!

I think you're right about the VX220. I just wish you weren't because it's bloody difficult finding a decent one... especially with this weather!!

[slindborg]

Massey 135 FTW!!! classic and wonderful

[FLD]

V6 clio? Nissan pulsar (I think its this, its an old hatch with a bonet like a klingons forehead)? 'vette? NSX (old one on your budget)?

[Bumblebee]

Ive just sold my Clio v6 there not the fastest of cars but really nice to drive,shame the mk1 have a reputation with the handling as my dad had a mk 2 but mine felt much more planted,and rawer,nice car to have as well as a Vx as they are like chalk an cheese

[mja182]

Wayne..no sarcasm meant, my weekend drive is a tractor !

Ohhhh! Lol. Sorry mate, I thought you were having a go!

I think you're right about the VX220. I just wish you weren't because it's bloody difficult finding a decent one... especially with this weather!!

Where in manchester are you mate?
I might be interested in sellng mine if your interested, i can pm you details etc.

[davemate]

i would say the ternatives are old MX5 toyota Mr2 turbo boxter? do you want it to remain a soft top? if not nissan silvia if you look hard a good e39 m5 a really nice 205 gti or a mk2 golf with a vr6 engine (one day i will have one of these) an old ao86 corolla

[WayneG]

Great ideas but the vx220 is still the one I'd go for :-)

[WayneG]

Wayne..no sarcasm meant, my weekend drive is a tractor !

Ohhhh! Lol. Sorry mate, I thought you were having a go!

I think you're right about the VX220. I just wish you weren't because it's bloody difficult finding a decent one... especially with this weather!!

Where in manchester are you mate?
I might be interested in sellng mine if your interested, i can pm you details etc.

Have messaged you

[JG]

to be honest, you've asked yourself too many questions already. VXs are cars bought with the heart not the head. They are uncomfortable, noisy, delicate, stuplidly expensive to repair. The cabin is a great big compromise, the passenger seat is daft, you can never hear the radio, the heater doesn't work, the boot is tiny, they are impractical to work on. General consumables such as tyres are specific to the vx220, hard to get hold of and are dear as result. they have an undesirable vauxhall badge, they have no dealer interest and the few good specialists are located at the four corners of the country. I can't think why anyone would 'think' they are a good buy. Some of us though 'felt' they were though.