FlyingV,
I used to be, and to a great extent still am, just like you. I LOVE my VX and I don't want to hurt it. With that said, though, it is SO much fun to wheel these things. I went out to Moab four years ago, with the intention of just watching everyone, but once I got offroad I loved it. As others have said, as long as you take your time, pick a good line, or trust a good spotter you should be just fine. As many who have been behind me in Moab will attest to, I tend to drive like a grandma coming home from church on Sunday when I'm offroad, and anytime something doesn't feel right I stop for a second to gather myself before going on.
Unless you do something really drastic, most pinstripes and scuffs will buff right out.
I say give it a shot. Pick a nice easy trail to begin with so you and the VX can get used to each other and then ramp it up until you're right on the edge of your comfort zone.
Oh, and take pictures to share with everyone here.
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong, it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair."
-Douglas Adams, Mostly Harmless