Vauxhall VX220 (2000 - 2005) 2.0 Turbo 2d (2003/53) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

That I like performance cars and I can see past a badge (i.e. generally would you go for a Lotus or a Vauxhall? In this case the Vauxhall because the performance and value are hard to beat).

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

They all think it is great. The car is a real head-turner in general.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Without a doubt. It's everything I hoped for. A drivers car.

What are you likely to buy next?

VXR220? Ariel Atom 300 Supercharged? Nissan 370Z?

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchise

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£12,000

When did you buy the car?

November 2008

Did you get a good deal and why?

A reasonable price which reflected the fact that the car had 40000 miles when I bought it.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I have always liked the VX220. Great performance at a reasonable price and it looks better than the Lotus Elise.

What was the dealer like?

Good; generally supportive and not too pushy.

What's it like to drive?

A blast! Very rapid. Responsive. A joy - I often drive home from work and want to continue driving..!

What's it like to park?

Not too bad. Heavy steering (no power steering) when moving slow and visibility is not as good as a 'normal' car. But not an issue.

Have you had any problems with the car?

The engine coolant level does go down slightly over a two or three month period; however, there are no engine heating issues. Perhaps a radiator issue which may need work.

What's most practical about your car?

You don't buy this car for practicality; that said given the type of car there is a reasonable size boot (with a limited aperture).

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The engine. Peak torque is available from just over 2000 rpm accompanied with a satisfying turbo whistle.