As mentioned in a couple of earlier threads, I decided I wanted a VX. I've looked every day for the past 6 months to find one close enough to even consider buying. Finally, I stumbled onto one close enough to look at.
It was about an hour away. It was advertised as a one-owner '99 VX with 60k miles. Seller said it had been garaged parked. The only problem mentioned on the phone....he'd hit a tree limb and poked a hole thru the front bumper. And, there was slight leather wear. Asking price was close to $9k. I asked if he'd consider $8k. He said yes.
So, I'm all pumped thinking I'm going to get into a VX for a good price. Though it was more than I wanted to spend for a 2nd (backup) to my Corvette build, the mileage made up for the price.
The next day and 1:15 hr drive later, I get to see (what I hoped to be my next) VX.
It wasn't just the bumper that had a hole poked in it. The grill was badly scrated, the hood was badly scratched, the hood insert had two large "pimples", the motor was dirty, the undercarriage was past mild rust, the cladding was FADED, the interior was DIRTY, the leather was closing in on being cracked, the steering wheel was covered to hide being worn thru, and there was some vibration when I drove it.
Of course the 60k odometer was a plus and I didn't see any seal/fluid leaks. The paint on the sides and roof wasn't bad either. And, it has the "coveted" roof rack!
I pleaded and pleaded for the owner to consider $7k. I could easily see paying $500 (bumper), $500 (hood paint), $250 (grill), $1000 (leather replacement), $400 (tires for vibration), $250 (steering recover), and $300 (cleaning and cladding coloring.
For $3000, I could have gotten the superficial problems solved. But that left of question of undercarriage rust, lack of apparent care, and any other unseen mechanical issue that might not be apparent during a 15min test drive.
The owner had purchased for $10.5k and driven for 2yrs. After adding about 15k miles, a damaged front bumper, grill, and hood paint job -- plus a LOT of add'l dirt/wear to the interior, I could not understand how he determined the vehicle had depreciated only $2,500. Really, I'd put money on the undercarriage rust having occured during his ownership too.
But, this guy INSISTED that people would be happy to pay $8k for a 60k mile VX -- despite all those issues. To be honest, I can't say that someone, somewhere wouldn't just do that either. Though I thought he was unreasonable, unappreciative to what he let go (deteriorate), and unappreciative of what I still was willing to offer, I kept trying the route of reason. But this guy would NOT listen. Finally, though I did not say it out loud, I wondered how he could have the nerve to advertise it as a one-owner vehicle. He was AT LEAST the second owner and he bought it from a lot. (In my mind, it only takes one "fib" to make me a suspicious buyer.)
It would be interesting to hear if people think I am ignorant of this vehicle's "special value"/appeal. And, that I should've been willing to ignore LOTS of mistreatment -- just to gain a 60k mile specimen. As my frustration and suspicion grew, I realized the manual wheel'd odometer isn't tamper proof; that the vehicle looked way worse-for-the-wear than Navistar's 140k "jem"; and that I couldn't be sure that an investment into an odometer alone was smart, so I left. For all I knew, this VX could have been rolled back from 160,000 miles.
I left dejected and disappointed. As I drove the long trip back, I decided that the demand of this vehicle just might outweigh the ravage of time. And, that my initial hope of getting a VX for a similar price as a comparably priced/worn Jeep is unrealistic.
Though I was dumb enough to forget to take a picture of the sad nose of this VX, I did manage to snap a few pics of the NEGLECTED beast with my phone.
Here they are:
Actually, what I saw on the way home ended up being the best part of the trip....LOL
I'm not sure I'll come back from this 6-month search and huge setback. At this point I'm fairly certain I'll cave and go back to a Jeep -- as I've owned for the past 20yrs. Yeah, people are too damn proud of them too -- but at least it's possible to find one reasonably priced -- within a reasonable distance.
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. Don't give up hope, if ya want a decent VX just keep looking, that perfect one (for you) will come along eventually. Don't settle for a Jeep if it's not what ya truly want.
Originally Posted by 89Vette
