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The Vx Exit Interview
Started by
MajorGav
, May 13 2004 12:08 PM
388 replies to this topic
#81
JG
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Newbie
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Posted 27 October 2008 - 01:43 PM
A sad day indeed Ant,
Anytime you need a quick reminder, the keys of mine are yours. .
.
#82
Guest_AntB (Guest)
Guest_AntB (Guest)
Posted 27 October 2008 - 01:46 PM
Anytime you need a quick reminder, the keys of mine are yours.
fear not James, as soon as you've finished with the 'tinkering' you have planned for this winter i'll be snatching them out of your hand!
#83
TurboTomato
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K-Series Detonator
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- Location:Tunbridge Wells
Posted 27 October 2008 - 02:05 PM
A sad day indeed Ant,
Anytime you need a quick reminder, the keys of mine are yours.
Anytime you need a quick reminder of why you hate screaming VTECs, the keys of mine are yours
#84
iceman
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- 18,159 posts
Iceman
- Gender:Male
- Location:Moreton-In-Marsh
Posted 18 November 2008 - 06:44 AM
Delayed responce alert (but then i never was that quick)..
I read your exit post/review with interest, quietly nodding at every sylable (sadly.) Look after yuorself our kid and please consider an 'icey' friend always here at your disposel 
#85
Tolksee
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Need to get Out More
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Posted 04 February 2009 - 03:12 PM
09/01/09 - Deathday of VXR#21
On an very cold and damp night, on a motorway not far from me, I unleashed 270 torques in 3rd gear in a straight line, and sadly that led to the wheels spinning, fishtailing, and a spin into the central reservation, causing terminal chassis damage.
After 3.5 years, and over 35k miles of year-round driving, it was the first and final spin that I've had in a VX. However this was the first winter with the VXR - my first 3 years were with a 2.2.
So here I am VX-less. I never thought the day would come as I seriously planned on keeping the VXR forever. In that vein, I'd spent about £3k on the car in the past 5 months getting it perfect - with the arguement that all that money would be a worthwhile investment for the amount of time that I'd be keeping the car.
I had to get a car to get me back on the road as soon as possible. I needed a reliable, fun and open-top car, that would keep a smile on my face despite the loss of VXR#21. I'm concerned about how much my insurance will go up after wrtiing off an £18k car, so another concern was insurance rating. The natural choice is an MX-5. I've owned these before so knew what I was looking for, and I picked a good 03 model for £6k. 4 days into ownership, my aftermarket exhaust has already arrived, ready to inject some pops & burbles back into my life. :-)
I'm unsure if I'll get another VX - it depends on how much the insurance costs would screw me. If I did get another VX, if it's a Turbo there is no doubt the first mod would be Traction Control. I can't afford to write off another car, and the simple fact is that if I'd had TC on the VXR, I wouldn't be writing this exit interview.
Having driven the MX-5 for a few days, there are certainly things that I don't miss from the VX:
- The useless heater
- The drafty interior
- The noise on motorway runs
- The fact that the sound system will sound rubbish despite decent speakers & head unit.
- The gearshift/gearleaver is just crap compared to the likes of an S2000 or MX-5.
- It would have been nice to have an LSD.
But there are some things that I sorely miss from the VXR - mainly:
- Savage accelleration
- Steering weight
- Steering feedback
- Awesome driving position
- The looks of the car
- Considering the phenomenal perormance, fuel costs were good.
- Overall sense of occasion every time you drive it.
I had Nitrons on the VXR, and they were a bit of a love/hate thing. I never go on track and used the car daily, so IMO they were far too hard. I had mine on the softest setting possible, and this was still harder than standard NA suspension. If I'd have had the car a few more months I would have looked at changing the spring rates for something more road-orientated. But coming from an NA, I still would rather the Nitrons than standard Tubby suspension!!
Talking about the NA, the one thing that was a bit of a bugbear for me was the skinny front tyres. Now I know a lot of people (LazyDonkey!) will say that it's perfectly fine to have skinny tyres, but in my opinion, they are a problem that you have to address as a driver to drive around the understeery nature of a car with skinny front tyres. The issue can be addressed by an aggressive Geo, however this will lead to tyres that quickly go bald on one side if you use your car as a daily driver. If you have a "regular" fast road geo, the fact is you have to drive "against" the skinny tyres. For me, that meant I would always have to lift-off when going around a tight corner (roundabout) to get some grip on the front. So you did have to alter your driving style to accomodate the understeery nature of having skinny tyres.
Conversely, the 195 profile of the VXR or aftermarket wheels lead to a far more neutral car in the corners, and there was no need to lift off to get grip at the front when cornering.
So there you are. Maybe I'll be back in a VX sometime in the future. I sure as hell miss the VXR.
On an very cold and damp night, on a motorway not far from me, I unleashed 270 torques in 3rd gear in a straight line, and sadly that led to the wheels spinning, fishtailing, and a spin into the central reservation, causing terminal chassis damage.
After 3.5 years, and over 35k miles of year-round driving, it was the first and final spin that I've had in a VX. However this was the first winter with the VXR - my first 3 years were with a 2.2.
So here I am VX-less. I never thought the day would come as I seriously planned on keeping the VXR forever. In that vein, I'd spent about £3k on the car in the past 5 months getting it perfect - with the arguement that all that money would be a worthwhile investment for the amount of time that I'd be keeping the car.
I had to get a car to get me back on the road as soon as possible. I needed a reliable, fun and open-top car, that would keep a smile on my face despite the loss of VXR#21. I'm concerned about how much my insurance will go up after wrtiing off an £18k car, so another concern was insurance rating. The natural choice is an MX-5. I've owned these before so knew what I was looking for, and I picked a good 03 model for £6k. 4 days into ownership, my aftermarket exhaust has already arrived, ready to inject some pops & burbles back into my life. :-)
I'm unsure if I'll get another VX - it depends on how much the insurance costs would screw me. If I did get another VX, if it's a Turbo there is no doubt the first mod would be Traction Control. I can't afford to write off another car, and the simple fact is that if I'd had TC on the VXR, I wouldn't be writing this exit interview.
Having driven the MX-5 for a few days, there are certainly things that I don't miss from the VX:
- The useless heater
- The drafty interior
- The noise on motorway runs
- The fact that the sound system will sound rubbish despite decent speakers & head unit.
- The gearshift/gearleaver is just crap compared to the likes of an S2000 or MX-5.
- It would have been nice to have an LSD.
But there are some things that I sorely miss from the VXR - mainly:
- Savage accelleration
- Steering weight
- Steering feedback
- Awesome driving position
- The looks of the car
- Considering the phenomenal perormance, fuel costs were good.
- Overall sense of occasion every time you drive it.
I had Nitrons on the VXR, and they were a bit of a love/hate thing. I never go on track and used the car daily, so IMO they were far too hard. I had mine on the softest setting possible, and this was still harder than standard NA suspension. If I'd have had the car a few more months I would have looked at changing the spring rates for something more road-orientated. But coming from an NA, I still would rather the Nitrons than standard Tubby suspension!!
Talking about the NA, the one thing that was a bit of a bugbear for me was the skinny front tyres. Now I know a lot of people (LazyDonkey!) will say that it's perfectly fine to have skinny tyres, but in my opinion, they are a problem that you have to address as a driver to drive around the understeery nature of a car with skinny front tyres. The issue can be addressed by an aggressive Geo, however this will lead to tyres that quickly go bald on one side if you use your car as a daily driver. If you have a "regular" fast road geo, the fact is you have to drive "against" the skinny tyres. For me, that meant I would always have to lift-off when going around a tight corner (roundabout) to get some grip on the front. So you did have to alter your driving style to accomodate the understeery nature of having skinny tyres.
Conversely, the 195 profile of the VXR or aftermarket wheels lead to a far more neutral car in the corners, and there was no need to lift off to get grip at the front when cornering.
So there you are. Maybe I'll be back in a VX sometime in the future. I sure as hell miss the VXR.
#86
Crazyfrog (Fab)
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Iceman
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Posted 04 February 2009 - 03:33 PM
you can park the car and take a pack ride
#87
Tolksee
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Need to get Out More
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Posted 04 February 2009 - 03:34 PM
Cheers Fab.
#88
Crazyfrog (Fab)
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Iceman
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Posted 04 February 2009 - 03:43 PM
Cheers Fab.
this is why i choose the n/a over the tubby
had a tubby three days and didnt like it
...i feel so confident with the n/a the way of the power delivery now i feel safer in my vx 165 bhp is enought for me in this car at the moment
and i still follow most of you 
#89
Sutol
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Well it's nearly a Lotus
- Gender:Male
- Location:Billingshurst, West Sussex
Posted 08 February 2009 - 05:26 PM
Sorry to see this and not long after the tunnel run too. Yet again though someone has walked away from a very bad accident. Stay in touch with the forum you'll always be welcome on any of the meets
#90
carl1977
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- 518 posts
Super Duper Member
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- Location:Redcar
Posted 04 March 2009 - 06:25 PM
Well the time has come for me to leave the world of VX ownership after 8000 miles and 15 Months. The Deposit was paid last week, and a newbie (Mangham54) picks her up on sat morning. Its without a doubt the best car ive ever owned. Will miss the stunning looks (turns heads everywhere it goes), and go-kart like handling, but its time to move on!
The car has been good to me, only broke down once, due to a faulty injector. Would have been nice to have it over a nice hot summer, but it spent the majority of the summer at luton getting new bodywork. Only major gripe i have had with it is Vauxhall, the dealers, and the customer service.
Living with the car day-to-day was no problem, although getting in and out a 'normal' car will be alot easier for me and the missus, and im looking forward to having a good heater and some luxuaries again!
I dont think i will get another, but would never say never.
I have been looking for a suitable replacement for the past couple of months, and the 2 options that keep coming up are the Audi S4 Cabro (mmmm nice big V8!!) or an E46 M3 Cabro. I hav'nt found one that ticks all the box's yet(im being very picky), but the hunt continues, in the mean time, ive pinched missus puma!
A big thanks to everyone on here for any advice and tips and general help ive had, and wish everyone the best , i hope chris enjoys the car as much as i have. 
, i hope chris enjoys the car as much as i have.
#91
BAZ8465
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Need to get Out More
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Posted 04 March 2009 - 10:42 PM
Well the time has come for me to leave the world of VX ownership after 8000 miles and 15 Months. The Deposit was paid last week, and a newbie (Mangham54) picks her up on sat morning. Its without a doubt the best car ive ever owned. Will miss the stunning looks (turns heads everywhere it goes), and go-kart like handling, but its time to move on!
The car has been good to me, only broke down once, due to a faulty injector. Would have been nice to have it over a nice hot summer, but it spent the majority of the summer at luton getting new bodywork. Only major gripe i have had with it is Vauxhall, the dealers, and the customer service.
Living with the car day-to-day was no problem, although getting in and out a 'normal' car will be alot easier for me and the missus, and im looking forward to having a good heater and some luxuaries again!
I dont think i will get another, but would never say never.
I have been looking for a suitable replacement for the past couple of months, and the 2 options that keep coming up are the Audi S4 Cabro (mmmm nice big V8!!) or an E46 M3 Cabro. I hav'nt found one that ticks all the box's yet(im being very picky), but the hunt continues, in the mean time, ive pinched missus puma!
A big thanks to everyone on here for any advice and tips and general help ive had, and wish everyone the best
All the best mate....
PS - Had a S4 - cracking car, good choice...
#92
Yellow_or_black?
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Iceman
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Posted 04 March 2009 - 10:46 PM
Bye bye - all the best 
#93
southpaw
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- 2,462 posts
sans vx for now
- Gender:Male
- Location:Southampton
Posted 05 March 2009 - 11:57 AM
09/01/09 - Deathday of VXR#21
Only just seen this
#94
pcmanning
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- 1,503 posts
Billy No Mates
- Location:Swansea
Posted 06 March 2009 - 09:48 AM
Sad day - P1 VXT (a.k.a. Betsy #2) has been sold. After years of angst, the purchase of a shed, the common sense bit of me kicked in and I've sold her just short of 5yrs of ownership. Basically down to cost of ownership - which ain't really that high, but versus the number of days it gets used it was.
Last straw being this winter - wife didn't think the shed was up to dealing with the poor weather - we're rural, so needed replacing, and the eldest daughter starts school soon, so the musical cars that involves restricts further the days I could get to run her.
She's gone to a dealer (Adrian Blythe) as I had limited time before another service/mot/set of tyres and insurance came around. Hopefully a new member will take her her on - she's as mint as you're likely to get for a 5 year car that's been properly driven. She's given me no problems other than the odd TADTS - and even most of the standard ones of those have been avoided - I got a good one!
Had a nice drive in this morning, 0C, roof off, no traffic on the 60mph B road that gets me to the office - a perfect way to remember her.
Every drive is special in these cars, as you know, and I'll miss the comments from passers by, acknowledging fellow owners, the view in side mirrors, the view in the rear view mirror of the hot hatch you've just blasted away from - i.e. damn small! I'll missing opening the garage and seeing her their, or looking back in after parking her after a blast into work. I'll miss the proper perfect drving position. Most of all I'm going to miss the cornering and the feel from the steering and the car that it's doing what it does best. I'll also miss reading evo with the knowledge that I actually own one of the best cars money can buy!
And I'll miss you lot - this forums had it's ups and downs, but generally it's a nice friendly bunch of souls. I'll probably hang around anyway, and I'm keen to see if P1 VXT reappears to give someone else some proper driving pleasure.
So what next? I'd sort of sold myself/wife that we another quattro based Audi (we have an A4 quattro) would be OK. She's turned down a Q5 (not us) even though I'd be happy to plough though the floods we get with it - wife is looks white when it's heading that way. So looking to test a new S3 (with flappy paddles and magnetic ride). It's never going to be as good as a VX, but seats 4, goes as quick (as an NA I guess) and grips like a limpit - not expecting much in the way of steering feel though. I've got other ideas, but don't think either will be acceptable to Mrs M. Viz a 2nd hand RS4 (a worthy successor I feel) or a non sports 4x4 (freelander 2) and a oldish caterham/westie which should be a darn sight cheaper to run and service - at least you can get to mechanicals without taking the car apart!
Hey ho - 5yrs is pretty good going, and I have a terrific family now, but there's always going to be a hole and a sad glance when I see another VX!
Paul
I'll probably hang around anyway, and I'm keen to see if P1 VXT reappears to give someone else some proper driving pleasure.
So what next? I'd sort of sold myself/wife that we another quattro based Audi (we have an A4 quattro) would be OK. She's turned down a Q5 (not us) even though I'd be happy to plough though the floods we get with it - wife is looks white when it's heading that way. So looking to test a new S3 (with flappy paddles and magnetic ride). It's never going to be as good as a VX, but seats 4, goes as quick (as an NA I guess) and grips like a limpit - not expecting much in the way of steering feel though. I've got other ideas, but don't think either will be acceptable to Mrs M. Viz a 2nd hand RS4 (a worthy successor I feel) or a non sports 4x4 (freelander 2) and a oldish caterham/westie which should be a darn sight cheaper to run and service - at least you can get to mechanicals without taking the car apart!
Hey ho - 5yrs is pretty good going, and I have a terrific family now, but there's always going to be a hole and a sad glance when I see another VX!
Paul
#95
Crazyfrog (Fab)
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Iceman
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Posted 06 March 2009 - 10:50 AM
always
to read this topics and hoping i will never post my depart mine is coming to 7 years next month and will find it hard to let it go but eh as you say paul sometimes in life you have to choose what's the best for you and we all understand that..maybe one day you might regret it........
so long paul and enjoy what ever you purchase
in the end its only a car but we get attach to them
#96
NOBLE
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Scary Internerd
- Location:the 'Toon' but live in N.Ire
Posted 19 March 2009 - 04:35 PM
Beloved members,
Well the time has come for my exit interview. 4 and a half years of VX220 ownership - 2 years with the NA then 2 and a bit years with the VXT. Times changed for me, I moved to Northern Ireland to be with the love of my life (who is great, she's a tip top lady who will always be with me) but unfortunatley I lost my job. Needs must and so the VXT got sold this morning. Not all bad news because I got a 5 series BMW out of it all.
If I had to sum up my ownership for new members or people looking to buy a VX220 what ever the model it would be: "I would buy another one tomorrow If I had the money".
Excellent little cars that offer so much fun for the money. Below are the final pictures of her....
Well the time has come for my exit interview. 4 and a half years of VX220 ownership - 2 years with the NA then 2 and a bit years with the VXT. Times changed for me, I moved to Northern Ireland to be with the love of my life (who is great, she's a tip top lady who will always be with me) but unfortunatley I lost my job. Needs must and so the VXT got sold this morning. Not all bad news because I got a 5 series BMW out of it all.
If I had to sum up my ownership for new members or people looking to buy a VX220 what ever the model it would be: "I would buy another one tomorrow If I had the money".
Excellent little cars that offer so much fun for the money. Below are the final pictures of her....
#97
techieboy
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Supercharger of Doom
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Posted 19 March 2009 - 04:45 PM
Sorry to hear she's had to go Noble. Fingers crossed you'll be able to return in the future, when circumstances allow.
#98
XXX
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Invisible ex-VX owner
- Gender:Male
- Location:South Croydon, Surrey
Posted 19 March 2009 - 06:28 PM
Only just caught up with this thread.....
Always sorry to see a few regular posters leaving the fold for a variety of reasons.
Noble - I hope things turn around for you and you find yourself a new job
#99
DundeeVX220
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Super Member
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Posted 08 May 2009 - 07:24 PM
First time reading this thread. Found myself nodding along to all the comments about the aspects of owning a VX. I'm sure a lot of you won't be able to resist the temptation to come back tho 
#100
luna_s
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Billy No Mates
- Gender:Male
- Location:North East Of England
Posted 12 May 2009 - 03:18 PM
Forgot about the exit interview.
Selling was a hard decision made easier by a really quick out of the blue sale.
There were various reasons why I sold, just got fed up of it really, had too many bad times with it compared to good times
(Commute was only 8 miles on bad A roads with bad traffic and generally bad weather (sods law weathers been good upto now) also had a complaint at my new job about speeding on site
(i do same speeds in the focus and noones said a bean.......) also felt like i couldn't trust it anymore after what it did.
just had enough really.
I learnt a lot, made some good friends during the time i had it - so the experience was worth it.
I still miss it now and again as i trundle along in my focus.
Would i have another - not sure, i'd love one - but i bet the upkeep of them is going up now they are getting older...
(Commute was only 8 miles on bad A roads with bad traffic and generally bad weather (sods law weathers been good upto now) also had a complaint at my new job about speeding on site
(i do same speeds in the focus and noones said a bean.......) also felt like i couldn't trust it anymore after what it did.
just had enough really.
I learnt a lot, made some good friends during the time i had it - so the experience was worth it.
I still miss it now and again as i trundle along in my focus.
Would i have another - not sure, i'd love one - but i bet the upkeep of them is going up now they are getting older...
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