26 replies to this topic

[moospeed]

Hi all - been waiting to setup premier membership for over a week now and just want to get my car listed up for sale. Mods, if there's some other way I can pay (as paypal link is wrong) please move this and let me know some other way to pay...

 

 

Pistonheads ad with more pics -> http://www.pistonhea...bo-2004/1651747

 

Main points for this forum where most of you already know your VX's 

 

Registered 27th March 2004, 49k

 

Taxed for a full year and sailed through MOT in April with no advisories, full service history. Mainly at MMG, last one at Back-On-Track.

 

As close to standard as I could find, none of this remapping nonsense 

 

As for the 'tasteful' modifications it has had...

    Professionally painted black windscreen surround, wheels and dash panels.

    Larini exhaust with straight-through pre-cat.

    Fully carpetted, sill pocket option and upgraded heater pipework - so it's a lovely cosy place with the hardtop

 

Bought from this forum 3 years ago and proven reliable in that time, all the usual 'niggle' jobs having already been done - engine mounts, water ingress kit, UV expansion bottle cover, etc. Has been exactly what I wanted in terms of a sportscar that 'just works'.

 

Looking back in the forum (as a reminder to myself) the only non-service costs have been for a fan belt and a new Larini tailpipe (old one was also new-condition but the cheap bracket holding it on wasn't ). So as compared with my elises it's a world-apart there...

 

Recent full geo carried out at Back-On-Track less than 1,000 miles ago so it drives exactly as it should.

 

Bubble-free (luckily), usual stonechips on the front but pretty good actually. I know I'm biased but I haven't seen a VX with better condition paintwork yet.

 

Factory hardtop in perfect condition also available - negotiable with the car. Already got interested potential buyer for that separately but can have it cheaper with the car.

 

HPI certificated clear of finance and insurance claims.

 

That's about it... any questions fire away, nothing to hide on the car so feel free to ask on this public forum. 

 

 2011-09-04_08.46.06_small.jpg   179.77KB   14 downloads

 

 

 

[allsteel]

Just out of interest as you're selling, how does the vx turbo compare to the R32 engined Elise you used to have.

[moospeed]

Just out of interest as you're selling, how does the vx turbo compare to the R32 engined Elise you used to have.

 

 

Hmmm... well it's probably not much of a comparison at all.

 

Probably more useful to compare against the VXT's replacement (an unmodified Sport 160) but I already done one of those a few years back. Will likely do an updated version soon, now I've been driving both back to back it's an easier comparison.

 

However, since you asked, the biggest single difference for me is that the VX worked and the V6 quite often didn't.

 

The VX is better in nearly every possible aspect apart from one - the noise. Personally speaking I find the spine-chilling noise from the 6 better than any 4, including such greats as a BDA or VHPD at full-chat. I'd say the single best few seconds in that car were going through Petworth on the way to Goodwood and blipping of throttle reverberating off the houses and shop fronts - it was like thunder with the lightning provided by the crackle on the overrun

 

That is where it ends though.

 

Obviously the alleged (unconfirmed) 825kg and near 300bhp should mean it would feel faster than something with another 100kg's and 100bhp less but (from memory 3 years back) I can't remember the V6 feeling significantly faster in real world situations than the VXT aside from the difference in power delivery between a turbo and an NA car. At least not in comparison with something like the Gallardo LP560-4 I went in, that basically redefined what felt monstrously fast for me (talking road-car situations here).

 

The VXT works when you want, was easier to live with, more practical in every way, if not as fast then pretty close and still a properly-fast car and looks good in a way that isn't scary.

 

In fact, I'm not sure if it's the colour but I notice you get A LOT more positive attention from Joe Public in the VXT than any of my S1's - it's definitely got that hint of the exotic about it which the soft-curved S1 just doesn't have.

[Tony H]

I have looked at this car recently and can confirm it is in excellent condition. The paint is particularly stunning.

[moospeed]

Ha! Cheers Tony, considering I haven't had a chance yet to give it the full-day special 'yearly' clean and wax I'm chuffed you liked it.

 

In answer to your question about lack of swirl marks, probably down to these principles I guess...

Rinse off as much as possible prior to washing.

Two buckets whilst washing, preferably with grit-guard.

Never touch the car with sponge - only microfibre.

Never touch the car with chamois.

If any cloth or suchlike gets dropped on the ground it goes in the bin immediately.

No abrasive polishes if possible - I'd leave that to the experts.

 

Though I guess it helps not driving it that much and therefore not needing to wash it much either

 

 

 

[moospeed]

Thought my thread had been deleted as I couldn't find it. Seems some kindly mod has improved the title so cheers for that Just added service history details onto the PH advert so may as well paste here as well. 06/06/05              8989       FG Barnes Vauxhall Main Dealer, Maidstone 12/06/06              13241    FG Barnes Vauxhall Main Dealer, Maidstone 12/06/07              18171    Horizon Motorsport, Lotus Specialist 29/02/08              24564    TopGear Automotive Specialist 12/03/09              33487    MMG Performance (VX specialist) 24/03/10              42659    MMG Performance (VX specialist) 06/04/11              46120    AMD Technik (the big full service incl cambelt, water pump, etc.) 05/11/12              48420    Back on Track (VX & Lotus specialist) Cheers chaps

[Pidgeon]

You sound pretty sold on the concept of the tubby, so why the change?  I'm asking mainly as the car I become misty eyed over is a Scandal Green S160.

[moospeed]

You sound pretty sold on the concept of the tubby, so why the change?  I'm asking mainly as the car I become misty eyed over is a Scandal Green S160.

I am sold on the concept - realistically it's a better built car. It's faster, more practical, more reliable (famous last words), cheaper to insure. Although it's only 4 years newer than my 160 it feels like it's at least a decade older. So... imagine how I explain that one to the wife? The fact is that I regretted selling my previous 160. I've never kept a car longer than I've kept the tubby so was looking around anyway. I have no need for practicality (though having had a Westfield and a Fury before I still want a bit). The 160 I bought came up in the right colour, the right spec (original), the right price (it's a bit rough in the places I don't mind smoothing) and just down the road so.... just had to go and check it out. There's something about that lump-lump-lump race car idle on the 160 that gets under your skin and messes with your head. How else can you explain spending thousands extra, it's a heart over head decision.

[moospeed]

At least a decade newer I meant

[village idiot]

The sport 160 is a total bitch of a car... It treats you very mean and keeps you extremely keen. I had a scandal green sport 160 and it was epic.... Never should have sold it.... Getting it to start up and keeping it from stalling was a black art, but oh so rewarding

[turboluca]

I love red tubbys with black wheels sets it off

[turboluca]

Nobody bought this yet

[moospeed]

Nah - the weird thing is that I have had loads of interest in it, answered tons of questions but so far only had one test drive (the chap that was dead keen but hadn't organised the money).

 

I've got three potential viewings over the weekend, two of which sound like serious buyers. But I had two potentials last weekend as well and neither turned up so I don't really know what's going on... this is why I hate selling cars, dealing with timewasters.

 

It's starting to test my patience a bit now to be honest... I don't think I'm going to be so willing to stay in waiting for people and re-organising family plans on the basis of anyone that 'might' turn up.

 

Bit annoying when you know that whoever turns up won't find fault with it and if they're serious about wanting one then they'll have it. It's such a cliche to put in an advert but "first to see will buy" I actually believe to be true here.

[jackturbostage4]

Lovely car can't believe not sold yet .

[ant70c]

Has this got a turbo back exhaust. ??

[siztenboots]

Has this got a turbo back exhaust. ??

" Larini exhaust with straight-through pre-cat. "

[ant70c]

Just thought I'd make sure ... I'm thinking bout coming to view but haven't made my mind up to either get a vx or another astra Vxr

[Rickwoo118]

Just thought I'd make sure ... I'm thinking bout coming to view but haven't made my mind up to either get a vx or another astra Vxr

Why are you having doubts? Have you driven or looked at any VX's yet?

[moospeed]

Lovely car can't believe not sold yet .

Me neither. For the large amount of enquires I've answered on it I'd say either it's the weather putting people off or I'm just too honest and blunt with the reality of ownership. I dunno, I'm not considering a career as car salesman that's for sure. If I can't sell a nice one like this how would I ever sell a minger? Ermm... Ant, this or a hatchback? Really? Not your usual comparison I'd have thought but whatever... You're very welcome to come have a look/ride out in it if it helps make up your mind either way. I wouldn't consider that as timewasting if you're weighing up the pros and cons (these are crap for transporting ice cream). Getting a bit of earache from Mrs Moospeed now, she wants her garage back and the mortgage payment took a hit from me buying the elise before selling this. Thought I'd be sorted within the month, oops. Think I'll get it on a SORN and get that wasted tax back at least. Shame I got that for it to just sit in the garage Would tweak the advert and price accordingly...

[ant70c]

I no it's a hatchback still a fast one ! And will be using it everyday ... I haven't yet been in a vx yet because of weather an busy ... Where bouts you based ?