If you are going to sell it, don't do another thing to it. Nothing! Top off the fluids, and list it (clean it up) take your pix. You are already at the point of zero return...nothing you add is gonna really pay back.
Super VXer
If you are going to sell it, don't do another thing to it. Nothing! Top off the fluids, and list it (clean it up) take your pix. You are already at the point of zero return...nothing you add is gonna really pay back.
Super VXer
I have to agree with chopper on this, even on the sound system. Either the buyer won't care that its out of date, in which case you save money and time by not putting in a replacment. Or the buyer will really care about sound system, but will want to make the choice of replacement himself, not have you put in a cheap system.
If you want to do something worthwhile, then wash & wax, throuroughly clean the interior, and even the engine compartment.
You are not in a "spend money to make money" situation. The only exceptions would be if you have unresolved warning lights without an absolutely known/verifiable cause and solution cost.
- Os
Originally Posted by Chopper
Super VXer
After reading over the forum for the past year I realize I probably paid the highest price of any recent purchase on here for my VX. I paid right at $14K for mine in April of last year, but there were a number of factors that played into my willingness to pay that price.
1. I absoutely wanted a 2000 Foxfire (rarest color in rarest year - only 90 made in 2000) - nothing else would do.
2. Over a six month timespan there were less than 6 2000 Foxfires for sale in the entire country, most of which were in salt states in the NorthEast or Midwest (no offense to guys that live there but I really wanted to avoid the inevitable rust).
3. I found my Foxfire about 200 miles from my house in Virginia, and it was the only one I had seen in my entire six month search window that was less than 1500 miles away. (I don't believe in buying cars over the internet or phone sight unseen, so that made my search significantly more difficult.)
4. It was absolutely, totally 100% stock with no evidence of mods of any kind. The only exception was that the original owner had Isuzu install an OEM backup sensor in the rear cladding, which I don't think really counts as an aftermarket mod. None of the glass had ever been tinted or damaged, and all of the original stickers were still on the windows (Isuzu OK, etc.)
5. The mileage was just a hair over 24K even though it was 8 years old when I bought it. You could probably eat off the engine cover.
6. No record or evidence of any accidents, damage, or paint/body work of any kind. The paint was in showroom condition with two very minor dents (looked like maybe the PO's kids accidentally bounced a basketball off the hood). There was some rust on the muffler and hubs, but nothing serious or irreplaceable. And the rims and headlights looked just like they rolled off the showroom floor.
7. The seats showed virtually no wrinkles and the carpet, mats, and plastic were immaculate.
8. Came with OEM roof rack.
9. Although it's had three owners before me, the seller supplied me with ownership and MX records down to the original window sticker and purchase paperwork. The first owner owned the VX for 5 years before selling it, and in that time only racked up 3-4K miles.The other two owners had only owned it for about a year, with both eventually deciding it was just too impractical for their needs (sounds familiar huh?).
So like others have said it's possible to get a good price for the VX, but you have to find the right (probably OCD) buyer who understands just how rare the vehicle is and places a high value on your color/condition.
Super VXer
I paid $15K for mine but that included at least $5K for the 'offset from Hell'
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Put a smiley after you say that Bub.
Super VXer
And after seeing it in person I can vouch that it was a good investment for a wickedly different look (even for a VX).I paid $15K for mine but that included at least $5K for the 'offset from Hell'
Super VXer
After 9 years of over-protective, throw-my-body-over-it, treat it special care with a few mods done along the way; and, after paying original owner ludicrous price....she's now paying ME back as my daily beater!
I've gotten over whether VX's will ever be worth anything....I'm gonna run her 'til she dies (or starts costing too much to keep on the road) and move on to a new/used Raptor
Last edited by Jolly Roger VX'er : 04/29/2009 at 09:57 PM
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]"If its fast and reliable, its not cheap;
if its fast and cheap, its not reliable;
if its cheap and reliable, its not fast."
If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?
VXer
It is a matter of time, before the (VX), is discovered by serious collector. This vehicle is too,too rare to be ignored for much longer. Hopefully, after the economy bounces back, this wonderful vehicle will get it'S proper attention in the resale market.
Super VXer
Agreed! The supply of low-mile (under 75K), no-salt, unCOBBLED (sorry guys, but there ARE people out there for whom a lifted, big wheel/tire, cut-cladding VX is a deal-breaker), straight, clean, stock, garage-kept since new VX's is ALREADY almost dried up! By contrast, go find a similar 1980's Jeep Wrangler if you CAN, and they made a blue million of those! While I don't particularly care about resale $'s on mine, I would and AM on the lookout for another like mine (described above); ain't many...
I'm reminded of 1958-1960 Gibson Les Paul Sunburst guitars. They made ~1,700 of 'em; 'cause I'm an "old guy", I remember dudes cobbling these guitars up in the '70's & '80s - changing out electronics, throwing away plastic parts (a pickguard alone is now $10K IF you can find one!), and even hogging out the bodies to fit all manner of "effects" or different bridges to them. Now the stock ones are worth $300K+, and the cobbled ones are worth ~$90K-...
But hey - party on! It's only a limited production, high end Japanese vehicle...
Super VXer
I certainly agree with others in this thread that there's no sales ROI for any mods or repairs you perform at this point. But I also wouldn't try to return your VX completely to stock, since some mods do add value. Good examples are Tone's hitch, door popper, seat extender, and bolt-on step bars. The seat extender and step bars are a free take-it-or-leave-it decision for the buyer, since they can easily remove them (and probably sell them) and return the vehicle to stock. And although the hitch and door popper require you to cut the cladding/plastic, they look OEM enough that I doubt most buyers would even notice or care.
On the other hand, mods such as lifts, superchargers, or any more extreme mods, especially to the exterior, can really hurt your resale value, as they are typically good tip-offs to the buyer that the vehicle may have been driven harder than average. Personally I can't wait to look into a lift or supercharger (really doubting I can talk the wife into that one though), but that's because I have no intention of selling it. That said it is possible to find buyers who are really interested in an off-road package, but you're depending upon a much smaller pool of buyers.
Just more food for thought...
Super VXer
Your input reafirms what i'm talking about is correct,the more the VX is in stock conds the better,no way any car with mods increase its value,it just don't happen & the reason for that is the fact that a potential new onwer wants its own mods done on it or probably none & not all taste & flavors are the same,this is the case with OSTEOMATA who bought his proton from NY with few mods & now he's wroking on it to bring it back to stock as much as he can.After reading over the forum for the past year I realize I probably paid the highest price of any recent purchase on here for my VX. I paid right at $14K for mine in April of last year, but there were a number of factors that played into my willingness to pay that price.
1. I absoutely wanted a 2000 Foxfire (rarest color in rarest year - only 90 made in 2000) - nothing else would do.
2. Over a six month timespan there were less than 6 2000 Foxfires for sale in the entire country, most of which were in salt states in the NorthEast or Midwest (no offense to guys that live there but I really wanted to avoid the inevitable rust).
3. I found my Foxfire about 200 miles from my house in Virginia, and it was the only one I had seen in my entire six month search window that was less than 1500 miles away. (I don't believe in buying cars over the internet or phone sight unseen, so that made my search significantly more difficult.)
4. It was absolutely, totally 100% stock with no evidence of mods of any kind. The only exception was that the original owner had Isuzu install an OEM backup sensor in the rear cladding, which I don't think really counts as an aftermarket mod. None of the glass had ever been tinted or damaged, and all of the original stickers were still on the windows (Isuzu OK, etc.)
5. The mileage was just a hair over 24K even though it was 8 years old when I bought it. You could probably eat off the engine cover.
6. No record or evidence of any accidents, damage, or paint/body work of any kind. The paint was in showroom condition with two very minor dents (looked like maybe the PO's kids accidentally bounced a basketball off the hood). There was some rust on the muffler and hubs, but nothing serious or irreplaceable. And the rims and headlights looked just like they rolled off the showroom floor.
7. The seats showed virtually no wrinkles and the carpet, mats, and plastic were immaculate.
8. Came with OEM roof rack.
9. Although it's had three owners before me, the seller supplied me with ownership and MX records down to the original window sticker and purchase paperwork. The first owner owned the VX for 5 years before selling it, and in that time only racked up 3-4K miles.
So like others have said it's possible to get a good price for the VX, but you have to find the right (probably OCD) buyer who understands just how rare the vehicle is and places a high value on your color/condition.
The undercarriage rust is unevitable.My Vx is originally from massachussets & the under is rusty,however i bought it because the VX was in storage for almost 5 years 'till was auctioned.Now i flush it to prevent faster rust & had a very low mileage (38478) plus it was well serviced during the PO ownership
The mileage is also a big factor,plus the fact that isuzu is gone makes every thing worse,without important parts already out-of-stock & few to none dealers still offering isuzu parts nationwide.
This is why i said if this VX gets into a wreck will be 1rst & the last,yet still a VX'er for the rest of my life,period.
Dakar was just the begining.
Super VXer
"the more the VX is in stock conds the better,no way any car with mods increase its value"
We'll have to agree to disagree on that one.
Cheaply done mods can kill resale value. Desireable mods can definitely increase the value. It's all in the advertising.
For instance, a supercharger - some want it & some don't. Advertise it such that it's something that the buyer can't live without. If they are worthy of owning such an awsome vehicle - they'll bite.
Another example, lift - if it's done right so the rig looks like it was made that way & you've worked out all of the bugs so the buyer is confident that they aren't buying a lemon - they'll bite.
Obviously modified vehicles are indeed a nitch market but are 'sell-able'. Don't do any more mods but don't undo anything you've already done.
Tom
Super VXer
MAVERICK--- Most of the key points have already been made. Clean it up (including engine bay & change the oil), don't make any more mods (no new stereo), and definately market it on the web (AutoTrader.com, Vehix.com, Cars.com, etc).
Don't be afraid to sell it to a long distance internet buyer. Just be damn sure and use "ESCROW.COM" as the conduit to complete the transaction (the "buyer" pays all fees for ESCROW.COM and D.A.S. shipping/transport). You may be asked to drop it off at a nearby authorized D.A.S. terminal for shipment/transport. Remember, you're not looking for 100 buyers; you're only looking for 1 (he/she "IS" definately out there somewhere).
With your racing hobbies and lifestyle; then you're right, a used Van-nose type Camper RV with a heavy-duty trailer hitch would be perfect for you. Put a couple of Mountain Bicycles (for riding around camp) on the Van's front bumper and you're set. Keep your $500 "beater" for commuting to work. My "beater" commuter car is a 1980 Ford Fiesta that gets 41 MPG. Sweeeeeet!!!
MARLIN--- I think I hear Carrie Underwood's new hit song playing just for you..........................
Super VXer
Just thought of another factor... In the search for my VX, I noticed that VX's with the red interior were consistently listed at a lower price point, even when the mileage, condition, and color were identical to VX's with the gray interior. So that's probably not good for owners with the red interior, since even a buyer who is obsessed with getting that color interior has plenty of cheap options to choose from.
Super VXer
thats pretty much the plan, ive already got the bikes! though i am looking at trading the honda for an early insight hybrid, which would again half my fuel expense, and its so weird its kinda cool, like the vx...
some great input , and i appreciate everyone taking the time to to help me out. ill forget about the radio and just make sure the truck is in the best shape it can be, as it it sits. I do think theres enough easily reversible light mods and rarer accessories (like the front plate filler panel) to make it appealing. the way it runs, im convinced shes got at least another 175k in her as well, very tight suspension and a great runner...
Maverick
99' Ebony VX sold...
Super VXer
I payed $10,500 for an 01 ebony with 54k on it. mint condition- summer '08 Chicago. from St. Charles Toyota (formerly Isuzu). One owner.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Milwaukee WI
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