I want in!

**HopefulVXer** · 05/19/2009, 10:00 AM

Hello VXers,
I have recently been looking around for a new vehicle, and I have been seriously thinking about going the VX route. I like everything about it I just want to know what to watch out for when searching for my new ride. Are there any VX red-flags I should keep an eye out for? Most of the ones I find out there have pretty high mileage, what should I look for in these instances?
Also I'd like to get a feel for the cost of ownership. Once I have my VX how much can I expect to be dumping into it evry month? Prior to this I have mostly been into German cars, which we all know can be very costly to repair, and mine seemed to need repairs more often than most, and I am not trying to go down that road again, and this is why I have been looking at the Japanese manufacturers. Now I know that this vehicle is a limited production vehicle, so does that mean that 1) it is hard to find good mechanics? 2) it is hard to get work done for a reasonable price? 3) it is hard to find parts?
So in closing, I know this is probably the wrong place to find out problems with VX's, but who else would know better? I know the vehicle meets my requirements for fun, capability, styling, uniqueness, but please school me on reliability and cost of operation.

Thanks!

~J

**tom4bren** · 05/19/2009, 10:16 AM

This thread should help you get started.

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ighlight=owner

Try the search function on the left banner of the home page to search for more specifics.

**MSHardeman** · 05/19/2009, 11:34 AM

J,
I haven't really had any major mechanical problems with mine (knock on wood) and she just turned 83,500. Isuzu is getting out of North America so we might run into parts issues in the near future, but for now everything is OK. Merlin with St. Charles Isuzu is our go-to guy on this site for parts and advice. Great guy, give us a discount AND free shipping.

Most Isuzu dealerships (if you can find one) have never seen a VX so finding a local mechanic that you trust is the key. The VX is basically a two door trooper with fancy body panels so finding mechanical parts isn't really a big deal. The body panels, on the other hand, are getting rare so just try not to hit anything.

Some of our engines do tend to eat oil so you have to stay on top of it. Most of us check our oil at every fill up and top off accordingly. Other know issues are; the stock CD player does tend to give up the ghost and eat CD's, and the windows start to stick and don't roll up well (but a member here has a fix for that). Some of the other issues are slipping my mind right now so hopefully some others will chime in.

If you take care of it the VX should last you a LONG time as a few members have well over 100k miles on theirs and there may be one or two at, or over, 200K.

Good luck on your search.

**don moore** · 05/19/2009, 11:40 AM

im at 127k still like new.....i love this little VX.just keep a eye on oil and do the regular maint... and treat her good....

**kodiak** · 05/19/2009, 12:14 PM

If you find one you're interested in let us know. There might be a member in that area that can take a look at it for you. It will cost you a beer or three.

**handeeman** · 05/19/2009, 12:42 PM

I've only had my 2000 VX since Sept. 08, it's got 91k on it now. I don't use mine as an everyday driver so I'm probably not the best judge, but so far it's been wonderful and a lot of fun. Good luck in you search to join the madness.

**PittVXr** · 05/19/2009, 08:02 PM

It took me about three months of looking, but I found a 1999 with 58,300 miles on it back in November of last year. Low(er) mileage VXs can be found. Don't be afraid to look out of state to find one either. Trust me, it is worth the trip to get your hands on one.

This is the first automobile that I spend money on because I WANT to, not because I HAVE to. I wouldn't have it any other way.

**Anita** · 05/19/2009, 08:14 PM

I agree with what has been said so far: find a mechanic, watch for window issues, cd player issues, mysterious electrical issues (interior/exterior lights that dont work), oil consumption issues going back to the egr or pcv, abs light on (could mean lots of $$, though many of us hate the abs and prefer it off), cracked cv boots, usual sounds ( whining or grinding). The more information you have on the vehicles history and maintenance the better. What ever you do have the truck checked out before buying.

Become acquainted with scheduled maintenance for different mileage intervals to know what the truck might require.

Some of us have even gone to check out trucks for those who live far away. Johnnyapollo who has a beautiful proton lives in atlanta - he is a wealth of knowledge on the vx.

Welcome to the obsession.

**Triathlete** · 05/19/2009, 08:28 PM

I just went over 125000 on my trip back from Moab. I use mine pretty hard. No major issues that you wouldn't have with any other car. The windows,oil (I haven't had any problem with oil consumption), CD player (aftermarket is much better anyways), and some have had some "whine" from the rear diff are the most common problems. Good luck in your search.

**HopefulVXer** · 05/20/2009, 05:16 AM

Everyone, thanks for all your help. This forum is like the VW forums minus all the intermittent BS. I just sold my A6 last night so I might be ramping up my searching efforts.
About finding a good mechanic, I have a buddy with a low key shop, that has had a trooper for as long as I've known him (around 8 years) and i'd feel comfortable having him work on it, in fact I'm sure if I find one out of state that meets my requirements he'll be the one to fly out with me for the road trip home.
It sounds like there are some of you who DD your VX and some who only use it for fun. For you DD'ers out there do you have a back up vehicle, for when you are part hunting/fixing the VX, or is it reliable enough to have as an only car? I have a VW corrado, which I am driving now that the A6 is gone, and I am wondering if it will be worth it to keep around as a contingency plan, or if I should try to sell, to have more money to throw at a VX?
Thanks again to everyone for your help, this place is already more welcoming than the vortex...

**vt_maverick** · 05/20/2009, 05:43 AM

Originally Posted by HopefulVXer

... It sounds like there are some of you who DD your VX and some who only use it for fun. For you DD'ers out there do you have a back up vehicle, for when you are part hunting/fixing the VX, or is it reliable enough to have as an only car? I have a VW corrado, which I am driving now that the A6 is gone, and I am wondering if it will be worth it to keep around as a contingency plan, or if I should try to sell, to have more money to throw at a VX? ...

My VX is my daily driver, and ***so far*** I haven't had any unexpected maintenance issues that FORCED me to take it in to the shop. I've had it in for routine maintenance stuff, and once to replace a window regulator. Otherwise, no problems.

Then again mine only had 24K on the clock when I bought it last year.

**MSHardeman** · 05/20/2009, 07:53 AM

I've used mine as a DD for the past four years and have never had a problem with it. It always starts right up, runs well, and has never left me stranded. I did put it in the shop a couple of years back for some maintenance work, but I just used the shops loaner car for the day. It has 83,600 on the clock right now, and I do tend to baby it on road, but it's been out to ZuZoo in Moab the past four years too for some off roading and still have never had a problem. If you stay on top of the maintenance the VX should last you for a LONG time.

I have been looking into getting a second car as a daily driver, because although I love to drive the VX I want to keep it around for a long time to come and I would like to stop racking up miles on it. The Corrado is high on my list of options so let me know your experiences with yours and what I should be looking out for.

**etlsport** · 05/20/2009, 07:54 AM

mines been my DD for a little over 3 years now, the longest its ever been out of commission is 5 days.. and the actual fix took maybe an hour and cost $10 it was just finding it that sucked.. and it was a failure caused by an aftermarket part i had put on (alternator)

other than that the only major issues ive had are

bad abs module (fixed for 125 and an hour or two of labor)
bad thermostat (stuck open) this one i havent fixed yet, it just kept my engine from getting fully warm during winter months, but it will be a pain to fix, so im saving it for my timing belt change

**vt_maverick** · 05/20/2009, 08:50 AM

Personally I wouldn't consider a VW as a "backup" to any car, let alone my primary daily driver. Not likely to be anywhere near as reliable as the VX or most other cars for that matter.

**kodiak** · 05/20/2009, 09:59 AM

My VX is my DD, I �v had it for over 3 years now and nothing has gone wrong yet.
(Other then my Dad wrecking it!

)
I do have a backup if I need it. I us it for dirty jobs and people moving.

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