- Seller: Jeff W (Contact)
- Location: Santa Cruz, California
- Mileage: 53737 Shown
- Chassis #: 16XCGAC14K1010591
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 3.8-Liter GM 3800 V6
- Transmission: Automatic
It looked futuristic when new, and this 1989 Vixen SE remains unlike almost anything else on the road. The low-slung, 21-foot motorhome combines unusual styling with a 3.8-liter GM V6 and a four-speed automatic transmission. The seller states that only 172 SEs were produced, making this non-running project a genuinely uncommon find. It is located in Santa Cruz, California, and is offered exclusively with us for $7,500.
This Vixen was reportedly purchased new in Canada and moved to Ohio in the mid-1990s. The seller’s father bought it from an Indiana auction house in 2017 and transported it to California as a retirement project. Unfortunately, declining health prevented him from completing the work. The seller subsequently purchased the Vixen from their father’s estate and holds a clean California title in their name.
Although the seller describes the vehicle as mechanically sound, it is currently considered non-op and is being sold as-is. His father reportedly rebuilt the rear drive axles and brakes, repaired the drive linkage, and began replumbing the bathroom and shower. He also told the seller he started the engine, but prospective buyers should expect to recommission and inspect every system before attempting to drive it.
The interior remains unfinished. The reupholstery work was started, along with some disassembly, but the seller says all panels and cabinets are intact. The exterior side panels and lower skirt pieces missing from some photos are also reportedly included. Restoring an uncommon motorhome presents different challenges from tackling a mass-produced classic, but the result would certainly attract attention. Is this Vixen worth preserving, or would parts availability make the project too intimidating?
They sure made some weird things back then. I wonder is this FWD? It looks heavy and I’m not sure that 3.8L can handle all that. They should’ve used the 4.3L perhaps.
It’s a RWD pusher. GVW is only 5,000 lbs. because of light weight fiberglass body. I’ve been told these drive more like cars than motorhomes. Very aerodynamic.
Right lane exclusively. 🌴 ⛱️
The 3800 should be “user friendly” for repairs…fair question regarding torque, vehicle weight, etc. There’s a person on Facebook who has chronicled restoration efforts of a BMW diesel powered Vixen.
GVW is only 5,000 lbs. 3800 will provide 25-30 MPG
That mpg is NOT CORRECT. The gas 3800 engine in the SE model can get around 22mpg. The diesel BMW engine used in the 1986 & 87, owners can get 25-30mpg. The GVW is likely also not correct. SE is around 5,500lb, where the 86/87 TD model was 5,100lb. Fully loaded with gear the SE is rated for around 6,500lb. The 86/87 model is less. That’s similar to a Chevy Suburban in weight, but with a less powerful engine. Both have cooling issues due to the tight engine area and lack of fresh air through a typical front grill. This one has an aftermarket fan which may help somewhat if it still works. Those fans don’t resolve the cooling issues, but they certainly improve it. The engine access hole(s) appear larger than others I’ve seen, so someone may have hacked out a larger hole for better access, so be sure to restructure the access door so you don’t fall into the engine compartment while sleeping. They were/are super cool RVs. They are not fast & they do not drive like a sports car. There was some marketing BS involved! They do drive better than a standard Class A or C giant box on wheels. The 86/87 had a manual transaxle so you did have to shift, but this one is the SE with an automatic. Not likely the right price for the list of things I can see that need attention in the pics, and I’m sure there will be many more unseen if it’s not even running. 3800 engine parts are easy to find which is great, but many of the Vixen specific parts can be expensive or require custom fabrication. Getting a frig to fit and work could be the 1st 2 years of your ownership and set you back $2-5k. It does borrow some things from the GM parts bin from the G20 van, but plenty of parts are not GM. Vixen’s do NOT fit in a “normal” size garage as someone said below. The 86/87 TD model is low enough to slip in through a standard garage door, but it is too long to pull in and close the door unless your garage is a couple feet longer than a typical garage. (typ 2-car garage is 20ft x 20ft on the outside leaving 19′-4″+ inside. The Vixen 21 is…… around 21ft. This SE is also higher, so it never fit through a normal garage door. It can sometimes squeeze through a higher 7ft garage door, but the AC unit can drag or get damaged if your tires are fully aired up. Glad it’s not heading for a landfill. Someone might buy it for parts for a much lower price. “gippy”‘s price notes below are pretty accurate. If it were running properly but still had the rest of the interior & exterior issues, the price may be fair. There are quite a few of these still on the road around the world, but do take a special owner to bring them back and keep them going. The SE model was made with a much cheaper interior to save costs as they were struggling to sell the TDs. They sold even less of the SE
Ahoi
In total they were made 587 Vixen. The Vixen 21 TD were BMW Turbodiesel powered and had not enough power for hills. The Vixen 21 XC were more like a airport taxi. And later, between 1988 and 1989, the Vixen 21 SE with the GM V6 was build.
A local used car dealer here in Yakima WA was a dealer for the BMW diesel variant. Thought they were cool, but out of my price range at the time.
Did they have manuals Bunky ?
The listing is correct for the number of SEs built (376 TD units, 172 SE units, and 39 XC/Limo units). Mine drove well on the road and only once, climbing up a very steep gravel road from a campground on the Buffalo River, did I have a problem when the auto transmission reached its stall point. The engine didn’t stall, but the trans did. I had to back down the hill twice at night to get another run at it and the last time dumped the potable water tank to lighten it a bit. Mine would comfortably run 80 MPH on the freeway and return low to mid 20s in MPG.
7500 will get you a diesel pusher project from any number of motorhome brands. For 12-15 K you can get reasonable low mileage running units- This one will bury you in rennovation and in the end you will have an odd duck with no resale value.
And old enough where many campgrounds will ban your business. Best to stick to federal/national parks.
You are probably/certainly spot on !
This odd ball is a bit better than the bmw powered units cause you can find parts to keep the engine going , being small has its good sides too !The pusher type rv’s cost a ton on maintenance because of the truck style parts/maintenance unless one has the ability to service them , they are really expensive to keep going and they do not fit in a regular parking spot let alone a covered garage
Rear engine transverse mounted. Hard to tell from the photos. Here is a link to an information page regarding these motorhomes. https://www.vixenrv.com/History.php
Yes it is
Its like restoring a truck AND a house, all in one! Double the repairs, double the cost!
Double the FUN!
motor homes (no matter class) always seem a mixed bag. U must maintain 2 different systems (mechanical/truck and living space/‘housing’ that is subject to bumpy travel/extreme temp swings). Systems w/in systems; 2a dem jammed together! That’s alot fora diy guy. AND…
I do not have a need for ‘monster truck’ (3/4 – 1T) in my wrk or pleasure life.
Realito (1995-’05), this (86/9), the small GMC (1973/8) all seem to fit as I am a solo RVer (well, not any type as I do not have the rig) are models I have looked at. (I think of 12v/allison trans plant too). With a lifestyle (🎼 On the rd again🎵 I’m on the rd again🎶 ) change I’d go motor home. It’d B sompin like this as to low initial price, add on as you go (for 2 years work?). Who needs “aging in place”?
Poop-chute 6-banger. Hard Pass !
Dad was very interested in these. (Step Mom shows dogs all over the country and Canada) He ended up buying a front wheel drive GMC instead.
And old enough where many campgrounds will ban your business. Best to stick to federal/national parks.
These were great units..fits in a normal garage..there rear wheel drive..good power and fuel mileage..be sure to add an additional transmission cooler..
That is cruel & unusual punishment of an engine. Even one as bulletproof as a 3.8. It needed a Big-Block Chevy.
A Modern Truck V-6 same basic size would fit but you’d need new wiring loom trans rear end & upgraded suspension links to handle increase in power.
If it were FREE it’d make a decent project as it IS – its a time consuming headache that needs to see the Crusher.
These were a hot commodity when they first came out with the BMW turbodiesel 30 mpg and can fit in a standard garage, a little underpowered but very exclusive. The company was always on the brink of bankruptcy and the Firefighters invested and the second round got a different engine (shown) one recently was up for sale here with the diesel but with a blown headgasket and sold quickly for 20k well used but in good shape. This one is a project and making it reliable will be a challange . Taking this on any trip would take some doing .
I can see $500 for it . By the time you get it road worthy again you will have $7000 to $10000 into it . good luck to the buyer .
Lovely looking RV. If only more exterior pics were posted. There’s plenty of interior pics to see. Just not many exterior pics. IMHO, there’s no such thing as too many pics. There’s such thing as too few pics. I hope this goes to a good owner.
7 grand ? In that condition? I saw a ‘,89 Winnebago in good condition for 8 grand that runs and drives . There are better “projects” out there for reasonable prices.
7 grand ? In that condition? I saw a ‘,89 Winnebago in good condition for 8 grand that runs and drives . There are better “projects” out there for reasonable prices.
A “Win A Bagel” is not in the same class ( although grouped together in that class by the Fed’s) It’s like comparing an F350 to Ranger. They are both trucks that provide carrying capacity. But you wouldn’t want to load 2500 pounds into a Ranger.
Just like you couldn’t park the Winnebago in a standard size garage.
So your price comparison makes no sense. A Caprice and a 450SL both provide transportation but would not expect the values to be comparable.
Just Sayn’
This is my idea of a good newbie motorhome. If you’ve never owned or driven a motorhome, this would be the perfect motorhome to start with. It’s a damned shame that so few were produced before production stopped.