31 replies to this topic

[zebraman]

I have a red 14,000 mile 2005 Elise 111s My neighbour owns a red 2003 14,000 mile VX220 Turbo He hardly uses the VX and has given me a set of keys to use the car whenever I want, also to do any jobs I think are needed on it. The two cars are fairly different in the way they drive, the VX220 is faster of course, in fact it's viciously fast on acceleration, having had some sort of remap done by a previous owner. However it's very basic inside, it's raucus and in your face at all speeds. This can be good or bad depending on your mood! The Elise is more refined, and less noisy. the cabin is much more upmarket, it even has aircon. Again, some would say this was good and others would say it's not what the car is about. It's slower than the VX but not so slow that you think "this needs to be faster" I can't decide which I prefer! But I'm fortunate to have use of both, so I guess it doesn't matter too much.

[The Batman]

Use the one that has the most fuel in it

[hutchy]

Seeing if you get different responses than seloc?

[rob999]

Blame the pig iron. VXT's are crap.

[james.a]

I like Elise's. And I like vxt's too. There's only one way to sort this out...

[The Batman]

I fecking love exige s1, I dislike Elise s1/2 exige s2s are nice Vx nas are slow, tubbies are heavy I want a exige s1 with my engine

[Darcini]

I guess it doesn't matter too much.

Correct.

Next...

[2GOOD]

Having already read this thread on seloc, I'd wondered if it was the VX owner now posting his version

[zebraman]

So there are seloc members on here, well I guess there will be! The cars are similar. Yes I thought I'd see what responses I got from the VX220 owners, and also having been given a blank chequebook to improve/sort out the VX220 I joined this forum to hopefully get some help/advice with that.

Edited by zebraman, 07 April 2012 - 08:11 AM.

[CocoPops]

Hello Mr "lightning" For all others, here is the recent thread..... http://forums.seloc.....php?tid=333408

[Ebo100]

It's interesting to hear your views on the two cars, as I never got to drive a Lotus even though I was seriously looking at them before being smitten by the VX. I like the torque of the 2.2 as it suits my lazy driving style, as when taking a round-a-bout in a gear higher than maybe you sould; it still picks up well. It's lazy enough to do most of the Angelsey curcuit in third gear as well but still feels rapid enough for me. One of the reasons I don't think I would like the Honda powered Elises as I guess there will be much stirring the gears to keep it on the boil. How does the 111s and turbo compare in the day-to-day driving?

[G-Bob]

I would like the one that left the most money in my wallet.

[zebraman]

The Elise drives better and the VVC engine is a lovely unit, pulling well at all RPM's. However the VX220 would wipe the floor with it in a straight line drag race. The interior of my 2005 Elise S2 is in a different league to the VX220 really, which makes it a better long distance tourer. But the VX220 has a better gearshift and the ABS brakes feel stronger. I think my neighbour's VX needs some work though, as the steering is twitchy, requiring constant correction, and it doesn't inspire confidence at higher speeds. As it's basically an Elise I'm sure this is not right. I'll start with new front tyres, and then find out why the steering has play, and after that a geometry setup. Maybe then it will compare better with my Elise.

[zebraman]

I would have used the username "lightning" on here too, but it's been taken by somebody else.

[james.a]

I found getting the geo done and tyre pressures transformed my car. Too much air and and it feels skittish. Have driven both and agree with comments on the interior. Had a vvc engines car too (rover 200 vvi - don't ask!) and the engine was its one saving grace pulled so well once the revs climbed but you did need to thrash it, which I did, lots. Right up until the head gasket went... Twice! It's one of the reasons I have a vx and not an Elise.

[theotherjonnymac]

Sounds like you have the best of both worlds. For me, the Elise is a better looking car. The VXT is a better car.

[denno]

Cant be bothered signing up to seloc to read that version of the thread but can only imagine the badge snobbery shite that their coming out with!

[zebraman]

There have been no comments of that nature really. I think it comes down to which one you prefer the look of. A good VX220 and a good Elise should be similar to drive. Also with regards to the interior I prefer the Elise one, and my neighbour likes the stripped-out racer feel of the VX. One advantage of the VX220 Turbo is that it seems you can get a good one for several thousand pounds less than an equivalent Elise. At the moment I think the VX220 Turbo is a bargain, and as I said on the other forum prices will surely rise in time.

Edited by zebraman, 08 April 2012 - 04:04 PM.

[theotherjonnymac]

VXT's are a bargain at the moment and will continue to be so as a car that is generally considered a luxury in this tough economic climate. That said, most are either or approaching 10 yrs old, suffer from bubbling paint and worn interiors and are highish on insurance. None of these factors will attract new buyers readily. Once you have owned one you know how much fun they are.

[zebraman]

I struggled to insure my Elise at first. It replaced a Ferrari Mondial t, which being 20 years old was a "Classic" and cost under £400 to insure on an Agreed Value policy. Eventually I ended up with Footman James who insured my 2005 Elise as a "Modern Classic" and it cost me £700 with an agreed value of £16,500. The trouble with "Classic" policies (like the Ferrari one) is that they do not accrue NCB and so most companies were quoting over £1,000 for the Elise as they saw it as a "High risk sports car" and I had effectively no NCB.