VAUXHALL'Ss marvellous VX220 is wonderful to drive but it won’t suit everyone because it’s so impractical.
It has superb performance and amazing road-holding but even getting in and out is likely to cause a slipped disc.
There’s no luggage space and, in earlier models certainly, it was not worth turning on the stereo because you couldn’t hear it.
But for driving enjoyment, very few cars come close. The standard 2.2-litre with 140bhp goes like stink because the car is so light and the 197 or 216bhp 2.0-litre turbo is even quicker in a straight line.
In real terms, there is little to choose between them and I would go for the 2.2 because it is more forgiving in the corners and easier to drive.
Driving the VX is as if the car was an extension of the driver. It goes exactly where you point it – immediately – with amazing, addictive handling and the most tremendous levels of grip.
Interior
VX’s hold value well over time because they are so rare. Don’t buy without service history unless you are very adventurous and check for accident damage.
They are uncomfortable and very noisy, from tyre and wind noise to the mid-mounted engine behind your left ear and creature comforts are few.
FAST FACTS
Vauxhall VX220
Price: Pay about £6,600 for an ’02 02-reg or £10,600 for an 04 54-reg Turbo
Mechanical: 140bhp, 2,196cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving rear wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 135mph
0-62mph: 5.6 seconds
Combined mpg: 33
Insurance group: 17
CO2 emissions: 205g/km
Marks: 8/10
Main rival: Lotus Elise