I Finally Did It

"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5) 02/21/2019 at 20:16 • Filed to: VehiCross

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I bought an Isuzu VehiCROSS.

It is not, I should point out, a ‘collector grade’ VX. No, this is a 320k mile $1600 1999 VX...basically a That Bastard Kurtis-spec VX. High mileage, low price garbage is my bread and butter, though I actually wouldn’t go so far as to call this garbage. Its remarkably solid, with very very little rust on the body and practically none underneath.

This is also my 50th vehicle. I had been saying I had to get something special for my 50th, and whats more special than a VehiCROSS?!

I had been thinking about replacing my Jetta, but I’m actually expanding the fleet to four vehicles instead of trying to use this as a commuter. Its going to be my project and at-least-once-a-week ride to work, because it does run and drive as is...its actually currently RI inspected through June of this year.

Sorry for the pictures, I didn’t have time to take any of my own so I’m using the best of the seller’s Craigslist photos.

Its funny how this worked out. The truck is in Exeter, Rhode Island...in Rhode Island terms thats far away from me in Warwick, maybe a 30-40 minute ride, but I never get down that way. Today at work I had literally nothing to do, so they sent me to do a transfer to our Kingston store, and that happens to be about 10 minutes from Exeter. Loaded up the transfer coming back, called the seller, and a few minutes later I was checking out a VX.

Anyway, it has a few things it needs. Most notably, the Torque-on-Demand system isn’t functional. If you shift the truck into 4L it goes into 4 wheel drive, but it only operates in 2H otherwise. The seller and I believe this to be because of a wheel speed sensor issue...it also shows an ABS light, so that makes sense to me. Worst case you can actually bypass TOD and just make it into a regular 4x4 system, so thats a cheap option.

The hood is a bit junk, it started to rust so the seller painted the whole thing with bedliner. I don’t hate it, but I’d just as soon try to remove it and fix the rust or just find a replacement hood.

The suspension feels a little tired...at 320k it probably ought to be. The front end feels loose, so new bushings and stuff would probably be a good start.

Its throwing an o2 sensor code, and the exhaust is a bit loud, so I’m thinking of having a new custom system built for it. Also needs a driver side window regulator, so thats cool.

Basically I’m just stoked because CHEAP VEHICROSS. This is the third one I’ve tried to buy...a 2000 Foxfire Red was way too rusty (would have needed a new frame), and a 2001 Dragon Green with a blown engine sold before I could get to it. I wasn’t letting this one get away too.

I’m a VehiCROSS owner. It feels good, you guys. Really good.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/21/2019 at 20:23

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That’s a very solid NP, even with crazy miles, problems, and worn cosmetics they rarely drop below $2500. Consider that a win!

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 02/21/2019 at 20:25

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Right? I mean theres only about 4800 of them in the US over 3 years, so even junky ones are pricey. This one was a daily driver for the last 12 years, the seller is the 2nd owner and has had it since 2007 and 137k. But mechanically its just a Trooper, so only the body parts are expensive really.

Alfalfa > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/21/2019 at 20:28

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The hero Oppo needs, just not the one it deserves.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/21/2019 at 20:29

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It’s a shame about the rust on the hood, that might be hard to replace, but you should be very happy with your purchase! 

someassemblyrequired > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/21/2019 at 20:33

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Excellent buy. Bonus points for using far to describe the distance between two points in Rhode Island.

Racin'Jason001 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/21/2019 at 20:35

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Woah, that’s awesome!! Also, I live in RI as well! I had no idea that there was another Rhode Island Oppo! Pleased to meet you. I’m happy someone bought a Vehicross. You never see ‘em. Actually, there is a nice Yell ow one parked in a lot that I drive by on my way to CCRI from Richmond every day in Exeter as well . Neat!

JeepJeremy > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/21/2019 at 20:38

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oh wow!!! that so cool!

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/21/2019 at 20:39

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Sweet! I love those things, I’d have bought it at that price too

dogisbadob > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/21/2019 at 20:43

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Cool car! Glad you found somerthing with no rust. Take it to a Krown or other rustproofing shop. The good ones I know of are Krown , Corrosion Free 3000 , and Noxudol .

Red interiors are awesome as fuck! And that V6 looks easy to replace the spark plugs and valve cover gaskets on.

smobgirl > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/21/2019 at 20:44

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Holy shit, this made my day. I love those things and I’ve never seen one anywhere near that price. This is fantastic!

OPPOsaurus WRX > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/21/2019 at 20:54

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I didn’t know you could be in Rhode Island and travel 30 minutes and still be in Rhode island.

RallyWrench > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/21/2019 at 20:55

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Super cool! It’s always a bit of an event when I see one, though surprisingly that’s not often out here in CA. Congrats, share your progress on it!

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/21/2019 at 20:56

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Yas!

mr2gud2u > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/21/2019 at 21:10

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Great buy! You plan on wheeling her? Before I bought my Xterra I look into buying one of these, but they w ere a bit to pricey for what I wanted to spend on a daily driver.

arl > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/21/2019 at 21:11

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May I suggest the following?

https://www.autogeek.net/foblbutrcoqu.html

And congr ats!

phenotyp > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/21/2019 at 21:39

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Radness written all over it.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/21/2019 at 23:08

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You sir are my hero!

Future Heap Owner > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/22/2019 at 01:48

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Awesome! Super NP. Congrats!

I love that the interior looks like a peacekeeper ship.

I hope to see many more posts about this!

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 02/22/2019 at 04:39

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Shockingly there are like 6 VX hoods on eBay right now, all around $500...one will turn up locally eventually I’m sure.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > OPPOsaurus WRX 02/22/2019 at 04:40

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I think the furthest you can go in Rhode Island is about an hour and a quarter. If you’re in Newport and need to go to Woonsocket, thats gonna take a little bit.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > dogisbadob 02/22/2019 at 04:42

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The fact that its a lifelong RI car and its as rust free as it is is legitimately impressive to me. Its apparently been pretty well taken care of.

I’m also stoked about the red interior...the last two I was looking at had the straight black interior, which is fine, but I like a little bit of color.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > mr2gud2u 02/22/2019 at 04:45

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Rhode Island is severely lacking in places to go off-roading, but I’m definitely going to set the truck up for it. There are supposed to be some places in MA that are decent, and I don’t mind a road trip.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > RallyWrench 02/22/2019 at 04:46

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Thanks! Yeah, its not an every day sighting...I always go t super jealous whenever I see somebody driving one, so I really needed my own.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > someassemblyrequired 02/22/2019 at 04:47

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As far as I’m concerned nothing in RI is far from anything else, but you’d be shocked at what Rhode Islanders consider far away.  Fifteen minutes or more and they’re not interested.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Future Heap Owner 02/22/2019 at 04:47

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VX spam is coming, no worries, haha.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > smobgirl 02/22/2019 at 04:48

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Shockingly this is the most expensive one I’ve ever looked at.  The Dragon Green one was $800, and I could have bought the Foxfire Red for $500, but they were both junk.  AND they didn’t have red interiors, so bonus points for this one.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 02/22/2019 at 04:49

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The price basically forced my hand...especially considering my federal tax refund should be in next week.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Alfalfa 02/22/2019 at 04:49

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If Batman had an ounce of sense the Batmobile would have been a VehiCROSS.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > phenotyp 02/22/2019 at 04:50

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It just occurred to me that this is a 99, so I can bring it to Radwood.  Fantastic.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Racin'Jason001 02/22/2019 at 04:52

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Apparently Exeter is some sort of VX hub, haha.

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/22/2019 at 07:33

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OH!!! MY!!! GOD!!! So jelly.

someassemblyrequired > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/22/2019 at 09:12

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Westerly might as well be a suburb of LA.

Racin'Jason001 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/22/2019 at 09:51

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Haha, so true.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > someassemblyrequired 02/22/2019 at 10:26

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From where I sit right now in Bristol, Westerly is an hour and ten minute drive. That’s really about as far as you can go in RI. 

smobgirl > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/22/2019 at 10:42

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Yeah, the red interior is awesome. This is one of the cars that I search for but they always seem to be more t han I want to pay for a second car. I’m  so glad you got this one.

someassemblyrequired > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 02/22/2019 at 10:55

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Totally worth it to go to the most unfortunately named, yet super awesome Thai place:

http://www.thongthaiwesterly.com/

Best Thai food in RI and CT.