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Isuzu Axiom

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  • axiomloveraxiomlover Member Posts: 216
    Before I bought my Axiom in March, I had seen an ad for a new 4x2 Axiom for $17,795. When I called, they said they had 5 of those in stock and they were also selling an XS 4X4 for $24,500. I got excited and drove to that dealer (1.5 hours away) to check it out and possibly buy. Sure enough they had 5 Axioms with above prices clearly marked on the windshields. After further inspection it turned out that all of these vehicles had between 10K and 11.8K miles on them. I later learned that the vehicles never had titles issued and as long as the mileage remains under 12K, they can be legally advertised as "brand new." Needless to say, I was dissapointed. Perhaps it could have been a good deal to get a slightly used Ax at a discount, but then you don't get the 120K mile warranty or 0% financing. I ended up buying new from a different dealership.
  • ewebsterewebster Member Posts: 2
    Hello, 22Oct02

    Thanks for the info about www.isuzudealers.com. I did not know about this site. I found an Axiom XS 4x4 for $24,500, no miles. Called the dealer and the production date is within the first half of October. My understanding was that the line shutdown last month. Apparently the shutdown is 18Oct thru mid-December. Also, for the 2003 Axioms there aren't any changes being made. Was hoping for a better drivers seat. However, there will be an "LS" model that will have fewer included options. The goal being to offer an economy version at a reduced price.

    Need to check with the folks at city hall to find out what taxes and title fees I will need to pay. Have not purchased a car out of state before. Also, at this price the zero percent interest rate dose not apply. Doing the math $24,500 at 7% for 60months is : $478.48 a month for a total of $28,708.88 ($4,208.88int). So unless you can find a XS 4x4 for $28,708.88 (I can't) this is a good deal. Of'course putting down a down payment will save on interest and making this even better.

    Hmm. Wonder how much an out of state Tahoe would cost? Know any web sites? :)

    Eric.
  • cptsessocptsesso Member Posts: 116
    ewebster I live in Pennsylvania and bought a new car in Delaware. I only had to pay PA state tax since this is the state in which I reside and the car would be registered. I am not sure though if this is the same for other parts of the country. They gave me a Delaware temporary tag and my PA plate was sent to my house a few weeks later.
  • sveltaxsveltax Member Posts: 72
    Went to the local Isuzu dealer and saw that all the new Axioms now have the flat wheel caps. I spoke to the parts department the price is $33.90 per cap. The dealer's name is Sierra Isuzu in Monrovia, California.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Jamesja - your email address in your profile bounced.

    Please just link to news stories - short quotes or summaries are fine too. More gets us in trouble with the copyright lawyers. Thanks!

    Steve, Host
  • yonkuyonku Member Posts: 16
    Isuzu announced today that they will be bailing out from the half ownership of the Isuzu-Subaru

    joint plant in Indiana. Subaru will be manufacturing Ascenders at this factory on consignment.


    Check it out.


    http://www.isuzu.co.jp/world/b_press/b_31_1.htm

  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    WILL NOT be produced at SIA. Axioms and Rodeos will be built by FHI @ SIA. Ascendors roll off of the GM lines somewhere in UAW land.

    -mike
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    No buying, selling, trading, etc. on Town Hall. Try eBay, people expect to see ads there....

    Steve, Host
  • shiggyshiggy Member Posts: 2
    I have read every posting on this site since I saw my first Axiom in august.I now own a XS 4wd. and I am as excited today as I was the day I took it off the dealers lot.There have been several recent postings about what to pay for one of these trend setters(have you seen the new volvo or nissan murano?)There will be some people who won't believe and some who will be upset when I tell you I paid $24000.00+$610.00 frieght.The sticker was $31960. There was no marathon neigotiation or trips to the sales manager.I would say the total time to get to the bottom line was 10 minutes.The time with the finance office was about the same.I told my salesman up front that I didn't want any additional paint treatment, fabric protectrant, ect.And with a 10year 120000 mile drivetrain warranty who needs the extended warranty.The vehicle is loaded with everything you could ask for and wasn't optional like all the other SUV s I looked at.So for anyone still thinking about buying a 2002 you better hurry up.The ones at my local dealer are going at a brisk pace as more people see and hear about them.I have 2500 miles on my Axiom and no problems.Given everything in the market right now and what you get for your dollar "The price was right" for me.
  • 96_i30_5sp96_i30_5sp Member Posts: 127
    You did good on your purchase although you could now get a slightly better deal such as this: http://www.isuzudealers.com/results_2.asp?ID=297438 What color did you choose?
  • mkayemkaye Member Posts: 184
    That is a great price on the Axiom. Although the Axiom styling may seem little 'quirky,' styling is subjective. I like the styling of the Axiom. It's is far better looking than a CRV for example. Rendevous, Aztec, Saturn Vue, Rav4? They're all 'quirky' styled. People are paying somewhere near $22K for a CRV when the Axiom is better looking, better equipped, better (more powerful) mechanicals, better 4WD, and just as reliable. For $2K, I'd much rather have a capable Axiom vs. a Poseur CRV or any of the others listed. WHY DO PEOPLE IGNORE ISUZU VEHICLES? I can't believe they are losing market share in a SUV driven market!
  • k2rmk2rm Member Posts: 205
    It doesn't make sense that the Axiom isn't doing very well. I have been reading the Kia Sorento forum lately and can't believe all of the interest there. The Axiom and Sorrento seem to be playing for the same market and are similar vehicles. Kia is recently new to the states without a truck reputation whereas Isuzu is well known for making great trucks. The differences are that the Axiom is larger, has more power and torque but gets the same mileage, and has a better warranty. With the prices on the Axiom now, it is very competitive with Kia's prices but it is still not selling too well. It is like the Axiom has just been forgotten. We can blame Isuzu for this, I figure it has been at least 8 months since I last saw an Isuzu commercial. Just doesn't make sense. I am just as happy today with my Axiom as the day I drove it off the lot.
  • cptsessocptsesso Member Posts: 116
    Isuzu has no marketing. I have never seen a commercial or advertisement for the Axiom, or any other Isuzu, and I live in the Philadelphia area. Maybe this has something to do with GM, I don't know. The only way I found the Axiom was I stumbled across a picture of one on the internet and was blown away. I totally agree that the Axiom is the best value for a mid-size SUV. The new Sorrento can't even be compared to it. I have read some of the posts about them and people are already experiencing transmission abnormalities. If you compare the Axiom to all of the other mid-sized SUV's by performance and features/price it can't be beat. This along with Isuzu's strong track record of building tough, dependable trucks is why I purchased mine. Hopefully, like Nissan, they will dig themselves out of the hole they are in. I think the top priority should be marketing.
  • axiomloveraxiomlover Member Posts: 216
    Marketing it is! People will buy anything that is advertised, and if they don't see the product, they do not go out of their way to find it or even evaluate it. For instance, our local (Chicago) dealers saw an unusual spike in buying of Axioms after the January Auto Show, which featured a black Axiom XS and the concept Axiom. I spent at least 30 minutes by the Axiom at the show and the interest was very high. Two months following the show, black Axioms were selling at MSRP and you would have to get on a waiting list to get a chance to buy it. When I purchased mine in March, I first saw it right off the truck at the dealership, along with 6 other black Axioms. Three days later there was only one, which I bought. Can you imagine increase in consumer interest if the new James Bond movie were to feature Axiom instead of BMW?
  • shiggyshiggy Member Posts: 2
    I picked the blond gray metallic with graphite leather interior.My first choice would have been white but the tan interior just didn't do anything for me and my wife was still trying to convince herself that this vehicle really wasn't a hearst let alone get over the bold look of the tan and black. For those of you who didn't watch the world series Izusu was one of the major sponsors and had multiple ads every game.Of course the ads were repetitive and touted the financing being offered and not the long list of features that any of the vehicles offers. I don't think they even showed one off road.But the Axiom on the commercial was the same color I got and that was pretty cool.Its a great color that picks up sunlight at different angles of the vehicle and actually looks like several colors from gray to platinum. I have been looking for an update on the use of the coil spring air springs?? Has anyone got some news???
  • k2rmk2rm Member Posts: 205
    Its good to hear that Isuzu was advertising during the world series. Hopefully they didn't spend their entire advertising budget on them and we will see some more adds soon.

    I have rear air springs with an onboard compressor on my Axiom. Their is a slight advantage to them when the Axiom isn't loaded down as it does has a more controlled ride with less bounce. If the front springs were just a little more stiff, it would be perfect and would probably eliminate the front to back rocking motion completely when in comfort mode.

    There is an incredible difference when the Axiom is loaded down. The ride is much more controlled and has never bottomed out on roads that it would before I installed the airsprings. I think it is a worthwhile upgrade if you do often carry a load, tow, or carry 4 adults.

    If the Axiom is empty, I usually run the springs between 5 and 10 PSI while if it is loaded down I run around 15 PSI.
  • bperl2bperl2 Member Posts: 3
    I have had my Axiom for about a month now and appreciate all of the postings here for it certainly helped in my decision. Although I thoroughly enjoy my Axiom, theere is an odd sulfur like odor that comes from the engine and is absorbed into the AC system. Has anyone else experienced this?(I hope not) Any ideas on what this is and how to eliminate it? I would appreciate your comments....

    Thanks
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    I have had something like that in the past on my old Nissan Altima. When they did the 15K service they put some gunk in the engine/gas/oil? to clean the injectors, it caused a sulfur like smell for a week. It doesn't sound like your problem, but if you just had it in for service maybe they did something like that?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Try switching brands of gas for a few fill-ups.

    Steve, Host
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I know the Legacies and Outbacks that are produced in the same plant as the Axioms are known to smell horrible for the first month-2 months until the undercoat seals up.

    -mike
  • axiomloveraxiomlover Member Posts: 216
    I think what bperl2 refers to is the "rotten egg" smell, which as I was told by a professional, is the result of incomplete burning of fuel. I get that smell under hard acceleration, but not at idle or "easy" driving. Supposedly, it is an additive to the fuel we use that causes that smell, so a different brand or grade of gas would probably help. If you can smell it under normal driving, coasting or idling, I would take it to the dealership.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Well, I had a weird smell when my van was new that went away when the protective undercoating stuff burned off, so don't rule Paisan's suggestion out entirely yet.


    The gas smell problem is rather common in the Mazda MPV Problems discussion over in Vans. It may be worth browsing (try the Advanced Search) in there for some ideas - some people have gotten rid if it with a brand switch; others have had to swap components out to get rid of it.


    Steve, Host

  • twocartwocar Member Posts: 95
    I just did a letter to Isuzu over at PlanetFeedback concerning their lack of advertising of the Axiom or any Isuzu for that matter. I have yet to hear a response but do you other folks feel concerned that due to the failure of Isuzu to advertise thus causing a surplus of the vehicle on lots will cause our vehicles to depreciate in value? I just wonder what other uninformed consumers think about the Axiom that have never heard anything about the Ax. They probably figure it is such a lemon that that is why they remain on lots and offer such great financing/cash back and warranty.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    You can't buy an Isuzu and expect to get your $ back on re-sales. Of course it will last 10 years though w/o major repairs :)

    -mike
  • twocartwocar Member Posts: 95
    Obviously you didn't read my post as intended. I KNOW you won't get your money back re-sale, but when you figure someone can maybe pick up a loaded '02 or '03 Ax XS 4wd for $24k or so when some of us paid several grand above that for a base Ax 4x4 with options...I would be concerned that Isuzu's already terrible resale value would be compounded even more so.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    To 5K in ~ 7-8years @ 150-200K miles. That's about all you can hope for. But your cost of ownership will be far less than the competition.
    Isuzus resale value is pretty terrible, you basically can't get much worse than it is already, the reliability factor and cost of operation is the redeeming factor.

    -mike
  • twocartwocar Member Posts: 95
    Well, so far (knock on wood) this vehicle has been a pleasure with over 14k on it. I have had other new vehicles with this quirk or that quirk (not to mention the constant concerns and complaints I found about the '01 Ford Escape XLT 4x4 that I had)and I can't help but smile when I do that be real quiet and listen to everything and feel the road tests some of us still do every several thousand miles and the Ax sounds as solid as a rock. I am really pleased with this truck.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    :)

    -mike
  • mkayemkaye Member Posts: 184
    Edmunds True Cost To Own looks very promising for the Axiom, even with Isuzu's poor and declining resale value.


    http://www.edmunds.com/new/2002/isuzu/axiom/xs4wd4drsuv35l6cyl4a/tco.html?id=lin0648#compare


    The TMV for the Axiom is far higher than people are even paying (same for the Trooper) so the overall value of Isuzu is likely even better than what Edmunds states.

  • millerl4millerl4 Member Posts: 5
    Just purchased a 2002 Axiom (Base 4WD) from a Chicago dealer. So far, so good after only a few hundred miles of driving. Best part of the deal was the price was $10K under sticker!
  • cmunizcmuniz Member Posts: 604
    Congratulations on your new Axiom. I am sure you will enjoy the vehicle, paricularly in the snow with TOD. It works great!! I have 14,000 miles on mine and not one problem so far.
  • 96_i30_5sp96_i30_5sp Member Posts: 127
    That's a great price for an S 4WD Axiom. The best discounts I've seen are $7500-8000 off list price, or around $21900. Is it brand new or a program vehicle? In any case, enjoy!
  • millerl4millerl4 Member Posts: 5
    The Axiom was brand new (7 miles) from a Chicago dealer. Their advertised price was a 'mistake' in their add. It included several rebates that I did not qualify for (college grad in last 6 months and current Isuzu owner) but after much heated negiotiations with their sales manager, we were able to strike a deal for around 19,400 plus TTL. They did eat the current Isuzu owner rebate ($1500) to close the deal.
  • axiomloveraxiomlover Member Posts: 216
    Congrats on your purchase. I also bought a new Axiom from a dealer in the suburbs of Chicago (I live in the city). Mine is 8 months old now and I enjoy it very much. There are so few Axioms in Chicago that if I see another Ax, chances are it is yours (ha, ha). It would be cool if we could take our Axioms off-road (and start a club), but I don't know of any places around the city to do that, do you? What color is yours, do you have flat wheel centerpieces and do you live in the city or suburbs?

    Greg
  • shogrenshogren Member Posts: 15
    My Axiom is due for the 15,000 mile service. I live 150 miles from the nearest dealers and have found a big difference in the cost of this service. In a large metro area it runs from $145 to $250 depending if you want the basic or the Isuzu recommended service. The other dealer in a city of 125,000 population they quoted me $50 for basic. What service do I need to keep my warranty valid. So far I have not been back to an Isuzu dealer as I have had no warranty issues.
  • millerl4millerl4 Member Posts: 5
    Thanks for the warm welcome to the Axiom Town Hall! I lookforward to getting to know you and providing my experiences and learning from you.

    Greg, my Axiom has the metallic grey exterior with grey interior. I have the standard alloy wheels (no center pieces). I actually live in Bloomington, IL and had to commute to Crystal City to purchase my vehicle. The dealership left a lot to be desired but in the end did give me a good deal. I do not know of places to go off road in Chicago. Thanks for the interest.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    To check out http://isuzu-suvs.com


    Send me Axiom pics guys!!!


    -mike

  • cptsessocptsesso Member Posts: 116
    Good to have another Axiom on the road. I also have the Anthracite exterior with gray leather interior. Purchased it about a month ago. Really sharp color combo. Received a lot of compliments on it. It's a shame that most people haven't even heard of the Axiom let alone seen one. Everyone who questions me about mine is really blown away by it. Isuzu is really missing the big picture with their lack of quality advertising. Or should I say lack of any advertising.
  • jbkennedyjbkennedy Member Posts: 70
    I just paid $130 for the 15,000 service for a 2001 Rodeo 2WD in Houston. I don't know how much different the service would be for an Axiom.
  • twocartwocar Member Posts: 95
    I did a letter to Isuzu at Planetfeedback.com and got a response from Isuzu (or more like what appeared to be a boiler-plate computer generated response) yesterday that more or less sounded like Isuzu had no clue they weren't aggressively advertising this vehicle. Go figure.
  • cptsessocptsesso Member Posts: 116
    Are they nuts. No wonder they are in this situation. The only reason I ever even heard of the Axiom was that I accidentally stumbled across a picture of one on the internet. The looks got my attention and caused me to pursue it further and eventually purchase one.
  • axiomloveraxiomlover Member Posts: 216
    I would not own an Axiom now if someone in my neighborhood didn't own one. When I saw it parked on the street, I could not stop looking at it and eventually bought one.
    Isuzu "fired" the marketing agency that was associated with them since 1991. There is a new marketing player (small) that is supposed to take Isuzu to a new level. Regardless, it seems that negative reviews on sites like Edmunds scare some potential buyers away.
  • axiomloveraxiomlover Member Posts: 216
    Is it me or have there been more Axiom sales lately? I live in Chicago and I used to see about one new Axiom a week. Recently, I am seeing a new Axiom about once every two days. Most of the ones I come across have flat wheel centerpieces and gray interior, so I assume they were purchased very recently. It looks like hefty rebates, anticipation of winter driving conditions and 0% for 72 months is doing the trick. I still have not seen a single Isuzu commercial for over a year.
  • twocartwocar Member Posts: 95
    Well, I haven't noticed increased activity in my neck of the woods (WV), and I just recently have been north to Ohio and then south to Virginia on interstates 77 and 64. I did see one Ax on the trip up north going southbound. It was white, but beyond that...no increased activity to report here...yet.
  • millerl4millerl4 Member Posts: 5
    Just completed my first 1000 miles in my new Axiom. I have not seen another vehicle in Bloomington, IL. Its very unique. I have noticed a rattle behind the steering column. Has anybody else had a similar problem?

    Thanks,

    Bob
  • axiomloveraxiomlover Member Posts: 216
    It has been snowing in Chicago for the past two days and guess what I have been up to? You guessed it - making doughnuts with my Axiom. I am glad I got the 4X4, it really makes a difference. I know that many complained about the tires on the Axiom. I don't think they are that bad. Traction seems to be better than that on my wife's sedan's Goodyears. TOD works great although I think it should be transferring more torque up front because the vehicle has tendency to fish-tail when turning on a snowy road and accelerating at the same time in TOD mode. When I put it in low 4x4, it tracks perfectly, no fish-tailing. Anyway I look at it, it's fun to play in the snow.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Just remember, it won't transfer torque if you aren't on the accelerator. So counter to our normal thought of "i'm skidding, let off the gas" you need to re-learn and just give it some more gas in a skid to move the power up front.

    -mike
  • lestatdeleon1lestatdeleon1 Member Posts: 16
    Took the vehicle in and apparently there is a problem with the clutch fan that was making the high pitched whine. They tell me it is unsafe to drive, but they don't have the part to fix it. Supposed to be overnighted and fixed today. We'll see how that goes. No offer for a vehicle to use while its in the shop.
  • twocartwocar Member Posts: 95
    Well, approaching 17k and love my Ax. No problems other than on delivery with the rear wiper nozzle. Am afraid, although Axiomlover claims otherwise, that when (and if) we get this projected snow storm in here today I am going to still love my Ax, but hate the Goodyear Integrity's.
  • cmunizcmuniz Member Posts: 604
    Drove yesterday on 3" of snow in the NC mountains and had no problems with the stock tires. Left it in TOD on the major roads and switched to 4WD LO for the steep downhill down the community road to our house. Very stable but I am also drive with caution on snow.
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