If you don't buy the VX, be sure you don't give the dealer your mods, he sure won't pay you a dime for them. Heck, I'd probably buy your mirror covers.

You didn't say what kind of miles you have on the VX, but that buyout sounds high for a 99 given the severe depreciation we've seen. It was probably set at lease inception, not modern times, so they probably underestimated depreciation (hell I doubt they expect Isuzu America go down the crapper like it did and that has had an effect on actual residual values on all Isuzus, not just the VX). You should see what kind of flex the dealer has on that price, I bet you can knock at least a couple of grand off it. Might even get him down to 4 figures.