24 replies to this topic

[Johnny 89]

Hi all, I thought this was the best forum to ask. Mods, if this is in the wrong place, please move. I'm interested in an Elise/VX220/Speedster and would welcome any information. Here in Ireland, there isn't much choice when it comes to these cars, but a 2001 Speedster has come up for sale. It has the 2.2 n/a GM engine and I would plan to use it as my main car. Are there any known issues? I would love to hear some experiences that others have had, any advice and of course suggestions. Thanks, John

[jules_s]

I'm sure loads will comment, but as a starter for 10:-

 

Timing chains tend to need replacing every 60k - expensive! if not done and it skips/snaps

 

Radiators made of cheese, expect to replace if not done

 

Same with the toe links

 

Engine mounts usually every 40k ish

 

There are more but they are the one's that spring to mind....

 

Hateful things to drive in the dark when opposing traffic approaches *dazzle*

 

Welcome btw - twas me on PH 

 

 

[Harry Hornet]

Hello and welcome

 

Are you fecking mad..if the answer is positive then a great car..

 

if not then these plastic sh*t boxes , like a bad women, will take all your money....but everytime you get inside will give you the thrill of your life..

 

The choice is yours

 

HH

[Johnny 89]

I'm sure loads will comment, but as a starter for 10:-   Timing chains tend to need replacing every 60k - expensive! if not done and it skips/snaps   Radiators made of cheese, expect to replace if not done   Same with the toe links   Engine mounts usually every 40k ish   There are more but they are the one's that spring to mind....   Hateful things to drive in the dark when opposing traffic approaches *dazzle*   Welcome btw - twas me on PH

Some very useful info there. Thanks very much. There's 74k on this example so some questions there for the dealer. Thanks for the forum recommendation too :-)   

Hello and welcome   Are you fecking mad..if the answer is positive then a great car..   if not then these plastic sh*t boxes , like a bad women, will take all your money....but everytime you get inside will give you the thrill of your life..   The choice is yours   HH

Haha, sounds like you've had the full spectrum of experiences there!

[jules_s]

Yeah, me and Harry - about 250k miles between us

 

Better choice of football teams here, but that's a different matter

[Johnny 89]

Yeah, me and Harry - about 250k miles between us   Better choice of football teams here, but that's a different matter

Fair play.. Here's a link to the car for sale. It might help to provide comment: https://www.donedeal...-targa/15234015

[jules_s]

It has some tat added to it

 

Crap advert though, does the trader think service history is unimportant? - depends what receipts are there I guess

 

At least he/she knows about the engine mounts!!

 

Spax? ok, but may well need a rebuild if not done

 

Remote locking will be a rarity...

 

Price seems ok/ish, but if it were me I'd want the chain done for that money at least

[Johnny 89]

It has some tat added to it   Crap advert though, does the trader think service history is unimportant? - depends what receipts are there I guess   At least he/she knows about the engine mounts!!   Spax? ok, but may well need a rebuild if not done   Remote locking will be a rarity...   Price seems ok/ish, but if it were me I'd want the chain done for that money at least

Cheers, Would you have reservations about any of the mods/tat? I will ask about the history tomorrow and the timing chain (I'm sure it would have been mentioned if done). Is this engine the same as/related to the Alfa 2.2 JTS?

[Nev]

Look in here, specifically at the pinned threads. Most of your questions and more will likely be answered.

Edited by Nev, 17 April 2017 - 09:42 PM.

[jules_s]

 

It has some tat added to it   Crap advert though, does the trader think service history is unimportant? - depends what receipts are there I guess   At least he/she knows about the engine mounts!!   Spax? ok, but may well need a rebuild if not done   Remote locking will be a rarity...   Price seems ok/ish, but if it were me I'd want the chain done for that money at least

Cheers, Would you have reservations about any of the mods/tat? I will ask about the history tomorrow and the timing chain (I'm sure it would have been mentioned if done). Is this engine the same as/related to the Alfa 2.2 JTS?

 

Reservations? Not really, no. I would imagine, given the amount of specific NA to turbo modifications you would think the previous owner was on this forum

 

As Nev has pointed out there is buckets of advice in the buyers guide. I would't worry about the cosmetics more the oily/suspension bits. Be mindful a full suspension re-build will cost quite a few ££££ depending if you DIY or go Pro

 

If it was 100% re-done all over I would expect it to be priced higher, so as Harry said expect to pay out accordingly on top of the asking price dependent on what has/hasn't been refurbished

 

Best go ask the seller some questions,,,

[ChrisS1]

The other thing to look for (or be aware of) is that a fair number of the cars suffer from osmosis* which, whilst only cosmetic, can be expensive to get fixed properly.

 

*water in the fiberglass which when cold freezes, expands and blows the paint off

[glitch]

Most points above valid for Elises as well except the timing chain. If you get a pre toyota era Elise at least you won't habe to worry about the crappy Abs system and I think spares are more easily available. Then the Rover engine with a head made of cheesium is a chapter of its own and can be anywhere between fantastic to an absolute nightmare.

[Johnny 89]

Thanks for the comments. I've had a read of the buying guides which are very useful. I've asked the dealer questions re. timing chain, service history and suspension work and am awaiting reply. He has confirmed no previous accident damage and very good overall condition. Inspection needed there I guess. Thanks, John

[Bootdog]

The Irish Lotus-owners hang out here, and there are a few VX-ers and Speedster-ers there also: http://www.backroads...otus-In-Ireland

"Pat" on there knows most Lotii and VXs in Ireland and I'd recommended him for any inspection.

 

The VX220 and Opel Speedster are the same car underneath, and use Astra / Vectra engines.

Although the choice is limited in Ireland, you can always import a used UK car and pay the VRT. Its unlikely to be any cheaper, but you have the option of going for a 2.0T for example and saving a few quid in motor tax vs the 2.2.

 

 

[Johnny 89]

The Irish Lotus-owners hang out here, and there are a few VX-ers and Speedster-ers there also: http://www.backroads...otus-In-Ireland "Pat" on there knows most Lotii and VXs in Ireland and I'd recommended him for any inspection.   The VX220 and Opel Speedster are the same car underneath, and use Astra / Vectra engines. Although the choice is limited in Ireland, you can always import a used UK car and pay the VRT. Its unlikely to be any cheaper, but you have the option of going for a 2.0T for example and saving a few quid in motor tax vs the 2.2.    

Thank you for this. It would be great to get some knowledge on the particular car. Yeah, importing is always an option but likely to work out a few thousand more expensive. I've had trouble registering for the back roads forum. There is a question in the registration page to confirm you are not a robot, it says read description and enter the answer. I don't know what it refers to so couldn't register. Thanks again.

[Bootdog]

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[Johnny 89]

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Great, got it.. Cheers

[Harry Hornet]

Yeah, me and Harry - about 250k miles between us   Better choice of football teams here, but that's a different matter

..you still owe £3m for J Barnes..day light robbery... ..oh and tbread related..yellow is much better than pink..

[Johnny 89]

Yeah, me and Harry - about 250k miles between us   Better choice of football teams here, but that's a different matter

..you still owe £3m for J Barnes..day light robbery... ..oh and tbread related..yellow is much better than pink..

Hehe.. I quite like the red and it will contrast my other yellow plastic car nicely :-)

[Johnny 89]

Just a quick one for you... Am I right in thinking that the 2.2 n/a makes c. 145 bhp where in other applications (Alfa) the same engine makes upwards of 180 bhp. Why is this? Are there easy mods to get more power? I'm looking forward to driving it to see what it's like.