Should I buy this VehiCross? [Text View]

FuddyMucker

01/14/2010, 11:28 AM

Hi Guys

I love the look of these trucks and am after one for offroading, I know I will need to spend some pounds on lifting and larger tyres exc.. but I don't know what is a good price for a standard truck?
I have seen a few online in the UK and most have done between 25,000 and 60,000 miles and are asking for around the �5000 mark, the thing is I have found a 1998 truck for �3000 complete with gas conversion but it has covered a massive 156,000 miles.
I guess what I am asking is if I would be better spending the extra on a lower milage truck or should it still be good for a fair few miles yet?

circmand

01/14/2010, 11:31 AM

but 156000 is not a lot for a 12 year plus car. I assume it is a JDM so our JDM brothers should take the lead here. What are you talking about gas conversion?

FuddyMucker

01/14/2010, 11:43 AM

By gas conversion I meen LPG (Liquefied petroleum gas) and yes for its age it is not over high but compaired to all the others Ive seen it is.
How many trouble free miles are these 3.2 V6 engines good for?

handeeman

01/14/2010, 12:33 PM

Hey Fuddy, wait till Crotchrocket or some of our UK members get a chance to see your post. I'm sure you'll get some replies then and they'll know what ya need to know.

kirk hilton

01/14/2010, 01:10 PM

Hi FM,

I'm in the UK and own a 175 edition VX but I also keep tabs on as many of the UK VXs as poss. On Autotrader there are currently a couple. There is a black one previously owned by Tony in Leek (about 20 miles away - I have his number). He really loved his VX and had a silver one before his black one. The dealer is possibly asking a little too much. Tony needed the money to retrain as a plumber (if his plans haven't changed). But it is much loved VX. Tony originally tried to sell on EBay for 4000 which is probably the private owner going price

If you can tell me more about the one you're looking at eg the reg I can poss tell you a bit of it history.

I believe there about 40 in the UK, most silver, and a few with LPG conversions (including one also my village)

As for off road, crotch rocket is the guy to speak too.

Regards Kirk

FuddyMucker

01/14/2010, 02:55 PM

circmand

01/14/2010, 03:17 PM

those of us in the US with a few exceptions do not know tthe current exchange rate so the pound price is unclear

Gussie2000

01/14/2010, 04:07 PM

Thanks Guys for your quick replies, you can see the truck I was thinking about here
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1416739.htm
He did have it as having done 115,000 miles which I was ok with but when he told me his speedo was showing 252,000klm something did not add up... this is more like 156,000, of this I let him know and he has since edited the advert.
Looking forward to hearing from Crotch Rocket, with photos...

Because is a isuzu brand vehicule the mileage showing on that nice green VX shouldn't be an issue i mean,it's a isuzu, + it's owned by someone who seemed to take care of it & that is what really matters.

My advise : Get in touch with the seller & schedule a drive test,look at it & then you'll know if the price is right.

Generally out there is many cars with less then 50K in worst conditions then many with over 100K.

alterastro

01/14/2010, 04:17 PM

Hi Fuddy

Welcome to the mad world of VX's!

The VX looks pretty good to me. It says it's had the timing belt done recently - that will save you close to �1000, but I'd make sure the guy has a proper bill for it. Also find out if the water pump was done at the same time. He doesn't talk much about the gas conversion, but also find out if that has been serviced and has a certificate. Not a major issue if not, but good if he's got it.

As for the mileage.... I would say that's down to personal preference and luck. If it's been looked after as he says then there is no reason the engine won't go on indefinatley. You've probably seen the ones on eBay for around �6000. They have been on there a long time and are overpriced. I paid �2,500 for mine, but was very luck :o So, �3,400 for that one? I would if all the paperwork tallies. If not, negotiate downwards. I guess he's open to offers anyway :smilewink The Gas conversion is a major bonus given that most of us are getting low double figures as far as fuel consumption goes!

Offroading? Yeah great! Mine has been lifted by larger springs on the rear, cranked tortion bars and big mud tyres. Theres not much more you can easily do, without custom fabrication, but I guess it depends on how far you want to go :winko:

Here's a couple of me playing - check my gallery for more: http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=3767

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/068.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMG_4192sm.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/0702.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMG_4266sm.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMG_4114sm.jpg

Good luck and keep us informed of what you do!

Nick

@circmand - Use xe.com for currency conversions

VX KAT

01/14/2010, 05:39 PM

those of us in the US with a few exceptions do not know tthe current exchange rate so the pound price is unclear

Here ya go circ...easy as pie...
http://www.xe.com/ucc/
$4,895 roughly.

Grif

01/14/2010, 09:48 PM

VX Kitty on the spot!!

kirk hilton

01/15/2010, 08:11 AM

Hi Fuddy, so it's THAT green VX. It was sold to the current owner David Thomas in Aug 09 for 3995 by Mr Cooks from Yorkshire. I have Mr Cooks mobile number and I've just spoke to him and he is willing to talk to you about it. If you send a private message I'll send his number (he wasn't on the forum). He'll give you the low down and history, but it appears to be (on the surface) a good un. But have a chat and also talk to CRocket. Also because they are rare at that good price, they go quickly.

Kirk

FuddyMucker

01/15/2010, 09:09 AM

Love the Photos Alterastro
Looks like you have fun in it.
Any plans for any other mods like a winch? Or have you never needed one?

FuddyMucker

01/15/2010, 10:07 AM

The reason I ask about the MODS is because I Love doing them!
Can't be doing with a standard car thats just boring, this is why I like the VX, it is not a standard looking car and has the power, performance and the potential to really go to town with the mods.
I currently drive an Asia Rocsta which is also rare in the UK (most people thing it is a Jeep), unlike the VX though the Rocsta as standard is unreliable and nasty to drive. So I played with it..
This is it standard

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f182/FuddyMucker/Black%20Truck/rocsta7.jpg

and this is what it looks like now.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f182/FuddyMucker/Black%20Truck/IMAG0213.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f182/FuddyMucker/Black%20Truck/3.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f182/FuddyMucker/Black%20Truck/P1020498.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f182/FuddyMucker/Black%20Truck/IMAG0257.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f182/FuddyMucker/Black%20Truck/IMAG0258.jpg

Now I'm after a new project :bwgy:

alterastro

01/15/2010, 10:09 AM

Very nice, and a good choice of tyres :-)

Yes, more mods will come with time. I'm planning on custom rock sliders to help protect the cladding and maybe a lightbar. Love a snorkle but nobody makes one and I don't like home made ones.

I also have a fully tricked up Pajero with snorkle, winch ect that I use for more extreme off-roading, so not likely to put a winch on. Someone has done it though... have a look around - its in here somewhere I think!

More pics in the gallery or on the Four Wheel Drive Club which I run.

Nick ;)

FuddyMucker

01/15/2010, 12:48 PM

OK Hands Off this Truck Guys, I'm Buying it

FuddyMucker

01/15/2010, 12:51 PM

It seems like the added intrest of calls about the truck is making him think not to drop the price for me by a couple hundered. If you contect him tell him it's worthless (joke)

kirk hilton

01/15/2010, 01:47 PM

I think I'm going to tell the seller the VX is worth a lot more (even with a high mileage the LPG improves it's value). That way the value of my own VX will be maintained rather than continue an depressing depreciation since buying it. :bwgy:

Kirk

crotchrocket

01/15/2010, 03:27 PM

WELCOME to another UK member!!! The green VX your looking at was the FIRST VX i ever saw a picture of. It was on Auto Trader in Feb 09 when i was searching for an automatic 4x4. It was about four and a half grand back then so i'd say it was a bargain, also has the rare JDM spotlights and bracket ( like mine :D ) I've looked into gas conversions and they are at least 1,600 quid and the VX loves its fuel! so i'd say go for it.

I love modding cars too and have spent some time and money on my VX although not as much as i'd like yet. I've loads more to do (currently installing an on board air system, its almost complete but the compressors too week so i'm swapping it for a Matt Savage VIAR one)

Take a look at this thread!!! Suprisingly the CLEAN silver one is Alterastro's before he christened it :D the other silver one with bull bars is Alan Bradley. Were going to get some meets together this year so hurry up and buy it!!

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=15925&highlight=UK+Meet

Mine's the middle one (usually black :D )

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j31/crotchrocket3000/hogmore%202/100_5283.jpg

FuddyMucker

01/16/2010, 01:43 PM

Well thanks to all of you guys who have advised me for and against buying this truck (well for buying it anyway, no negitive coments at all).
I left my house this morning at 4:30 am and got to Bangor north Wales at 9:30 after missing all the traffic on the motorway, at Bangor I removed �3300 in cash before driving across the bridge in to Anglesey for just after 10am, I couldn't believe my eyes when I looked over this so called imaculate truck to find it dirty (really Dirty) with poor interior. The pictures he had used were from a year ago when he bought it! not only was it in a bad way the blowers don't work, the bonnet didn't shut tight, the radio works but the 5" display does not, so no sat nav or reversing camera!
The mechanics of the truck looked and sounded fine and the history with it is very good but I was not about to give him the �3300 cash, more like a fat lip after driving that far!
Any how we did come to a deal in the end but I can't say how much (�2680).
So after just getting back home again I can say I am very happy with the truck, I love it, it just needs some TLC once more.
Any advise from you boys on the screen? it has power and runs the radio fine..
Any how I am nakered and of for some rest
Thanks again
FuddyMucker

ps, can I be in your gang now...

crotchrocket

01/16/2010, 02:00 PM

whoohoo, good news mate!! Congratulations what a steal!!!!

Dont worry about the head unit, the Nav doesnt work in the UK anyway. I swapped mine for a ripspeed one and hooked the camera up to it. Works fine!

As for the blowers there are a few threads on it, do a search, you should find something!

handeeman

01/16/2010, 02:03 PM

Fuddy, you've fallen in with some bad company. However I'm sure you will need a very nice lookin bird to wash your VX.

alanbradley

01/16/2010, 03:02 PM

Hi and welcome!

Mine's the mucky one to the right of Crotchrocket's piccy (normally silver-ish).

As regards off-roading, they're blooming competent. I'd recommend putting on some decent tyres, taking it for a run and then going from there. Mine has a slight lift from springs and some decent-szed tyres and will happily go anywhere a Lightweight Landy will go and a damn sight more comfortably. I get told off for "not entering into the spirit of it" when I complain about my CD skipping and the aircon being a little blowy when the Landy drivers are so shaken about they can hardly walk and covered in a film of dust. :D

Body protection is a pretty good thing to have given that the shiny bits and the see-through bits are the expensive parts to replace is you get things wrong. I had mine made my Billsons Steel in Kettering and they will still have all the steel profiles in their CAD system. More than happy to pass on Glynn's pohone number if you're interested...

I love mine and have no intention of selling it.

Alan

MSHardeman

01/16/2010, 08:08 PM

FM, as soon as you found your way to our little part of the WWW you where part of the gang (we call it the family, though)

WELCOME and congrats!

FuddyMucker

01/17/2010, 09:21 AM

Thank you Guys

I have spend 10 hours on it today,
cleaning the engine bay (like new, wow)
cleaning the inside which has also come up nice (shame about the missing rear speaker cover)
removing the blower fan only to find it jam'd up, freed and oiled, now working lovely.
This truck really is growing on me.

Off to try and fix the display screen now

alanbradley

01/17/2010, 11:27 AM

Wow, it must have been fairly abused. Poor thing...

How's the transmission, TOD, etc? Does it drive okay?

A

Greasemonkey

01/17/2010, 12:45 PM

Hey guys don't forget me - i have one too
seems we need to have a UK meet soon
Cheers
Steve

Sprey

01/17/2010, 05:55 PM

Aww dont forget me ! just kidding!

Whats wrong with the display screen? (guessing the headunits screen)

Less its in good hands now!
Congrats on your purchase

don moore

01/17/2010, 07:32 PM

GRATS on you VX ,,

alterastro

01/17/2010, 08:50 PM

Welcome to the UK clan!

You definately got a good buy there, well done :grino:

We're all looking forward to regular reports of what and how your doing!

Hi and welcome!
Mine has a slight lift from springs and some decent-szed tyres and will happily go anywhere a Lightweight Landy will go and a damn sight more comfortably.

Blimey Alan - I think I must have a different model to you then? :smilewink or have you changed the shocks too? :bwgy::bwgy:

The FWDC have a couple of events coming up - one at Hogmoor at the end of Feb and one at Slab at the end of March. Maybe we can all get together then for a bit of muddy fun??

Cheers FM and enjoy!

Nick ;)

FuddyMucker

01/17/2010, 10:16 PM

Yes she was in a poor way, and yes the screen that don't work is the headunits.
Well after looking into it a bit closer I have found that the screen does work you just can't see anything on it because the back light has gone, when on radio if you shine a torch into the screen at an angle you can just about make out what station your on.
Have had a little look on other posts but it seems that alot of people dont repair it when it breaks but just replace it with a better unit like a Alpine IVA-W200 which is touch screen, dvd and works fine with the revercing camera.
http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php?xProd=404
I will look in to fixing it before spending that sort of money.
As for the TOC system... well also not good, if it is in anything but 2 wheel drive then all the dash wheels flash check. Not sure I want to know whats wrong with this....:(

Sprey

01/17/2010, 11:18 PM

Another option for the Headunit, look out for ones that have been taken out of jap import cars. they have the same type of setup etc reversing cam option. the name for the plug is CCD.

Bad luck on the Tod, tho im sure its all fixable!

alterastro

01/17/2010, 11:54 PM

Yeah my head unit had the same problem when I got mine. It did work intermitantly if you banged the dash! I swapped mine as the radio is japanese (I couldn't understand a word they were saying :bwgy:) and so only have a limited frequesncy range. I swapped mine for an older version of this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/7-LCD-2-DIN-In-Car-DVD-Player-SatNav-Navigation-System_W0QQitemZ230424568599QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_ Audio_TV_Electronics_In_Car_Entertainment_GPS_In_C ar_Audio_Players_PP?hash=item35a65fe317
Works a treat!

It's possible that the TOD is just a bit sticky if it hasn't been used for a while. Try a mixture of shifting the lever and moving the car backards and forwards a bit. If you keep doing it it may free it up. The TOD is vacuum activiated and sometimes just needs freeing up.

Good luck ;)

Nick

kirk hilton

01/18/2010, 01:44 AM

this might be a quick fix, but I suspect you'll have already tried this, but the AddZest radio/camera display has a display dimmer on the left of the unit. It hasn't just been turned down to minimum has it?

FuddyMucker

01/18/2010, 05:21 AM

Hi Alterastro that looks like a cheaper option but how did you connect the camera if you dont have a CCD input? did you need an adaptor?

Hello Kirk and yes I have played with that but it makes no change to the display, would have loved it to be that easy though, thanks anyway.

Just changed my insurance over and was suprised how cheap it was to insure, :yesy: �320 Full Comp (�250 excess) or �200 3rd party :yesy:

crotchrocket

01/18/2010, 05:54 AM

if you have a Video in on your headunit (single yellow composit cable) the VX has a video out from the camera located on the control box in the boot, ints on the left hand side next to the Jack. just run a cable into the head unit, doesn't matter if its red, yellow or white. They are the same cable!!

kirk hilton

01/18/2010, 05:58 AM

Hi FM, yes its about the same insurance cost 4 me but I'm 45 and I live in Cheshire. CR is somewhat younger and he lives in London. Saying that last year I was with Directline - full comp was 500 (500 ex) with 8 years ncb so it's worth shopping around. CR will tell you more but I remember an adapter was used.

Kirk

crotchrocket

01/18/2010, 06:04 AM

Sorry its off topic, what insurance are you guys with as mines up at the end of the month

kirk hilton

01/18/2010, 06:44 AM

I went thru gocompare and the cheapest was "the policy shop", a little more expensive but still low on the ex was the RAC. Did have a problem with "the policy shop" as they initially forgot to include the proposal form with the doc pack - not a good sign as to their customer service (but u get what u pay 4)

PS went back to Directline - they were 100 quid more expensive and the ex was 500 not 350

FuddyMucker

01/18/2010, 07:14 AM

I'm 32 and my did mine through Adrian Flux, Very good customer service

crotchrocket

01/18/2010, 12:51 PM

I cant use the comparison websites as i hav mods :(

alterastro

01/18/2010, 02:03 PM

James I'm with Sureterm. Have a look at their website: http://www.sureterm.com/4x4-insurance/ and give them a ring for a quote. I've found them to be the cheapest for my Paj, VX and Audi. Greenlaning and off-roading is covered and mods aren't a problem. When you ring, say you are a member of the Four Wheel Drive Club (which you are!) and you'll get an extra 15% off.

But.... having said that, it always pays to shop around, as what is good for me wont necessarily be good for you. So also try

Adrian Flux - Also offer members 15% http://www.adrianflux.co.uk/cgi-bin/quote.cgi?form=CAR&*main*_source=FouOWN01

or

Noel Dazely http://www.noeldazely.co.uk/4x4.html

Please let us know how much each quotes you - be very interested to know.

@FM - yes as Crotch says, just run a cable from the adaptor box in the back.

Cheers

Nick

crotchrocket

01/19/2010, 08:05 AM

Thanks for your help Nick. Am with Flux at the moment and used my 300zx.co.uk membership for a discount, now thats run out it's great to know i can use your site's :D

James I'm with Sureterm. Have a look at their website: http://www.sureterm.com/4x4-insurance/ and give them a ring for a quote. I've found them to be the cheapest for my Paj, VX and Audi. Greenlaning and off-roading is covered and mods aren't a problem. When you ring, say you are a member of the Four Wheel Drive Club (which you are!) and you'll get an extra 15% off.

But.... having said that, it always pays to shop around, as what is good for me wont necessarily be good for you. So also try

Adrian Flux - Also offer members 15% http://www.adrianflux.co.uk/cgi-bin/quote.cgi?form=CAR&*main*_source=FouOWN01

or

Noel Dazely http://www.noeldazely.co.uk/4x4.html

Please let us know how much each quotes you - be very interested to know.

@FM - yes as Crotch says, just run a cable from the adaptor box in the back.

Cheers

Nick

Greasemonkey

01/19/2010, 09:07 AM

Hi James - i am with AF too - fixed payout of �7k if damaged and they don't repair it �330 per year
cheers
Steve

davidt2302

08/25/2019, 11:19 AM