Looking to buy a VX

[SW_VX gal]

Hi,

Newbie here, and fell in love with the VX like you did Craig...

I too am in the Los Angeles area, and saw a few as well, which
includes the silver one in the Autotrader....

You answered just about every question I could ask, which is why
I am thanking you for starting such an inforamtive thread.

I hope it all works out on your VX adventure, as I am looking as well,
and am doing my homework just like you...


Have a good weekend

[Sue777]

Hello "soon to be VXer's". You seem like you truly want HONEST opinions before you buy, so I'm going to add my two cents. Keep in mind, since I'm a female my opinions may be worth more to SW than to Creeg, but take what you want and leave the rest.

Two years ago it was time to replace my vehicle, but I was getting more and more depressed because I couldn't find ANYTHING I liked enough to want to own. Hubby kept telling me to pick out anything (within reason) but there was NOTHING that I wanted to be driving for the next few years. Out of desperation I was doing a search on E-Bay for "unique" vehicles, and had my first glimpse of a VX. I was in love. I started doing research and homework and learning all I could, but secretly I already knew I would dismiss any negatives I heard and HAD to have one. It just had the "look" I wanted, and not much else mattered. As long as it had the basics, I swore I could live with any other inconveniences. I pretty much bought it "sight unseen" from New Jersey (I'm in CT) and paid $18,000 for a 2001 with 32,000 miles on it. (two years ago). The only mods it had were a combination anti-theft and auto-start system, and huge amps and speakers taking up the whole back area.

I was in heaven. She looks great, and she handles like a charm. Tight and with a really small turning radius (is that even a proper term???) She's comfortable to get in and out of.... just the right height, and the seats are to die for. Climate control, 6-CD player, and power windows were a nice plus.

Of course the blush came off the rose after about a year and some of the little things really started bothering me. First of all the visibility is terrible. I have VanEyes on the back, and stick-on mirrors on both side rearview mirrors to try and help that. I have a panoramic mirror in the front now, and even with all that, I still wish I could see better, especially when changing lanes on the highway. (I avoid the highway a lot because of the visibility). Right now hubby and I are pricing mirrors with the built in monitor and cam for backing up.

Back seat is useless in my opinion. Too hard to get in and out of. I have since removed the back seats altogether and now have a cute, sporty, two-seater with very adequate cargo room.

Yes, the power windows gave us trouble.... the local Isuzu dealer took care of that for us under warranty.

I really didn't like having to keep turning off the VX and getting out to unlock/open the rear door, so hubby just installed Tone's rear-popper. (thank you, Tone!)

Next thing that's getting to me? The ride. Since this is my primary vehicle, and since I DON'T ever use it for off-roading, the rough, stiff ride is starting to wear on me. We're looking into different shocks to try to improve that - suggestions welcome. I don't expect it to drive like a car, but this ride is REALLY stiff.

All in all? I love my VX. Once I replace the shocks and get some more visibility in her, I am going to be as enamored as I was two years ago, and still, regardless of her flaws, I love looking at her and getting into her in a crowded parking lot. She just steals the show wherever we are. Are looks really that important? Hell yes!

[Ldub]

Dibs if you want to sell your stock shocks when you change, providing that they haven't been run dry. Also, you have a pm.
Thanks, Ldub

[Bulldoggie]

I'm 5'10" and my head has found the grab handle on the drivers side roof a few times, I have a long torso I guess. I haven't found to many cars with enough head room to wear a hat, other than my 1 ton truck. I sit upright in the VX, most Japanese cars I have to crawl into and recline the seat till I'm looking out the back window. my head would touch the roof on a Miata I used to own, but a great car is worth it.
The VX is stiff in the ride, but so are all great race/sports type cars. I've owned a lot of sports cars over the years , but I love the VX on long drives, and I do have the power window problem, and you do have to back carefully in parking lots. Most important of all, NO DINGS on the doors, unless you park next to a garbage truck.