strong motor (204 HP). great MPG(for a SUV), 18/24 currently with a Calmini air filter. Lot's of room (for a small ute). Great off-road/on-road manners.

None

I'm very impressed with this small ute. Being stock and taking trails with ease in Moab Utah, was a blast.
This vehicle really out performs other in and out of it's class.

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Durango, ZR2 S-10 Blazer, Explorer Sport.

Built Tough. Good looks. Reliable. FUN!!!

Independent Front Suspension limits off road ability a bit. not terribly but it would be nice to have the live axle. also too little power on the 4 cylinder models, not a problem with the v6.

I love em both, Period. the 89 has a hard top so i dont have the soft top problems others have, tho i cant see out the back due to the heavily tinted windows. I've modified the truck a bit for rock crawling, a rear locker, 5" lift 32" mud tires and a bunch of other stuff. currently i'm working on a V6 engine swap and a solid front axle, the only things i have found lacking in this truck. the 98 is a softie and is a killer truck for driving around town. never lacks power, and is comfy. it will also soon be getting the off road treatment, tho not nearly as extreme as the 89. Both trucks are very capable off road and the 98 is great on road. the 89 is decent on road but because of all the modifications the ride and handling aren't that great. i hear stock ones are better tho.

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Jeep wrangler, toyota tacoma, dodge durango, jeep cherokee, ford ranger, chevy S10, None of em come close in either build quality or fun.

good car! good power! very reliable.

It very definitely has three weaknesses.
1. The rear view is severly blocked by two headrests and spare wheel. i took the spare wheel off and it was still bad. now i am taking the rear heardrests out!

2. the brakes are not good. i have had them looked at twice and told normal. dry weather they are fine. but in rain simple driving when i apply brakes. they hold and then simply slip! i have to brake heard to dry them and then use them. very dangerous technique that would not help me in an emergency. this is something isuzu needs to address immediately. perhaps a recall!

3. visibility to the side is very bad! the big pillars on the side effectively block all view! should have much thinner pillars.

It is a good all around vehicle. i intend to keep mine for a long time and unless something better comes along continue on to buy another one!

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compared to jeep.
Power: amigo
seating room: amigo ( wider and more comfortable for big guys )
ride: amigo
visibility: jeep ( all around visibility is perfect, like sitting in a window)
wheel clearance: jeep (easy to put bigger and wider wheels without requiring serious cutting. it has an angular shape arc for wheel fenders that doesn't require cutting! )
handling: amigo
reliability: amigo
looks: subjective

* V6 power 205 HP, 214 Ft-Lb.
* Attractive body lines.
* Very nice package, I purchased with every option available and still got in below $19,000.
* Convertible top with removable sunroof.
* Quietness of the ride, with the top up, pleasantly surprised. Even more so with the addition of Mud Terrain tread tires.
* Comfortable seats for long trips, several trips to/from Den-Chi, and Chi-Moab.
* Nice audio package with the 6 disc changer, makes roadtrips more bearable, and not inconvienent as is a single CD.
* Cargo capacity, I have packed camping, wheeling gear, food, clothing, etc in the Amigo for a week for 3 people, and still had the space for the 3 people! Try THAT in a Jeep without roof racks, rear hitch racks, etc! :)
* Lack of damage, broken parts, breakdowns.
* Strong, durable auto tranny.
* Rugged, stout chassis.
* Wide track for the class, and very stable.
* Flexy suspension, articulates well, especially for IFS, scored 685 on an RTI ramp with 4" longer that OEM coil springs.
* With the addition of Rancho RS9000 adjustable shocks and stiffer progressive rate coil springs, excellent road manners.
* The developing aftermarket for off pavement driving.
* Dana 44, e/w LSD & 4.30 gears out of the box.
* Available lockers for front and rear.
* Ability to run 32" tires with little modifications.

* Quirky ABS brakes, a little touchy and hyperactive.
* Lack of an underhood light.
* Bouncy stock suspension, can eaily be remidied with shocks, and helped further with progressive rate springs.
* Poor transport mechanism on the in dash 6 disc changer. Fujitsu Ten used the lesser quality transport in the Isuzu model, the Eclipse brand model gets the better transport.
* Can't think of any others!

I absolutely love this truck, not only is it fun to drive, responsive, and peppy, it is genreally an attention getter.
Additionally, we recently had a mishap while running trails in Moab, UT, where the Amigo nosedived down the face of a small cliff (~10FT).
This caused the airbags to be discharged and some minor damage to the hood. The damage to the hood was caused by the aftermarket steel winch bumper I have installed, the upper light tabs were forced back into the top of the hood upon impact. Very minor indeed, as I credit ARB for making a damn fine product that without question, saved lives, and more substantial damage.
Both occupants escaped with minor injuries. But this STOUT and rugged truck, not only started up, but drove the next day 1600 miles home, without any adverse effects! Try THAT in your Jeep, or any other make SUV.
If it doesn't have the impeccable Isuzu engineering, it isn't worth buying in my opinion.

I am a big guy (6' 250) and fit in the back seat with no problems, I actually like riding back there while topless. Which BTW, makes for greater ease of getting in the back seat.

Combined with all off the strengths that Isuzu offers, and overlooking the relatively minor weaknesses, why would you even CONSIDER anything else? One drive and you WILL fall in love with this excellent SUV.

If you are looking for a do it all, go anywhere, fun SUV, this is the one! Excellent on road manners, a rugged off pavement performer with awesome ability. This has the largest cargo space for its class.

If you are looking for a car like ride, keep on going, you will not like it, I generally find there are two types of people with regards to the Amigo, they love it or hate it. Drive one for yourself and see.

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I comparison shoped all 4x4 convertibles in the class:
* 99 Jeep TJ - too small, but LIKE the solid front axle, as flexy as the Amigo rear.
* 99 Kia Sportage - smaller yet, and looked like it would break, not very stout.
* 99 Toyota RAV4 - Same as Kia
* 99 Honda CRV - felt like a microvan, and generally uncomfortable
* 99 Chevy Tracker - smaller yet, and very unstable feeling.

Previously owned 92 Chevy S-10, replaced 5 speed tranny twice, and throw out bearing 9 times, within first year of purchasing. VERY BAD experience.

Killer package out of the box
Strong V6, Dana 44 rear end, 4 wheel disc, LSD, SOTF 4wd

Small but growing aftermarket (what's out there is GOOD though)
I get 20-22 MPG no matter HOW I drive :) Is that really a weakness compared to other trucks/SUV's?
Not as easy to fit monster tires as some others

Bought mine brand new and fully loaded- power everything, towing package, side steps and everything you could want
Excellent performer both on and off road
Impressed the heck out of the J@@P owners I 'froad with
Handles amazingly well on-road for a 4x4 vehicle, GREAT acceleration
My wife even prefers it on long trips (to her 1996 Nissan 240SX)

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Jeep Wrangler- Isuzu has better interior, quieter cabin, better handling, and JUST as capable and fun offroad, despite the IFS

Reliability, these things never brake
Power, makes it fun to drive
D44 rear axle, Lockers are avalable

Dealers in my area show some ignorance of how real SUV's are used (they do alot more than go to the food store)

If you really what to go off road this is one you need to look hard at. There are more and more vendors making aftermarket kits and parts. You can get 32" tires, rear lockers, lift kits, steel winch bumpers and lower gear sets for the t-case. You can tow a camper 1000 miles to an off-road event, wheel the heck out of the thing, then tow your camper back home, all in stle and comfort. Very Reliable.

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1990 Geo Tracker, Amigo has lots more power, bigger tires and is just as reliable.

Great off road. Strong powerful engine. Looks like a 4wd even if you have a 2wd. Soft or hard top. Tons of options

Hard to get into the backseat.
Have to watch the oil
no dipstick for the transmition
shocks to soft

I love this truck, and the people who own them are great! I was looking for a Jeep, but with one test drive of the Amigo I was set!

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2000 Jeep. Box on wheels ... rides a ton of bricks!

205HP, 215ft/lbs of Torque from a stock motor
Soft Top is great!!- convertable feel with the safety of a roof
Lot's of interior Room
Lot's of Storage space
Great off road capabilities

Wallowy stock suspension
Rear Visibility-with the top down and the rear mounted spare, seeing out the back is kind of a joke
Softtop windows- hard to get zipped back in
Poor Dealer support- seems like Isuzu needs to crack down on it's dealers
Poor Marketing- ads are dealer driven. Enough said.

I"ve been extremely happy with my Amigo since I purchased it in Sept of 2000. It was one of the leftover 2000 models and has been a great vehicle ever since. I would highly recommend getting the limited slip option. I use it primarily as a daily driver and a tower. 4x4 trips come, but are few and far between. On the trails in Moab, Utah, I was pleasently surprised at what the Amigo could do.
I've learned to live with the poor visibility out the back. Although, an offset mounted spare (no spares underneath, PLEASE!) would greatly improve the visibility. Even with the wallowy stock suspension, the Amigo handled much better than many cars that I have driven. I replaced the stock suspension with Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks. Installing a 3.5" lift did not cause the truck to handle anyworse and that tippy feeling that you get with many SUV's doesn't happen.
Speaking of tippy, the Consumer Reports Tests are biased. You can go to the Isuzu board on 4x4wire.com and ask us. We'll explain it.
Although aftermarket support has been weak in the past there are several very strong manufacturers and retailers standing behind the Amigo.
Overall, I would recommend this vehicle for someone who wants a small SUV with a lot of potential and doesn't look like every other small SUV on the planet. Besides, joining the Isuzu family allows you access to tips, tricks, and trips planned by the various owners on 4x4wire.com and on http://club.vmag.com. Go Farther.

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1992 Isuzu Amigo- like what's been shared before, they only shared the name. The 2000 Amigo has all the things I wanted in my 92. However, I happen to like the 1992 top better than the new one.

Awesome 4wd machine. Takes trails well after minor suspension lift. Lots of air with the top off. Strong engine. Currently mine puts out 230 ponies with intake,header and exhaust mods. Plays with the big boys well. 310:1 gear ratio is easily installed. Excellent support group of users at http://www.4x4wire.com/isuzu Extrmely different from any other 4x4 on the trails.

IFS really is bad for off roading but the Isuzu IFS has decent travel for an IFS machine. Needs some more ground clearance that 35" tires will take care of. 2:1 low range is really pathetic but adding Marlin Crawlers to yeild 310:1 ratio really is easy and makes a world of difference.

Overall very pleased with the service and support from Isuzu. After completeing the solid axle swap will be a machine to watch on the trails.

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I would buy another one over any product in this category.

0-60 time of under 8 seconds (eat your heart out other SUV's!)
superior craftsmanship compared to other new SUV's, including Jeep
It's a convertible with a removable sunroof, need I say more?
Excellent off-road capabilities
car-like handling on-road

gas mileage-whadda ya expect, it's not a car!
back seat-no worse than any other SUV in its class
Isuzu corp. has the tendency to turn its head to customer complaints and it's slogan to "Go Farther", but I've still managed to find many off-road friendly dealerships

I love mi Amigo! It is by far the best vehicle I have ever owned. The 4wd capability is outstanding, even though IFS is used. But- you will not find an SUV with more tame on-road characteristics. It's an SUV that feels like a car in both seating and handling, which is why I chose it over a J@@P. Well, that and many other reasons, but I won't go there. The gas mileage isn't so great, but I didn't expect it to be, it is an SUV, ya know? The back seat is a real B*tch to get in and out of, but it's my vehicle, so I don't have to worry about it. It has a tremendous amount of cargo space, and larger tires than a stock wrangler. Aftermarket support is growing daily and the warranty is unsurpassed... Go Joe Isuzu!

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1994 Isuzu Trooper-apples and oranges, they're both great vehicles!