most sought after vx?

[frakkin toaster]

thx a lot guys for the responses...it is a really big help. i may import if i cant find one locally. ive done that before & it was a long scary process. i have to really make sure my wife will be able to handle rhd...she has driven my supra a couple time in a parking lot but its not the same as in traffic. i dont let here drive it cause it sits way too low.

incase you missed it, here is my post in the noob section...

hello, im robert. i live near cresson, sw of the dfw area. joined up to learn more about these & to access the for sale section. started looking for a vx this month for my wife. ive always wanted one. looking to get either yellow, gray or silver in great shape. need to stay away from black or red...dont want to spend most of my time cleaning it also non-smoking is a must!

dont know much about them so any tips in what to look for would be great. i would like to buy local if possible, but have bought 2 cars off ebay. so as long as the seller is trusted & shipping is fair, i have no probs.

as for my other rides...

93 jdm mkiv surpa ht
00 ws6 t/a
05 swb x-runner
05 ninja 636

[vt_maverick]

...looking to get either yellow, gray or silver in great shape...

Well there you go, sorry I missed that earlier! Based on that criteria here are my suggestions:

1. If you go the JDM route, here are the names, paint codes, and production counts for two Japanese models matching your preferred colors. Color code 718 in the brochure I posted previously is called Astral Silver, and it's the same as the silver produced for 1999 only in the US. That color was far and away the most widely produced, with nearly 2000 sold in the US and Japan. These are the more rare, JDM only options:
   
   • Golden Yellow Mica - Paint Code 892 - 63 produced
   • Lava Grey Metallic - Paint Code 867 - 7 produced
2. If you go the US route, here are the names, paint codes, and production counts for the US models matching your preferred colors. If you decide you do want Astral Silver you'll have to go with a 1999 since that was the only year it was sold in the US. The other colors were only available in 2000 and 2001, with the fewest of each color being produced in 2000. If you absolutely have to have the last year of production choose a 2001 - otherwise I would recommend a high VIN-sequence 2000 model since it should have the same oil consumption "fix" as the 2001 models with a cheaper AC compressor.
   
   • Kaiser Silver Metallic - Paint Code 878 - 2000: 192 produced, 2001: 352 produced, Total: 544
     
     • Black/Red Interior - 2000: 57 produced, 2001: 101 produced, Total: 158
     • Black/Grey Interior - 2000: 135 produced, 2001: 251 produced, Total: 386
   • Proton Yellow - Paint Code 804 - 2000: 111 produced, 2001: 368 produced

Pics for comparison, first Golden Yellow Mica (JDM) vs. Proton Yellow (USDM):



Now Astral Silver vs. Kaiser Silver vs. Lava Gray Metallic:

[engfant]

2001 black on black/grey is the bestest to get. Only 300 made I believe in that combo.

[frakkin toaster]

^ sounds like you have one of those rare combos.


thx mavrick for all the jdm info...they sure had a lot of cool colors in japan. those blues & greens are intriguing.


btw, been seeing the "iron man" editions on the forum...guessing those are pretty rare too. is there anything special other that the badges?

[VX KAT]

^ sounds like you have one of those rare combos.


thx mavrick for all the jdm info...they sure had a lot of cool colors in japan. those blues & greens are intriguing.


btw, been seeing the "iron man" editions on the forum...guessing those are pretty rare too. is there anything special other that the badges?

Ironman edition isn't all that rare. MotorTrend said 20% were Ironman editions, but I'm not sure if that's accurate.
The production chart says 602 total "Ironman White" were produced, don't know if they're all Ironman editions though.

• It came with the OEM roof rack standard (others could add it as an option).
  
• The floor mats had the IronMan logo
• The Recaro seats had "Ironman" embossed on them.
• Some external graphics and badges (actually like vinyl stickers) on the rear gate.
  
• Ironman graphic across hood insert

[VX KAT]

2001 black on black/grey is the bestest to get. Only 300 made I believe in that combo.

226 to be exact for 2001
364 total produced

[samneil2000]

^ sounds like you have one of those rare combos.


thx mavrick for all the jdm info...they sure had a lot of cool colors in japan. those blues & greens are intriguing.


btw, been seeing the "iron man" editions on the forum...guessing those are pretty rare too. is there anything special other that the badges?

Yep, sweet iron man floor mats.

[engfant]

226 to be exact for 2001
364 total produced

I want my truck back! It was mint I tell ye...actually the windows were getting sluggish, the climate control would work when it wanted to and the door locks were limp.

I'm sure there are fixes for all now.

[engfant]

Long live the 2001 Ebony!

[VXR]

Long live the Ebony!

[RickOKC]

i may import if i cant find one locally.

Just remember, an imported VX in one of the "unique" colors will be a JDM model (steering wheel on the right side instead of the left.) Unless you're a mailman, it will take a little getting used to.

One item that hasn't been mentioned - the 2001 models have an AC Compressor with completely unique connections. That shouldn't be a deal-breaker since a good AC shop should be able to make a unit from a 1999-2000 fit (an OEM model will be pricey.) Just something to keep in mind if the compressor is DOA on the VX you buy.

[VXorado]

Just remember, an imported VX in one of the "unique" colors will be a JDM model (steering wheel on the right side instead of the left.) Unless you're a mailman, it will take a little getting used to.

And you would strange looking fabric recaro seats and the 3.2L engine rather than the 3.5L. On the plus side you would get a built in backup camera system, more unique looking steering wheel (U.S. VXs have the Rodeo steering wheel), and a transfer case with 2WD.

...Still probably not worth the hassle to import a VX when they're readily available in the U.S.

[vt_maverick]

Just remember, an imported VX in one of the "unique" colors will be a JDM model (steering wheel on the right side instead of the left.) Unless you're a mailman, it will take a little getting used to.

One item that hasn't been mentioned - the 2001 models have an AC Compressor with completely unique connections. That shouldn't be a deal-breaker since a good AC shop should be able to make a unit from a 1999-2000 fit (an OEM model will be pricey.) Just something to keep in mind if the compressor is DOA on the VX you buy.

Link regarding AC compressor...

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=15129

[frakkin toaster]

Just remember, an imported VX in one of the "unique" colors will be a JDM model (steering wheel on the right side instead of the left.) Unless you're a mailman, it will take a little getting used to. ...

i think i got that covered...

...here are some pics of my supra. its a standard too

[BeeVenom]

I understood there were some 'oiling' issues with early '99 models where motors had to be replaced, but who knows the actual story? About preference, I prefer 'protons' but I'm a little biased.
IMHO, Yello's the way to go! Hee, Hee!