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Isuzu Axiom

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Comments

  • sveltaxsveltax Member Posts: 72
    I constantly get 19mpg in mixed highway/city driving. My commute is 30 by freeway round trip at around 30-75mph. This is a truck so don't expect it to ride like a car based suv. If you're going to carry product in the back end there is tons of room, but you may need to add the air spring helpers. The rear springs are a bit too squishy from the factory. 11K and having fun!
  • icedog97icedog97 Member Posts: 141
    Sveltax and twocar...do you live in flat areas?

    I live in Pittsburgh...very hilly...even the highways are not very flat...

    I get...
    13-15 in city/start stop
    18-20 on the highway

    Since I am driving alot of starts and stops in hilly areas, I am averaging about 14-15 mpg...

    If you live in a flat area, I'd expect that to be 3-5 mpg better than mine...

    The Axiom chugs gas on hills...
  • beachednkc8beachednkc8 Member Posts: 3
    I think the Axiom is the nicest midsize suv I have found. We did take one look at the tan (yellow) interior and almost passed on looking any farther. When we saw the gray it was a completely different look. In our opinion the gray interior is very rich and yet tough. This would be our first choice, but with this kind of mileage it would be like adding another $100 a month to our payment over other vehicles just for fuel. Thanks for all the feedback.
  • axiomloveraxiomlover Member Posts: 216
    I live in Chicago, which is flat, but traffic is usually heavy. Driving in the city alone won't give me more than 12mpg, but highway driving yields about 20mpg and even more if you don't exceed 65 mph. If you are doing a lot of stop an go driving, cold starts and city traffic, you won't average more than 13.5mpg. The 16mpg that appears on the sticker for city driving is unrealistic, unless you consider an expressway that goes through a city with a 55mph speed limit - a city driving. It is also true for other vehicles. I have had cars that were supposed to average 21 mpg in the city, but was only able to get 15. It seems that cold starts really kill the average.
  • twocartwocar Member Posts: 95
    I live in the Charleston, WV area. Relatively flat, but got my best mileage on the interstate which if you've ever been on 77 southbound or northbound on the WV turnpike...it is all hills and mountains. I practically always drive in 2WD unless the roads are wet or I go off road. Further, I do not use the "power" setting unless I am feeling especially racy on some days. I also do not use the "sport" setting unless I, again, am feeling racy.
  • libertycatlibertycat Member Posts: 593
  • cmunizcmuniz Member Posts: 604
    In addition to looking good, it doesn't show dirt. I have to force myself to wash it regularly, especially in the winter, since it seldom looks real dirty.
  • sveltaxsveltax Member Posts: 72
    I live in Los Angeles and get roughly 280-290 mile per tank with a fill up at 14-16 gallons. 24 miles on the 10 freeway and 6 miles on city roads is my round trip commute. I don't use the power feature very often. I'd say I'm a pretty smooth driver and easy on the gas.
  • icedog97icedog97 Member Posts: 141
    I can see why my mileage is lower than what some others have experienced.

    I can't drive more than a 1/2 mile without encountering some type of hill...and you may have seen me mention earlier that it's a climb to get out of my housing plan (at least coasting back into the plan saves some gas!)

    I have reset the mpg calculator for short highway trips (40 miles round trip) and have seen the 18-20 range, which made me feel a little better - at least I knew the engine didn't have a problem.
  • twocartwocar Member Posts: 95
    I know it may be a stretch, but I was looking at some concept vehicles at the autoshow this year online. http://autoshow.msn.com/autoshow2003/gallery.aspx?xml=day2 Seems to me some are going to the rear slope style as the Axiom has. (i.e. - the Dodge Avenger? and the Infiniti wagons).
  • icedog97icedog97 Member Posts: 141
    Twocar, you must have read my mind ...


    I thought the Audi Pikes Peak concept looked a lot like an Axiom...it's a good looking ride...see it here http://autoshow.msn.com/autoshow2003/article.aspx?type=oem&xml=Audi


    The surround video is where you can really see the similarities...especially if you look at a 3/4 front view...


    Granted, concept cars are heavily stylized, but it is interesting that there are quite a few designs that have similarities to the Axiom.

  • icedog97icedog97 Member Posts: 141
    I ordered one of the grill kits for the front of my Axiom (blonde-grey) and I am trying to decide if I should go with all chrome, all black or a combo of each.


    I made a quick jpg file to represent each of the options I am considering. It's just a rough representation, but should be good enough to make a decision. If you get a chance, please take a look at the image below and tell me which of the 4 you like the most (they are numbered).


    Thanks, in advance, for you feedback!


    http://www.geocities.com/icedog_97/axiomfrontoptions.html

  • jimmyp1jimmyp1 Member Posts: 640
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    yikes...all black looks like the best option.
  • icedog97icedog97 Member Posts: 141
    I meant to mention that since the image was quick, the chrome grill area comes off a little stronger than it will in reality...back up a few feet from your pc when reviewing the options (or squint a little)!!!!

    4 is up 2...all others have no votes (I am leaning toward 1 myself).
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    a squinting #4 vote again.
  • scoobyaxscoobyax Member Posts: 51
    Yikes is right!
    I like 4 the best also!
    Even from across the room and squinting!
  • k2rmk2rm Member Posts: 205
    It seems like there isn't enough contrast between the body color and chrome grill. The chrome would probably look better on a darker color Axiom (Black, green, or Anthracite).
  • axiomloveraxiomlover Member Posts: 216
    Here's how I would rank the options:
    4-1-2-3.
  • shogrenshogren Member Posts: 15
    Where can I get the kit? What is the cost? How hard is it to install? Will the fog lights make the install more difficult? I have the blonde gray with the smoke colored hood protector. Note: I have had my Axiom for 13 months and have not had one problem.
  • libertycatlibertycat Member Posts: 593
  • cmunizcmuniz Member Posts: 604
    All black by a long shot...
  • icedog97icedog97 Member Posts: 141
    Shogren...


    Check Ebay daily...here's a link to the most current one that was sold. See the picture insert which includes the chrome on a blonde-grey Ax...I think you will see it is a little less 'bracey' than my meager attempt to illustrate how it would look (I am still laughing at the "Axiom with braces" post...good one!)


    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1876154050


    It will run you about $72 (w/ delivery). I have not recieved mine yet so I can't speak to how easy or difficult it is to install. Hopefully I get it soon!

  • axiomloveraxiomlover Member Posts: 216
    There is a number of auctions for a performance chip (will fit any car) that is supposed to increase the horsepower by up to 20HP. Does anyone know anything about it, have any of you tried it? There are also Xenon replacement bulbs for $9.95. Is it worth a try or are they fake Xenons?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    If you want real HIDs they run about $400-$1000.

    I doubt that the chip will work, if anything it will increase HP @ 6000rpm by 20hp, which will be meaningless in the real world.

    -mike
  • cptsessocptsesso Member Posts: 116
    I just saw my first Axiom on the road since I bought mine in November. It took me by surprise. It was the blonde gray. They really are a good looking suv, imho. More modern looking than most.
  • twocartwocar Member Posts: 95
    Well, I'm glad Isuzu finally updated there website with 2003 information. Looks like the Ax hasn't really changed except for some options that came standard look like they are now offered as "upgrades" or "add-ons". I guess that way Isuzu can offer the vehicle MSRP at $24k to attract more people. Also noted that Isuzu has pulled the 10yr/120k mile warranty and put in a 7 yr/75k warranty. I love my Ax, but I swear that Ascender is the worst thing to look at. Really a sorry looking vehicle that has GM written all over it... especially the blue digital numbers on the radio. Just my opinion.
  • sveltaxsveltax Member Posts: 72
    Seems to be a rebadged Trailblazer to me as well. I could see the resemblence the minute I saw the first picture from the front. That is probably the reason the warranty is being pushed down to 7/75, very weak.
  • axiomloveraxiomlover Member Posts: 216
    It is no secret that Ascender is just a rebadged Trailblazer or Envoy. It is basically the same truck.
  • libertycatlibertycat Member Posts: 593
  • heniopheniop Member Posts: 6
    Recently bought one of this beauties everything is fine except MPG which on avarage is around 16 on highway.It started with 15.8 now is 16.2 is it gonna improve after some time dont think i will reach target 20 as promiced on the sticker.Read most of the mssg on the forum trying to find what is the cause this car is not seen on the roads find nothing wrong except a small recall due to air bag problems.Seen white one on the road the other day looked beautifull and for sure people ask what is it and gasp on gas stations.Well looks like we compiting with a other rare car makes clubs only at much lower investment- mine 2002 - for 21.9000.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    MPG is very heavily effected on these vehicles by:

    Tire Pressure
    Rate of travel (over 60-65mph MPG drops like a brick)
    Terrain (mountains will drastically drop your MPG)
    City/stop and go v. slow city
    Miles on vehicle (below 10K miles you will have worse MPG)

    -mike
  • axiomloveraxiomlover Member Posts: 216
    It is nice to see that another member joined the Axiom club. I honestly think that the sticker price is the number 1 deterrent that directs buyers away from Isuzu to Toyota, Honda or Ford dealerships. When you think about it, Axioms compete with vehicles that start a few thousand dollars cheaper. If Isuzu came out with a commercial stating that you can get an Axiom for $21,900, I am sure they would be able to sell many more units. There is supposed to be a new, cheaper version of Axiom coming out this year, which will have a sticker price of $24K.

    Fuel economy is not the strongest side of this truck. However, if you are keeping a constant speed of say 65 mph on flat road, you should be getting about 21 to 22 instant mpg. Why don't you do this experiment. Get the vehicle to 65, put it in cruise control and then reset you avg. gas economy gauge on the MID. Let us know what you get, but don't expect your overall average to be higher than 15 mpg. Remember that Honda Civic with a 1.7 liter engine and 115HP will give you 27 mpg in the city, so Axiom with a 3.5 liter engine and 230HP will only give you 13.5 mpg. I only have 8K miles on mine, but I sure hope that fuel usage will decrease over 10K miles.
  • axiomloveraxiomlover Member Posts: 216
    I really find it surprising that a new engine would use a quart of oil every 2,500 miles?! At least that is what I am getting in my 8K mile Axiom. Would you report your oil consumption and tell us how it compares with other vehicles that you are driving or used to drive?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    The 3.5 is known to consume as much as 1Q ever 1000 miles. 50% of the Troopers do this. It's not a problem, just need to keep on top of it.

    -mike
  • kennedyskennedys Member Posts: 3
    I have found your messages very informative. My husband has been interested in the Axiom but I read the reviews on Edmunds and had second thoughts about buying one.

    He went to our local Isuzu dealer today and inquired about the price. He was told the $26,XXX advertised price was as low as they would come down and we would not be able to get the 0% financing unless we wanted to pay sticker for it and then we could get the 0% interest rate for 72 months.

    I have seen where some of you have said you got great deals. What kind of price and interest rate should we be expecting?

    Thanks for your assistance.
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    As with all car sales, you need to be able to be willing to walk away from the table to get the best price. Some dealers are not willing to bargain. You have a few options, shop around to other Isuzu dealers over the phone, talk to internet managers...they give prices out over the phone (at least in my experience), try another salesperson? Call up and speak to someone different over the phone, which might be easier.

    If everything fails, shop for another vehicle...kia has a very competitive model, cross shopping can give you a better idea of price/value too.

    Read edmunds articles about shopping for a car, those are helpful. By all means, go out and practice, salespeople get the better of customers because they are ready and have all the answers in their back pocket, practice at a honda or toyota dealer fending off and striking back...You will be in a better position to get a good deal with some research and practice...fun? for me yes, maybe not for everyone, but can help get a good deal.
  • ryanendresryanendres Member Posts: 122
    check with www.isuzudealers.com

    depending on what options you want you could have one for as little as 19k!
  • icedog97icedog97 Member Posts: 141
    I assume you are looking at a 2002 model (since you mentioned 0% for 72 months)? What model?

    If so, you should be able to get 26,xxx AND 0% for 72 months. The bottom line is that if it's a 2002, they need to move it off of the lot...and that's to your benefit.
  • cmunizcmuniz Member Posts: 604
    The Axiom generally has both a customer rebate and a manufacturers rebate to the dealership. The customer rebate is either 0% financing OR thousands off MSRP. That is offered by Isuzu directly to the customer. The rebate to the dealer is always in $$. You should be able to negotiate at least a portion of both rebates in $$ OR get 0% financing plus a portion of the dealers rebate. I'm pretty sure that you can do better than MSRP plus 0% financing although I haven't shopped for one in over a year. You need to contact more than one dealer and look up the Edmunds True Market Value (TMV) to use as a reference when dealing. Hope that helps.

    Before you buy one you definitely need to drive it. The reviews are way off base as you can tell by what the owners have to say. However, it does have a few quirks that some drivers may not like, eg, it's on a truck chassis and rides a little rough compared to others like the Toyota Highlander that are on car chassis.
  • kennedyskennedys Member Posts: 3
    Sorry - I guess it would be helpful if I tell you the model we are looking at - Axiom XS with 4 wheel drive.

    In looking at Edmunds it looks like the TMV is a little over $26,000. But it does not indicate if you get the 0% financing with that price.

    That is what we are interested in finding out. What prices are you paying and are you getting the 0% financing.

    We are also looking into the Honda Odyseey and I read on their board that they say where they bought their van and the price they are paying. That is very helpful because then you know if you are getting a fair deal.

    Thanks for your assistance. Love this site - it is so helpful!!!!
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    The odyssey is a much easier vehicle to assess though, its high demand makes the price pretty uniform. Isuzu's don't have the same demand...however that should mean much deeper discounts.
  • mkayemkaye Member Posts: 184
    Something definitely sounds wrong here.
    Since the TMV on the XS 4WD is $26,500 and the invoice price is $30K, you are $3500 below invoice and $5500 below sticker/MSRP. Since there is $4000 in customer cash, ask the dealer why you shouldn't AT LEAST get invoice pricing or $500 above invoice AND the zero percent financing. So, if you choose zero financing you're not only losing the customer cash, you're paying a premium as well? I would think pricing is still below invoice even with the zero financing. By the way, I know the 2003's are out, the TMV on Edmunds is for a 2002.
    A local dealer in Phoenix recently advertised a FREE brand new Kia with a Trooper purchased at MSRP and for a long time pricing on the Trooper has been $8-10K below sticker easy (w/o 0 financing).
  • axaholicaxaholic Member Posts: 8
    I thought the TMV includes any rebates because that affects what is actually paid.
    I only got a base 2wd a few months ago. I am not a good negotiator but got the $4000 rebate and another $1,000 off.(supposedly dealer invoice) The same dealer in the Dallas area now advertises $7,000 off msrp.(4000 rebate and 3000 dealer discount). I didnt go for all the addons like paint sealant and serial numbers. With the advertised discount they may say it is only available with the addons which would reduce the "value" of the discount. I would think that since it didn't sell well, 2002 models left would be discounted quite a bit.
    Also if you finance they may offer a higher rate than you deserve which would cost more. The insterest rate first offered to me was reduced by over 10% which lowered the payments $175.
  • cdfaulkcdfaulk Member Posts: 5
    I noticed that after the first of the year, the TMV changed on Axiom. Maybe edmunds resets it every year? It was just over $24000 for an XS Axiom at the end of December. Maybe TMV changed by area. I live in Atlanta. I got an Axiom on Dec. 31st, new years eve, for $22,710, its an XS model. Axioms, in my opinion are great, but since they are not selling well overall, a dealer should be willing to sell at DEEP discounts to get the 2002's off the lot.
    PS: Anything NEW on the 2003's?
  • ryanendresryanendres Member Posts: 122
    All Axioms feature the following changes for 2003:

    New roof-mounted antenna replaces fender mounted unit
    New remote keyless-entry integrated in key with anti-theft vehicle immobilizer
    New exterior colors include Mistral Green Mica, Black Diamond Metallic, Currant Red Mica, and Crystal Blue Metallic
    New optional beige leather interior surfaces replace tan leather
    Glove-box lamp added
    XM Satellite Radio is offered as a dealer-installed option (late 2002 model year)
  • cptsessocptsesso Member Posts: 116
    I also seen an option for vapor chrome wheels listed in the new website.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    TMV is adjusted at least quarterly, iirc.

    Steve, Host
  • usg8110usg8110 Member Posts: 6
    I saw a standard feature of rear seat heat vents.I don't believe thats availabe on the 2002 Axiom.
  • k2rmk2rm Member Posts: 205
    For the 2002, heat vents are underneath the front seats in the Axiom. They put out a little bit of heat, but not that much. Rear seat passengers can't control them though. Is this the same as 2003's?
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