To buy a VX that is.....But I have some concerns I'd like to chat about. I need to decide if my "bug" is a whim I should let pass or if I should listen to my "heart".
I'd noticed a Vehicross or two in my city several years ago. Obviously, sitings since then have been rare. But, there is one owner that must be near my neighborhood -- as I see it 2 or 3 times a year.
BACKGROUND (skip to down to QUESTIONS if you don't like stories!)
FWIW, I've owned 4 Jeeps since 1989. (Two have actually been mine vs the wife's). As you might guess (from my ID), I own an '89 Vette that I'm nearing the end of restoration to "resto-rod" status -- including new motor, interior, paing, and custom body parts. That requires an add'l vehicle for everyday driving when the weather's not great.
My last Jeep was a '91 2dr that I owned until CARS. Even though it only had 105k after nearly 20 yrs, I sent it to be crushed. In hindsight, that probably was a mistake since I've discovered how much better I do with maintenance -- compared to most people. It had the nicer package "Laredo" (which in itself was rare for a 2dr Cherokee) and it was free of leaks and mechanical problems. That's because I repaired every issue as it happened. However, it had to sit outside most of it's life and the paint showed it. Last year, in the midst of the gasoline price crisis, I didn't think it was worth more than $1500. This year, I think a $500 Maaco Paint job would have boosted it to $4500 easily. But, that's done.
Since it's "death", I've shopped for a replacement winter car. With I often return to Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee hunts, I've also considered Escapes, Tributes, RAV4s, CRVs, etc.... Thinking about the intent of CARS, better mpg is what I feel compelled to do. But, let's face it, most SUV-type vehicles under $7500, are old enough mpg hadn't really been considered. In a way, that's the flaw of CARS, but we DID get one NEW vehicle with about 5 more mpg. (It's a Murano).
In Sept, I bought a 1-owner, pristine Grand Cherokee and thought I was done looking. But, I didn't test drive it over 50mph. It turned out to have a bad vibration at hwy speed that made me think the trans converter was bad....or worse, that the engine was imbalanced from the factory. After a few wks, I actually decided the later was the case. So, I sold it.
My search has continued since the wk of Thanksgiving. Jeep, Escape, Tribute has been my theme over and over. When the (higher-than-normal) snowfalls started, prices went up and no deals on 4WD can be found. Anything decent is $7500 and up. Plus, my [up-til-now] favorite Jeep has been a 2dr. I've found those IMPOSSIBLE to find -- at least anything except a base, white 2dr with 200k miles. (Who needs/wants that?)
What do you think happened recently? Yep, I saw that local Vehicross again! For some reason, this time I REALLY noticed it. I realized the Vehicross was the 2-dr SPORT PERFORMANCE-LOOKING SUV I REALLY WANTED! Why hasn't any company been smart enough to build on it's theme???Even though I get that most FAMILIES don't want a 2dr SUV with low storage capacity, I think the Vehicross looks STUPENDOUS! And, I would have been EASY to make a 4-dr, longer look-a-like. I suspect that would have been BIG! But, I digress. Now, that I've noticed the BEST looking sport SUV, here's my questions/issues.....
QUESTIONS:
The biggey has to do with this vehicle's rare car status. With ~4k units made, who knows how many remain on the road. When demand for parts isn't high, aftermarket/replacement parts must be a NIGHTMARE! I should know, because I'm kinda in that category with a 20-yr-old Corvette. Since way more Vette's have been made, I can't imagine how much worse problems might be with a VehiCross!
If I seriously went to buy one of these vehicles, will most of them be from owners getting SERIOUSLY frustrated trying to repair it -- and decided it was time to pass it one to someone less wise? One piece of feedback on the MSN AUTO feedback said "Vehicross's a fun to own -- if you're mechanical and are willing to pay high prices and wait for special-order parts out of Japan!". In my case, that depends on how high priced, how long to order, and whether parts are being discontinued due to lack of demand! With so few units out there, why should Isuzu even bother to keep parts -- in this sucky world economy? I bet they won't! OTOH, how many parts are interchangeable from other Isuzu's? And, by that, I mean non-body panels/parts? If rarity only extends to body panels, then most everything else can be swapped, salvaged, or even fabricated.
Salvage: Who needs a car where an extra salvage vehicle might be necessary -- just to get parts? Are there sufficient specimens around the US that can be scavenged for parts?
Engine: I've read quite a bit on this site about oil consuption issues with the 3.5L mounted in the VehiCross. Sounds like it might have an issue (from the factory) with piston clearance, ring-end-gap, or some other out-of-spec issue that causes potential early (and sudden?) increase in oil consumption? How bad is this issue really? If bad, between parts scarcity and this, who wouldn't grow to HATE their car? (O.K, sorry. Didn't totally mean that! Quite a few people out there are mechanical and crafty!) Hopefully, though, you see my point.
4WD system: Though Jeeps have had shift-on-the-fly 4WD systems since the 80's, I'm seeing posts about wheel-lock-out-hubs. Do VehiCross owners need to stop, get out, and set wheel locks -- to get 4WD? What's the scoop on this?
Racks/storage: With a roof rack, can you get long pieces of wood and construction supplies from a local hardware w/o issue? W/O a roof rack, I assume the interior is too small (in the cargo area). By long wood, I mean 8ft and longer.
MPG: I don't think these are any worse than Jeep 4.0L I6 motors -- in terms of mpg, but I have to think other early 2000 3.5L 6's were better. That's when the Escape started (along with other cars). It might even be that 99-01 I6 Jeeps improved a couple MPGs. Should I care about this -- especially for a main DD "backup" when my 400HP Vette has to stay home? It ain't no gas-sipper either! (Actually, I hope to get 25+mpg after completion of the 383 stroker. As it sits, it got 30mpg hwy from the factory. That's because of a super-low-double-overdrive. It runs 1400 rpms @ 70mph. Maybe I should consider it my good MPG car!) Seriously, who DOESN'T think gasoline will go back up to $4+/gal within the next 2-3 years? If it doesn't, I suspect it will be because the economy never "recovered".
So, that's my objections...my concerns. If I can get past those "problems", there's a LOT of desire to buy a VehiCross now. Sure, the closest one 4Sale is 500 miles away -- and I haven't driven one yet! But, they sure look HOT!
The have the wide stance I like, wheel flares/trim, spoiler, two-tone interior, appearance inside/out that I like. When I really think about it, it's what I WISH a 2-dr Jeep would have looked like. You should know I've considered a wing and customization to make it look more like a sport SUV. But NOTHING I could do to a square-body XJ Jeep could keep it from looking like a BOX! LOL!
Grand Cherokee's have more style -- but it takes a V8 to make them boogie. If a VehiCross would make me worry about gas, think how bad a V8 Jeep would be!
I think that means I'm down to choosing between an Escape/Tribute or a Vehicross. I'm not sure how many issues would exist with a 100k mile Escape, but the prospects for a VehiCross sound MUCH worse.
So, talk me out of my new love and send me back to my boring-old-4-door-SUV world....Or, explain to me how GREAT owning a VehiCross can be!
Thanks in advance!
Gregg
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Originally Posted by 89Vette
AAAAHHHH!!!!! Two nutz in a pod? No,
, that would be T4B...
