New to VX's, considering buying one & need advice.

[maxg765]

Max, I don't think this one is for you, but you could stop by and look it over. Pretend you're interested and you could check out the rear view and rear seats and whatnot. Maybe take it for a spin.

http://montreal.kijiji.ca/1999-Isuzu-VehiCROSS

Mark

Hey Mark,

Thanks so much. I am going to call tomorrow and see if I can go and take a look. It will put all my concerns to rest. Its some 10 minutes from my work. I have never seen one in person, will be neat.

You are right though, its not the one for me. Too rough looking.

Again, thanks

Max

[Triathlete]

Max,
that first one in your post above looks super clean and the price looks pretty good.

[Riff Raff]

MAX--- Yes, please visit a VX "in person" so you can thoroughly check one out. Please verify the difficulty of getting in & out of the rear seat area and then actually sit in the rear seat and "pretend" you're a young curious child wanting to look out the side windows and see the world go by. You will quickly discover the "tunnel vision" syndrome of only being able to look forward out the front windshield. Any adult or child will quickly go crazy by this cacoon-type box encasement feeling (not good).

On another note, vintage FJ-40's are NOT "freeway-friendly" vehicles at all, and don't like any speeds above 60 MPH. They have a very short wheelbase and very stiff suspension with a upright seating position not suited for long freeway trips. The FJ-40 is best within its intended environment-- the extreme off-road, and has no equal in that regard. In addition, vintage FJ-40's in good condition command very high prices around the $25K (+/-) price point.

Again; not to discourage you, but based upon your requirements for a family-friendly, freeway-friendly, and rugged SUV desires. I still highly recommend a slightly used "Nissan X-Terra SE" or maybe even a nice sporty "BMW SUV model" (since you've owned BMW's before) would fit your needs much better than either a VX or FJ-40. Just my 2-cents.

[mutimator]

Send me a message when you get into town max, I would be happy to show you my VX before you make your decision. I live on the west side of Phoenix.

[Triathlete]

Send me a message when you get into town max, I would be happy to show you my VX before you make your decision. I live on the west side of Phoenix.

Hmmmm! a couple more 'zonies to join in on some of my mis-adventures!

[maxg765]

Hello All,

First off, thank you to ALL of you for the information and posts. It is a BIG help.

I want to clarify something. This would be my primary work vehicle and daily driver. I do have two young kids, a daughter of 3&1/2 and a son 9 months. I do not bring my kids to work with me. They would be in this car on the odd occasion (as I write this I have taken my daughter to school both days this week and Friday past). We have a Volvo Wagon regular family outings.

I would agree with both sides of the story. RIFF RAFF is correct in that if given a choice a child would prefer to explore the world. I made it a point to watch my daughter some during the drive to school today. Her kids song playing on the CD and always eyes out towards the window. "Eye Spy With My Little Eyes", has been played in the past. If that had been the VX from what I am being told that would be more difficult or null as an option.

That said, the drive to school is 10 to 15 mins. More so, kids in my car would be on few occasions. We are moving but should secure a home about the same distance as current from their new school and life should continue on the same trend. A outing to the ice cream store in a VX should always be fun as long as we are together.

I am sure when we all travel we either want the window seat to keep busy or isle seat t keep free but if no choice is available we'll still take the flight.

Riff Raff, I have to add, I really cannot stand the Nissan X-Terra or X-Trail. I should be liking the X-Terra in theory but I really don't care for it. Not sure why.

I do not off road but I would love to take a drive through the dessert in Arizona some.
Trucks/cars I would like to own are
The VX
Land Rover Defender 90
Land Rover Defender 110
Mercedes Benz 280GE G-Wagon (The original and preferably the conv)
Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 1979-1984

I like more rarer or vintage type vehicles.

Of the bunch up top, I am thinking that the VX might be the most usable since its the most modern of the bunch.

Yes I should be buying a Honda Accord or something along those lines but I want to enjoy what I drive and take pride in my Daily Driver so why get something I don't want to get into each day.

My current daily driver is a Subaru SVX. It was going to be my Mazda RX7 FD but I have decided to sell it as its really not practical as a daily driver or second car. For sure no kids in that two seater.

So again, thank you to all,

I will certainly keep you all posted on the progress. I called the number on the Montreal add to go and check out that local one thats for sale. Left a message this afternoon but no return call as of yet.

Best regards,

Max

[Riff Raff]

Hi MAX--- Thanx for your feedback. The VX is a wonderful vehicle as long as you understand its shortcomings. The VX is way more freeway-friendly than the stubby, teeth-jarring FJ-40.

How scary it is to hear of your tastes in vehicles as they almost perfectly imulate mine!!! I was the original owner of a limited edition #127/300 LR 1997 Defender-90 years ago before purchasing my VX. The Defender-90 is just as tough as the FJ-40, but with a different kinda' flair. I sold the Defender-90 because it didn't have the creature comforts I expected from a $50K truck, and it drank gas like kool-aid (the gas gauge needle would go to the left as the speedometer needle would go to the right -- no joke). I used the Defender-90 money for a very substantial down payent on a house.

I've never liked 4-door vehicles of any kind, but I'm somewhat impressed with the Nissan X-Terra as it has won numerous 4-wheeling magazine awards and has been named 4-Wheeler of the Year many times by various off-road magazines. For a more street-version SUV, I really like the BMW line of SUV's but can't imagine ever taking a BMW off-road.

Incidentally, the VX was "1st Runner-Up (second place)" as 4-Wheeler of the Year in 2000. I first fell in love with the VX at the International Auto Show in 1997 (Seattle, WA) as a "concept" vehicle, the same exact Auto Show that I purchased my 1997 Limited Edition Defender-90. Later; when the VX was finally put into production, I knew someday I would own one.

My next off-road vehicle will either be the Chinese Hummer HX/H4 "Concept" OR the Ford Bronco "Retro Concept" if they ever build them. Both of which are 2-door vehicles. Until then, I'm perfectly happy with my FJ-40 and VX.

Please keep us posted; and our very best wishes to you, Max.

[maxg765]

Hi MAX--- Thanx for your feedback. The VX is a wonderful vehicle as long as you understand its shortcomings. The VX is way more freeway-friendly than the stubby, teeth-jarring FJ-40.

How scary it is to hear of your tastes in vehicles as they almost perfectly imulate mine!!!
My next off-road vehicle will either be the Chinese Hummer HX/H4 "Concept" OR the Ford Bronco "Retro Concept" if they ever build them. Both of which are 2-door vehicles. Until then, I'm perfectly happy with my FJ-40 and VX.

Please keep us posted; and our very best wishes to you, Max.

Hi Riff Raff

Very scary your taste in trucks. I love the H4/HX and Bronco concepts and would prob get one of those if either released.

I will keep you all posted on what happens...

Best regards

Max

[VXR]

Please verify the difficulty of getting in & out of the rear seat area and then actually sit in the rear seat and "pretend" you're a young curious child wanting to look out the side windows and see the world go by. You will quickly discover the "tunnel vision" syndrome of only being able to look forward out the front windshield. Any adult or child will quickly go crazy by this cacoon-type box encasement feeling (not good).

I have to disagree my kid loves riding in the VX. I got it when he was about four so he could climb in and buckle himself. (I do agree if they are not old enough it would not be fun to get in back and buckle them in).

[JAMAS]

From time to time, I put my Son in the back. He is about 4 months old and he rides in the little bucket clipped into the base (backwards). It is actually REALLY easy to load in and out using the back door. Leave one seat folded down and it slides right in. NOTE: don't leave the car running when loading through the back.

[MSHardeman]

I wish Marlin would respond to this thread. In Moab this year he had two kids (granted they where a little older) in the back seat wheelin' all day. I didn't hear them complain and it sounds like they had a great time bac there.

[Riff Raff]

I wish Marlin would respond to this thread. In Moab this year he had two kids (granted they where a little older) in the back seat wheelin' all day. I didn't hear them complain and it sounds like they had a great time bac there.

True; but some kids have nothing else to compare it to, so to them it's an awesome time eventhough they can't really see crap. If a little kid doesn't know any better or have anything to compare his experience to, then he'll think this is as good as it gets.

For Example-- If a kid had to sit in the backseat of say a 4-door Nissan X-Terra or 4-Door Isuzu Trooper with your very own personal roll-down side window, then I'm sure the off-road experience would be stupendous!!! Plus, when the truck stops, the kid can quickly let himself out and go chase a wild jack-rabbit on foot if he wants to.

Then; while at the base campsite, force that very same kid into the backseat of an encased VX "tunnel vision" cacoon and then go 4-wheeling again.

I'll betcha' that same kid will start whining to get the hell outa' the backseat of the VX, and beg to have his original spot back in the X-Terra or Trooper with his very own personal roll-down window!!! The kid is now imprisoned in the 2-door VX and can't quickly get out to chase the wild jack-rabbit without having to wait for the slow fat adult in the front seat to move outa' the way and let the kid get out (by then the wild jack-rabbit is long gone, and the kid has missed a playful opportunity due to the confines of the VX backseat).

The kid now has two totally different scenario's to compare with and I'm sure the backseat of the VX will not be his favorite in the future.

When asked to go 4-wheeling next time-- "Little Johnny, do you want to go 4-wheeling this weekend with Mommy & Daddy???" The kid will reply-- "Yes, but only if I get to ride in Uncle Joe's 4-door truck!!!" 'Nuff said.

[samneil2000]

My DD is a Ford Escape. I have a 7 year old daughter. She has racked up lots of miles in the back seat of the Escape. She still likes to hop in the back of the VX and go riding, especially off road. It's a lot easier now that I have the seat brackets that move the passenger seat forward for easier access. I usually run the Escape back and forth to work during the week (35 miles one way) and use the VX for weekend running.

[VXR]

True; but some kids have nothing else to compare it to, so to them it's an awesome time eventhough they can't really see crap. If a little kid doesn't know any better or have anything to compare his experience to, then he'll think this is as good as it gets.

For Example-- If a kid had to sit in the backseat of say a 4-door Nissan X-Terra or 4-Door Isuzu Trooper with your very own personal roll-down side window, then I'm sure the off-road experience would be stupendous!!! Plus, when the truck stops, the kid can quickly let himself out and go chase a wild jack-rabbit on foot if he wants to.

Then; while at the base campsite, force that very same kid into the backseat of an encased VX "tunnel vision" cacoon and then go 4-wheeling again.

I'll betcha' that same kid will start whining to get the hell outa' the backseat of the VX, and beg to have his original spot back in the X-Terra or Trooper with his very own personal roll-down window!!! The kid is now imprisoned in the 2-door VX and can't quickly get out to chase the wild jack-rabbit without having to wait for the slow fat adult in the front seat to move outa' the way and let the kid get out (by then the wild jack-rabbit is long gone, and the kid has missed a playful opportunity due to the confines of the VX backseat).

The kid now has two totally different scenario's to compare with and I'm sure the backseat of the VX will not be his favorite in the future.

When asked to go 4-wheeling next time-- "Little Johnny, do you want to go 4-wheeling this weekend with Mommy & Daddy???" The kid will reply-- "Yes, but only if I get to ride in Uncle Joe's 4-door truck!!!" 'Nuff said.

do you have kids???