Buyers Guide / Tips

[BritVX]

David,

I'm an owner in the UK which is the same spec VX your looking at. John covered the main differences but if you have specific things I'll try to answer them. Mines a 97 and I've had no problems since I bought it 9 months ago. The power take up isn't the smoothest in the world and you get a few clunks now and again from diff wind up but I've changed the suspension to 912 OME coils on the rear and bigger wheels 285/75 R16s this has made the ride much softer (bearable) and the bigger wheels make the acceleration less viscious. Make sure you try out the Power button (if the acceleration isn't neck snapping check the engine more closely). I had problems with the reversing camera and replaced it with one from a guy on this site, Tone Monday it was less than 1/4 of the cost of the original.

Col

[moon buggy]

thanks for the replies so far...is there a buyers tips section or link that I can study here or can you folks point me in the right direction of one..

Col thanks also, it sounds as you say, like both countries have had the same models imported..I don't think the ones that landed here had GPS, the Vx i saw here in Brisbane had the rear camera which seemed to work fine, no CD from what i could tell, it also had aftermarket 18s on it, its a shame the leather upgrade didn't get here either..but the local one I saw I thought was a bit rough, with one or two bits of trim missing a little ding /perforation in the plastic molding on the tailgate, plastic molding seemed heavily faded in sections, signs of heavy wear on the interior [steering wheel etc], and also not knowing at that stage that the Vx engines were pertol I said to the guy looking at the exhaust pipe "is it tubo diesel" ..as the pipe was very black/sootie..his car had over 100,000kms on it..

The one for sale is a grey/silver 97 with only late 60,000kms but they are asking big $ [~$26K AUD], certainly compared to US pricing converting to AUD at say 1.28, then based on US prices VX here should be late teens at best..

Look forward to any other feedback others may have
Thanks again
David

[BritVX]

David,

Unfortunately prices for any vehicle sold in the US that's available in other countries will always be cheaper by a significant margin. I'm considering importing a US vehcile when mine gives out and doing a complete referb of my UK model (or something to that effect). Prices in the UK vary from £9,000 to £12,000 which I think should be a good guide for Oz prices. Don't worry about a bit of soot on the tail pipe mine has that but just passed an emissions test and it's compression is still excellent.

The problem you have when looking to buy is there is much more opportunity for offroading in Oz so someone may have thrashed it to death. Tell tale signs are steerring joint play, suspension play or any scrape marks on the bash plates.
Mind you the stock Jap import is such a hard ride I can't imagine anyone doing anything severe off road.


Col

[moon buggy]

thanks Col, thats more of what I'm looking for..I quizzed my local mechanic re the engines, he thinks they're the same fitted to the recent Rodeo models here and felt they wouldn't be a problem to sort, as these [Rodeos] are a common work 'ute' in Oz..he hadn't heard of any failures of either of the 2 sized motors..and that one that they had pulled down was because of a cracked head....the bottom end of the motor he said was fine...his shop does a lot of local older car servicing as well a lot other work now on the main stream JDM imports [mostly vans] that seem thick on the ground here...

Pricing based on your numbers with $3AUD ~ Pound [from what I recall], then the AU pricing is probably [unfortunately ]about right..

So I gather then there are no other things specific [to the VX] that I should be looking out for other than really the basics of any car/4wd purchase..ensure it all works, opens and shuts, general wear and tear, ensure all servicing books etc are in order..
so let me pose some ??s then..

Life expectancy[ies], things to watch for ??..surprises!! ..so tell me about....

1. - engine [sorry] ie what Kms/miles, milestones should be avoided..[if any]
2. - transmission as above, when are major services due, heat
3. - cv joints, diffs etc any drivetrain part that one should be conscious of..
4. - computer systems..failures, issues, costly failures ?
5. - timing chains/belts..at what service interval/or time major service req'd
6. - brakes - pad wear higher due to weight, rotors warping ?
7. - TOD - is this system tempremental, ie changing rolling diameters of tyres as an eg. affecting computer assessments of slippage needing TOD [when not needed eg false interpretation]..etc etc
8. - radiator..cooling system..fuel injection ..any isues
9. - and what about day to day annoying stuff - I see window regulators can be a problem, what about other systems in the VX, a/c, abs, water leaks, oil leaks, chewing batteries/tyres/unleaded or premium, locks/alarms/electrics, interior/exterior bits that snap off or fall off unexpectedly...any other anomalies that a buyer should be mindful of..

Hey sorry for the ?s [nearly Top 10], but perhaps this thread may be helpful to other onlookers as well as myself...all feedback greatly appreciated..yes I'm keen ..but more keen to make the right decision

Thx Again
David Down Under [call persistent !!]

[BritVX]

Hi David,

Lots of questions and I hope others on the site can help you more, I've only had mine 9-10 months but so far I've experienced no problems and to date it's done 73,000 miles, 18K by me.

Col

[moon buggy]

Col , thx again ..whats the chance of a couple of pics of yuor car ..I see its red the 2 I've seen here are grey and grey !!
Anyone else like to chime in on my top 10..it would be a great help..particularly over here if I am looking at no manufacturer support

David

[moon buggy]

well now I'm getting close, this one has come up for sale, only 60,000kms, passenger window has come out of outer seal, and closers towards the windscreen ??, sems to drive well, harsh ride on badly repaired bitumen road, tyres new , new battery, engine bay very clean, climate air, rear camera works, no CD that I could see, has tape 'hole' in behind screen, 2 car books were the glove box, both in Japanese, didn't look like a service book tho..eg sevice butts stamped etc, interior rear side plastic panels loose looks like thumb sized round clips are busted that hold them in place [can those buttons/fixings be purchased], ext moldings have the odd scuff or scratch..not major tho..seats etc look to be in good nick, even has vehicross floor mats front and back !!

Any thoughts

David Down Under