Test drove a VX220 turbo today

[Del Lardo]

good evening/morning

funny, how my last post got deleted...obv some over zealous moderators here then

Expect this one to go the same way

Del - The Turbo is a bit more refined than the 2.2. The turbo was built with daily driving in mind and to be quick down undulating B roads. The 2.2 was built for going quick round a track and is more at home on smoother track like surfaces.

Fair enough. The Turbo must be the Rolls Royce of the bunch

 

[Stonedofmoo]

good evening/morning

funny, how my last post got deleted...obv some over zealous moderators here then

Perhaps you should try posting something more useful than 'Hello ' ?

 

[eidolon]

I've only spent a decent amount of time in my friends 2.2 VX (standard) and that feels really refined in comparison. Could be worth giving one of them a go, you keep the handling of the VX (which if it's anything like my Elise just gets better and better the more you drive it) but without compromising on noise levels.

I'd considered an NA VX but they're even worse than the turbo (harder suspension, even less soundproofing). Besides, if you can't hit 60 in under 5 seconds you shouldn't be on the roads

 

[Muncher]

Thought about a supercharged 2.2?

The 2.2 is quicker than it seems, 0-60 isn't everything, it hits 58mph in 2nd gear so needs a change to third. A courtenay remap will hit 62 in 2nd, lowering the 0-60 time a fair bit.

 

[CocoPops]

Yep, my remap has raised the rev limit, so I now hit 60 in 2nd.

Here's a video of a S'charged VX220 I went out in at Bruntingthorpe
http://www.cocopops.net/vx220sc.mov (Right Click, Save as....) about 22mb

 

[eidolon]

Supercharger is a good idea but I thought the turbo was raw, I imagine that a supercharged 2.2 would be even worse!!

 

[merlin]

Have you driven the Lotus yet?

Or are you ruling that out now?

 

[Nozzer]

I'm hoping to try an Elise this weekend. While the VX makes slightly more sense financially (it's cheaper to insure and run), the Lotus badge is calling to me...

 

[eidolon]

I didn't manage to get to the dealers on Sunday but I'm gonna try to get there this weekend. They've got brand new 111Rs for £27k so I might be forced to test drive one of them

 

[merlin]

the Lotus badge is calling to me...

Good man.

 

[merlin]

I didn't manage to get to the dealers on Sunday but I'm gonna try to get there this weekend. They've got brand new 111Rs for £27k so I might be forced to test drive one of them

When you say brand new, you mean brand new as in just delivery mileage?

I saw a late 2005 111R for £25k last week which at the time I thought was pretty good, obviosuly not if you can get them spanking for £27k!

Lotus Lotus Lotus Lotus Lotus. <- Look, even the word looks cool.

 

[Nozzer]

Good man.

It'd have to be an S1, as I can't really stretch to an S2 at the moment. I prefer the styling on the S1 anyway and, most importantly, so does she.

 

[merlin]

I see the word "She" in a sentence about deciding on a Motor......

 

[Nozzer]

I see the word "She" in a sentence about deciding on a Motor......

She told me she'd leave me if I bought an S2...

On second thoughts, anyone want to lend me the extra?

 

[eidolon]

When you say brand new, you mean brand new as in just delivery mileage?

I saw a late 2005 111R for £25k last week which at the time I thought was pretty good, obviosuly not if you can get them spanking for £27k!

Lotus Lotus Lotus Lotus Lotus. <- Look, even the word looks cool.

Yep, delivery miles only (and touring pack ) --> http://www.williamsautomobiles.com/lotus/index.html

 

[Berger]

She told me she'd leave me if I bought an S2...

On second thoughts, anyone want to lend me the extra?

Ill take her off your hands
Not had your audi long have you, dont have IRC here, as i should be working so cant pester you on there, but how come your swapping, want something more fun for summer and buying it while its cheap, plus audi servicing has taken its toll on your behind/wallet?

 

[Del Lardo]

She told me she'd leave me if I bought an S2...

Good girl

 

[Nozzer]

Ill take her off your hands
Not had your audi long have you, dont have IRC here, as i should be working so cant pester you on there, but how come your swapping, want something more fun for summer and buying it while its cheap, plus audi servicing has taken its toll on your behind/wallet?

I want something fun, totally impractical and open top for the summer. I can cope with the Audi running costs, if I couldn't I'd struggle with an Elise , but I can't really justify having two cars where I live. I'd like to keep the Audi too, it's a great motorway car, but we'll see. Depends how good a deal I can get on the Lotus really.

Good girl

 

[Muncher]

Phil, if you found the Turbo hardcore, you won't like Elise, as it is quite similar to 2.2.

From my point of view I would concede the Elise 111S or 111R to be the better out and out track cars, if expense is not an issue.

The turbo on the other hand is a lot quicker than both on the road due to softer damping. In terms of pace it will blow both Elises away, due to bucketloads more torque. Not to mention you get a drivers airbag, then add to that much cheaper tuning potential than either Elise.


Elise 111R 133 lb-ft @ 6800 rpm
VX220 Turbo 184 lb-ft @ 1950 rpm

Thorney Motorsport VX220T Stage 2 - ECU re-map, full Milltek exhaust system - Approx 240bhp 246lb/ft. - £1999 fitted

I'd highly recommend at least a stage 2 setup, you will also want a better exhaust note. Ask an Elise specialist just how much it will cost to get 246lb/ft of torque from an Elise, I suspect it would require an engine swap costing ££££

 

[merlin]

Isn't eidolon's name Steve?

Anyway - Muncher - are the gear ratios the same (VX vs Elise)?