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Hello All,
Just bought a fixer upper '99 Astral VX. It has 182,xxx with a replacement trans. Mechanically it's pretty sound but the seats and steering wheel need reconditioning and the paint and cladding is badly weathered. Should be a fun second car though. I'm located in Denver.
Scott
Welcome Scott,
There a quite a few of us in the Denver area, maybe you can meet up with us some time. I am hoping we can get together in the next few months.
Had my VX for almost 3 years now. Ever since I seen my first one I was in love. I had forgotten about them over the years and then seen another one here in Cali, in 4 weeks I had my own. It is in great condition.... then while I was home in TX visiting around 2 years ago now, I took it to a shop to replace a gasket(mom and pop shop from middle of nowhere TX) and less than 300 miles later.... blew the engine :mad: I loved it so much I sold my 1968 Mustang coupe to replace the engine. This last spring things had finally fallen in place and went to go pick it up from the shop.... now there is a transmission problem. AHHHH! (Knocking noise while driving, sounds near the bell housing. Only does it when its in gear, you can let her eat all you want in park and no knocking. So not the engine.) So in the last 2+ years, I have driven it probably 50 miles and it is still in TX.... won't get rid of it. But HOPEFULLY, this late winter or early spring she'll be home.
If you can, slide under and make sure the bolts in the bell housing are torqued down. I had something like that happen to a car I owned years ago. The people that replaced the engine may have forgotten to do that.
I just got my hands on one of these little beasts after a decade of wanting one. Man am I hooked!! My excitement is great enough to likely cause my wife's eyes to soon roll right out of her head. I grabbed a kaiser silver (black and grey interior) with 109k miles for $6k. Other than what seems to be the usual little interior quirks, the VX is in amazing shape. The amount of miles does worry me a bit, but only because I want it to last forever. I lived in Phoenix AZ for 10 years and never found one that anyone would part with, but I moved to Alaska a year ago and WAMMO...got a craigslist hit for this one. There are sooooo many things I want to do to this vehicle. Nothing incredibly rediculous, just mods to strengthen its weaknesses (e.g. window issues). The cost of living here in Juneau is redonkulous, so it may take some time. I'm gonna stop rambling on now and just say I love this thing!!!!
As the rest of us do. Glad to hear from you!
Hey all!
Glad to be a member of this forum! I have seen so many nice rides here and can't wait to start on mine.
I live in CT and saw mine on Cars.com. I have been semi-actively searching for one of these since 1999 when I saw one as a senior in HS, but never found one that I had to have until now. So...I went and got it! Gotta say, I'm extremely thrilled already about how this little machine performs on the road, I can't wait to see what it does offroad although I have seen pictures from you guys out in Utah and California and I'm convinced this was the right choice for a new ride. Bye bye Dakota, HELLO VX!
Picked mine up in Delaware, so I had to drive from CT but I didn't care. I love this thing.
2001 Proton
#0480
Awesome Forum!
Thanks!
Welcome guys. Glad to have you aboard. Even after several years of ownership, it's still a fun drive.
I can't believe that I've had my VX for over 4 years now and am only now just joining the forum. I'm out here in Golden, CO and sold my 2WD 99' Amigo when I moved CO and was happy to finally have an excuse to buy the vehicle I've always wanted. Anyway, happy to be here
Yeah! Welcome aboard
Welcome, we are planning to get together in the Denver area soon hope you can make it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travisthumb
That would be awesome! Keep me posted
Hello All,
This is Steve and I bought my 2000 VX from the second owner earlier this year and finally now got around to driving it here and there. Its a weekend car and definately a head turner. I fell in love with the VX when it first came out and always wanted one. I saw many around the country for sale but I always liked the foxfire red. After a year of searching I found my very own foxfire and just bought it out of inpulse. When I told my wife I brought home my new girlfreind she was, well not happy. Since many people have not seen this car and they ask what it is so my license plate says "ITS A VX"
I purchased a 2000 Ebony VehiCROSS a couple weeks ago after being in the market for a new vehicle.
I first saw one a couple years ago and thought (AWESOMEEEE! :yeso:) But seeing as how rare they are the first time I researched them I thought nothing of them.
After a very long time looking for a new vehicle I typed vehicross in my local craigslist listing and BOOM one listing popped up. I thought, "You have to be s%1#ing me!" 73,000 miles. After a thorough inspection I snagged it! Cleared the check engine light cleaning the EGR. And starting adding stuff.
MB TKO wheels 18"
Hankook P255/60R18 107T tires
New Kenwood speakers and headunit (Put in myself. Holy Jesus, not doing that again.)
Next is window tint and lighting.
Location Nashville, TN
I have dubbed her Medusa !
Seemed proper with its snake like front features and the fact people tend to stare!
So fun to drive! Here be the pics!
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/sh...hp/photo/23088
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/sh...hp/photo/23089
SWEEEET!!!
Welcome to the addiction.
I have to post there after joining forum but forget...
Here is newbie, my friend told me about this forum and unique threads for getting knowledge about car's accessories. I just like to conversation on it with member which help to remove my weakness.
I had owned a red 1993 iszuzu amigo 4x4 for 5 years. My family outgrew it and i was forced to sell and buy bigger. I have owned several trucks since and still miss my amigo. So when researching amigos the vehicross popped up and it was love at first sight! I must have one! I am looking everyday for the right package i really like the ebony. If anyone can help me in my quest it would be much appreciated.
the straw that stoked the camel's sack
There are several good web sites if none are available here. One is www.Cars.com.
Greetings VXers!
Well, after a 6 year hiatus, I am officially a VX owner again.
I had a 2001 Ebony back in mid-00's. I ended up selling it to a Russian guy who shipped it overseas and I regretted it ever since. So just yesterday closed the deal on a... (big surprise) 2001 Ebony! Only difference is I previously had the red/black interior and now have the gray/black.
Here's the part that I couldn't resist: 23,000 original miles! All original/no mods. Bonuses are brand new tires, OEM crossrails, and the meticulous care provided for this VX (Thank you Jim!)
I've visited the website from time to time these past years, and look forward to learning more from you all!
So, first poll question: "To mod or not to mod, that is the question"
I like the idea of a rear-camera, removing the IZUZU and "VX"ing the grill/hubcaps/rear-door, and some other mods but part of me wonders if my best move it to keep it all original.
Thoughts?
If its that cherry why mess with it. But to each his own. I'm sure you will make the right choice for yourself.
Low mileage doesn't always mean it's cherry... :)Quote:
Originally Posted by daniel
http://www.allpar.com/history/auto-s...e-capsule.html
I'm in the "keep it stock" camp, but to each his own. Just don't wreck it!
Hi, I'm a new VX owner from Glasgow,Scotland,UK. I bought the VX as a work car, because I cover 20/30k miles a year and often end up on farm tracks and country roads that don't suit city cars at all. My other toys are a jaguar XJS 3.6, and a honda 750 Supermagna 1988, but I don't get much time to play with them, due to work. I like camping, target shooting, and broadsword fighting (when I can get any time off).
So far I've done very little to the VX, I had the brake system completely renewed, had 10 coats of paint and laquer sprayed on, had the bottom undersealed, and I'll be fitting cold weather tyres next week. I'll be getting an alarm and remote locking, and that will have to do for a while. I'd like to fit Jaguar leather seats ( if it's possible ) but that will have to wait until spring at the earliest. Thanks for letting me join, I look forward to learning lots !
Welcome to the addiction...lots of great guys and gals here anxious to help you fix things and spend money.....:bwgy::smilewink:bgwo::bgwb:
Welcome:) I have to ask why you would want to take out Recaro seats and put Jag seats in your VX?
I've always wanted one back in the day (2000), but there were so few that I keep forgetting about it until I see them once in a while. Now I finally some extra cash to buy one, but my wife wont let me until I get rid of one of my toys. It wont be my everyday transport, its just a good looking suv. Also since I cant afford a Bugatti, the VX might be the closest thing to get people to say WTF is that? hahahaha
probaly more know what the Bugatti looks like than the VX.
hahaha...Yup youre rightQuote:
Originally Posted by yellowgizmo99
Hey! unfortunatly,i only got to drive my new girlfriends(maybe not for long) Vx('99 Ironman) a few times before a lg.barn ran out in front of us as we tried to avoid our friends dog in deep snow..So we may not be members long,but we're trying to see if theres interest in the wreck for parts or enough parts to fix..they say it's totaled ..but seems they want it pretty bad..it did take a med/hard hit to pass.front but,i'm not convinced it's totaled...anyone??
Hey,My girlfriend and i(maybe not much longer)since i hit a barn with her '99Ironman)wre wondering what this front-end damaged Vx is worth as the ins.comp.wants to total and keep/scrap it,and if there's enough parts out there to fix,this sucks seeing as we found this site now and see the popularity of these fun machines,but it is what it is i guess..just hate to part with it..anyone??
This should help you...Quote:
Originally Posted by adrenafix
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...hlight=totaled
Welcome to the site and hope you get her back on the road...
Pics?
Hey! cool site,unfortunatly our membership/ownership of 99 Ironman may have been shortlived ,but loved...as a barn stepped in front of us on Ny's eve(no,no alcohol involved,just deep snow/so-so tires ) ins. co.,calling it total from front pass.side damage,but we may buyout and keep..anyone interested in whole truck or parts??(120k mi.)We were really looking forward to enjoying a few more yrs. in it but if we can't repair it,we'll part it out.:mad:
there's been a quite a few here that had the insurance try to total their VX for fairly minor damage. Most insurance adjustors just don't want to have to search out some of the parts, but actually, our parts guru contact "Merlin" at St. Charles Motors in MO, has been able to get virtually every Isuzu part for the VX, some have to come from Japan, and can take a few weeks to arrive. But most insurance or repair shops don't know how to do this! So get involved and help them get the parts.Quote:
Originally Posted by adrenafix
I even sold a used part to a repair shop to help fix an owner here's VX.
Some have prevailed and some not. But do a search on "totalled" or "insurance" and look for the threads. Many have been able to buy back the VX from the insurance company, then get it fixed or some sell it for parts.
Good luck! Lots of advise, info and help here! :thumbup:
I hope you can fix it but if you do part it out let me know I will get some parts from you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by adrenafix
Re wanting to replace the seats, I find the Recaros very uncomfortable, my 1998 VX has only done 25k Kliks (about 15 1/2 k miles); so the seats are as new. I don't know about the US model, but the JDM one that I have has very narrow seats and about 1/4 inch of padding over the frame. The frame actually bruises my thigh, and as I often spend 8 to 10 hours a day driving I want something I can relax into. My 1988 jag has leather seats that beat most armchairs into a cocked hat, so I'm hoping that I can fit leather front seats ( probably from an XJS ). If anyone has any experience of something like this I'd love to hear from them.Quote:
Originally Posted by CatFish
Thanks Kat,I see you've been parting,have been wondering if there's enough demand to make it profitable after time/ effort involved,and if there's enough demand to warrant,or if we'll try to store/ fix@ later time.Cost of buyback will have an effect on our decision of course.I'm having trouble posting on here,otherwise i'd post it in salvage/for sale.If anyone is interested please e-mail me @ Adrenafix@hotmail.com and i can send pics or call me @ 607-744-0035 or 813-295-4997 The truck is located in Endicott NY...Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by VX KAT
Maybe ask some of the guys that have done a part out for the time/effort part. I can think of "etfren" and "vxfocus" right off the top of my head.Quote:
Originally Posted by adrenafix
Jimonskye...you may want to look into suspension seats. Very comfortable and built for offroad use. There are several companies that make them.
hey peeps of the VX world, a noob here. just got my VX this past oct. and been shredding it to its baja standards.
from a original yello it was transformed to an orange/black beast. but its still not complete. hope the journey to its max will be in much needed help using the forums.
see ya on the posts .
chris.
http://s14.postimage.org/uj82zbt6p/I...815_142923.jpg
Welcome to the VX family.
Looks like you'll fit right in with the zombie apocolypse croud.