Bought A New Toy

[boombang 2]

After a (very) brief pop back into 205 ownership, I've gone back to a Vauxhall.

 

Money was being put aside for wedding but a have managed to get enough for a car through a combination of selling off anything I had worth decent money, some serious saving, a load of overtime, and getting cracking deal on photographer & band.

 

Not managed to get any photos myself, but the parting shot from previous owner is below:

 

 

 

The drive back with top off in rain was interested (as long as stay over 50MPH it's bone dry), and my god does go so much better than my last one (2.2 n/a).

 

Hopefully now not spending time sorting a car, will be able to actual get some trackdays done!

[welshpug 1,681]

hehe you bought another then

 

Turbo this time I guess?

[boombang 2]

Yup! Somehow got lucky and almost the exact spec I was after came up for sale.

 

Mandarin Orange turbo (1 of only 3 in the word)

Miltek VXR exhaust

Remap

 

Approx 240 bhp, 0-60 in sub 4.5 seconds.

 

Drives so much better than my old n/a, and a serious amount faster. This one is still on a road type geometry and feels better for it - less pointy and ultimate grip is lower, but far more stable and doesn't snap on the limit.

 

Managed to get it for a reasonable price, so when tyres are due later in year going for a set of 16/17 aftermarket alloys (opens up loads more and far cheaper tyre options).

 

Other than wheels, may paint windscreen surround and front "V" black, and switch to Exige or Nitron suspension, depending how much overtime I can wangle for the next few months.

[tomcolinjones 26]

I can see a build thread coming on!

 

im proud to have partialy funded this!

[boombang 2]

Yes indeed, thanks to all the 205 Gti drivers who help pay for it.

 

Best of all - it solves my wedding car problems (further saving me cash!). Now if only I can persuade her to buy an old Jag/Roller for her daily driver, and we'd have her wedding car sorted.

[tomcolinjones 26]

Now if only I can persuade her to buy an old Jag/Roller for her daily driver, and we'd have her wedding car sorted.

she would just eat up your honeymoon fund in fuel! lol

[boombang 2]

That photo at the top is the honeymoon!

 

Planning on selling in a little over 2 years time. No idea what it'll be worth then, but should pay for a honeymoon with some left over for a cheaper car.

[tomcolinjones 26]

That photo at the top is the honeymoon!

 

Planning on selling in a little over 2 years time. No idea what it'll be worth then, but should pay for a honeymoon with some left over for a cheaper car.

 

weekend in blackpool and 2 205's

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

If only it didn;t have a Vauxhall badge on it , other than that good little cars, I;d keep it over a wedding any day like I'm with all of mine after all it's only a ring

[mainline 2 1 Cars]

Mandarin orange oh my good god!!!!

 

I had a red n/a (Calypso) a few years back, still comfortably the most exciting and attention grabbing car I've owned. And after being introduced to the world of the VX220 I know how fantastic, sought after and rare the Mandarin cars are. How does the Turbo compare with the n/a?

 

You have to go black with the V and the surround. I did both on mine, but on a Mandarin it looks even better. Corse wheels like the VXR perhaps?

 

Like this in fact.....

 

Mandarin with Corse

[welshpug 1,681]

your N-A one was mandarin too want it?

[boombang 2]

Mandarin orange oh my good god!!!!

 

I had a red n/a (Calypso) a few years back, still comfortably the most exciting and attention grabbing car I've owned. And after being introduced to the world of the VX220 I know how fantastic, sought after and rare the Mandarin cars are. How does the Turbo compare with the n/a?

 

You have to go black with the V and the surround. I did both on mine, but on a Mandarin it looks even better. Corse wheels like the VXR perhaps?

 

Like this in fact.....

 

Mandarin with Corse

 

Turbo and n/a are like night and day - the n/a was still rapid, an outstandingly well balanced and fun car, just always lacked something IMHO. I blamed the lazy 2.2 engine, just in no way suited the car to the extent a gravy K-series Elise felt more special.

 

I was even doubtful about the turbo, but proved oh so very wrong when went out in a Stage 2. The standard turbo is again a tiny bit underwhelming, although still genuinely rapid.

 

 

There are the VXR Speedlinealikes that crop up now and then (Compomotive make them) but they are seriously heavy. The only really viable option is TD Pro Race 1.2s, just a bit common on the VX220s. They do offer them in correct bore and offset though, so saves messing with horrible plastic spigot rings.

 

 

My N/A was nearly as rare - Rabiata Red (dark metallic). I would've killed for a Mandarin first time around, but worked out for the best.

[White Pugs 6]

Another former VX owner checking in.

 

I always did fancy the turbo, wasn't even out when i bought mine, although by the time I took my "palmersport" day the tubbys were at bedford, I seem to recall the turbo felt a little more insulated than the n/a and properly quick too.

 

Enjoy

 

J

[mainline 2 1 Cars]

Another former VX owner checking in.

 

Just read your for sale thread... quite nostalgic looking at some of the names from the forum I remember from back in the day. Didn't realise you had a Dolphin Grey one, I always liked that colour a lot, really different, although it did get a lot of stick for being 'metallic primer'!

 

I'm hankering after another one, but a bigger house has got to remain the number one priority - and hopefully they'll keep on getting cheaper and cheaper. Amazing that you can pick up an early na for £6k these days.

[mainline 2 1 Cars]

Turbo and n/a are like night and day - the n/a was still rapid, an outstandingly well balanced and fun car, just always lacked something IMHO. I blamed the lazy 2.2 engine, just in no way suited the car to the extent a gravy K-series Elise felt more special.

 

I was even doubtful about the turbo, but proved oh so very wrong when went out in a Stage 2. The standard turbo is again a tiny bit underwhelming, although still genuinely rapid.

 

 

There are the VXR Speedlinealikes that crop up now and then (Compomotive make them) but they are seriously heavy. The only really viable option is TD Pro Race 1.2s, just a bit common on the VX220s. They do offer them in correct bore and offset though, so saves messing with horrible plastic spigot rings.

 

 

My N/A was nearly as rare - Rabiata Red (dark metallic). I would've killed for a Mandarin first time around, but worked out for the best.

 

I have heard the N/A vs Tubby debate a million times, but not often from someone who isn't biased! Am gonna have to drive one one day and see for myself. My VX blew me away when I bought it, but that was stepping up from a 1.8 Focus, so next time I think I might need a bigger buzz. They do just make sense on so many levels though, from rarity to performance and even servicing costs and economy.

 

You are right about the Team Dynamics being the default aftermarket choice, but to be honest, they are a lot nicer than the standard Tubby rims, lighter and like you say no need to use spigot rings. Another alternative is always Lotus hubs and a bit more choice. Saves some unsprung weight too.

[boombang 2]

Dolphin... now that is one hell of a colour too!

 

Ref buying an early n/a for £6k - you can, but you genuinely don't get a lot.

 

Yes prices have come down, but decent n/a's still go for best part of £10k. I went to see a £7k 2.2 very near me, it drove ok but was a real state, and I'd not have given him £5k for it.

[boombang 2]

You are right about the Team Dynamics being the default aftermarket choice, but to be honest, they are a lot nicer than the standard Tubby rims, lighter and like you say no need to use spigot rings. Another alternative is always Lotus hubs and a bit more choice. Saves some unsprung weight too.

 

There was talk of the saving being very minimal - something like 100g plus the weight of one wheel bolt!

 

Does open up wheel choices though, but I'm happy to go with the TDs to be honest. I'm slightly loathed to do much to this car though, it drives absolutely spot on and has just enough grip.

 

That said, if I stay with standard rims the tyre choice is terrible (and expensive!).

[mainline 2 1 Cars]

There was talk of the saving being very minimal - something like 100g plus the weight of one wheel bolt!

 

Does open up wheel choices though, but I'm happy to go with the TDs to be honest. I'm slightly loathed to do much to this car though, it drives absolutely spot on and has just enough grip.

 

That said, if I stay with standard rims the tyre choice is terrible (and expensive!).

 

Didn't realise it was that little a saving - typical weight obsessed VX owners there! Carbon window winder anyone??

 

Are the front rims the same on the Turbo? I remember ringing up trying to get front tyres for the standard wheels and about five proper Yorkshire tyre fitters saying; "no lad yer wrong, yuv writ it down wrong, go an av' another look"

 

"No its definitely right, check your database"

 

"I can only get Potenzas, and we don't stock them, let me see the price sir....... are you sitting down?"

[boombang 2]

Yup, same skinny RE040s.

[boombang 2]

Had a little Essex VX220 meet, known a few of them 4 or 5 years now (from first time I looked) and the dark red car is my old 2.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mainline 2 1 Cars]

Looks stunning - nice one! Stands out a mile in a car park full of VXs which is an achievement, how it looks in your work car park I can only imagine.

 

Six VX's and not one of them running the tried and tested black screen surround and "v" - must be some kind of record

Edited February 14, 2011 by mainline

[Anthony 1,003]

Very nice

 

Couple of people that I know have owned them, and from what I've seen and experienced they seem very good. One of them is basically the same spec as yours (other than colour) and the performance is eye-opening frankly.

 

Certainly I'd like either a VX or Elise one day if I don't go down the Caterham route when I get bored of the current Japanese hairdressing special, and the VX Turbo makes alot of sense and seems a bit of a bargain frankly compared to an equivilent performance Elise. Is parts availability as bad as it's made out to be though, as I keep reading some scary things about VX specific parts like clamshells and lights costing eye-watering amounts of money...

[boombang 2]

Sitting down?

 

Clams are thousands, and there is no guarantee as to when the next lot will be available at any point. There are repair sections, and other damaged clams are often used to make one good one. Bearing in mind there aren't structural, and only there to hold headlights on, it's not an issue to have it repaired either.

 

Headlamps are up and down in price, although have heard the £600 mark. Rear lights I've no idea, but still large money. Light lenses/covers for either aren't available separately and for obvious reasons come up less than either the backs or complete light units.

 

A 5 MPH knock can cause £4k damage easily, hence all the write-offs. There are some bargain Cat C/D cars though, if damage was only cosmetic (pretty unlikely though, fibreglass doesn't tend to crash well).

 

Other things to consider are tyres - the Bridgestones are specific to the car. Fronts are very skinny and to my knowledge only the VX220 runs this profile - 175/55 R17 RE040 BZ 81W and work out £200+ the pair. Rears are more common fitment, but the VX220 has a specific tyre spec/compount - 225/45R17 RE040 BZ 90W, again shade over £200 the pair.

 

Better to get 16s on the front, 17s on the rear and go for an alternative set of tyre profiles. Common budget option is Kumho KU31s (actually work rather well on the VX) or to go for something designed for these type of cars like the Yoko AD08.

 

 

I paid, what I consider, under the odds for that car. Given the rarity and desirability of Mandarins, I thought his £14k asking price was pretty fair, but managed to get a sizeable chuck off - downside is now getting major service done (including belts - but being a trusty old Vauxhall lump the whole lot is sub £500 from a trusted specialist). Would do it myself, but I'll probably make what I spend back on resale if it has the stamp in the book.

[Ren 0]

And another ex- owner checking in.

 

Looks like a really nice car, I absolutley love mandarin as well. Hope you enjoy it. I've just stepped back in to the world of Vauxhall ownership tool, was tempted to go for another vx220 but in the end went the other way and bought a Monaro. Definitely will be back in a vx at some point in the future though.

[boombang 2]

And another ex- owner checking in.

 

Looks like a really nice car, I absolutley love mandarin as well. Hope you enjoy it. I've just stepped back in to the world of Vauxhall ownership tool, was tempted to go for another vx220 but in the end went the other way and bought a Monaro. Definitely will be back in a vx at some point in the future though.

 

 

Ah the good old Monaro!

 

My dad has had one for years, it's not being used much as needs new discs and pads pretty urgently (and they are over £1k...)

 

Is yours a CV8?

Edited February 17, 2011 by boombang