Description
I love this car!
I've never had so many (mostly flattering) comments when driving this... usually people say "What is it?" No wonder, there were only 5958 made worldwide, a number kept deliberately low, with just 1800 rhd drive made. Nearly all the lhd cars went to the USA where it is a cult classic. It's based around a prototype that Isuzu unleashed at the Tokyo Motorshow. A Limited Edition that for once was really limited. Imported to the UK in 1999 after a brief life in Japan.
The 1800 Vehicross (or "VX") rhd were made for the Japanese market and it was never officially imported to the UK... there must only be a handful on the road here and ones I've seen are 100, 000 milers. This one has done just 52, 000 miles and is RHD.
Values of such an unusual car have been difficult to assess, but seem to have been going up the last few years. It's touted as a future classic and very collectable... have a look at this link... - details above details below "The Next Great Future Classic". In fact if you look on Google, you'll see that some values in Europe have been shooting up into 5 figures and I they'll just keep going that way because not only is it rare, it's a great car.
It is credited with being the first SUV ahead of RAV4s etc. Thing is that, with the Vehicross, they put a great big V6 engine in (3. 2 litre) into a light body and this takes it to 0-60 in around 9. 00 seconds. All the mechanical parts are easily available as they are common to other Isuzu models.
All the above has made the car a prime candidate for customisation... again go Google Images to see many versions. If that's to your taste, just adding bigger wheels give it an even more aggressive look. Adding supercharging is another popular option.
So... on to this particular car.
Very low miles for the year and lots of documentation since it's import from Japan 1999 when almost new. 52, 000 miles.
This car is unmolested i. e. no silly modifications... except for a superb, stainless steel, custom sports exhaust... it really brings out the tone from the V6... I don't think it's very loud but my wife says it is. And it's fitted with what most enthusiasts agree is the best shock absorber upgrade... Rancho XL's from the USA. These are adjustable, soft to stiffer.
It has selectable 2WD (the only thing I bother using), TOD (Torque on Demand which puts power out to the wheels according to sensors) and 4WD.
Tyres... very little wear... GT Radials Savero HT Plus, 245/ 70/ R16.
It also has the even rarer Recaro sports leather seats... these hold you very snug and are extremely comfortable. Most VX models have the frankly very crappy standard seats with a horrible 1990's Japanese fabric finish... these are far better.
I have never taken the car off road and there is nothing at all to suggest anyone else has... it's had a pretty gentle life crushing London speed bumps! Now it resides in a covered garage, but must go due to arrival of a new, more sensible car.
Spare body parts aren't easy to find, with the front and rear light lenses being very difficult... but, hooray, this car comes with spares of those and wing mirror too. There are three folders of workshop manual.
Recently serviced but still with one niggly fault I haven't cured... I think because I don't use the a/ c enough (except in summer), sometimes the revs go too high before returning to normal. Something to do with the revs stepping up to power the a/ c... I should have fixed it but instead have just lived with it. I am told it's just an Inlet Air Valve needed or Inlet Control Valve... maybe £150 tops and available. MOT has until July.
Other than that the paintwork has some very minor surface scuffs and imperfections... there's a small dink (about size of a 10p piece) on the front bonnet (see pic). The black panel in the centre of the bonnet is faded. No significant rust anywhere.
Interior all very good and with original weird Japanese radio / cassette player with, incredibly for age, a rear view reversing camera on 5 inch screen
Previous owners... the gentleman owner before me was a car connoisseur who ran it whilst promoting his own (amazing) UK made supercar, the Trident The owner before him managed to get my contact details and has been asking me every few months for the last few years if he could buy it back! Sadly he's not in a position to at the moment, but it shows how people fall in love with these cars. A very reluctant sale, hopefully to a fellow enthusiast.
Can be seen southeast London
