16 replies to this topic

[MJ101]

Hi. I am looking at buying a VX220 n/a on a Y reg.

 

I'm definitely not skilled with a spanner but have been down and had a look at the car. It starts, drives & stops well, it's electrics all seem to be working as should and the body work looks pretty tidy it's had a couple or resprays and except for a small area of overspray looks good, as expected parrts of the interior is loose in places - the (front) bonnet catch is broken but can be opened with pliers,  The car idles well and starts on the button.  

 

Thing is, it's a Cat C repaired car and has been self-serviced by the current owner - who seems to be be a stand up guy. So it comes with no service history at all.

 

On top of all of that .... I'm in Glasgow and really struggling to find a mechanic who knows the front end from the back. - tried calling SLS (which is recommended oin a few places on this forum) but the numbers seem to be wrong.

 

The car is pretty well priced .... would I be mad to buy it at all? Even crazier to do so without a pre-purchase inspection? ..... and is an RAC pre-purchase worthwhile on these cars?

 

Looking for any help, mechanic contacts or ideas!

 

Aim would be to buy it now, moth-ball and enjoy in the summer.

 

All help appreciated!

 

Cheers,

 

Mike

 

[ant1]

Mike no problem, just check all suspension and chassis. Plenty of vx's get damaged and are cat c due to cost of parts. Good luck

[chris_uk]

I wish I had of bought a cat d/c now.

[TazN]

There are quite a few owners in Scotland, if it's up that way I'm sure one of them will be happy to have a look at it with you. With the help of this forum you can feel fairly confident - I've done plenty of things I had no idea how to do due to the various guides and there's normally someone on to help if you get stuck and have to ask a question.

[ghand]

Have you been on the buyers guide on here? as most of the info you need to buy one is on that and so well worth a read if you haven't

[ghand]

Your biggest expense will be replacement chains and a new rad if both are still original I would think and if they haven't been changed then factor in that cost. Both mine need doing

Edited by ghand, 06 December 2014 - 03:45 PM.

[G-Bob]

Mike, where is the car based? If you want to get it checked out then take it to Murray lotus. Don't worry that its a dealership. They really are good and not your usual sort. If you want some idea of how good they are, check out the "thanks to Murrays" thread on Scottish Elise's. If you speak to Craig he'll sort you out. Plenty of us around the central belt if you need a car looked at.

[MJ101]

Thanks so much to you all! To answer some of the points....I'm in Glasgow. The chassis looks straight. The suspension has been replaced with Sachs adjustable The chains def haven't been done in last 4 years at least - what sort of cost are we talking? No idea about the rad - again what sort if money is in that job? I hear you about Murray's - will definitely use them i when I get this/a VX. I tell you what....these cars do something to your brain...don't they.... I don't even have one and I'm obsessed!! Thanks again for your help! Mike

[turboluca]

If you have no idea on cat c then don't buy as you got to look carefully any pics of damage would help .

[turboluca]

Rad will need changing as the best option is pro alloy to be safe

[ghand]

If the rad has plastic end caps it's original and like mine is living on borrowed time, it's a front clam off job to replace it. The chains are 100k miles or 10 years so also like mine living on borrowed time, hopefully they start to rattle before letting go he says with fingers crossed but not all will I suppose. It's not an easy DIY unless your handy with a spanner and the kit won't be cheap. Someone will know the rough price and put it up soon or google it.

[ghand]

Then you have the added cost of the SC

[G-Bob]

A few folk have done theirs themselves up here. Think Nicol did his recently.

[MJ101]

This forum is unbelievable! Totally brilliant! I have been educated!!! Can't wait to get my VX. Thanks all! Mike

[CHILL Gone DUTCH]

I bought my vx as a CAT car New nothing about them Didn't no anything about this forum I do feel like one of the luckiest people to find a car as good as mine But be aware this place is responsible for tuning and spending lots of money on the car, Then you have the trackdays and meets on top ( admittedly no meets this year ) for me

[jonathansouth]

But be aware this place is responsible for tuning and spending lots of money on the car, Then you have the trackdays and meets on top

Very true. MJ101: You're not mad for considering buying a Cat C VVX220. But you are on the spectrum along with the rest of us for buying a VX220 in any condition. It's not regular car ownership - it's an expensive hobby / love-hate relationship with some occasional rare practical benefits, but mostly it's a lot of fun

[OneYet]

Beware!

I bought mine as a 40-years crisis ten years ago. 

I still have it and it has been quite a few investments on it over time.....

 

 

Still love it to bits though.