Is it my imagination or...

[H3_VX]

Well I am looking at getting a second in my driveway so I won't complain about people getting rid of theirs.

Gonzo

x2! Not now, but in the future. Actually, was thinking really hard about an Ax.

[Gussie2000]

The VX is one of the most cool looking vehicules with the bad luck of having one of the worst drivetrain ever made by a jap automarker.

We cannot deny or try to ignore that the VX is one vehicule that even with the best maintainance can go bad.

[89Vette]

The VX is one of the most cool looking vehicules with the bad luck of having one of the worst drivetrain ever made by a jap automarker.

After driving Jeeps for 20 years, I disagree. With the exception of not having a 2x4 [selectable] option, I prefer this drivetrain to the more popular Jeep stuff. Their diffs are the trash.

[Mile High VX]

Well I've had mine for almost three years...and it's been GREAT!

Only thing in 25K miles that has been done, with the exception of regular maintenance, is my serpentine pulley that the bearing disintegrated on. I got one CEL once but it went away and never came back...

I take care of it well with oil changes every 3K with Mobile 1 High Mileage 5W-30, new WIX filter and new PCV valve. I've changed the diff fluids, plugs, cleaned the MAF, cleaned the TB, keep the zerks filled on the driveshaft, put in a new battery, and have done a few mods that I wanted. I love this vehicle and it's never let me down.

I'm blessed that all of the POs have been forum members and it was well taken care of before I purchased it.

God willing I'm in it until the kids inherit it!

[VXorado]

Their diffs are the trash.

(Rubicon exempt)

[nfpgasmask]

I think a lot of what we see is cyclical. People own a vehicle and after 5-7 years they want something new.

Bart

[Gussie2000]

After driving Jeeps for 20 years, I disagree. With the exception of not having a 2x4 [selectable] option, I prefer this drivetrain to the more popular Jeep stuff. Their diffs are the trash.

Sorry but you probably didn't understood my statement

I wasn't making a comparison of the VX and the Jeep.

My point is that the Vehicross has a awesome design,but its drive train is unrealiable
and not dependable as we all wished.

I mention that isuzu's 3.5L engine is probably the worst japanese engine ever built and unfortunately ended up in the VX.

[89Vette]

Sorry but you probably didn't understood my statement

I mention that isuzu's 3.5L engine is probably the worst japanese engine ever built and unfortunately ended up in the VX.

No, I understood. When something goes wrong, everyone tends to think they bought the worst POS imagineable.

Ask me about the Sumitomo tires (made by Goodyear/Dunlap) on my Vette. They work, but they're crap because I had two sets in a row with more than one tire having a factory imbalance. I'll blast them from now on.

Gotta say that 270k VX we've seen in this forum proves the drivetrain can last. Plus, every differential is NOT a whiney piece of crap -- like 1999-2001 Jeeps. Wanna hear about their "hidden" alum head problem in those years? What about failure rates of the V8's in the 100-120k mile range.

It's all he-said, she-said. This forum can't even come to a consensus on what the issue is. Kinda means there's not one in my book.

[johnnyapollo]

Pretty much every issue I've had with my VX was due to my own tampering or modifying of it - with two exceptions: the ABS unit and the TOD speed sensors. Luckily neither of those were too costly (found a used ABS unit for $100 shipped) and I was able to do both jobs myself. It's been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned, (of course I've owned a slew of British rag-tops so I may not be the poster child). Oh and I bought mine "new" in 2001.

-- John

[vt_maverick]

In my experience forums are full of both complainers and self-righteous aficionados who are all too ready to take full credit for their vehicle's condition because of their meticulous maintenance. The reality is that most people are hard on their vehicles but that even with quality care a certain amount of luck is involved in keeping a vehicle in top condition. Location makes a big difference too, if you don't happen to live in the high desert your vehicle will almost certainly wear faster even with careful maintenance. And remember that our VX's were hand-built and that the dies were more susceptible to degradation over time, so there will be variation among individual examples (compare the fit and finish between body panels, especially between the door and front fender, on VX's that haven't been in accidents - it's really amazing).

Congrats to those with great VX's for both your hard work and good fortune, and sympathies to those with rougher VX's regardless of the reason.

[Scott Larson]

Damn, some very interesting points indeed; I've been gone a few a days without checking in and I'm impressed with the responses! I particularly liked what Ashley (vt mav) said about people's perceived notions about how they take care of their rides. And as John (johnnyapollo) eluded to about self-induced problems, we really have no one to blame but ourselves. Lots-o-food for thought here guys...

[89Vette]

Wonderous engine additives is another. I wonder how many people thought they were "treating" there engine to extra protection with some magic elixir like Slick50, and engine (carbon tetra) cleaner, or running with synthetic for 10k miles?

[Gussie2000]

There's records of many VX with failing engines @ 30000 or less.

I really doubt that any one that owns a car with that little amount of miles would neglect to keep up with its maintainance

I bought my VX with only 39K on the odo and the engine already had a noticeable noise,i am the 2nd owner and make sure to keep up with the horse need for care.

Again,isuzu just F.... UP with these engines BIG TIME !!!

[89Vette]

There's records of many VX with failing engines @ 30000 or less.

I really doubt that any one that owns a car with that little amount of miles would neglect to keep up with its maintainance

I bought my VX with only 39K on the odo and the engine already had a noticeable noise,i am the 2nd owner and make sure to keep up with the horse need for care.

Again,isuzu just F.... UP with these engines BIG TIME !!!

And, did you confirm it wasn't your 12-13yr-old timing belt?

BTW...I contacted and had a conversation with the long-time QC guy for Isuzu [on this issue]. Posted what he said about a year ago.

You also missed the part about additives -- that can be used as early as mile #1. And, personally, I do believe there's people who will neglect maintenance in the first 30k. For example, I'd bet big money that MORE people ignore the requirement to change diff/trans fluids at 30k [than doing this procedure]. I'd bet there's a good chunck who start forgetting the oil changes too...and don't check the oil.

Unless you bought a car new, and performed every single maintenance task yourself, you have no idea what happened to your truck.

[Scott Larson]

Not everyone buys a car as a long-term investment towards reliable transportation, sometimes it's "just" transportation. If ya got the bucks and it's the car you want for stylin' and profilin', just buy it and drive the wheels off it. Unfortunately, the next guy to come along and buy that car has no idea the amount of neglect it has been subjected to, especially if it was a trade-in at a dealership and got the "resale treatment"...