Isuzu Rodeo Experience?

[JSparky]

Hey everyone, my old man is looking for a backup vehicle for Baja. Primary vehicle is a 2013 4Runner. He has a Jeep wj as a backup now and it keeps having issues. He’d like not to spend over 5k.

I’ve been looking at high mileage 3rd gens, but how do the early 2000’s Rodeos stack up? I feel like I always see them like they went through war, indicating they are probably quite reliable. Any common issues or options to avoid? Thanks in advance.

 

[MAST4R]

Hey everyone, my old man is looking for a backup vehicle for Baja. Primary vehicle is a 2013 4Runner. He has a Jeep wj as a backup now and it keeps having issues. He’d like not to spend over 5k.

I’ve been looking at high mileage 3rd gens, but how do the early 2000’s Rodeos stack up? I feel like I always see them like they went through war, indicating they are probably quite reliable. Any common issues or options to avoid? Thanks in advance.

Hmm, I have no idea but you made me Google the 2000 Rodeo:

https://www.edmunds.com/isuzu/rodeo/2000/review/

Huge red flag for me would be the "undersprung" comment, "takes bumps and dips easily if speeds are kept to a minimum." Ouch. That sounds worse than a stock 4R. Of course, I have no idea how cheap and available upgrades might be. Basically, it seems that it is the Rodeo and the Passport.

Several yellow flags indicating unnecessary complexity. The location of the 4x4 button seems hilarious.

I gotta agree on the beaten up hard working truck observation but too anecdotal with so few around.

Most importantly, getting an unknown vehicle for under 5k seems like asking for trouble to me. Especially if one is not familiar with the model. I think the downside is obvious, not sure what the upside might be.

 

[JSparky]

Agreed, I don’t know the first thing about them, hence the post. I’d prefer to spend a few more bucks and get something with a known track record.

Still curious about them though, I hear there’s transmission issues, I’d like to know about the motors though.

And I told my pops this... a “reliable vehicle for Baja” at the 4-5k price point is kind of a pipe dream. Better to invest in the Toyota since we’ve hashed our all the major issues, plus good aftermarket support.

 

[swampdodo]

You might want to check out the planetisuzoo.com forum.

They stop making them (in the US at least) in the 2004 model year. In that model year, it came with the optional direct injected DOHC V6 engine (I believe 3.5L)...one of the first in the US.

I've heard that the high pressure fuel pump need for the DI can go out and the replacement is quite expensive...if you can even find one. You are better off with 3.2L engine which was not DI...however, it does have a timing belt, so probably need to watch out for that.

 

[John in NC]

The 3.5 can be an oil burner. I think in the 1999-2002 range. I had a Trooper and loved it, but after 150,000 miles the repairs started adding up.