2001 VX vs. 2001 Rodeo Sport - Make Up My Mind!

[DeepSilentComplete]

O.K. - here's my situation: I am GONNA buy another SUV, to replace my current "work car" when it comes off-lease - an '07 Chrysler 300C SRT8. Need an SUV (read: "hitch") to haul 1-2 bicycles w/my fancy receiver-mounted bike rack; plus I like the look of an SUV, plus the higher seating position. My "fun car" is an '88 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe; also be aware that my wife and I have no kids or dogs to haul around. Her car is a Lexus SC430, so *I* will be "the one" to have the 4-seater for the very occasional times we need one. My driving needs are fairly limited, since I work out of my house - probably 6-8K miles/year total. I'm 53 years old, and I want something reasonably "cool" to drive, but I will NOT pay more than ~$20K MAX on my work car! Don't want a 4-door SUV, don't particularly want another Jeep Wrangler or Grand Cherokee (had both), not that I had ANY problems w/them whatsoever; I just want a change! I've got a line on a nice clean '01 VX now w/fairly low miles and never off-roaded for $10K-ish; I've also got a line on an '01 Rodeo Sport w/fairly low miles, one-owner, super-clean at $6K....

I currently have both, a 2000 VX and a 2002 RS. Go with the VX man! The RS is nice, rides smoother and may be a bit bigger, but the "kewl" factor of the VX outweighs EVERYTHING... Drink the cool-aid, go with the VX. You won't regret it!

BTW, anyone looking for a 2002 RS, I have one for sale. It is in great condition and I'll be posting it to the appropriate portion of this site later today.

[tom4bren]

You can get a receiver hitch for the VX so that won't help you make the choice. In a few years, you can even put a tray there for the rascal.

You can get in & outta the back OK with the seat slider extenders from Tone so don't let that make the choice for you either especially considering how seldom you will use your back seat. We use ours often and it's never been a problem.

Fuel economy & repairs will be a wash between the two (IMHO). No decision there.

Resale: I think VX's have hit bottom on sale price & will start climbing again. With the rarity increasing, the price will probably not come back down either.

Handling: VX hands down. The tight turning radius is phenominal.

Visibility: VX loses that one.

Coolness: No comparison, there is no match for the VX.

Adiction: VX owners are a breed apart.

Membership here: Priceless.

Keep us informed of your final decision but I think we all already know what direction you are leaning. Good luck.

[Mark B]

I have both.
2000 VX
2001 Rodeo Sport
Also a 1999 Amigo
I love them both and cannot decide which one I would rather have.
They both have there pros and cons.
Buy the Rodeo Sport to drive during the week and the VX on weekends.
Sorry, I am not much help.

[Ldub]

Dude...SERIOUSLY???...

I'd rather be force fed broken glass with a slingshot, while listening to a 9 hour "Weird Al" medly, than give up my VX...

You can't be serious...

[TheGanzman]

Dude...SERIOUSLY???...

I'd rather be force fed broken glass with a slingshot, while listening to a 9 hour "Weird Al" medly, than give up my VX...

You can't be serious...

Well, I AM seriously leaning towards the VX; mainly just wanted to get some feedback from owners (either current or former) of Rodeo Sports, in COMPARISON to the VX...

Obviously, posing a question like this one on "The VX Forum" is kinda like quitting drinking and then renting an apartment over a tavern (said apartment ONLY accessible by going THROUGH said tavern!:bgwp - you KNOW what's gonna HAPPEN! Thanks for all your replies; VX it is - you can all put your rockets back in your pockets!

[Ldub]

Well, I AM seriously leaning towards the VX; mainly just wanted to get some feedback from owners (either current or former) of Rodeo Sports, in COMPARISON to the VX...

Obviously, posing a question like this one on "The VX Forum" is kinda like quitting drinking and then renting an apartment over a tavern (said apartment ONLY accessible by going THROUGH said tavern!:bgwp - you KNOW what's gonna HAPPEN! Thanks for all your replies; VX it is - you can all put your rockets back in your pockets!

I was hoping you'd get a chuckle out of the mental imagery, but yeah, it'd take some doin' to get me to give up Suzy...

[nfpgasmask]

Dude...SERIOUSLY???...

I'd rather be force fed broken glass with a slingshot, while listening to a 9 hour "Weird Al" medly, than give up my VX...

You can't be serious...

Just for that, I am going to make you a CD compilation of Wierd Al's greatest hits...there's nothing like "Nature Trail To Hell In 3D"! I love that song....so annoyingly great!!

Bart

[nocturnalVX]

Dude...SERIOUSLY???...

I'd rather be force fed broken glass with a slingshot, while listening to a 9 hour "Weird Al" medly, than give up my VX...

You can't be serious...

Yeah, the folks on this forum are going to be rabid pro-VX. However, the guys & gals over at Rodeo.info are pretty passionate as well.

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

The VX
written by Andy Wachowski & Larry Wachowski




Morpheus: I imagine that right now you're feeling a bit like Alice. Tumbling down the rabbit hole?
TheGanzman: You could say that.
Morpheus: I can see it in your eyes. You have the look of a man who accepts what he sees because he's expecting to wake up. Ironically, this is not far from the truth. Do you believe in fate?
TheGanzman: No.
Morpheus: Why not?
TheGanzman: 'Cause I don't like the idea that I'm not in control of my life.
Morpheus: I know exactly what you mean. Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because you know something. What you know, you can't explain. But you feel it. You felt it your entire life. That there's something wrong with the world. You don't know what it is, but it's there. Like a splinter in your mind -- driving you mad. It is this feeling that has brought you to me. Do you know what I'm talking about?
TheGanzman: The VX?
Morpheus: Do you want to know what it is?
(TheGanzman nods his head.)
Morpheus: The soccor-mom suv is everywhere, it is all around us. You can see it when you look out your window, or when you turn on your television, or when you go to work, or when you go to church, or when you go to a soccor game, and even when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.
TheGanzman: What truth?
Morpheus: That you are a slave. Like everyone else who doesn't drive a VX, you were born into bondage; born to drive a boring, soccor-mom, johnny-come-lately SUV. Unfortunately, no one can be told what the VX is. You have to experience it for yourself. This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back.
(In his left hand, Morpheus shows a blue pill.)
Morpheus: You take the blue pill and the story ends with you driving off in your Rodeo Sport. You wake in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. (a red pill is shown in his other hand) You take the red pill and you stay in VehiCROSS.info, and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes. (Long pause; TheGanzman begins to reach for the red pill) Remember -- all I am offering is the VX, nothing more.
(TheGanzman takes the red pill and swallows it with a glass of water)



P.S.----who thinks as I that Morpheus's name be dropped for Moncha's....lol.

I LOVE my VX, but lately I have been thinking about getting a second car so I could stop driving her so much (even though I want to drive her all the time) so she might last longer. Living out in Colorado, and with the massive amounts of snow that we've been getting lately, I'm looking for another AWD/4WD vehicle. There really isn't anything out there that grabs my interest (and is in the $6500 range-an Infinity FX would have been the choice given no money limit), but I have been thinking about a Rodeo Sport. It would keep me in the Zu family and it has many styling similarities to the VX. I would be interested to hear from Sport owners to see what they think.

Won't be long and '04 Axioms will be going for $6500!

[Cris]

Vx

[johnny010]

You know, I have both as well. It's hard to say. If you want more practical go with the RS. The VX for me (less than two weeks) has been the most unreliable vehicles I have owned (including my Acura NSX which has about 8500 vehicles here in the US).

You will have issues with the windows (inevitable), the abs (inevitable), the check engine (inevitable)....and likely the TOC, and the pulleys, and the intake gaskets, and the door handles which break easy, and the rear axle seals that leak and cost a fortune...and on and on.... Are you getting the idea? I bought this knowing maitenance cost wouldn't matter because I wanted a vehicle that was unlike any other, and very rare.

If you are one of those that doesn't mind unplugging lights to make the ABS and Check Engine lights go away, you'll be fine. If you can afford to throw a few THOUSAND on maitenance probably every 2 years after driving minimal mileage, go for it.

The RS lacks the cool factor that you might get from OTHERS, but taking the top off has its appeal, and its cheaper to own.......and more boring. The VX feels like a sports car SUV..just don't throw it into a ditch like me.

Good luck !

[TheGanzman]

You know, I have both as well. It's hard to say. If you want more practical go with the RS. The VX for me (less than two weeks) has been the most unreliable vehicles I have owned (including my Acura NSX which has about 8500 vehicles here in the US).

You will have issues with the windows (inevitable), the abs (inevitable), the check engine (inevitable)....and likely the TOC, and the pulleys, and the intake gaskets, and the door handles which break easy, and the rear axle seals that leak and cost a fortune...and on and on.... Are you getting the idea? I bought this knowing maitenance cost wouldn't matter because I wanted a vehicle that was unlike any other, and very rare.

If you are one of those that doesn't mind unplugging lights to make the ABS and Check Engine lights go away, you'll be fine. If you can afford to throw a few THOUSAND on maitenance probably every 2 years after driving minimal mileage, go for it.

The RS lacks the cool factor that you might get from OTHERS, but taking the top off has its appeal, and its cheaper to own.......and more boring. The VX feels like a sports car SUV..just don't throw it into a ditch like me.

Good luck !

All interesting! BTW, *I* am the guy that had the deposit on "your" VX! I've got a guy that owes me $ on a guitar deal, I just couldn't put the deal together fast enough to follow through. I've got another one "on hold" now, pending a pre-purchase inspection - private owner. Hopefully it'll all come together in the next coupla weeks...

And yours only had 28K miles - looked like it was really pampered too! Hope you get all the little "nits" worked out, Johnnie!

[johnny010]

All interesting! BTW, *I* am the guy that had the deposit on "your" VX! I've got a guy that owes me $ on a guitar deal, I just couldn't put the deal together fast enough to follow through. I've got another one "on hold" now, pending a pre-purchase inspection - private owner. Hopefully it'll all come together in the next coupla weeks...

And yours only had 28K miles - looked like it was really pampered too! Hope you get all the little "nits" worked out, Johnnie!

Cool ! Well, for lack of common sense, I'd be better off just shutting off the lights like many here, but I don't think I'd feel the same getting into the vehicle knowing I cheated a light......it would still bother me.

Care to share your lead on your next purchase? I might need a donor...:bgwg: j/k

BTW, don't get me wrong, I love this vehicle.....it's like dating a model you don't want to afford but can't keep from getting back in bed with her.

Buy the RS, and you regret NOT buying a one of a kind rare vehicle, and will wish you had bought the VX instead. Buy the VX and you wish you didn't have the headache of all the little issues, but in a sick way enjoy the issues because it teaches you about your vehicle. Guess it comes down to what kind of guy you are. Not recommended for 'Drop it at the dealer, charge the credit card - maintenance kinda guy'.

[nfpgasmask]

Not recommended for 'Drop it at the dealer, charge the credit card - maintenance kinda guy'.

You are definitely right on there. I have learned A LOT owning my VX, and I try to do as much of the work myself as I can!

Bart

[LittleBeast]

Not recommended for 'Drop it at the dealer, charge the credit card - maintenance kinda guy'.

So TRUE! The one time I tried that the dealer gave me the VX back half full on tranny fluid and 6 months later and $3600 later I had my VX back to the condition it was in before I dropped it off for 100k "maintenance"!