I think I need to credit the seeds of this thread to our very own Lurking Lawyer and his poignant comments that got me thinking about the matter to replace or to change. See my other recent thread for some great thoughts from lots of people about this.

So, my thinking has started to become a bit extreme and I am tempted to try a VX220 Turbo, even if it was just for 9 months (I can't imagine owning one for 3 years!). They look wild and this could be a good time in my life to go wild. My mission is to seriously look into one and go for a test drive to see if I could live with it.

Does anyone have any experience, thoughts or comments to share about the VX and even some buying advice?

 

A friend test drove one a couple of years ago. He said it was manic fast, but too cramped for him, and he couldn't see him living with it on a day to day basis.

If I was looking at options, I would seriously consider one, but only as a second car.

 

Have you tried getting in one ...... I thought it can't be as bad as people make out - then I tried for myself !!!!

 

Deffo worth trying - if you can live with the lack of practicality, it must be worth it, even for 9 months. As you say, you may never get a chance to drive something like that again.

 

Insurance group 19 - minor savings to be made ?

 

If getting in and out is anything like the Elise then no point me looking at one.

 

they are very fast.. my missus turned her nose up at it before she got within 100yds though. it's a boys toy. you'd have to be proper hardcore to live with one as a daily driver. and need a good dentist for all the fillings it'll shake loose.

you can chip 'em too, i think the std turbo is 1s quicker 1/4 mile than an S.. but on the bends.. bye bye

sort of a compromise before a caterham..

just like the elise.. bitch to get into and out of, if you get injured much don't try it, it was agony getting out of my mates elise when i had a stretched cruciate. absolute agony.

 

Good replacement, they are stupid fast..

Again the only small draw back is gettin in and out as people have said.

Wouldn't put me off though.

Do it

 

I had one for a while, get over to http://www.vx220.org.uk/ if you want a buyers guide, some very well clued up members on there. Getting in is probably the biggest issue, there is a technique to it but that doesn't help if your passengers don't know it. Quick, handles well and has great feel and suspension is surprisingly comfortable. So low other drivers sometimes don't see you which can be a big issue and there are lots of niggling problems which you would have to be willing to put up with or learn to fix yourself. The 2min messing about with the hood to get it back on is a pain too when you are used to the S. Give it a try though, great for a Sunday morning thrash but hard work as a daily driver (watch out for boost catching you out once the rear is sliding if you are pushing hard, doesn't have the throttle response of the S or the na version.)

Think of it as half way to a caterham, if you couldn

 

Yes i have had two of the before coming here I had a NA Lightning and a Coral blue Turbo and i still have to say it's one of the most exilarating drives i have ever had espec the turbo.
I tried to live with it as a everyday car but it just got too much in the winter, but i would have one again in an instant to have in the garage if i could afford one.

Try it you will not be dissapointed and the prices are good at the moment to buy.

Jeff