Jump to content

I didn't buy a Lotus after all.


Zeezeebaba

Recommended Posts

Its great isnt it. Remember not to sit too close to cars in front when in stationary traffic, they cant see you in the rear view mirror and sometimes will reverse backwards thinking there is space!

 

Suspension you want to get on Nitrons I would have thought, the OEM suspension on the turbos was not good so don't go there (it was a friendlier version of the NA suspension which was track focused).

 

But yes, sitting that low, no power steering, very visceral, very raw - as said before, you got to own something like this at least once in your life if you love driving!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I also have a bit of heat shield resonance and the exhaust is a tad to loud for my liking. Again not a standard item but a stainless. I thought it was miltek but the paperwork says Larini. It's a bit boomy at the lower end of the Rev range, nice but ear plug loud if you know what I mean. Pops a bit which is a positive.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 minutes ago, coldel said:

Its great isnt it. Remember not to sit too close to cars in front when in stationary traffic, they cant see you in the rear view mirror and sometimes will reverse backwards thinking there is space!

 

Suspension you want to get on Nitrons I would have thought, the OEM suspension on the turbos was not good so don't go there (it was a friendlier version of the NA suspension which was track focused).

 

But yes, sitting that low, no power steering, very visceral, very raw - as said before, you got to own something like this at least once in your life if you love driving!

I think the suggestion of slightly smaller wheels is a good one and I will try that first. As suggested a wider choice of tyres is prefered and as mentioned a better tyre may dial out the undesteer a little. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I've treated the tubby to a full geo and suspension check at Back on Track in Guildford. It wasn't the ideal day weather wise far from it, however at least I know it doesn't leak and the heater has already been upgraded so all good. 

Totally different drive on the way home, it was slammed at the front beforehand and crashed quite badly over larger bumps in the road, I've ordered some Nitrons for fast road use but have discovered it currently has a fairly new set of Gaz monos which are not the best tbh, at least now they are at a better height and don't slam into the stops. 

New year will bring some 16s front and 17 rear lightweight wheels with a view to putting the Nitrons on at the same time.

Other than that BOT just gave her the once over and confirmed the belts etc were indeed new as advertised and the car was structurally sound. All in all a good day and I even had time to wash her off before tucking her back into the garage. I love this thing :)

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Yesterday was the first time I really stretched it's legs, dry roads minimal traffic. I really didn't want to put it back in the garage yesterday afternoon! 

I had a long blast over the Surrey hills down the A3 through the Hindhead tunnel, up through Selborne and back down the Alton road A339. It's an addictive machine to the extreme, I absolutely love this thing! 

I used half a tank, considering it's a small tank that's pretty impressive going IMO. Win win :)

New year will bring mods, better wheel /tyre combo, Nitrons,  interior refresh and alloy rad. Anyone know the VX term for Zeditus?  

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 24/12/2017 at 16:26, Zeezeebaba said:

Yesterday was the first time I really stretched it's legs, dry roads minimal traffic. I really didn't want to put it back in the garage yesterday afternoon! 

I had a long blast over the Surrey hills down the A3 through the Hindhead tunnel, up through Selborne and back down the Alton road A339. It's an addictive machine to the extreme, I absolutely love this thing! 

I used half a tank, considering it's a small tank that's pretty impressive going IMO. Win win :)

New year will bring mods, better wheel /tyre combo, Nitrons,  interior refresh and alloy rad. Anyone know the VX term for Zeditus?  

Vauxhallitus :teeth:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Glad you're enjoying the new VX!  They are great cars

 

My brother has owned his VXR220 since 2006, its no.10 and the only one they did in Moonland Grey which might make it the best Vx220 in the world!! I've done quite a bit of work with it over the years and also had the privilege of driving it quite a bit too from track days to apine passes and there is nothing quite like these little cars...its always a buzz and a thrill to open one up and attack some tarmac.

 

His benefits from Ap 4 pots, Nitron 3-ways. 300ish HP featuring charge cooler, chris tullett 3" exhaust (gained 20HP from swapping to this from Milltek alone!!), C20LEH turbo etc etc so its quite a weapon! This winter I'm rebushing the entire cars/ full brakes over haul and possible if  I can talk him into it....full engine rebuild to free up a bit more power/response.

 

I'll keep an eye on this thread with interest, if you want any advice on the way drop me a PM any time

 

Couple of pics from trip to Wales on our way to Anglesey Track day

kBkaalml.jpg

Df3lBZXl.jpg

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks mate. That picture shows my last two cars and my present one from right to left :) (although my M3 was a standard manual and my Z a DE). I've only got a VX as I have a new golf as a daily otherwise I wouldn't have it, yeah it's awesome. I think my stoppers are factory, AP fronts and Brembo rear, it has a Larini pipe and a single sports cat. It's a little too loud for me tbh. It's had an uprated heater module and pipe, trickle charge port and abs cut off switch. It's on Gaz monos which are fairly new but are being replaced with Nitrons ASAP. 

The wiper has the washer jet directly on it,  I don't think that's standard and I think it's a Citroën part. 

I need to get a few interior bits to tidy it up. Drivers bolster is wearing thin, the trim by the door pull has a split in it and the black plastic sill trim has a small crack in it.

I also need a smaller interior mirror but that's just knit picking :)

Power wise it's supposedly a stage 2 tune but I'm going to employ the services of sizetenboots on the forum next month as he only lives a short hop up the M3 from me and I met him at a local specialist the other week.

It certainly shifts though, no arguments there.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Jetpilot said:

Ahh good shout, you know what I've got an old Puma one somewhere in the garage. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

I do like them with the hard top on..........my bro likes to get the roof off as much as poss though so he'll never do it!

 

Just re read a bit of this and saw you mention the A339.....what a road!! That used to be my go to for a blast very early on a Sunday morning to get a fully clear run through from A31 to M3 bridge. Do you do the loop down the A32 across to Petersfield on the A272 then up Bell Hill (past Steep/ Stoner Hill) back to the A32? Was always a nice add on

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...