You'll have to learn to live with water leaks in the VX220's cabin. Most let some water in at some point, though the hood is better than an Elise S1's in this respect. Fortunately, there's not much to get wet in the VX cabin. Most surfaces are bare aluminium, with carpets a factory option. Fabric seats were standard for the 2.2 model, but most buyers chose leather, while the Turbo comes as standard with leather seats. The limited edition VXR has Alcantara-covered seats.
Badge snobbery counts against VX, if unfairly
The seats are supportive and the driver's adjusts fore and aft, though the steering wheel is fixed in position in front of the Stack instrument pod. Adjustable lumbar support for the driver is offered with bellows in the seat back, worked by a small pump to the right of the seat and deflated by pressing a valve on the pump.
Most VXs have the optional passenger foot rest made from aluminium, while the only other adornment for the dash is a CD stereo that is difficult to hear when the car is driven above 50mph. The seats can rock slightly on their mounts, though this is solved by tightening the bolts underneath.
Bare aluminium looks good but needs regular care to avoid it becoming scuffed and untidy. The aluminium gear lever knob also gets very cold in winter and as a result can be uncomfortable to use without gloves. As for the heater, it's generally useless and takes a long time to demist the windscreen. As air conditioning was not an option for the VX, a chamois leather is a handy necessity in wet or cold conditions.
As well as failing miserably to clear the windscreen, the heater also lets dust and debris into the cabin through the dash-mounted vents. A quick and easy cure is to cover the intake with a sock or tights to act as a filter.
The boot release is tucked down behind the driver's seat and it can snap. Replacing it means removing the driver's seat and you won't be able to open the boot until it's repaired, so be sure it works properly.
Last thing to look out for inside the VX is the alarm. It's sensitive and can go off for no apparent reason. The 2.2 needs the alarm disarming by the fob then the doors unlocked, while the Turbo has central locking as standard.
Owner's view:
"The car is much more fun with the roof off, not only is it much easier to get in and out but it also gets rid of some of the rattles and squeaks that can drive you mad."
Andrew Yeates
