"Better than Jeeps"

[nfpgasmask]

And I wasn't the one who said it!! Twice yesterday I was stopped and accosted about my VX. The first guy was your typical "What is that? Who makes it? Its wicked". But the next guy was like, "hey, nice Isuzu" I said, "Wow, most people think its a Suzuki or a Kia" He then went on to tell me all about the Trooper he used to have and that he remembers when the VX came out and my favorite thing he said was, "the Isuzus are great offroad, better than Jeeps". I was like, "damn, straight!!!".

Crazy, she's 10 years old now and she's still got it!

Bart

[samneil2000]

Crazy, she's 10 years old now and she's still got it!

Bart

Don't ya just love that feeling? I was at a truck show, well the cruising the streets afterwards, and all these guys with their high dollar custom painted air-bagged dragging the ground etc etc were really in to my stockish VX with a cheap lift and some tires and wheels. Isuzu really did create a phenomenal design with the VX.

[nfpgasmask]

It is really cool. I just am always still amazed at how much attention a debadged VX gets. Especially after a good washing, she still looks great and I constantly seem people gawking at it.

Bart

[crager34]

As much as I love my VX and I do much MUCH more than I did my 97 Jeep TJ.... The VX, in my opinion, is not better than a Jeep with regards to four wheeling.

Just saying. Now...throw pies.

[nfpgasmask]

Well, I think it all depends on what kind of 4x4ing your talking about. When it comes to "rock crawler" type situations, a Jeep is probably better, and can be built up easier.

I don't want this thread to turn into another Jeep vs XXX thread, I just thought it was awesome to hear from a total stranger.

Bart

[samneil2000]

The only thing that makes it different than the average 4x4 is the 4-link in the back. It has an open front dif and only a limited slip in the back. My friends locked toyota 4-runner will run circles around the VX but that's not stock.

[Scott Larson]

Well, I gotsa VX and a Jeep YJ and I gotsta say the VX is a better off and on roader then the YJ. Both are relatively stock, equipped nearly identical and even with about the same miles, in the same condition. The VX beats the YJ in ability and the wow-factor! I'm just sayin'...

[nfpgasmask]

OK, OK, here we go. When you want to discuss which is better, there are really only a few things to think about:

1) Technical 4x4 'setup'
We all know 75% of offroad ability is behind the steering wheel. The other 25% might be the vehicle. The only thing I can see a Jeep having over the VX is a stock solid front axle, and in stock form, kinda a moot point. The rest might be up to stoutness, etc. And we all know the Zus were built tough.

2) Reliability
I hear a lot of people complain about mechanical problems with their Jeeps. I'd be lying if I said our Isuzus have no mechanical problems. I'd say there's a tie here.

3) Looks
Jeeps fall short in this catagory BIGTIME. 'nuff said.

4) Comfort
From a comfort POV, I know my VX is really nice on the inside. Its been a while since I sat in a Wrangler, but I would imagine they are pretty vanilla. That said, I bet they have real cup holders.


So, if you were to take a brand new, stock 2001 VX, and a brand new, stock Jeep Wrangler, I bet their offroad performance might be quite similar. The Jeep would have some advantages over the VX and the VX would have some advantages over the Jeep.

Now, lets compare my 1991 Isuzu Trooper to a 1991 Jeep Cherokee. Both nice, both very capable offroad, both about equally reliable, both with similar options in stock form. I like the old Jeep Cherokees. In a world with only Jeeps, I would drive an old Cherokee. But (afaik) Cherokees are unibody, strike number one. They are also very small inside compared to the old Troopers (I've been in both, and the space in my Trooper is ridiculous compared to my buddy's old Jeep). Not to mention, the old Jeeps have NO headroom. My 3" lifted 91 Trooper compared to my friend's 3" lifted Cherokee pretty much can do the same trails with no issues. We both have lunchbox lockers in the rear, 33" MTs (both Procomps in fact), and I would say they both perform just as well. His is no rock climber and neither is my Trooper, but they both make great expedition vehicles. I think the Trooper is still better because it is more unique, bigger on the inside, and just plain cooler looking.

This has been discussed on many occasions, and in many different ways. I think there is no denying that both Jeeps and Isuzu light trucks are among the most capable civilian 4x4 vehicles in the world. What it comes down to really, is personal taste. A Jeep is just a Jeep. A VX is so much more. And a well built Trooper is also going to stand out when lined up with just another group of Jeeps.

There's really nothing wrong with Jeeps. I just think they are cookie-cutter and boring. Anyone can go buy a Jeep and wheel it. It takes a different kind of person to WANT to be different.

The important thing here, is that some random dude acknowledged the VX the way he did, and despite all the opinions, he said that the Isuzus were, "better than Jeeps".

So I will throw in another one of these---->

Bart

[Gussie2000]

I stronghly believe that both the wrangler and the vehicross just shares some similarities therefor i wouldn't compare them side to side

As off roading concerns the wrangler were built for hardcore rockcrawling performance and that's why is the 1rst choice for offroading fans.

Isuzu didn't wanted the Vehicross to be just another SUV that can do offroading,but virtually been unstoppable over any terrain at high speeds.

Many people asked me with what purpose the VX were builted for and that is the answer i give them, i can be wrong but can't see a better purpose for the VX then that.

[Scott Harness]

We forget the VX wasn't built as a 4x4! It was more rally...Paris to Dakar,
but! it still does great in classic 4x4 terrain!!

[nfpgasmask]

We forget the VX wasn't built as a 4x4! It was more rally...Paris to Dakar,
but! it still does great in classic 4x4 terrain!!

That's a very good point, Scott. People are always trying to compare the VX to Jeeps and other 4x4s when it was clearly not made for the exact same purpose.

Bart

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

stock VX compared to a stock Wrangler:

I've always thought the VX was much better @ being "dual-sport". In other words...I think neither dominates the other off-road and the Wrangler gets oodles of aftermarket support which we lack big-time....but; when comparing on-road performance (stock vehicles)....I think the VX blows the Wrangler away in on-road performance.

Personally....my VX has dealt major defeats to overly aggressive jeep drivers during daily on-road driving adventures. I never start anything but I love coming out on top...lol. Just ask the last H3 Alpha owner that ended up being my biotch! After losing his attempt @ passing me he rode my tail in a feeble attempt to intimidate...lol.

There is a casino I pass by every day going home from work. I'm almost always in the proper lane unless that lane is lead by a garbage truck or semi truck which are tediously slow. That is the only time I get in the improper lane to get around a slow garbage truck as I'll have to follow it for like 11 miles if I don't. When I'm in the proper lane first @ the red light; it never fails that someone pulls up in the improper lane and plans on passing me and pulling into my lane ahead of me. Funny, they don't ever get that aggressive when I'm in my Mustang GT as they wait for me to pull ahead then crossover and tuck in behind. But, it's like they assume the VX won't beat them & they are almost always wrong! It's like a 1/8 mile drag race with a sharp left turn thrown in for good measure. No Jeeps have ever slayed my VX. I've really only lost a few and those were when my VX was ailing and needed new intake gaskets & stuff. I just have to watch that I don't get a ticket!

[Gussie2000]

I recall two years ago i went with my brpther-in-law to binghamton,upstate NY to visit some friends of him in my horse.

Once on our way back to NYC on the I-78 i decided to push the horse to the limit (115 mph ) just for couple of minutes.

The I-78 runs accross the delaware river before crossing the border into PA;At that giving point there's no locations for state troopers to wait & get you for speeding.

Along with me there was two guys & a girl in a honda accord V6 most of the journey back to NYC.

I drove no less then 75mph whilst maneuvering @ few curves with close angles along the interstate and once we got close to the toll the guy on the accord broke his window down and asked me :

Dude did you modified your suspension ? I told him no,why ?

He said never saw a SUV moving so fas thru the curves back there,man those curves are quite tight for a SUV though,i am impressed by the way you drove it because ''that'' ( referring to the VX ) has a high ground clearance.For a minute i feared you could ended up rolling over


My brother-in-law to the guy :

This is just not any SUV,is the vehicross

[BigSwede]

Unless it is a Rubicon, a stock Jeep needs a lot of stuff replaced to do serious rockcrawling. Isuzus are much tougher out of the box, with heavier frames, axles, and general running gear.

[rowhard]

Can't ever say I've seen a VX owner trying to chase down a Jeep to eyeball it, nuff said.

And Bart, your comment about jeep reliability, hey, can you say, MOPAR, look at what happen to Mercedes after MOPAR got their fingers in that pie. The merc went to #8 at the height of that merger in reliability/customer satisfaction in it's own country!

Anyway, love being asked about the Dragon at stop lights and parking lots, especially now that my town doesn't get to see her as often now that she is a shelter queen. Hope it's dry this Saturday so I can take her to her first caffeine & gasoline at Griot Garage in Lakewood WA.