2009/2010 Winter Stories of VX Awesome-ness

[JAMAS]

With the snowy season among us, I figured a thread like this would be kinda fun.

[vt_maverick]

Will be a few weeks on the winter weather, but here's a classic pic to start us off:

http://image.motortrend.com/f/roadtests/suv/8530194+pheader/112_9905_road_test_1999_isuzu_vehicross_ironman_ed ition_01l+1999_isuzu_vehicross_ironman_edition_+fr ont_side_view.jpg

[tom4bren]

I like the one I grabbed from someone's gallery for Moncha's picture frame.

http://www.pbase.com/tom4bren/image/119727463

It reminds me of how I parked my Samurai at Dulles Airport one time. The parking authorities were NOT happy with me.

[ZEUS]

I like the one I grabbed from someone's gallery for Moncha's picture frame.

http://www.pbase.com/tom4bren/image/119727463

It reminds me of how I parked my Samurai at Dulles Airport one time. The parking authorities were NOT happy with me.HAHA! That's how I usually park the VX or the Jeep after they plow our office parking lot! I was asked last year where I would park after my personal glacier melts - nobody else could park there and one guy ended up buying a Range Rover in the spring and quickly informed me that he would be parking that way this season. He tried to take my spot one day in his Civic after I mashed it all down, he got stuck and almost slid into another car. HAHA! :smilewink

[deermagnet]

Well, as long as this thread has been hijacked for past years. :grino:
We just had a wicked little snow storm the other day. There was only about 4" but it was very slippery. My tires were due to be replaced any day and my VX was not awesome in that storm. So I got new tires today. With the proper tires a VX is awesome in the snow.

Man, I love the snow! Whether I'm driving in it, hiking in it, or just watching it fall from a window, I love it! Bring it on! A winter without snow is not a winter.

These are old school film photos from back in the day, circa 2002-

http://www.wtv-zone.com/markg/imags/541.jpg

http://www.wtv-zone.com/markg/imags/532.jpg

http://www.wtv-zone.com/markg/imags/533.jpg

http://www.wtv-zone.com/markg/imags/545.jpg

And vids-

1:06, 14.3 mb, 320x240-
http://www.drivehq.com/file/df.aspx/publish/mgpa/vids/11508.wmv (http://www.drivehq.com/file/df.aspx/publish/mgpa/vids/11508.wmv)

48 sec., 18.3 mb, 640x480-
http://www.drivehq.com/file/df.aspx/publish/mgpa/vids/sno.wmv (http://www.drivehq.com/file/df.aspx/publish/mgpa/vids/sno.wmv)

Mark

[vt_maverick]

http://www.wtv-zone.com/markg/imags/532.jpg

Very nice! This could almost be a post card!

[nfpgasmask]

I know I posted this in another thread, but here is a shot of my VX yesterday morning. They said this is the most snow Reno has gotten since 2005. I moved here in 06 so this is the most snow I have experienced out here. Plus, the morning temp today was -3, which is the coldest I have experienced out here.

Of course, Reno's winter and Chicago's winter are two completely different animals. Anyway:

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2009/12-07-09/snow1.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2009/12-07-09/snow4.jpg

As for VX stories...well, yesterday around lunch I was sitting at my desk with my headphones on. I faintly heard one of my co-workers complaining about being stuck in the middle of the street just outside the parking lot. I sat there and waited about 2 minutes expecting what would happen. Sure enough, she came over and was like, "ummm, I'm stuck, can you help me?" I pulled her car out with my tow strap in about 30 seconds.

:thumbup: Bart

[djvx]

Bart, we are getting that storm in Milwaukee now. I have some Riff Raff specials (General Grabber AT2) severe snow rated tires. They really are nice. I'm always happy to get that 1st snow, but winters-as you know-are extremely long here, I'm almost sick of it already:smilewink.

Your beast looks awesome!

[WormGod]

Must be a record in MD cause we got snow twice before Xmas. Kind of unheard of considering it is generally 60-65 this time of year. Sadly, last nights snow ended up getting mushed out by the rain that followed. This morning was an awesome slush mess that makes morning commutes !@#$ing lovely.... er, wait, that's every morning on the Capital Beltway.

I remember in '02 which was our last big one....

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/2/thumbs/41vx_snow.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/814)

Though I still would prefer this....

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/547/thumbs/41oc24_info.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/2373)

[tom4bren]

This one is along the same as Bart's pic.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/5478/ppuser/858/sl/u

[vt_maverick]

Though I still would prefer this....

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/547/thumbs/41oc24_info.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/2373)

+1 - We really should organize an East Coast beach event sometime, either in the Outer Banks or MD's Eastern Shore.

[handeeman]

I plan on posting some winter pics soon, but today it's in the 80's. We are suppose to have a front move in tonight and drop us into the 50's with a high around 65 tommorrow. Actually our coldest time of the year is Jan./Feb., so I might have to wait till then to post winter pics. oh and what is all that white stuff ya'll have on your VX's ?

[Scott Harness]

Yea,I keep thinking I want to move out west.Then I see the COLD!...NOT!
I need to win the lotto so I can have two places...a winter home down by Austin and a summer home in Moab or Durango,Taos,Sante Fe...ect
:snooz: wake up and stop dreaming Ha!

[Mark B]

Had a terrrible rain storm in Florida the other day. No snow but 80 degree temps. Must have 3 inched of water on the road. VX went through the puddle with no problems. Seriously, I feel for you guys in the cold north.

[Moonrover]

took the vx around the town since we received some snow last night so it was pretty slick. i was doing some self induced fishtailing and it handled amazingly as my new tires outperformed my expectations. i love this ride

[CrnCnn]

They said this is the most snow Reno has gotten since 2005.
Bart

This Pic is from '05 new years eve. Thats me and my dad. Notice the snow is to our waste and he is like 6'3" and im 6'(I'm not standing sraight here)

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/untitled.jpg

[deermagnet]

Seriously, I feel for you guys in the cold north.

We love the winter up here and the more snow the better. :yesy:
Give me a few feet of snow and I grab the snowshoes and crampons and head to the Catskills. There's no such thing as too much snow or too cold. My ever dependable VX always gets me there. :)

On this day I headed out at 6 degrees below zero solo up an unfamiliar mountain without trails and had a blast!
http://www.wtv-zone.com/markg/mag/mag4/2.jpg

http://www.drivehq.com/file/df.aspx/publish/mgpa/kaats/twin/85.jpg

http://www.drivehq.com/file/df.aspx/publish/mgpa/catsk/1.jpg

I love it when I can break a trail solo after a big snow.
http://www.drivehq.com/file/df.aspx/publish/mgpa/cats/552.jpg

All the Catskill fire towers have absolutely fantastic views.
http://www.drivehq.com/file/df.aspx/publish/mgpa/catsk/12.jpg

This is a color photo. I made it up there thru about 3.5' of snow. The wind up on the tower was about 40-50 mph. I could only stand it for a few minutes at a time taking a few fast photos.
http://www.drivehq.com/file/df.aspx/publish/mgpa/cats/553.jpg

http://www.wtv-zone.com/markg/img/img4/27.jpg

http://www.drivehq.com/file/df.aspx/publish/mgpa/catsk/13.jpg

I can't live without the mountains and streams and waterfalls and snowy winters!

Mark Griffin

[Triathlete]

I feel for you guys...I have been braving this fierce winter by...














...riding my bike today...







...outside...







...in shorts!:bwgy:

[pbkid]

We love the winter up here and the more snow the better. :yesy:
Give me a few feet of snow and I grab the snowshoes and crampons and head to the Catskills. There's no such thing as too much snow or too cold. My ever dependable VX always gets me there. :)


I can't live without the mountains and streams and waterfalls and snowy winters!

Mark Griffin
x2!!!!!!!!

i LOVE the snow... wouldnt trade it for anything. :thumbup:

[Triathlete]

I love it too, when I can drive 1.5 hours, play in it all day long, then drive back to 70 degrees and sunshine.:bwgy:

That pic of the waterfall is awesome!

[Polie]

old, but......

only -40
http://www.zuwharrie.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13216/DSCN0256_%28Large%29.JPG



and dont ask my G.I. Joe impression at -110*F in the buff

[ZEUS]

Last night Moab hit -3ºF! They received a foot of snow and more is coming! The La Sals even have avalanche warnings in place! I would love to see the contrast of red rock under that much white. I wonder if icicles will start to form under some of the arches. Throw in a VX or 2 and you would have some spectacular images! Sorry for the partial T.J., just thought some would find it interesting...

[Scott Harness]

I love it too, when I can drive 1.5 hours, play in it all day long, then drive back to 70 degrees and sunshine.:bwgy:

That pic of the waterfall is awesome!

That's what I say! My kind of winter.

[crotchrocket]

hmm not seen winter yet, its just wet! Only had to wear a coat 3 times so far. Whos said global warming is a bad thing :D

[Triathlete]

Last night Moab hit -3ºF! They received a foot of snow and more is coming! The La Sals even have avalanche warnings in place! I would love to see the contrast of red rock under that much white. I wonder if icicles will start to form under some of the arches. Throw in a VX or 2 and you would have some spectacular images! Sorry for the partial T.J., just thought some would find it interesting...

Sounds like you need to make a road trip!:bwgy:


hmm not seen winter yet, its just wet! Only had to wear a coat 3 times so far. Whos said global warming is a bad thing

Isn't it always wet/rainy in London?:rotate:

[MSHardeman]

Back to stories of VX awesomeness...

We just got 18" of snow dumped on us up here in the Colorado mountains. The storm took everyone by surprise, including me. I have been in the process of trying to find some winter tires for the VX to replace my VERY worn Terra Grapplers. I was really worried that the Grapplers wouldn't have any life left on them and that I would be sliding around on the road like an excited Jack Russel on a freshly waxed wood floor. That has NOT been the case though.

I'm not proud of the fact that I'm rolling around on worn out tires, but the VX has been absolutely stable. I make sure to give myself plenty of room to stop, but haven't really skidded once. Taking off from a dead stop is no problem either as the TOD kicks power forward when it's needed.

This little car just continues to amaze me even after five years.

[JAMAS]

Back to stories of VX awesomeness...


THANK YOU!!!

:)

[MSHardeman]

OH, another story of VX awesomeness that I just remembered.

A couple of years ago I was trucking down the highway on my way to work, moving with the flow of traffic in the left hand lane. About a half mile ahead, at an intersection, the light turned red and I saw everyone's brake lights start to come on. I lifted off of the gas to let the VX coast and I was getting ready to start braking when I noticed most of the cars in front of me start to fish tail and swerve all over the road. I was thinking that there cars where just not as awesome as the VX and that Vicki (the VX) would have NO problem stopping where their inferior modes of transportation were floundering.

Um, I was wrong. When I stepped lightly on the brake peddle nothing happened; no slowing down, no nothing. I stepped on the peddle harder and I still wasn't slowing down, but the rear end did start to swing around to the left (drivers side). It really surprised me because the anti-lock wasn't kicking in; the VX was just sliding along at about 40 mph. Nothing like a little black ice to ruin your day. As Vicki's was starting to spin almost completely sideways, I could see the rear end of the car at the stop light coming up pretty fast. Luckily there really wasn't anyone around me, and I saw some snow on the far right hand shoulder, so I checked the right lane really quickly (out the passenger side window, I might add, since I was sliding sideways) and GUNNED it. The TOD kicked in, and all four wheels started spinning and finding a little bit of grip on the ice. Vicki shot forward across the right hand lane, narrowly missing the car at the stop light in the left hand lane, and headed for the shoulder. As I was crossing the right hand lane I turned to the left to straighten Vicki out, and we where almost back to straight when we hit the shoulder. I know it might sound strange to some, but depending on your tires, there is much more grip in snow than on ice. Once we made it to the shoulder I hit the brakes and brought Vicki to a nice safe stop.

Needless to say I had to sit on the shoulder for a little bit to gather my nerves back up and wait for the shaking to subside. I also needed to change my shorts....OK, not really, but it was probably close.

I just know that without the TOD, the power in the engine, and the snappy handling of the VX I would have plowed into the car in front of me.

Long live the VX!!

[ZEUS]

Sounds like you need to make a road trip!:bwgy:

Yeah I know... and I am... this weekend even... to the north tho. :p

I'm going to spend Saturday wheeling with knivx in Idaho. Expect stories and pics of VX-awesome-ness afterward! :yesy:

See how I did that? Yeah, that's right, full circle, punks! :bgwo:

[Triathlete]

See how I did that? Yeah, that's right, full circle, punks! :bgwo:

With the years has come much wiseness grasshoper!:bwgy:

[tom4bren]

See how I did that? Yeah, that's right, full circle, punks! :bgwo:

We stand in awe in your greatness.

[CrnCnn]

I really have noticed that the thread jacking has slowed overall and it really makes for a quieter forum.

[JAMAS]

With the snowy season among us, I figured a thread like this would be kinda fun.


Lets try this again...

[ZEUS]

We stand in awe in your greatness.And the difference is...? KIDDING! Jeez.

My VX gets me to work every day... even during the fall of 2009 and I predict it'll perform just as well when winter of 2009/2010 gets here. ...cuz, ya know, it's pretty awesome. :yesgray: I love drifting thru drifts and seeing a wall of white as I slide to the right. The VX does this better than anything else I have owned. Can't wait till winter! :p

I'll shut up now.

[nemo]

Hey guys (and gals) I don't have one of my VX (have only had it a few months) in the snow but will share one of my Sami (hope no one minds) - don't have a lot of snow in Alabama but plan to get the VX wet if and when it does this year.

Ed

[Triathlete]

I'll shut up now.

No you won't!:bwgy:

Just to stay on topic...yeah, it snows in Tucson!
http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo150/Triathlete/VX%20in%20the%20snow/VXMtLemmonSnow03015.jpg

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo150/Triathlete/VX%20in%20the%20snow/VXMtLemmonSnow03008.jpg

And it was awesome!:bwgy:

[pbkid]

man, i have some crazy stories of my vx...

[nfpgasmask]

Hey guys (and gals) I don't have one of my VX (have only had it a few months) in the snow but will share one of my Sami (hope no one minds) - don't have a lot of snow in Alabama but plan to get the VX wet if and when it does this year.

Ed

Hey Ed, love the Samis. I wouldn't mind owning one someday. I but I need a Trooper RS, and a Defender 90 first. :)

Bart

[CrnCnn]

Not much of a story,

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMG_01211.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMG_01221.jpg

Saw this guy at Sushi Moto. I am sure he is a member here but not very active. BBBEAST is the plates.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMG_01231.jpg

[nfpgasmask]

Yeah, I've talked to that guy before. I see him down in our area all the time.

Bart

[nemo]

Hey Ed, love the Samis. I wouldn't mind owning one someday. I but I need a Trooper RS, and a Defender 90 first. :)

Bart

Thanks Bart, I really love it but due to health problems it has to go so if you know somebody looking send them my way. If I was rich I would keep the Sami and VX then I could go anywhere under any conditions. It has a great motor and solid body, unlike some I have seen.

Ed

[nfpgasmask]

Photos from yesterday. Got the Trooper running again with the rebuilt 3.4. Took her for a test drive in the mountains behind my neighborhood. The fog was insane. You can normally see the whole city from up there, but once we broke out of mist and into the sun we looked back and the city was nothing but a blanket. Reno looked more like a lake!

That's my friend Tom driving the Troop and having a blast hammering through the snow drifts.
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2009/12-14-09/01.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2009/12-14-09/02.jpg

My VX. We took both vehicles just in case the Trooper farted out.
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2009/12-14-09/03.jpg

This is scary. I came really close to sliding off this cliff. I know you can't tell from the photo, but trust me that this spot scared the crap outta me. My rear end just kept sliding toward the cliff and I made the dumb mistake of stopping as it was happening. Slowly I got out of it with Tom spotting. After I pulled out of it, he looked at me and said, "dude, that was way to close". My heart was pounding for like 15 minutes after that. This was the closest I have come to rolling my VX. Yikes.
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2009/12-14-09/04.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2009/12-14-09/05.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2009/12-14-09/06.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2009/12-14-09/07.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2009/12-14-09/10.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2009/12-14-09/11.jpg

We also sent a little lead downrange while we were out there.
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2009/12-14-09/12.jpg

Wild horses.
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2009/12-14-09/08.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2009/12-14-09/09.jpg

Bart

[pbkid]

sweet. nice pics bart.

a little off-topic, but i went snowbashing with the new 'yeti' on saturday.
wish i had a camera, but i got some light carnage. i got into a fight with a tree and lost half a mirror.

[vt_maverick]

Nice pics Bart, that fog does make it look like a lake! So I take it by the last photos and comments you were sending "a little lead downrange" at the "wild horses." ? :p

[JAMAS]

I wish that was in MY backyard. Looks like a blast!

[tomdietrying]

Bart,
Thanks for the shots! Makes me want to go out and have a little fun with my VX. That one picture really shows how close you came from rolling down the cliff. I agree 100% - SCAREY!!!!!
Peace.
Tom

[CrnCnn]

Nice pics Bart, that fog does make it look like a lake! So I take it by the last photos and comments you were sending "a little lead downrange" at the "wild horses." ? :p

No way, thats big trouble in little reno. Plus Bart wouldnt hurt an animal unless they were the last two creatures on earth and even then he would have a hard time.

[Scott Harness]

Congrats Bart! You guys make winter look fun.:yesb:

[ZEUS]

My friend recorded a bit of our snow fun around Wendover this last weekend. The 3 vids pretty much suck, but they are here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yHc5HS0dEc). Video and pics never do justice.

[Moonrover]

I also needed to change my shorts....OK, not really, but it was probably close.


LoL i know what you mean. A few yeas ago when i was rolling around in my hoopty 91 Toyota Camry on the expressway. needless to say i was coming off the exit ramp, and hit a patch of black ice, did a 360, and the car stopped in the shoulder after hitting a few hay bales. That was probably one of the scariest things to happen to me driving. Good thing nobody was behind me or i would of been a goner for sure and luckily i was able to drive away.

[nfpgasmask]

Nice pics Bart, that fog does make it look like a lake! So I take it by the last photos and comments you were sending "a little lead downrange" at the "wild horses." ? :p

Absolutely not. All my guns are people guns. :D I like the horses. There are a lot of red neck douche-bags here however that hate them. I heard on NPR the other day that the Dept of Fish and Game is investigating a wild horse slaughter near the NV/Cali border. I really don't understand man's desire to pointlessly kill animals. I like animals better than most people, so....

Bart