Test drove a VX220 turbo today
- Thread starter eidolon
- Start date
Soldato
- Joined
- 24 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 6,242
- Location
- Portsmouth
Muncher said:
Aye, has more than just a knob for hot/cold and fan speed
James_N said:dont get me started on Holcroft in Stokego to Brindley's in Cannock instead
Aye, I will do, thanks. I need to get a new earth strap (wire) at some point for in my engine bay..can only get these from Honda.
I've worked in retail, I'm easygoing and nice about things but this chap at Holdcroft was so snotty it was untrue.
Failing that, come to the next RR day, I'll meet you at Stafford and once down there you could take me for a spin in the CTR...that'd suit me fine
willd58 said:
Yep, that's where I got the CTR from. Ask for Darren as he's the one who sold me the CTR, wasn't pushy at all and let me thrash the demo car. The Jag garage opposite is where I test drove the VXT too.
Update time.
After my initial disappointment with the VX220 last week I didn't really feel it was enough of an upgrade to warrant the extra cost so I was still undecided on whether to keep the MR2 or sell it for a VXT. I did however have a gut feeling that not all VX's were created equally and hoped that the one I drove was just a bit of a shed.
I was right!
During the week a local VXT owner took pity on me and contacted me to see if I wanted to see what a "proper" VXT was like. We arranged to meet yesterday and he took me for a spirited drive through the country lanes.
Well, I have to say that it was like a totally different car. It had a stage 1 remap which gave it the power it deserved and it pulled hard from low revs. Handling was even better than last week as this guy had 16" front alloys and 17" rears (same as Exige I believe) which apparently eliminates the understeer characteristics of the VXT. Despite it being a bit damp outside it still stuck to the road and never felt unsettled at all.
The noise issue was what I noticed most, or the lack of it to be accurate. Whilst the VXT I drove last week felt like it was gonna fall apart at any second, this one felt postively like a Mercedes in comparison. Even though the top was off there were no real rattles or anything to report of.
So then, it's been decided that I need to leave the MR2 fold and buy myself one of these little plastic toy cars. Who needs air con or any other electrical rubbish anyway
After my initial disappointment with the VX220 last week I didn't really feel it was enough of an upgrade to warrant the extra cost so I was still undecided on whether to keep the MR2 or sell it for a VXT. I did however have a gut feeling that not all VX's were created equally and hoped that the one I drove was just a bit of a shed.
I was right!
During the week a local VXT owner took pity on me and contacted me to see if I wanted to see what a "proper" VXT was like. We arranged to meet yesterday and he took me for a spirited drive through the country lanes.
Well, I have to say that it was like a totally different car. It had a stage 1 remap which gave it the power it deserved and it pulled hard from low revs. Handling was even better than last week as this guy had 16" front alloys and 17" rears (same as Exige I believe) which apparently eliminates the understeer characteristics of the VXT. Despite it being a bit damp outside it still stuck to the road and never felt unsettled at all.
The noise issue was what I noticed most, or the lack of it to be accurate. Whilst the VXT I drove last week felt like it was gonna fall apart at any second, this one felt postively like a Mercedes in comparison. Even though the top was off there were no real rattles or anything to report of.
So then, it's been decided that I need to leave the MR2 fold and buy myself one of these little plastic toy cars. Who needs air con or any other electrical rubbish anyway
The Stage 1 is around £500. It's said to give 220BHP but some owners seem to have got 240BHP somehow.
I'll probably go for the Stage 2 when the time comes, it's a bit more expensive (£2k) but gives 250BHP which should keep me happy
I'll probably go for the Stage 2 when the time comes, it's a bit more expensive (£2k) but gives 250BHP which should keep me happy
Excellent, I knew you'd come round to it eventually.
You cannot underestimate how much the geometry setup and tyre pressures make a difference to the handling, the 16/17" wheels are a nice upgrade.
What tyres did the guy have, semi-slicks or more standard road tyres?
The Exige is hardly any different to the Elise in terms of non cosmetic components. Stick 16/17" alloys on an Elise or VX with semi slick rubber and you are extremely similar to an Elise. Fit Nitrons and you're a step ahead
You cannot underestimate how much the geometry setup and tyre pressures make a difference to the handling, the 16/17" wheels are a nice upgrade.
What tyres did the guy have, semi-slicks or more standard road tyres?
The Exige is hardly any different to the Elise in terms of non cosmetic components. Stick 16/17" alloys on an Elise or VX with semi slick rubber and you are extremely similar to an Elise. Fit Nitrons and you're a step ahead
Soldato
- Joined
- 24 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 6,242
- Location
- Portsmouth
Dont bother with the stage 1, get right in there with a stage 3 like Kev's
It's sooo much fun
It's sooo much fun
saitrix said:
I have never even remotely wanted air con. If it isn't too cold the roof comes off anyway, then the hotter it gets the better, there is nothing like it
. As soon as you are moving there is plenty of breeze through the cabin to not worry about getting hot.Stonedofmoo said:Dont bother with the stage 1, get right in there with a stage 3 like Kev's
It's sooo much fun
I'd certainly like to but I guess the suspension and brakes would need sorting too at that level of power. It's also £3500 so it starts getting expensive at that sorta power.
eidolon said:He had the same tyres as my MR2, Toyo Proxes.
I still prefer the look of the S2 Elise but it just can't compete on power so it's gotta be a VXT for me
As you will be using yours in mostly fair weather you should be looking to get Yokohama A048s on. Slightly more pricey but they are a barely road legal cut slick, in a very soft compound. When hot they have the texture of blu-tac but my God do they stick to the road
If I were you I would go for Nitrons/Oz Wheels/Yokos and a proper Geo setup, THEN go for the power. I think you will find stage 2 more than adequate and get more enjoyment from the handling improvements, afterall that's what the car is all about.
eidolon said:
The suspension doesn't need to be sorted, it is fine and can cope with it, but it is something I would do if you were feeling especially flush.
The brakes are more than up to the job. Standard disks and Mintex/SBS pads (£99/175) are more than up to the job. Only seriously hard track work such as actually racing will require anything more.
Muncher said:I have never even remotely wanted air con. If it isn't too cold the roof comes off anyway, then the hotter it gets the better, there is nothing like it
And its not like its hard to get moving in one of them.
I need a vx/elise when i have money/ncb!
The plan is to get the car, then get either the Stage 1 or 2 and a full geo setup and leave it at that. (Maybe get some NA wheels cos I prefer them). I'd love to get the Stage 3 and Nitrons etc. but it's probably a bit much to spend really.