VX for sale, though has problems...take the chance?

[MeowMix]

SunfireKat,
I'm the guy in Miami selling the proton that VXKat linked to. If you change you mind about the distance and want to check an even lower mmileage, much better condition, no break or ABS problem VX for a lower price than the one you are looking at, feel free to give me a shout.

Having said that, the product you should look at for cladding restoration is Refinish Restorer. I treated my cladding twice and haven't touched it since. Fantastic, long lasting product. Expensive, but one can will last you a lifetime. Buy my VX and you can have the nearly full can I have left, hehe.

Best of luck to you regardless.

If you lived on the west side and there was no rust at all on the car, I'd definitely want it...though I don't buy east coast vehicles, sorry Osteomata. The chemicals they use on the roads back home (I'm originally from the east) are harsh...not like up here in hicksville where they just throw dirt down and call it good, lol. Thank you for the offer though, and it really is a beautiful proton.

So I've managed to find a friend of a friend who is a mechanic and who is very familiar with at least Troopers, so perhaps he'll be willing to check out the VX I'm looking at...I'll find out tomorrow, when I can contact him. The only other hurdle in my path is the money. I only have $4k in the bank, and I moved back home and quit my job a couple months ago to go back to college full time...this no income thing is kind of a drag. I need to convince the bank of dad that I need a 0% interest loan until I can sell that silly Sunfire of mine. Not a big deal, except he doesn't condone of my choice in vehicles and would rather see me in a Trailblazer or an Envoy than a VX. Though I'm absolutely tenacious when I find something I really want...I'll get my VX even if it takes me many more months to do so. Hopefully all works out well this time, though if not I suppose the search continues. At this point I'm armed with a whole lot more info than I was before...thanks to all of you folks! Y'all are awesome!

-MeowMix

[vt_maverick]

Lets be more careful of our advice. It is an opinion that the VX works better without the ABS. Since ABS helps only when slammimg on the brakes only those that have experienced it. Also that MAY be why the light is on may be something else. When someone is paying several thgousand the best advice is have it checked out no to ignore it.

+1 - Also I know on other vehicles that I've owned that the brake light staying on can indicate low brake fluid. Only (and best) way to know is to get it checked out.

Having said that, the product you should look at for cladding restoration is Refinish Restorer. I treated my cladding twice and haven't touched it since. Fantastic, long lasting product. Expensive, but one can will last you a lifetime. Buy my VX and you can have the nearly full can I have left, hehe.

Just wanted to temper this statement a bit. Many members here have tried Refinish Restorer with varying degrees of success. Some members (VX KAT) have had bad chipping; others got it on the paint and it left a mark (can't remember who); and others (such as Osteomata) have had great success. So it's hard to say for sure what you're continuing success may be with this product, especially when you consider the dramatic climate change that would occur by bringing it up to the PNW. Florida is one of the best places to own a car from an environmental perspective, assuming it doesn't get flooded in a hurricane. It sure sounds like you expect to subject your VX to much harsher conditions.

There are many options out there that claim to "restore" the cladding but none really do. The available products can be divided into two categories: "dressings" that sit on the surface and provide a dark luster, and "overcoats" that are actually sprayed onto the surface of the cladding creating an entirely new outer texture/appearance. The former includes Mother's Back to Black, various Meguiar's and Turtle Wax products, Armordillo TS-1, TrimShine, etc., varying in price from $5-$40 per bottle/package, with endurance of anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months. The latter most notably includes GatorBack and Line-X, which can run from $50-$600 or more depending on whether you do it yourself or pay someone else. All that to say that you will have to spend some level of money and effort to "restore" and maintain the cladding condition. This may obviously be much more expensive if the cladding is in below average condition.

My honest opinion is that you should walk away from the one near you. Is it really likely that the seller will drop $4K off their asking price? With all the known problems I certainly would not pay anything above $6K for it. A common theme we see amongst new buyers is that folks get really excited about the VX then rush into buying due to their perceived rarity. The truth is that while this may be the first one to appear near you, better examples appear every week elsewhere across the country. I say take a deep breath, let this one pass, then let us help you find something better. Members here routinely inspect VX's near them for random strangers from the forum, so you certainly won't be short of help in finding and evaluating new options. And I think in the end you may feel better about your decision.

P.S. You really should give Osteomata's VX some consideration, it is almost certainly a better choice than your local VX, and don't you think a trip to Miami this time of year might be nice?

[vt_maverick]

The only other hurdle in my path is the money. I only have $4k in the bank, and I moved back home and quit my job a couple months ago to go back to college full time...this no income thing is kind of a drag. I need to convince the bank of dad that I need a 0% interest loan until I can sell that silly Sunfire of mine. Not a big deal, except he doesn't condone of my choice in vehicles and would rather see me in a Trailblazer or an Envoy than a VX. Though I'm absolutely tenacious when I find something I really want...I'll get my VX even if it takes me many more months to do so.

Well I hate to be a buzz kill, but based on this new info I think you really need to consider not buying a VX at all. I wouldn't go so far as to say that these trucks are money pits, but they are certainly not cheap to own, both from a maintenance and gas mileage perspective. If you already need to get dad's help because you have 0 income, I can only see you going back to him several more times over the course of ownership just to keep it running. Seems like (and I hate typing this) you'd be better served by a Civic or Corrolla until you get back into the work force.

[VXjunky]

just what part of florida has these in climate weather conditions,of which Meow Meow speaks?....it was my understanding its the sunshine state.... this beautiful Proton would be sent to its early demise in spokane...how could the one youre looking not have rust issues already in place?....

[MeowMix]

Well I hate to be a buzz kill, but based on this new info I think you really need to consider not buying a VX at all. I wouldn't go so far as to say that these trucks are money pits, but they are certainly not cheap to own, both from a maintenance and gas mileage perspective. If you already need to get dad's help because you have 0 income, I can only see you going back to him several more times over the course of ownership just to keep it running. Seems like (and I hate typing this) you'd be better served by a Civic or Corrolla until you get back into the work force.

I don't mean to sound prude or anything, but I come from a relatively wealthy family, and money isn't really a huge issue. My parents insisted I quit my job and let them pay for anything I need/want throughout the duration of my education, and the only reason my father doesn't want to buy me a VX is because he'd rather buy me a newer, lower mileage FJ Cruizer (which is another SUV I'm rather fond of). I figure FJ's are considerably more expensive, and I'd rather cost him less. Either way, they insist I need 4WD because I ended up high centered in the deep snow in the middle of the street in my Sunfire and missed an important exam last semester...and I've wanted a VX for years, always watching as they would come and go on the dealership auctions that I have access to and frequently scour just for fun. Now I've somehow managed to find a proton in town, which is amazing odds. So...perfect timing?

I know I made it sound like money is an issue in my previous post (because to me it is), but it really isn't. Essentially, I'm a completely spoiled daddy's girl who will have zero problems initially buying or getting the VX fixed if it needs repairs...a car repair bill would pale in comparison to my University's tuition bills that my parents have paid for thus far. So there it is, the ugly truth. People generally don't like my "type"...now y'all probably look at me in a different light

...though had I not graciously accepted the amazing opportunity presented to me, and not gone back to college to pursue a real career, I still would be struggling out on my own. I went through some hard times, and was very much humbled by them.

Oh and VXJunky...good point. It doesn't snow in FL. I may be book smart, though I can be kind of a flake sometimes, and common sense doesn't always strike me, lol. However...the salty, humid ocean air in FL can cause significant rust problems. This is also why I didn't pursue a VX I found in the Seattle area last month (so close too!) Spokane is a very dry city, so no humidity to cause rusting, and we have little to no salt issues. The only thing is that it does snow, so for about 4 months out of the year, there is wetness on the roads. I could get into talking about the chemical reaction that causes rust...H2O and NaCl molecules, their polarity, etc and why salt is much more of a concern than water, though I won't bore you with chemistry that I myself find to be profoundly interesting, lol. I'll just point out that Miami is worse on a car than Spokane is in terms of rust...though we DO have FL beat when it comes to potholes and rock chips! Furthermore, whatever VX I end up with isn't doomed. I love and pamper and take exceptional care of my vehicles...I detail them obsessively using only mothers and meguiars products, even using Q-tips to get to the dirt in the nooks and crannies of my exterior from spring to fall, and interior year round. I'm also obsessive about mechanical soundness; using higher octane gasoline and always checking my fluids, tire pressure, etc. A little OCD never hurt anyone, right?

[vt_maverick]

I don't mean to sound prude or anything, but I come from a relatively wealthy family, and money isn't really a huge issue. My parents insisted I quit my job and let them pay for anything I need/want throughout the duration of my education...

Now I've somehow managed to find a proton in town, which is amazing odds. So...perfect timing?

I know I made it sound like money is an issue in my previous post (because to me it is), but it really isn't. Essentially, I'm a completely spoiled daddy's girl who will have zero problems initially buying or getting the VX fixed if it needs repairs...a car repair bill would pale in comparison to my University's tuition bills that my parents have paid for thus far. So there it is, the ugly truth. People generally don't like my "type"...now y'all probably look at me in a different light

Well we all come from different backgrounds, and if your family is blessed to have the resources to fund this venture, I won't hate on you for that. I have a two year old daughter, and although I don't intend to spoil her, I can see how that happens. But I will say this: if you really do have the wealth at your disposal that you indicate, I think there's even less reason to settle for something just because it's in your local area. If you can find an even better Proton (Osteomata's or not) somewhere else, why not? If you're already ready to commit $1000 or more of your Dad's funds to up-front repair bills, why not use the same amount of money to pay the airfare or shipping costs required to get a better, lower cost VX? Are you concerned that if you don't buy the local VX now, your Dad will force you into an FJ?

Oh and VXJunky...good point. It doesn't snow in FL. I may be book smart, though I can be kind of a flake sometimes, and common sense doesn't always strike me, lol. However...the salty, humid ocean air in FL can cause significant rust problems.

Actually you may not be as much of a flake as you thought. After suggesting that Florida might be a better climate, I did some digging through Osteomata's post history on this site and discovered (and I think he also disclosed this in his ad) that he originally bought it from someone in New York. To what degree that may or may not have added rust is up for debate, but I thought I would post that data point to validate some of your concerns.

[tom4bren]

There are also several members who have had their cladding LineX'd. It adds a bit rougher texture to the cladding so may not be your cup-o-tea either. If you get that Proton, may be worth stopping by & talk to them to see what options they have.

I still use Mother's Back to Black on my cladding. A lot of members have drifted away from that product though because they get tired of applying it every 2-4 weeks.

I don't think that anyone answered one of your questions from your very first post. How does the 4WD system work on the VX?

Very well

The TOD (Torque On Demand) system automatically senses wheel spin and sends power to the front wheels as needed. Unless you will be taking the VX off road, you'll probably never need that extra little lever to the right of the gear shift. That is used to force power to the front regardless of wheel spin & also has a lower gear for more power (this should NEVER be used on dry roads ... only slippery conditions). There is also a "Winter Mode" switch on the console but all that does is bypass first gear on the transmission so that you don't overpower on starting up from a dead stop & make your wheels spin.

[circmand]

I don't mean to sound prude or anything, but I come from a relatively wealthy family, and money isn't really a huge issue. My parents insisted I quit my job and let them pay for anything I need/want throughout the duration of my education, and the only reason my father doesn't want to buy me a VX is because he'd rather buy me a newer, lower mileage FJ Cruizer (which is another SUV I'm rather fond of). I figure FJ's are considerably more expensive, and I'd rather cost him less. Either way, they insist I need 4WD because I ended up high centered in the deep snow in the middle of the street in my Sunfire and missed an important exam last semester...and I've wanted a VX for years, always watching as they would come and go on the dealership auctions that I have access to and frequently scour just for fun. Now I've somehow managed to find a proton in town, which is amazing odds. So...perfect timing?

I know I made it sound like money is an issue in my previous post (because to me it is), but it really isn't. Essentially, I'm a completely spoiled daddy's girl who will have zero problems initially buying or getting the VX fixed if it needs repairs...a car repair bill would pale in comparison to my University's tuition bills that my parents have paid for thus far. So there it is, the ugly truth. People generally don't like my "type"...now y'all probably look at me in a different light

...though had I not graciously accepted the amazing opportunity presented to me, and not gone back to college to pursue a real career, I still would be struggling out on my own. I went through some hard times, and was very much humbled by them.

Oh and VXJunky...good point. It doesn't snow in FL. I may be book smart, though I can be kind of a flake sometimes, and common sense doesn't always strike me, lol. However...the salty, humid ocean air in FL can cause significant rust problems. This is also why I didn't pursue a VX I found in the Seattle area last month (so close too!) Spokane is a very dry city, so no humidity to cause rusting, and we have little to no salt issues. The only thing is that it does snow, so for about 4 months out of the year, there is wetness on the roads. I could get into talking about the chemical reaction that causes rust...H2O and NaCl molecules, their polarity, etc and why salt is much more of a concern than water, though I won't bore you with chemistry that I myself find to be profoundly interesting, lol. I'll just point out that Miami is worse on a car than Spokane is in terms of rust...though we DO have FL beat when it comes to potholes and rock chips! Furthermore, whatever VX I end up with isn't doomed. I love and pamper and take exceptional care of my vehicles...I detail them obsessively using only mothers and meguiars products, even using Q-tips to get to the dirt in the nooks and crannies of my exterior from spring to fall, and interior year round. I'm also obsessive about mechanical soundness; using higher octane gasoline and always checking my fluids, tire pressure, etc. A little OCD never hurt anyone, right?

Dont take anything posted on here to seriously. We are close knit here and very excepting and as such we have a tendency to be honest with our opinions as we would a family member (whether it is wanted or not). It certainly seems your situation for a VX is better than it would be perceived by your first post. I think I offered this same advice to a mom who posted on here about buyng a VX for her son. She wasnot in your situation. If you can get Dad to ride in a VX it may change his mind. I would not suggest the beater you are looking at though it will probably sour him on the VX.

[rowhard]

Looking for another VX, Did someone (VXKat) bookmark that search engine someone here showed us that will search all craiglist/ebay for VX's? I don't have time to do a search for it this morning, but maybe someone has it bookmarked

[VX KAT]

Looking for another VX, Did someone (VXKat) bookmark that search engine someone here showed us that will search all craiglist/ebay for VX's? I don't have time to do a search for it this morning, but maybe someone has it bookmarked

This one searches ebay, CL and Kijiji:
http://www2.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.c...mit=++++go++++

This one searches ebay, CL, cars.com, carsdirect, automotive.com and a few more.

http://www.autotempest.com/

Is this the one you're looking at?
http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/2153485527.html

[mdwyer]

Mile High - yes, ABS is important to me; braking and traction systems are the main reason I'm selling my Pontiac for an SUV. If the winters in Spokane keep up the way they have this year, and especially in 2008-09, I need something I can get through the thick snow and compact ice in...my car simply isn't cutting it.

Just my $.02, here. I can't actually recommend an SUV -- any SUV -- as being safer than your Pontiac in snow and ice. My VX will go through some seriously big snow, true. The problem is getting it to stop and keeping the rubber side down.

For what it is worth, I do my blizzards in my AWD Subaru (or before that, a FWD sedan), which I feel much more confident in. It is nimble enough and has a low enough center of gravity to keep me out of accidents. Once the snow gets so deep that I'm plowing with the bumper, well, that's another story. But until then, I'd rather be high-centered in the Subaru than upside-down in the VX.

Anyway, welcome to the group. I hope you do get a Proton

PS: I loved Spokane when I visited there in the 80s! Stayed at the Davenport... creepy old hotel!

[Cobrajet]

...I love and pamper and take exceptional care of my vehicles...I detail them obsessively using only mothers and meguiars products, even using Q-tips to get to the dirt in the nooks and crannies of my exterior from spring to fall, and interior year round. I'm also obsessive about mechanical soundness; using higher octane gasoline and always checking my fluids, tire pressure, etc...

Will you marry me?

[tom4bren]

ROFL

Y'all would hafta see Gregg's VX to understand ... He REEEEEALY does carry a California Feather Duster with him in the VX.

[Riff Raff]

Will you marry me?

x2!!! I would love to be your Parent's son-in-law to spoil, and we could ride off into the Washington State sunset in my (err....our) pristine Proton that I already have waiting for you.

Both the FJ Cruiser and VX are very nice vehicles. I also own a beautiful classic 1978 FJ-40, so I know my stuff about Toyota Landcruiser's as well. The VX is more rare and unique than the more commonplace FJ Cruiser, so having a Proton VX will definately make you stand out in a crowd. The only major downfall of the VX is its very poor (rather non-existent) rear visibility out the back window, so you should treat the VX the same as a solid panel truck with no side/rear windows and totally rely on the VX outside mirrors for rearward visibility.

The Proton you have described near your home in Spokane seems to be a total basket case for future repairs. The ABS "light on" issue is a very serious one, and is extremely expensive to have repaired. Personally, I would not consider any VX for sale that had an ABS "light on" issue until the PO had it professionally fixed by an authorized Isuzu repair facility with supporting repair receipt documentation.

Don't be afraid to purchase your future Proton long distance by having it shipped via D.A.S. (Dependable Auto Shippers). The prestine Proton of Osteomata in Florida costs only $1,168 shipped to you in Spokane. You would easily spend that and more in repairs on the battered Spokane VX you are currently considering. D.A.S. shipping is way cheaper than flying down and driving back when considering airfare, hotels, fuel, and wasted personal time. Like others have said, I too highly endorse the prestine Proton VX of Osteomata in Florida as the perfect one for you!!! Have it shipped to you, and never look back.

If you do decide to purchase a VX long distance, then be damn sure you utilize www.ESCROW.com as the monetary conduit to conduct the transaction (see Escrow.com website for details). With Escrow.com, you will have a 3-day inspection period to either accept or reject the vehicle and have it checked-out by an ASE mechanic before deciding on the purchase.

One last question MeowMix-- where do I mail your Engagement Ring???

[circmand]

Like this lady is going to be interested in any of you once she finds out I'm single.