84 replies to this topic

[Andy]

I am looking to order a new VX 220 Turbo or a Caterham SV 160. Both should have almost identical performance and price (in the spec I would want). The Caterham spec would be: SV fully built £19,245 160 X power £3000 Metallic blue £1100 16" wheels £500 Black pack £280 Momo quick release wheel £250 Harnesses £250 Leather seats £200 LSD £675 Start button £35 Total £25,535 Does anyone have an opinion? This would be a garaged third car so wet weather performance and luggage capacity would not be important. Cheers

[Thorney]

A lot depends on what you want to use it for? Track or no track? Either way the first thing I'd suggest is go for 13/14" wheels as they dramatically help the handling on all Caterhams, the 16" do look better though I wouldn't underestimate how tyring they are to drive over long distances - basically knackering. If its going to be a third car, only come out when you want to play only then the Caterham will be more involving but significantly less safe on the road - crash protection is minimal. Think of it like a motorbike and it would be perfect. If however you're looking to do long tours or long distances at any time you might find it can be a bit debilitating but still tremendous fun. Personally I've sold a Caterham to get a VXT for these reasons, I certainly miss it, it was a great car and everyone should own one if they get the chance. However I thought £25k for one is just daft for what you get so decided to pay the money for the performance and practicality. I couldn't care about luggage, just the ability to sit on motorways at reasonable speeds and not arrive deaf

[Thorney]

Oh yeah, I can't remember on the SV how the harnesses attach but £250 sounds a bit steep. I bought a set of Safety Equipment harnesses for £120.

[Andy]

Thanks for that. I would intend to go to track days maybe but only maybe 3 a year. It is a tricky one. Safety is a concern. One thing that attracted me to the Caterham was the whole community thing and there did not seem to be much going on for the VX's. Although discovering this forum shows there are proud VX'ers out there and the beginning a community. I spoke to my local Vauxhall dealer (Nidd Vale Harrogate). They can't take orders for the VX Turbo untill February so that gives me a couple of weeks to make the final choice.

[Thorney]

The VX community is always going to be reasonably small due to sheer low number of cars on the road. However the Yahoo group has been going for some time and this site had only been around for three weeks or so and is already becoming a foal point for us. In the past the Elise lot have always been pretty welcome, they may like to wind us up on forums but its generally good natured. I think of the VX as an elite Elise (That'll start em off again I'm sure ) You can do some big miles in a caterham. We once went camping for 4 days in Cornwall, only way to take all the kit was to strap it to the roll cage so we were lucky on the weather but it was fun to see all these caravans turn up with the kitchen sink in tow and us roll up in a little Caterham I avoided driving with the hood up, I'd rather get wet - its that unpleasant an experience and needs fingers of steel and a degree in quatum physics to get the bloody thing up on a cold day. Trick is to keep the hood in the house not the garage - that way if you need to put it on before you leave the plastic will be warm and supple, I kid you not, the bloody thing will not fit when cold! Its an A to B car or track only I rekon. Agree with JC though, everyone should own one at least once in their driving lifetime - they really are that special. (When I sold it its the only time I'was almost in tears as it drove away)

[stevevx220]

Hi I`ve driven the 160 sv, and I prefer the standard Vx220. more room for your feet in a vx, more boot space, and I cut my hand changing gear on the sharp dash! Steve V

[Thorney]

I just thought it needed a bit more oomph.

OK, independance and "your choice" aside. I would whole heartedly recommend getting the VXT as your comment was exactly what I thought. When the VXT was announced I was down the dealers in 10 seconds.

I think from your posts you would get the Caterham and after a year be tired of it due to its limitations despite it being a third car. Your concerns over safety are not to be ignored, I don't think any Caterham owner would disagree that you really really wouldn't want to get involved in a crash on the road. The most common injury in Caterham crashes is a broken femur and/or broken ankle - you are exposed.

You like the idea of tracking it but its hardly your primary use.

This is a VX site, I've got a VXT on order after 8 years with a Caterham so my advice is get the VXT

[VEX]

Andy, If you have bought the wife an MR2 then surely you'll need something with a bit of luggage space. I was really amazed at the lack of it in a friends MR2, easier to get in and out of though! Cw

[Thorney]

JC, you're right on the front impact bit, you guessed right I was speaking more of a side impact scenario Front impact in a Cat would be better cos engine would take most of the energy but your feet are reasonably exposed. Rear impact depends on the car. My SS1700 had a rear tyre rack and any rear impact would've propelled the steel supporting arms straight into the petrol tank - not a nice thought but I imagine the new Cats are better in this respect. Oh yeah, if you get one, get the FIA rollbar - lots more protection in a roll (not that they're prone to this )

[Andy]

Thanks for the very useful comments. I got a 'caterham track day experience' day from the wife for xmas (its in beginning of march) so that should be interesting but I think all things considered the VX turbo will suit me best. My local dealer says he can't take orders until Feb, has anyone else got the full spec yet ? There are supposed to be new colur options ? Anyone got an update on when deliveries start ?

[Thorney]

Dealers can take orders but depends who you talk to. Full specs yet to be released along with any special colours. Press release is Feb 12th so I assume we'll know more then but delaers supposedly have more details some time early Feb. You made the right choice

[Andy]

Thanks JC. It will be a bit weird ordering a Vauxhall for 25 grand I must admit. The last time I had a Vauxhall was a company car about 10 years ago. That was a Cavalier 1.7 Turbo Diesel......nice. I wonder why when Lotus worked on the Carlton it was called the Lotus Carlton ditto the Lotus Sunbeam........Lotus VX Turbo now there's a thought but then no one one ever buy an Elise again.