C'mon! Vauxhalls: Awesome Vauxhall VX220 Coupe

The Vauxhall VX220 is too extreme to be a rival for the Mazda MX 5 or the Toyota MR2, so its natural competitor is the car that shares its chassis, the "Lotus Elise". Unlike most contemporary Elises, the VX also has a 145bhp 2.2 or 197bhp 2.0 litre turbocharged engine. The standard VX's performance is sensational, but the Turbo can take on the very best performance cars. Both deal with corners with ease, and the driver is rewarded with phenomenal sensitivity through the steering wheel and other controls. There's no power assisted steering, but it doesn't need it, even at parking speeds. The five speed gearbox used is precise and keeps the engines singing. The VX's light weight means there's no turbo lag to worry about. Instead, there's just instant power coupled to brilliant handling. A supple ride takes care of comfort, although getting in and out of a VX is an acquired skill. We'd recommend either model, but if your budget can stretch to the Turbo, then get it. It has the same delightfully balanced chassis and handling as the 2.2 litre model, but considerably more power (197bhp v 145bhp), so it's that bit quicker. The 2.2 litre model is not far behind the Turbo it still makes a brilliant choice, and it's easier to live with than its contemporary Lotus rival, "the Lotus Elise". Most VX's will have been specified with leather seats, which are worth having, and an upgraded CD stereo, which becomes redundant at speeds beyond 60mph due to wind noise. A hard top is the desirable option and makes the VX more winter proof, although it can squeak and creak. A special edition Lightning model was finished in yellow with black wheels, but don't pay any extra for it. For such a specialised and focused sports car, the Vauxhall VX220 is amazingly easy on the wallet, thanks to enjoying the same labour rates as a Vauxhall Corsa. You will have to seek out a Vauxhall dealer that has a VX trained mechanic or seek an independent specialist. Because you'll need to visit them every 10,000 miles. Insurance is affordable for a car with such performance and the car's light weight means that a fuel economy of 30mpg is easily attainable in daily driving, although the small fuel tank will still require regular replenishment. The tyres on a VX are particular to that model because of their unusual sizes. The front ones are quite narrow for a performance car, so make sure they have plenty of tread, or you could be facing a steep bill for a full set of replacements. Check the tyres of any VX carefully to make sure the wear is even. If it's not, the car may have been crashed or the wheels bashed off of kerbs. Also look for signs of track day use, such as plenty of brake pad changes in the service file. There were some reports of collapsing suspension on early VX models, but this has not proved to be a common problem. Look for damp in the cabin, because the hood leaks and water ingress can leave a musty smell if it's not delt with immediately. The seats can work loose on their mountings and rock very slightly, so make sure they are securely fixed. The engines are tough customers, but ensure there is plenty of coolant in the water, because the radiator is up front and the engines can become very hot in slow traffic. Try to leave the car running for long enough to check that the automatic cooling fan cuts in as it should. But it's always advised to take someone with you who knows about them for that extra piece of mind, and remember not to buy the first one you see.

Verdict:: Superb handling sports car at very affordable prices.
Against:: The hood is not 100% weatherproof, and entry and exit can be tricky.
For Supercar:: looks, performance and handling at small hatch prices.

And our next blog will be called (The Upside of Buying a Vauxhall).

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