Super VXer
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...
Sent from my "two hands on a keyboard"
Super VXer
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...
Super VXer
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.Originally Posted by ZEUS
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.
VXer
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.
Super VXer
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.
Last edited by vt_maverick : 01/15/2014 at 08:34 AM
Super VXer
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!!
Super VXer
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.
SilverBullet75
Formerly: '01 Ebony VXSTLTH
Now: '08 Saab 9-7x Aero 6.0L
Super VXer
i thought saab went out of business? they had the same 2 models of car for like 25 years
Super VXer
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.
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