22 replies to this topic

[Callum]

Hi guys, I'm new around here, I'm looking at purchasing a vx220 (hopefully a turbo) and I will be using it every day for my commute to work. I just wondered if anyone does this, and what are the pros and cons? It will only be about 20- 30 miles a day maximum. Thanks in advance, Callum

[P11 COV]

I am sure this question has been asked dozens of times. Have you searched? In summary some will say yes, some will say no and others will say in between. Hope that helps.

Edited by P11 COV, 30 December 2014 - 09:24 PM.

[slindborg]

Its fine, but the thing you MUST have is a sense of humor..... If you don't find a frozen screen inside funny at both ends of the day, then its a no go.

[Duncan_F]

Mine's my daily driver.

 

Cons :

 

There's no creature comforts

It rattles

It's cold

You're constantly scared of someone crashing into you at 3mph and writing it off

The wind and road noise

The roof leaks

The lights are rubbish

You're lower down so get blinded all the time when it's dark by Audi's

People try to race you 

People stare at you

You don't look dignified getting in and out

The screen freezes on the inside

It takes 15 minutes for the screen to de-mist.

 

Pros :

 

You're driving a VX220 everyday

Edited by Duncan_F, 30 December 2014 - 09:28 PM.

[Frosty34]

[GFWilliams]

Mine is my second car, but I use it more than I use my Mercedes. Having said that, sometimes you just want something more comfy and quiet

[Andy_VX]

Mine's my daily driver.

 

Cons :

 

There's no creature comforts

It rattles

It's cold

You're constantly scared of someone crashing into you at 3mph and writing it off

The wind and road noise

The roof leaks

The lights are rubbish

You're lower down so get blinded all the time when it's dark by Audi's

People try to race you 

People stare at you

You don't look dignified getting in and out

The screen freezes on the inside

It takes 15 minutes for the screen to de-mist.

 

Pros :

 

You're driving a VX220 everyday

 

HAHA spot on!!  It's so worth it!

 

One thing i would add is that make sure you get one with decent lights because they're the bane of my life! using it as a daily gets tedious when you can't see where you're going!! 

 

Some good tyres are also a must if driving in the winter. I have Goodyears Eagle's and they're very good in the wet! 

Edited by Andy_VX, 30 December 2014 - 11:27 PM.

[jules_s]

You're lower down so get blinded all the time when it's dark by Audi's

That one is pretty much why I stopped driving mine year around Given the internal condensation/Ice issues mentioned above, I was driving along one winters day and was effectively driving blind in a mist and frost induced dazzle fest At that point I lost Slindy's 'sense of humour' after ten years of ignoring the shortcomings of daily driving it

[oldjoe]

Fez heater helps a lot.

[Boombang]

Didn't take me long to get fed up using it as a daily driver. I ha to garage it for insurance so had the pain of getting it out every day before the drive, then had to deal with it misted up on way back home. To get around the ball ache I procured a shitty old Corsa for everyday use, ended up barely taking the VX after that and sold it on. That said I never really loved the n/a VX (for road use) much preferred the turbo I had a couple of years later. Shame as the turbo was nowhere near as fun on track.

Edited by Boombang, 31 December 2014 - 08:11 AM.

[myles]

Fez heater helps a lot.

I use mine every day; the fezzasus heater has made it so much more enjoyable in the colder months.

[Zuber]

Don't listen to all the old guys on here complaining.

 

But Duncan's post is spot on. If you are the kind of guy that enjoys the great outdoors, you will be fine

 

I've had mine for 3 years, main car. We also have an MPV, but the Mrs uses that for the school runs. Mine as a daily (been doing 60 miles a day 5 days a week for the last 6 months). Apart from frozen locks on really cold days, I find it fine.

 

The Fezz heater does help. 

Edited by Zuber, 31 December 2014 - 08:39 AM.

[Harry Hornet]

Mine's my daily driver.

 

Cons :

 

There's no creature comforts

It rattles

It's cold

You're constantly scared of someone crashing into you at 3mph and writing it off

The wind and road noise

The roof leaks

The lights are rubbish

You're lower down so get blinded all the time when it's dark by Audi's

People try to race you 

People stare at you

You don't look dignified getting in and out

The screen freezes on the inside

It takes 15 minutes for the screen to de-mist.

 

Pros :

 

You're driving a VX220 everyday

 

 

..and dont even think about locking it on icey days...and leave can of de icer out side of car ...  

[scw02102]

I used to drive mine daily and do 45 miles round trip didn't find it a problem for a few years Its colder than most cars and the heater is crap noisier too but other than that didn't bother me, the fun factor made up for it I got a hard top which helps noise and keeps a bit more warmth in as as well as keeps the rain out In the spring and summer is certainly not a issue. Now I have an extra car I dont run it everyday and in the bad weather as I want to keep the mileage down and when its freezing a lightweight rwd car isnt much use or some idiot crashing into you in poor weather conditions

[Callum]

Wow, thanks for the replies and help guys, it is much appreciated! I have daily driven cars in the past with rollcages and harnesses and stuff so I think I will be okay, I assume a remapped turbo would be a bit of a handful in the winter? And no I didn't use the search function, it was taking forever to load due to my terrible internet so I lost interest pretty rapidly and thought I would just get a thread up for more definitive answers. Where can I get one of these heaters from, they sound very useful! I'm still not 100% set on getting a vx220 I have been looking at quite a few other cars but i think a vx220 is a scratch I want to itch at the minute. Thanks again, Callum

[Zuber]

Heater is a replacement for the orig. from a forum member cir. £300.

 

If you go for it, I'd suggest just seeing how you get on with the one you have and then update later if needed.

 

Oh and seriously, don't get an Fat bottomed, overweight Turdo... (you might as well get used to this kind of thing ).

Edited by Zuber, 31 December 2014 - 10:52 AM.

[simonburn]

All the negatives mentioned are accurate! I only got my Vx at the beginning of November last year, so no experience of driving in good weather yet. I drive it 20 miles to and from work each day, so I don't even get warm. Also lives outside so always damp on the inside of the screen. I have fitted the lotus Elise door/roof seal kit, that stops water dripping directly into the car which helps a lot. One day I decided I couldn't stand the discomfort any longer and I drove my boring warm dry other car to work. Only once though! The car is addictive. The combination of the ride and handling of the thing is something I just can't get enough of. Every journey makes me smile. I had planned to do a load of upgrades on it over the holidays, but it seems a shame to waste driving opportunities working on it! If you truly love cars and tarmac, I cannot think of enough negatives to stop you driving one of these.

[Jason]

If you love driving its a great car to own.  However you need to have a sense of humor in the winter, its my 4th winter and its cold inside the cabin it rattles like crazy.  However its such a fun car.

 

Your nice and close to Elise Parts (for parts) and Matt Bentley for getting works done on the car.  Can have a look round my 2.2 NA if you want to see/get a ride in one, only up the road in Huntingdon.

 

[VX220Neil]

I will say that the only thing that bothers me is getting out as I am not as nimble as I used to be.

[jonathansouth]

No - get a shed for the daily commute and use the VX occasionally for the commute and on nice weekends.