Is it time? Tell me its not.

[JHarris1385]

Need encouragement.

Obviously I love the VX but it has become less practical everyday.

-SPACE-
Yes, I can put a car seat back there, its not easy but I deal with it daily.
But it really isnt as convenient as a four door SUV. Nor is the storage space.
During hunting season I have one seat folded down and all of my gear on that side while my son sits in his seat on the other. Dont worry, it is all safe. Everything is out of reach. However it is crammed!


-ENGINE-
Mine burns oil and it makes me wonder if one day it will just stop. Will I be faced with a bill for a new engine this year, next year or 5-10 years down the road? Been dealing with this issue for a while. Burns a quart every 500 now. BUT, I am on the first leg of the diesel oil experiment.

-WHAT ELSE-
This is what keeps me here and driving the VX. Nothing else compares! Looks wise. Every time I think about what i would drive daily instead I just cant pull the trigger. Nothing is rare enough or "cool" enough to be driven daily. I have thought about an Axiom but finding a good condition 2004 for a reasonable price (what they are worth), with the options I would like is not the easiest.

However, as bland as it is, a Porsche Cayenne Turbo has caught my attention mainly because I found one and it is for a pretty good price....450hp is tempting. Sell the VX and my Firebird and have one 450hp monster?
Yes Porsche may have problems but doesnt my VX?

[vp277]

One thing to keep in mind: maintenance and repairs will be a LOT more expensive on a Porsche.

[evillecutter]

One thing to keep in mind: maintenance and repairs will be a LOT more expensive on a Porsche.

agreed - but at least you can find parts and people to work on it fairly easily if you cant do it yourself

a wise old man once told me - dont buy a cadillac unless you can afford two of them - this goes for most if not all luxury or performance cars... and the vx

[evillecutter]

Need encouragement.

Obviously I love the VX but it has become less practical everyday.

-SPACE-
Yes, I can put a car seat back there, its not easy but I deal with it daily.
But it really isnt as convenient as a four door SUV. Nor is the storage space.
During hunting season I have one seat folded down and all of my gear on that side while my son sits in his seat on the other. Dont worry, it is all safe. Everything is out of reach. However it is crammed!


-ENGINE-
Mine burns oil and it makes me wonder if one day it will just stop. Will I be faced with a bill for a new engine this year, next year or 5-10 years down the road? Been dealing with this issue for a while. Burns a quart every 500 now. BUT, I am on the first leg of the diesel oil experiment.

-WHAT ELSE-
This is what keeps me here and driving the VX. Nothing else compares! Looks wise. Every time I think about what i would drive daily instead I just cant pull the trigger. Nothing is rare enough or "cool" enough to be driven daily. I have thought about an Axiom but finding a good condition 2004 for a reasonable price (what they are worth), with the options I would like is not the easiest.

However, as bland as it is, a Porsche Cayenne Turbo has caught my attention mainly because I found one and it is for a pretty good price....450hp is tempting. Sell the VX and my Firebird and have one 450hp monster?
Yes Porsche may have problems but doesnt my VX?

im in your same boat - for me i think its finally time - i love it but i need something more reliable and easier to find parts for - giving it a week or two on here then putting a sign on it in the front yard

i would never tell someone to sell their vehicross, but i also completely understand when someone does

[ZEUS]

You can take the driver out of the VX but you cannot take the VX out of the driver. I got rid of mine for the same reasons you listed. I could not for the life of me figure out what to replace it with (before I got rid of it) until I decided I would have to build something more unique. Well that takes so much time so I got a Trailblazer a couple years later. Talk about PRACTICAL! And boring...

[nocturnalVX]

I am dealing with the ever increasing need to deal with reality as well...
I love the VX, and wish I could have a huge garage with one of each color. The reality is that it's a 13 year old, rare, limited production vehicle that should (at this time) be retired as my daily driver. I may be liquidating stuff in the not-too-distant future in anticipation of moving out West to be with Cecilia. I'm not in the position to have 2 cars (and 1 or 2 other toys as well). I've been collecting extra bits over the years to keep the VX.

Do we keep it, or get something else and pass on the VehiCROSS to somebody that can keep it as a toy? Dilemmas...

[vt_maverick]

Well I can tell you for sure NOT to buy a 2004 Axiom. The DI engine everyone loves to lust for was only made in that one year, and in addition to DI it's also an interference engine. The ECM is different too obviously, all of which will make any engine problem VERY difficult to solve - replacement engines are extremely hard to find - and that's to say nothing of the accelerated cost. Injectors are more expensive than in 02 and 03, same thing for shocks, upper radiator hose, etc etc etc. All that said she's been one rugged tough truck for us, we've put 112K miles on her since we bought her in March of 2009, and those have been mostly free of any major repairs. She's also survived 3 deer strikes and two unplanned exits from the pavement (:)) and I drove her home each time. So if you go the Axiom route I would shoot for an 02 or 03.

[JHarris1385]

You can take the driver out of the VX but you cannot take the VX out of the driver. I got rid of mine for the same reasons you listed. I could not for the life of me figure out what to replace it with (before I got rid of it) until I decided I would have to build something more unique. Well that takes so much time so I got a Trailblazer a couple years later. Talk about PRACTICAL! And boring...

Perfect explanation. On the trailblazer note I looked at a Saab 9-7x Areo, think it was on here that someone mentioned it too. Vette engine in a boring SUV. Same as a trailblazer SS.

For me the Cayenne has that fun factor due to purely just the power. Styling I honestly don't care for it too much.

My wife has the small C class Mercedes which will probably be too small for us, but not everyone, to have two children in. The VX with a two car seats is doable but for whom has done this knows it is crammed. We plan to keep this it has been very reliable and fun to drive (supercharged). And honestly VERY easy to work on.

Axiom...from what the planet said I should buy an 04? Newer engine and better tranny. Maybe I'll reconsider and look for a 4x4 and leather 02-03.

PS...can't even believe I have come to the point of making this post even my wife is surprised I'm having second thoughts. She likes the VX a lot too.

[vp277]

At this point the VX is a daily driver for a hard core enthusiast or a collector's item. The parts are getting hard to get by, although still easy compared with other cars I have. If you can afford multiple cars, keep the VX and get a DD that fits your needs. You might be able (I have) to insure it as a collectible, but not easy, given that it's a truck and less than 25 years old.

[JHarris1385]

My VX is my DD and that's is the issue, what can really replace it? Something just a unique but more accommodating. Nothing is out there. For the first time, something, the Cayenne, has actually interested me.

[Mile High VX]

Can you just keep the VX and buy an bland DD that fits your budget...that way you can have COOL when you want and functional when you need it.

If I had to drive to an office daily, instead of working out of my home, I would find a way to do that myself.

When I bought my VX I also had a 99 Accord Coupe. Finally sold that to my son, but it was nice having both.

[tom4bren]

My $.02 (& I want change):

Don't do it. Figure out a way to keep her ... or you'll spend years regretting it. I've disposed of 2 cars in my life that I seriously wish I'd have talked myself into keeping - both were years ago & I still have regrets.

SPACE: Get a hitch try for some of the gear & free up the interior room. No solution to the carseat issue (unless you want to get creative and ditch the rear seat and hard mount the baby seat to the floor:))

ENGINE: Good move on the Rotella to cure the oil consumption issue. Keep us posted on your results. The other thing you can try is to eliminate the PCV and replace it with either a breather or an oil catch can. That's what I'm doing on the Amigo & it looks promising.

[tysamigo]

I agree. I think you'll regret it if you did. Don't know if you saw yet, but there's a relatively new Proton owner just a couple miles from me, so that's 3 of us now closeby... maybe that helps lol

I support ya either way... but I sure do think that it'll be hard to know you've let her go. Have you asked someone else who is no longer a VX owner but is "still with us" in the forum?

BTW, if you're in the area... you should let me know and ride over and see how far along the proton is now... HUGE difference since you last saw it.

[vt_maverick]

Axiom...from what the planet said I should buy an 04? Newer engine and better tranny. Maybe I'll reconsider and look for a 4x4 and leather 02-03.


I'd be interested to know how many people making those comments actually have an 04 Axiom, or even for those that do, how many have put 110K miles on one and are now at a pretty high mileage (almost 185K for us). I find a lot of groupthink goes on in message boards where people with no experience often parrot things other people have written. Not a big deal, heck I've done it myself too, BUT the problem is when people don't admit to having no direct experience.

The engine is newer, but if that's your only criteria everyone would have traded in their first-gen Mustangs and Corvettes for Pintos. The new engine shares very few mechanical bits with the exponentially more available non-DI 3.5 and 3.2 engines, and it has a much lower tolerance for non-premium/detergent-enriched gasoline (lots of people have multiple $300+ OEM injectors go bad in the 100-150K range which is just ridiculous). People will also tell you that they don't burn oil because of the new piston design but that hasn't been my experience at all - it's been burning as fast or faster than my VX since we bought it at 72K miles.

They are right on the transmission being different than in previous years, including 02 and 03. When Buffy did my 5-speed swap I called Merlin to see if I should keep the auto as a back-up for the Axiom and he said the part number was different not only from the VX and Trooper transmissions but also from the 02 and 03 Axiom transmissions as well. They're all 4L30E variants, but some change must have been made along the way. What that change was, and how significant it was, are anybody's guess. Maybe Jerry Lemond would know?

Again I'll caveat all that with the fact that we've thoroughly enjoyed owning it, especially my wife who drives it every day and believes it is unkillable (largely due to those accident survivals I mentioned). It is a tough little SUV, but I just don't want you to jump in blindly thinking that it will be significantly more reliable than your VX.

[soggybottomboyz]

Don't get rid of the VX. Park it, store it, garage it but don't let it go. These are true treasures, people still to this day ask what my wifes is and where can you find them!! As far as I know they are not making any more of them!!

[SilverBullet75]

Re: Saab 9-7x Aero...
I replaced my VX with an '08 Aero and absolutely LOVE IT.
Is it in the same "coolness class" as the VX? No. But the power is awesome and the gas mileage is a tad better than the VX. Also, with 2 kids the Saab is WAY more practical for me.
I do miss the VX, but have also found the reliability of the LS2 to be awesome!

Sorry, just had to throw in my $.02.

[evillecutter]

Re: Saab 9-7x Aero...
I replaced my VX with an '08 Aero and absolutely LOVE IT.
Is it in the same "coolness class" as the VX? No. But the power is awesome and the gas mileage is a tad better than the VX. Also, with 2 kids the Saab is WAY more practical for me.
I do miss the VX, but have also found the reliability of the LS2 to be awesome!

Sorry, just had to throw in my $.02.

i thought saab went out of business? they had the same 2 models of car for like 25 years

[SilverBullet75]

They did (in USA). But the 9-7x is basically a dressed up Chevy Trailblazer, with the Aero model being equiv. of the SS.
So it's 95% GM with some Saab-specific trim.
Parts availability is not an issue.

[Scott Larson]

Saab is definitely still alive and is now owned by a new Swede start-up called Nevs; GM and Spyker have no interest remaining in Nevs Saab. It will be interesting to see where they go from here...they built some interesting cars. :_steering

[ZEUS]

I did look at the Saab as well - I love the 4.2 inline tho so was looking to stay away from the V8. The 4.2 still has lots of get up! It is rare to see the 9-7X which is a plus. However, I wanted to have the low range option (have not used it yet) & the TB has 2WD, part-time AWD, 4WD, 4-Low but the Saab is just AWD. Plus I only spent $5500 on the TB top-o-line LTZ with sunroof, heated power leather, & 5 cup holders! Haha

[SilverBullet75]

The 9-7x still has cup holder issues...lol
One on the console and one on the dash that is a joke. Both are only suited for 12oz cans.

[TheGanzman]

Parts are hard to come by? WHAT parts EXACTLY? Other than body parts, almost all "service items" are available - either brand new (aftermarket), used, or OEM. Sure, you might have to wait even a couple weeks to source them/get them; that's NO different than almost ANY 13 year old vehicle that's not a Chevrolet or a Ford!

Sorry, but mine has been my DD for going on 5 years/50K miles now; it's been THE most reliable vehicle of the 24 vehicles I've owned in my life by FAR! And every time I think about replacing it with another SUV and do a "door count" (with the exception of the Range Rover Evoque) I come up with FOUR; not TWO...

Now pardon me while I get in my Vehicross and drive it 120 miles today...:grino:

[evillecutter]

that's NO different than almost ANY 13 year old vehicle that's not a Chevrolet or a Ford!



...or toyota, or nissan, or dodge, or bmw, or mercedes, or volkswagen, or jeep... lol

i can get parts and people to work on any of these no problem

however you try to sugar coat it, the vx is a black sheep

[karrijp]

I have been struggling with all of this myself. I just can't bring myself to get rid of it. There is nothing else out there that interests me like my VX! I'm paying out the rear end for parts and labor to fix it, but how much is a car payment every month on a newer vehicle. I would say it evens itself out. I get so many compliments on mine and no one has a clue it's 13 years old, they think it's brand new. I would like to find a cheap DD so I can save some of my miles put on the VX.

[H3_VX]

Depending on the part, most things can be fabricated by most respectable shops. I'm not worried. Plus, I plan on only using this car for a DD a little longer. I am a real enthusiast for these vehicles and would not sell for any reason, but I understand there are people on here that are not. I spent two years looking for the perfect opportunity and right one. The small amount I could sell the car for is simply not even close to what it would be worth to sell for me. Its a collectible more than anything else. People should really not be buying this car as a reliable DD that they intend to remain this way for years. Its a second or third car to enjoy, stare at and drive occasionally.

[JHarris1385]

Popped and burnt a serp belt last night while a good 45minutes away from home.

It started smoking and scared the wife pretty good since we had our son in the back.

Looked like an easy fix, bought a new belt and installed it...only to find the tensioner not spinning and it burnt the new belt. $30 for 1st belt, $30 for another new belt, $50 for tensioner, $100 !!!! FOR THE TOW HOME!

Still its tough to justify the sell even when it becomes more of a want than a need.

[pbkid]

Just my $.02, from a previous VX owner;
I regret it every single time I see a VX, but the other 359 days a year I'm really happy to have something more practical, roomier, cheaper to fix and put gas into(4 days for moab, and two occasional sightings).
I traded for a 4Runner, which is obviously not the 'unique' vehicle you are looking for, its not what i was looking for either, but it was the right price (I made 3k selling my VX and put it into upgrades on the runner).
Unique is fun, but unique is also very, very expensive.
other trucks i would consider? well that depending on your budget, but here is my personal list, in no particular order.
Jeep SRT8
Infiniti FX50/45/35 (the 35 is rad because it has all the aftermarket support of the 350z engine so; superchargers, turbos, chips, intakes, exhausts, etc)
Cadillac SRX
Yota Tundra
Ford edge eco-boost (sounds lame, but its got some serious get-up and a SWEET interior)
Subie STI

I hope you can keep you VX, because I really do miss mine all the time, but its totally understandable if its a primary vehicle.

[nocturnalVX]

other trucks i would consider? well that depending on your budget, but here is my personal list, in no particular order.
Jeep SRT8
Infiniti FX50/45/35 (the 35 is rad because it has all the aftermarket support of the 350z engine so; superchargers, turbos, chips, intakes, exhausts, etc)
Cadillac SRX
Yota Tundra
Ford edge eco-boost (sounds lame, but its got some serious get-up and a SWEET interior)
Subie STI

I hope you can keep you VX, because I really do miss mine all the time, but its totally understandable if its a primary vehicle.

What... no Nissan Xterra PRO-4X? That is what I would get when/if I decide to sell my VX. Not nearly as unique as the VehiCROSS, but available with a manual trans. For driving fun, and a pretty good aftermarket too.

[JHarris1385]

I agree with the FX - thanks for the 35 info. That may help create the uniqueness i need. I told my wife I would be happy if we both had FXs.

I passed on the Cayenne Turbo - it DID have MILES at 140k but I know the buyer got it for $8200.

My newer idea is selling my firebird and just upgrading the summer fun car. Thinking XLR. And for whatever reason I still like the older Mercedes CLK pre 2004.

[JHarris1385]

And NO I can not drive a econo car daily.

[JHarris1385]

Alright, its that time again.

The pressure has built up to where I just sadly need a 4 door. Only this time Im thinking of going cheap and not selling but having another as an addition.

My son is 2.5yr now and tall enough to make it tough to put him into his seat when he doesnt do it himself.

Hopefully I never have to sell but when I buy a 4 door, my fear is that I will be spoiled by it and not want to drive the VX much. We all know its fun for more reasons than one.

Does anyone else hunt? Its crazy fitting a tree stand/other gear/and weapon of the season with a car seat.

My list -
Axiom - very specific - some planet guys almost changed my mind, plus there are a lot with blown engines or new transmissions.

ML55/500 - For some reason, even as van-like as they look, I like them a little -

Envoy XUV - I have learned to like this as well. There have been times I wish I had a truck bed or covered bed.

Touareg - plain style but decent

Xterras - but not sure if it is big enough - and seems to easy to replace the VX with modding it.

[circmand]

Buy the cheap 4 door and use it for the Crawler crawler take the back seat out of the VX and use it for fun and hunt. Without the back seat weapons and gear fit fine

[tom4bren]

Mebbe you can find a sweet deal on sumpn like this. I usta have one & still miss it.

[JHarris1385]

This vehicle will be most likely non-lifted (except if I get the Xterra), making maybe just maybe the VX more outfitted for off roading only.

[Hades]

Id say FJ, but I dont have 2 legged kids. Xterra has a timing chain that has to be replaced at 60k due to plastic chain guides, just a warning. If its not true off roading a forester xt or gla amg.

[ahdoman]

DO NOT GET A TOUAREG! I know 3 people who have had them, nothing but problems including one that had to have a driveshaft replaced at 40k miles.

[tom4bren]

This vehicle will be most likely non-lifted

Actually the TLC was great ... even not lifted. It has seating for 8 (which is why we got it). I have 3 kids & Bren has 3 so we were quite challenged for transportation when we first started out together. It was a real beastie. All of the kids learnt to drive in it except for the youngest. We put 1/4 million miles on it during it's tenure as a tot toter for us. The 4WD system on it was remarkable ... it went anywhere I pointed it.

It's worth a quick check on Craigslist to see if there are any out there in the right price range.

[circmand]

Actually the TLC was great ... even not lifted. It has seating for 8 (which is why we got it). I have 3 kids & Bren has 3 so we were quite challenged for transportation when we first started out together. It was a real beastie. All of the kids learnt to drive in it except for the youngest. We put 1/4 million miles on it during it's tenure as a tot toter for us. The 4WD system on it was remarkable ... it went anywhere I pointed it.

It's worth a quick check on Craigslist to see if there are any out there in the right price range.

Alice?

[tom4bren]

I must be dense. Can't figger out where you're goin wit dat:_confused

[IndianaVX]

John, at risk of being thrown off this forum, and being laughed at and mocked,I make the following suggestion cause you are a friend.... So here it goes

Have you considered the "mini van" alternative. I know, I know it sounds insane! But, having my 3 grandkids now, I take them every morning to school in the vx, and THEY love the vx. However, my truck is in repair since the wreck. My wife has a Pontiac Montana, and it's a good looking van, leather heated seats and mirrors, all kinds of room and options for sound equipment. We can easily haul 4 adults, and three kids in boosters and car seats and still have room in back for luggage ect. Extremely dependable, has traction control, the thing has ran and ran with hardly any serious issues, just routine maintanence and it keeps ticking. Gets pretty good gas mileage, is very comfortable to drive, get thru snow without issue. Power sliding doors on both sides. Is it as cool as the vx? No, not at all! Is it easy to load up 3 kids, and all their gear in a matter of a minute and a half when running behind? Yeah, it is! Yeah, you may need to build a fence to park it behind so no one knows you drive a mini van, and you can always tint the windows! But it really has a special spot. Even going out with friends, load it up with 6 adults, lots of room, cup holders galore! So, it's just another option. Easy to get parts in expensively as there is no shortage of them. Things are a little cramped in the engine bay, but it is still fairly easy to work on yourself. But I wouldn't get rid of the truck. Get an engine for vx and I will show you how to install it! Lol

[circmand]

I must be dense. Can't figger out where you're goin wit dat:_confused

You have 3 kids she has 3 kids now all you need is Alice and Sam the butcher slipping her his meat.

[tom4bren]

You have 3 kids she has 3 kids now all you need is Alice and Sam the butcher slipping her his meat.

Wow. I was being dense. We usta get the 'Brady' comments alla time.

[JHarris1385]

Those things hold their value so well, I do like them, but I would have to score a great deal on one to pop on it.


Actually the TLC was great ... even not lifted. It has seating for 8 (which is why we got it). I have 3 kids & Bren has 3 so we were quite challenged for transportation when we first started out together. It was a real beastie. All of the kids learnt to drive in it except for the youngest. We put 1/4 million miles on it during it's tenure as a tot toter for us. The 4WD system on it was remarkable ... it went anywhere I pointed it.

It's worth a quick check on Craigslist to see if there are any out there in the right price range.

[JHarris1385]

Its tempting...

Vans are what they are but also practical, cheaper than SUVs and usually are loaded with goodies.

My wife is pretty anti the van movement too.....I think in another 5 years she will give in. My friend just got an odyssey at the auction for a very good deal.

Iv been trying to read up on the Envoy XUV to see its reliability. I like the idea of it.

The Axiom is a pretty good value too but I see so many of them with engine and transmission problems. I checked out one with leather and sunroof an XS with 70k for $2000.


John, at risk of being thrown off this forum, and being laughed at and mocked,I make the following suggestion cause you are a friend.... So here it goes

Have you considered the "mini van" alternative. I know, I know it sounds insane! But, having my 3 grandkids now, I take them every morning to school in the vx, and THEY love the vx. However, my truck is in repair since the wreck. My wife has a Pontiac Montana, and it's a good looking van, leather heated seats and mirrors, all kinds of room and options for sound equipment. We can easily haul 4 adults, and three kids in boosters and car seats and still have room in back for luggage ect. Extremely dependable, has traction control, the thing has ran and ran with hardly any serious issues, just routine maintanence and it keeps ticking. Gets pretty good gas mileage, is very comfortable to drive, get thru snow without issue. Power sliding doors on both sides. Is it as cool as the vx? No, not at all! Is it easy to load up 3 kids, and all their gear in a matter of a minute and a half when running behind? Yeah, it is! Yeah, you may need to build a fence to park it behind so no one knows you drive a mini van, and you can always tint the windows! But it really has a special spot. Even going out with friends, load it up with 6 adults, lots of room, cup holders galore! So, it's just another option. Easy to get parts in expensively as there is no shortage of them. Things are a little cramped in the engine bay, but it is still fairly easy to work on yourself. But I wouldn't get rid of the truck. Get an engine for vx and I will show you how to install it! Lol

[tom4bren]

My wife is pretty anti the van movement too.....

If you want to talk your wife into a van, present the following scenario to her:

It's raining ... hard. You have to get the kids to school. Do you want your arse outside in the rain whilst buckling the little ankle biters into their seats or do you want it in the warm/dry van.

That's was the clincher whenever I wanted to get a conversion van for hauling the kids around years ago (back when they were still kids:))

[Marlin]

We just bought a brand new Ford Flex on Sunday. We love it! Seats 7, gets 23mpg, enough horsies to make me use both hands on the steering wheel, tows 5000lbs and they are 6-15K off of MSRP right now, due to new model 2015 coming out next year sometime. We got ours for 26K out the door. It is unique enough to meet my demands, but of course, we still have the VX and the sitting in the driveway as well. Kind of wanted a van, but they just don't have the tow capacity. With the flex,I can tow the VX if I had to to get her home.

[IndianaVX]

Think of it this way, it is just a temporary thing.....in a couple of years, the kid, or kids will be able to climb quickly into whatever it is you own...(vx). for what you are considering spending on another suv, you could have a new engine in the vx, and also a quality van with all the goodies and good times that it can hold!