Hello,
I've just bought and started to get used to my new VX220 n/a. Doing a search on the number plate it was actually owned by by someone on here back in 2009 who doesn't seem to be around anymore.
initial observations which are probably old news to seasoned owners on here:
1) It's exactly what I wanted my old 911 to be.
2) It feels very much like a collaboration between some great engineers and Blue Peter. The engineers created a clever chassis & running gear and then handed over to Blue Peter who finished things off in tupperware and sticky back plastic. maybe the odd self tapper if the christmas party was looming and they got carried away. I remember reviews of old Lotuses Eg Esprit & Elan saying similar things about loose trim.
3) Of all the things i've ever driven, it feels most like my old Morris Minor that had similar power, 140bhp Lancia engine and many panels and doors replaced with fibreglass. probably lighter than the VX at 750kg. Right down to the cringe as the other half megas-slams a lightweight door and says, "oh yes i forgot". With the Minor I'd know when the back end is going to let go with the VX it feels more unpredictable But for general acceleration and feel, very similar.
4) It seems to be something I can run within my budget. Eg, Nitron suspension for Vx -> £650, for a Cayman, one of the other contenders, £2500! Engine goes boom, pick up a replacement out of a repmobile for a few hundred, Porsche engine goes boom, £4-8000.
5) The Cybex child seat I use in my Merc W123 fits perfectly, doesn't impinge on gearstick or handbrake. 4 year old daughter loves the car. I'll find out the exact model and post that up somewhere else. I did read through all the child seat threads which left me a bit overwhelmed and in the end just stuck it in to see what it looked like.
6) A lot of cars give me back-pain issues, I feel I could drive halfway up the country in the VX and be fine. I might not be able to get out afterwards, but my back wouldn't be killing me. The crashing and banging over bumps is more noise than actual jolting through me.
7) I test drove a different VX, a Turbo, which seems to still be sticking with a dealer of high end cars. Having been left with that car in their shed I went through all the paperwork and found a power map and invoices from Thorney's showing (from memory) 294bhp. They aren't advertising that car as stage 4 mega upgrade so that might be a bargain for someone. It was wet, I tried putting my foot down a bit in a straight line on an industrial estate road. At first nothing, then nothing with my dull brain telling me there was a wheel spinning sound then fishtailing and the feeling of impending death or a very large bill. for people with fast brains that would be an awesome car but the sense that the turbo kick would step in randomly when I wasn't expecting it put me off. From what I've read here the supercharger is more predictable, just like a larger 'normal' engine.
8) Getting what I can comfortably afford now, I can save up for the supercharger conversion and still enjoy my VX for a year or two in the meantime. Kind of like getting supercar performance in installments.
I'll start a new thread where I'll ask some questions - thanks in advance for the forum's existence, the information people have already provided me in old threads and answers to future questions.
