Hello! I'm a bit new to the VX world, and in fact to the world of 4WD in general (I've always been a sports car girl) and I was hoping you folks could give me a little advice on a VX I've found that I would like nothing more than to take home and love to death. I have been looking for a VX for quite some time now, and finally found one in my own city for sale by a private party. I'm pretty weary of this car though...here's the breakdown:

This VX is a 2001, proton (my favorite), with only 70K miles on it...though the car has NOT been well cared for. Little things here and there tell the tale that the owner could care less about her vehicle. It's non-smoking, but still it's so filthy inside I was almost afraid to sit in it...the cladding is very sunfaded (what product would you use to restore this, or can you?), the VX badges are peeling, there are various broken nickel and dime parts on the interior (such as the dome light cover and a small part on the door panel), there are multiple paint chips along the border of the drivers' door, where it has been opened onto something, The engine and bay are filthy, etc...it's just a bit rough cosmetically (nothing a couple cheap replacement parts, a little love and my little green machine can't fix there). It has also been in a front end collision. I noticed this as soon as I saw it, due to the difference in sunfading between the front cladding and the rest of it, which I said nothing about initially but then she brought it up herself, which I suppose is a good thing...at least she's not trying to hide anything. Apparently the radiator was replaced in the accident, and she does have the paperwork for the repairs.

The engine runs smoothly, the car starts and drives fine, transmission feels smooth when shifting, no odd noises that I could hear, etc. Now for what really worries me: Both the Brake and ABS lights are on. The woman selling it insists these are both on due to a need for replacement brake pads. I would believe this would cause "brake" to illuminate, though is this true that both of these lights would illuminate for this reason? I have only ever owned GM vehicles, and I know this claim does not hold true for them. The TOD system seems to work as it should, or at least how I read about how it works, lol. Is there anyone who can explain to me how to operate the 4x4 system? I saw the controls, yet had no idea how to use them...this is the first 4WD vehicle I've ever looked at, so I'm not so familiar with these systems in the least.

And of course the kicker: the woman wants $10,000 for it. I would definitely not pay this for it, though I'm trying to figure out what would be a feasible offer, assuming the ABS light doesn't scare me off. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

-Kat