Quote Originally Posted by Y33TREKker View Post
Why does it always seem to come down to insulting the intelligence of others to validate beliefs? There was really no need for it. Personally, I'm glad for you that you've had such good past experience with Isuzu products over the last 20 years. But the specific subject being discussed is Vehicross reliability. Overall, Isuzu may very well have had a great track record with all their other vehicle models. But percentage-wise, based just on the total US production numbers for the VX from '99-'01, to say that the failure rate witnessed should be regarded as nothing more than a myth is almost equivalent to burying ones head in the sand. (And I'm basing that failure rate on just this board alone, it's possible that the numbers could be higher, and that some people who experienced problems never bothered to come here to discuss them. What IS the percentage of total, active Vehicross.info owners/posters when compared to total production #'s?)

I don't know why you seem to take these types of threads personally, but I really don't think anyone is implying that because you have been an Isuzu enthusiast over the years, you are now stupid just because their most high profile product to hits the streets in the last decade or so has had more than it's fair share of inherent problems. That would be an unfair generalization. So with all due respect, after having read the factual experiences listed here over the last few years regarding problems fellow owners have had (there's even a specific thread/poll based on engine failure for Christs' sake), I for one would appreciate the same consideration even though I've reached a less than mythical opinion of Isuzu.
My opinion on reliability issues takes into account an apples-to-apples angle when it comes to drivetrain reliability. Yes, the VX has it's own laundry list of quirks but the drivetrain is not at all unique to the vehicle. So if you're going to look at drivetrain reliability you need to look at JUST THE DRIVETRAIN. Isuzu did not make 5000 special engines for the VehiCROSS, they used the same exact 3.5L powerplant produced in the hundreds of thousands for the pre-'04 Axioms, Troopers, Rodeos, several light-truck models and even a few industrial trucks. (In the case of the '97 and '98 VX models the 3.2L was used.) If you want to just look at the failure rate in only VX applications then you're taking an unrealistic sample which is contrary to any acceptable goal of accuracy.

Yes, I've had very good experience with Isuzu products over the years but certainly don't hold them any higher than other product that has earned my attentions. Anything we manufacture or create is prone to failure or defect and many here have come to find that is all that the Isuzu marque holds for them, and that is truly unfortunate. But to take a small sampling of a much larger fact and slander it about the masses as gospel is haphazard and careless to the point of malevolent ignorance. That is what I take issue with. Do your due-diligence in research then share what you've found, seek before you speak. Nothing personal at all, just the facts.