DanK Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Im looking to get either a VX220 or a S2000 as my next car, im nearly finished on my police training and will be out on the streets in a couple of weeks, im earning alot more money so im looking at getting a vx or a s2000.Im 19, 20 in april and you only live once so i would like one whilst im still young , prices at the moment are good however ill have to either get a loan or finance to pay for one, i have enough for a years insurance saved at the moment and with the sale of my lupo i could put that away for services, tax etc for the new car.i know a couple of members have both on here so i thought ide ask which would be the best for me, i know its up to me at the end of the day but im still a little undecided. Im swaying towards a vx220 however ide go for the 2.2 n/a, i know its not as quick at the turbo but that doesn't bother me, ide still have a great driving experience from the 2.2.The VX is swaying me because its alot more raw and rare and looks the part, i travel light so very little boot space isnt a problem, not bothered at all that its so basic, thats one of the things which i like, im after the raw driving experience and just general fun. The s2000 seems to be a cracking car, great reviews and again looks lovely, i don't know if its a bit grown up though. the price however of an s2000 is a fair bit cheaper and therefore would be easier to manage each month as im going to borrow to pay for it.So what would you do, also members who have these cars your input would be greatly appreciated, the slightly cheaper s2000 or the raw thrills of a vx220? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamD Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Insurance is gonna kill you either way!Well done on getting through your Police training. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanK Posted February 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Insurance is gonna kill you either way!Well done on getting through your Police training.Insurance isnt that bad, still alot but its only £400 more than my 1.4 lupo, i have enough saved for a years insurance so the rest of the year will be putting £150 aside for next years which i could manageThanks, still got the final test to go but i should be fine, obviously ill be getting the car if i do pass, ide be stupid to buy one now and if i did fail then im pretty scewed Another thing which is a bit of a worry is the fact ill be needing to save for my own place soon, the police do good deals for first time buyers but its something i need to consider now, working out how much i can spend, save all the rest of it.Damn growing up is hard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philplop Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 I'm going for a VX I think. S2000 is just too practical! Want something raw and basic while I'm young and stupid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanK Posted February 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 I'm going for a VX I think. S2000 is just too practical! Want something raw and basic while I'm young and stupid. These are my thoughts too, i love the fact they are so rare aswell, think ive only seen 1 on the road, its automatically gets your attention and you think wow, i wonder what thats like to drive.Insurance is a problem but ive got to face facts that im young and its going to be expensive on pretty much every car over 1.6A lupo GTI comes out around the same price as a 350z, vx220, s2000 and z4, all of which ive considered, still wouldnt mind a 350z saying that but i think its between the s2k and vx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyA Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Id get a VX220. I'd have to keep telling myself it was really a Lotus though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver! Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Id get a VX220. I'd have to keep telling myself it was really a Lotus though. Have you fixe nd yet? If not what are you doing on here wasting time?Oh! VX for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanK Posted February 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Everyone going for the VX then, to be honest ive swayed that way too, price wise i think ill be looking at up to 10k for a good N/AI know of 2 specialist car garages around my way which have a vx for sale, in this current economic climate i could try my luck and see what finance deals they have, finance could be a good bargaining tool aswell i hope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyA Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Have you fixe nd yet? If not what are you doing on here wasting time?Oh! VX for me.We're currently saving up the £200 hosting fee for the year. (donations welcome) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamD Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/886592.htm TVR Cerbera + 2 year warranty.Tempting!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanK Posted February 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/886592.htm TVR Cerbera + 2 year warranty.Tempting!!!Thats around my price range too, i don't think ide touch a tvr though, i could see the insurance being through the roof and i think servicing and parts etc would be tricky too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamD Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 A friend of a friend got one when he was 21. Insurance wasn't horrific, under 2k I believe he said.With a warranty, it wouldn't be bad if it goes pop.I'm trying to persuade myself into one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam K Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 (edited) the s2000 will be nowhere near the others in terms of insurance cost. do some quotes and it will be a lot higher than the vx to insure. Edited February 7, 2009 by Adam K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve TDI Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 I'd go for the Vaux. Here's a load of pics for you to go through. It's also a 2.2. 352 pics waiting for you http://www.corsasport.co.uk/board/garage.p...92&page=all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putney Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 (edited) I'm on my 2nd S2000's now... Originally I went from a Lupo GTi to an S2000 so a fair jump in power. The insurance was £1600 for me at 21. So not too bad. I was probably earning similar money and had a loan on the car.. I had no problems with runnnig costs and I had put my savings into a deposit for the flat. I got a home improvement loan which i actually used for the car! I got a better rate doing this. Something you might want to consider?I'm back in the fold after almost three years on a bike and prior to that a 8 month period of Leon Cupra R ownership.... My insurance is currently £900 fully comp on a 06 car with the VW Passat on the same policy with multicar. The Passat is my daily in the winter and in lighter weather I drive the S. I took the S down to St Ives in the summer and it really did shine. The weather was hot for two of the days and very wet on the 1st day. Roof was up down up down with a flick of a switch. I have driven the turbo VX.. I had it for a day and liked it a lot... however it wasn't the right car for me. I decided I couldn't live with it for the following reasons: Seating.. Far to close to the person next to you.Wind up windows FFS Boot.. Hmm a very small bag. No central locking on the one i had.No aircon, which is a must for keeping windows from steaming up in the winter.Rattles everywhere.No powered steering.Roof is a get out the car and put it on system.No xenons5 speed gear boxNo LSD.It was really bad on the motorway. It follows every camber and cars don't see you that easily as you are so small and low.Getting in and out is probably the worst part of the car TBH... My mates Caterham is the only other car i have found to be worse! For a weekend car then I think it would be a laugh. But If i was getting a weekend car I would get something more exotic. I go to Europe a fair amount and could happily drive down to mum and dads without a 2nd thought in the S. Especially now with the hardtop and the fold up stand. I have not driven the 2.2.. Maybe its a bit better on the motorway than the turbo.. I am not actually a fan of turbo cars. That was one of the reasons I sold the Leon... Anyway you are looking at the 2.2.Now the S2000 was a winner for me...It has great seats, air con, electric windows, heaters that heat the car up very quickly. It has an amazing engine and gearbox. The engine is probably the winner for me... The sound is awesome. Great dash too... you do get some nice waves from other S owners.... If you fancy coming up to Richmond then your more than welcome to have a spin in mine.. I am used to being compromised.. I had a bike for almost 3 years where I would take Everything in a rucksack... and had leathers to deal with either end of my journey! I did 24000 miles on a bike in that time so I was using it daily! The S2000 has a great boot... Two people can pack pretty well and being a bit of a photographer i can take all my camera stuff too... The VX for me would only be a drive to work car or a weekend blaster. I couldn't do a long road trip in it due to the boot limitations.The S might not get as many looks but it’s so much nicer to be in than the VX… my new spark plug cover... Edited February 7, 2009 by Putney Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defcon5 Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Have you been told what nick you are going to yet? As if you suddenly realise you have a much longer commute you may start to regret buying the VX. The last thing you want is to do a late, end up working all night doing Pol1 or something, then have to drive home in morning rush hour in something that rattles like a 10 year old saxo.Maybe a older CatD VX and something reasonable as a daily? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanK Posted February 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Thanks for the comments guys and Putney your S2000 looks lovely, i can definatly see the attraction with more luxeries such as air con, a decent boot etc The dash does look pretty damn nice aswell.Insurance may be a tad more but then again the car itself will be cheaper, i think ive got to take a test drive of both to be honest, im 6ft 1 so its going to be tricky with the VX but im sure ill manage, ill roll out the bloody thing if i have to, i don't care looking like a **** Ive had my posting for the police too, its a 25 mile drive each way and i wont be touching a motorway at all, its all country roads so definatly some fun to be had on the daily commute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamD Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 I'm 6ft 3 and struggle getting in and out of my mates VX220TLiterally, had to roll out of the car, not a classy look! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putney Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 (edited) Will you not put peoples noses out of joint a bit turning up in a smug motor? It didn't go down to well at my place when i was 21... Edited February 7, 2009 by Putney Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putney Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 You can get the new shape S2 for £10k now... Can you not stretch to a Turbo VX? they seem a tad quicker and easy to mod.... One left me for dead not to long ago! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defcon5 Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Will you not put peoples noses out of joint a bit turning up in a smug motor?Nah Im sure he would be fine. Can take the piss out the traffic lads for haVing slow cars too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusoe Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 I've had both so in a reasonable place to comment. Two quite different cars though and a lot comes down to how much you want to work on the car. S2000 is great when you want it to be a sportscar but can switch to being a like a two seates civic when you aren't trying. Honda is reliable, well tested and made in large numbers. Easy to live with but has to be driven with care especially in poor conditions.VX220 na is setup harder than the turbo, made from fiberglass that cracks easily at carpark bump or door open impact and has lots of problems with air bubbles expanding and saint falling off if left outside in the cold. Made in small numbers so not reliability tested and you need to post things yourself. My suspension bolt sheared causing it to spin down the road. Regularly have to fix things like boot and bonnet not opening, brake hoses recalled as they perished, wheels they forgot to heat treat so spokes failed, expansion tanks that degrade in sunlight and will fail in time etc. On the right road they are fantastic but not a car that you can trust as fully developed, more a glorified kit car. Loved mine, low to the ground, looked great and steering and balance were perfect and tended toward safe understear when pushed on the road so could drive it quite hard without danger as long as you didn't lift off or do something silly. I would not buy one again as a daily driver though, lotus gets much more factory support recalling and fixing issues, as it's a vauxhall they don't really care and you need to fix them yourself. Ok for a fun car for weekends that you upgrade and know inside out, not good if you need dealer support or OEM spare parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamD Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Nah Im sure he would be fine. Can take the piss out the traffic lads for haVing slow cars too!I thought it was just my area where the traffic lads owned boring cars, any time I try having a bit of crack with them about cars it doesn't go down well, I did take the piss saying his Volvo T5 wasn't as fast as my Polo though The most exciting thing in our car park is a new Civic Type R and a Fiat Coupe Turbo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted February 8, 2009 Report Share Posted February 8, 2009 I think you need to drive both.They're both very different approaches to the same type of car - especially the VTEC engine, which is a love/hate thing for me. Admittedly mine was in the ITR, but I just found that you barely got the chance to get "on cam" before you had to slam the brakes on for cameras/traffic/lights/coppers, and off cam, the lack of torque could be annoying.I just found I never got the chance to really "use" VTEC, unless it was very quiet roads or in the country lanes. As I say, try it out first, its initially addictive and a hoot, but after the honeymoon wore off, I did start to get a little tired of needing to rev the nuts off it. That said - when you do get the chance to use it and keep it "in the zone" its absolutely amazing. As for the VX - amazing to drive, but nothing short of a total nightmare in the winter, which is/was my biggest annoyance. Everything freezes up, inside and out, its pretty twitchy in the wet, noisy, demands almost total concentration at all times - and when you've had a long night out, its cold, wet and you just want to get home in comfort, you hate it. Then the next day, the sun comes out, the roof comes off and its the best thing in the f*****g world For me, those are the two biggest considerations for both cars. I'd take the VX (well, the Lotus for me) purely due to utter driving enjoyment...but I'd SERIOUSLY consider a daily-driver when the weathers bad, or you need to get across speed bumps, or use a multistory...or... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 I've had my 2.2 vx for nearly 4 years now and I love it. I originally bought it as my only car which wasn't a problem- did 20k miles in the first year. I've had a company car for the last 3 years so it has been sat in the garage waiting or a sunny day. The heaters are ****, is a handfull in the wet, you are petty close to your passenger, it rattles, but none of that matters, as soon as you get behing the wheel on a dry clear welsh road theres nothing you'd rather be in.They're cheap to run, the mechanical bits are from a vectra so will last forever and tuning them is starting to become cheaper and easier. I do the 1000mile round trip to Le Mans in the summer without any problems and you can get 5 crates of cheap french lager in the boot.Oh, and above all, just look at them, things of beauty! Unfortunately I may have to sell mine this year to fund the new pad; I''m just doing my sums first though as I dont want to get rid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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