16 replies to this topic

[NewVXBristol]

Hello all, newboy here. I'm currently looking into getting a VX220 and have narrowed it down to 2 that I have seen. They are both 2.2, speed yellow in colour. The one thing is that one has a soft and a hard top, the other just the soft. At the moment my preference is withthe one with only a soft top, as the hardtop is silver. So the question is this: How much difference does the hardtop make? Any horror stories. I'm also not sure about it being silver on the yellow car, I havent seen it yet, only with the soft top on. Again any suggestions?

[Purebob]

Hulloooooooo ! And welcome ! I don't know of any horror stories with hardtops, except they can be tricky to make watertight. Some 'all weather' users swear by 'em others like jimH uses his VX witha softtop in snow drifts & stuff. IMO the hardtop feels a bit claustraphobic, but then again I'm not forced to drive mine persistently in awful weather so I'm probably not a good source of opinion.You'll get a softtop also with the car even if it has a hardtop fitted, it snot an either or situation. Drive 'em both & see what you prefer ! Good luck car hunting !

[PJG]

get the hardtop, a little extra security if nothing else... i swear by it, for me has done great in all weather conditions (apart from sun )

[garyk220]

The hardtop is worth about £750 secondhand, and can be colour coded by any decent bosyshop for about £150. So, if the VX with the hardtop is no more than £500 or £600 more expensive, all other things being equal of course, then it's a better deal. While the hardtop is not essential for winter driving, I find it a bit quieter and more watertight. It's also more secure if your car will not be garaged. Only you can tell if the price difference is worth it though.

[MRK30]

I suppose it depends on the price difference...how much extra is the option with the hardtop? Also not sure about a silver h/top with yellow car I remember some other threads on here about respraying the h/top so it might be easy (with minimal cost) to colour code. Personally, I like the look of the VX with the h/top and mine certainly protects you more from the elements than just with a soft top. Perfect world..have both if prices are similar, hard & soft top. But if the 2 cars are about £1K difference in price, it's down to how much value you place on the car leaking a little less water in winter. Either way...you're going to have a great car...enjoy!

[VEX]

Hi and Welcome. Soft tops are fine, mine has survived a full winter out on the drive and been driven almost everyday since August 02. I don't know how warm or well the hard tops keep the heat in, it can be a little cold with the soft one, but nothing a good bennie hat sorts (cue Thorney selling his VX220.org one) and it is still fantastic to get the roof off on a crisp clear winters day. Sorry if you already been through this, but:- Are either of the Yellows a 'Lightning' with black windscreen surround, wheels and numbered plate? If so, it should come with a colour coded hard top as well as a standard black soft top. Don't be fobbed off if these are missing. If it has standard silver alloys and windscreen surround then it is not one of the LE (lightning yellow)'s but a slightly paler yellow standard VX. What ever it is they have there niggles but are great little cars on both the road and track. Enjoy it, what ever you go for.

Edited by VEX, 30 September 2003 - 10:49 AM.

[clipping_point]

I use my soft top in the summer. But now, when the temperature is dropping, and I do not have any urge to drive without a top, I prefer to use the hard top. Looks better, feels better to leave the car in a parking lot, possibly more quiet. But I have used the hard top less than I thought I would do. Tobbe

[VEX]

Yes, but you have a very big excuse Clipping Point. You live in Scandinavia!!!!!! (Sweden IIRC?) and it gets bloody cold out there!

[PJG]

I know that many people use the hard-top as a seasonal thing - it's so easy to take on and off, that it doesn't need to be considered as such. I agree, i like the look of the car with the hard top and i leave it on most of the time. It takes about 5 mins to get off, and 10 to get on (properly.) I'd definitely go for it - if your car is not garaged it will give you that extra piece of mind. As for the yellow / silver combo - go for it, imo the vx would look good whatever the colours

[iandhd]

When the hardtop can look this good ****PICTURE ****
then you have to consider it. OK the respray will cost a little extra but the end result is well worth it. Like it has been mentioned before it's up to you whether you need the extra comfort and security.

Edited by iandhd, 30 September 2003 - 12:10 PM.

[jules_s]

hello and welcome. If your looking at the yellow VX 2.2na in drive bristol.....i'd suggest you get the door rattles sorted and the alarm sensitivity adjusted before you buy it. that way you wont get the dreaded 'theyre all like that sir' since theyve been comparing mine and that yellow na for the past six months

[mal_dun]

Hi & welcome to the forum. The hardtop is fine in winter, it's leakproof, definately quieter and makes the car look really special. My car is yellow and I had the HT sprayed to body colour for about £150 ish. It's worth having, especially if you do lots of miles in winter.

[clipping_point]

Yes, but you have a very big excuse Clipping Point.

You live in Scandinavia!!!!!! (Sweden IIRC?)

and it gets bloody cold out there!

Yes, VEX. I guess I have to lock mine up soon, can't imagine how it will be in snowy weather (may slide well on the floor pan, though). I don't expect they make any 175X55X17 tyres with studs either?

Edited by clipping_point, 30 September 2003 - 04:07 PM.

[speedyK]

Only bonus of hardtop IMO is security advantage.

It's a pathetic, fiddly design. You have to fix/detach numereous bits and pieces using a Torx driver to remove/put on the hardtop and you can't stow it in the car. Hopeless.

I ordered one with my new car just so I had all the options. If you never have to leave your car anywhere dodgy, I wouldn't bother getting the hardtop.

[JimH]

I'd agree with Speedy K. If you regularly park in a dodgy area then the hardtop is worth the aggro. Otherwise I wouldn't bother. I use mine all year round and it doesn't leak. Also if by some minor miracle the sun comes out during winter then you are in a position to enjoy it.

[NewVXBristol]

Thanks for all the messages. I have ruled out the VX with the hardtop now, purely because the guy who was selling it, from a garage, just appeared to be too dodgy. The hunt continues!!

[Turbo Head]

Talk to Jason Perkins at Drive Vauxhall in Bristol, top bloke very helpful, gave me a great deal too.