A great alternative to a jeep, older year landcruiser, or land rover. Much more tougher-looking than those smaller, sissy, girlie-man looking things like the tracker, samurai, and rav4. Top is removable (sunroof too) for a full convertible experience, and putting it all back on isn't an hour-long wrestling match. Simple, yet functional interior with easily reachable controls. Great looking vehicle. Nice clearance, paint, chrome, wheels, and aggressive-looking fenders. Definately not your father's SUV... The dependability has been good on and off road, in my opinion. If its stays like this, I may own this vehicle for a very, very long time. Fun. I still love driving it. My dogs ADORE it. I even get compliments from my neighbors now and again.

My driver's side seatbelt is broken! The truck is relatively quiet even at 140000+ miles on it, but it sounds like a sewing machine. Burns oil. The brakes squeal loudly sometimes when I back up. Due to interior design, the manual stick shift blocks radio access when in 1st/3rd gears. Needs a little more power. Oxygen sensor light has more or less become a permanent fixture to the instrument cluster, even after several attempts at the dealership to remedy this. Soft top leaks, and the wind undoes the 2 fasteners on the top at higher speeds leading to more leaking. Hard top solves this problem. Custom/aftermarket parts are hard to find, and pricey. Stock ear bumpers are decoration and totally useless. I customized my rear lower pan after a few offroading owwies, and replaced them with the rear bumper off of a rodeo. Much better. Rear suspension could be better. Mines grown a bit spongy. Stiff ride, very truck-like. Turning radius could be better. Gas mileage is atrocious for a 4 cylinder. I wish the rear tire holder was on a swiveled rack, rather than integrated into the tailgate, more like the on rodeo.

After owning cars for over 5 years, I wanted to get myself a little SUV for dual purpose driving. I was looking at around the same year Jeep Wrangler at the time when I settled on the Isuzu, since they are both roughly the same size and have similar function. I drove the jeep, liked the 6 cyl. engine and turning radius, hated the interior, removal/replacement of the top, and the infernal wind noise. I drove the amigo, and instantly preferred it over the wrangler for a few reasons. It was designed more aerodynamically, so the wind noise with the top down was dramatically decreased. I bought the XS model. I haven't really ridden in any other models, so I don't really have anything to compare it to, but I preferred the interior of the Amigo over the wrangler's. The vehicle came stock with a chrome package (mirrors, door handles, bumpers) and polished modular-style rims. Overall, a much sharper-looking stock vehicle than the stock wrangler you would for the money. You can get all that stuff for the jeep, but it will cost you. I now (as of 3 years owning it) have over 140,000 miles on it, and it has been pretty problem-free, much to my complete shock (i've had some bad luck with used autos in the past). I have driven it offroad, long distance, and for daily commuting. Being able to drive with the top off is a big selling point for me in the "fun" department.

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Jeep Wrangler, Land Rover Defender, Suzuki Samurai, Toyota 4-runner, Chevy Blazer

The 1999 hard top amigo is a very quiet car. The ride is smooth and comfortable. the appearance of the car is very nice.

After three years of driving this vehicle I had noise problems with the vehicle. The brakes had to be changed a couple times. And at 77000 miles the transmission went up. A three year old vehicle should not be having transmission problems. Very dissatisfied. The gas mileage is horrible.

Over all nice looking 4wd. The two sunroofs adds a nice appearance to the car. Purchased new in '99 and thought it was great. Two years later problems were arising. Transmission went up after three years, 77000 miles and dealer wouldn't do anything about it but replace it, costing much money. Warranty expired 75000 miles, Go figure.

* Great shape to the vehicle - doesn't look like your average, lumbering slab of metal SUV. * Good off-road capability. Clearance is better than most new SUVs coming out today. * Locking console for removable radio. * Overall simplicity - this is a beach Baja vehicle.

* Drives and rides like a truck. Basically, the Amigo is a truck in an SUVs body. (Unfortunately, this can really wear you down on long drives.) * Lack of refinement - dark interior, no clock, no maplights. Its also hard to reach the radio controls with the stick shift in the way. * The stick shift throw is way too long, making it tough to shift and drive in rush hour traffic. * Sunroof opening reflects in rear-view mirror when in 'night' position, interferring with the image. * Cabin noise, understandable since its a convertible. * Inadaquate power, even with the 2.6L engine. 120 hp just isn't enough for a vehicle of this weight, though the newer V6 versions may have solved this. * Milage - Average about 18 MPG. Why is it so poor for a 4-cylinder?

Not a bad little SUV. Its sporty, sits reasonably high, and performs well off road (I have the 4x4 version). I bought it with 96,000 miles in great shape, substantially less than what similar Pathfinders and 4Runners were going for. This Amigo has the 2.6L engine, but even this is not enough for its 3500+ lb body. Its still fun to drive, but this makes driving it a little less fun than it could be.

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Passinger cars only

Sets high. Fun in the summer. Very roomy. Drives real nice for a truck I think.

Like everybody elses biff.....hard to get into the back seat.(unless the top is off)Paint seems to fade faster than should. Parts seem to always be a trip to the dealer. Which means money.

Well an Isuzu Amigo would of been my last choice in an SUV. But then I drove one. First one I drove was a 1992 with a 2.2. Doggy Dog. But after driving my 89 with a 2.6 I was in LOVE. We call it a "truckette". Not quite the size for helping all your friends move either. lol

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Drove a jeep wrangler and a suzuki samurai. Samurai much to squishy. Jeep much more expensive.

looks nice (now)

if the dam thing start giving you problems get rid of it, If my wife only know how much I spend on this car I would have to live in the car

well, after a new tune up, timing bell, clutch, new exost, calipers, roters, pads,stared, oil pump, shocks and altenator the car is finaly running good but I am so browke fixing this thing, I can't afford to pay attention, not even gas

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please...

Very dependable and realiable. Great looks

Access to the back seat is awfully uncomfortable. Definetely not for Moms with small babies as the car seat will not get in without turning it and twisting it a few times. The soft top absorbs the heat so your passengers or kids will get to the trip destination well done or X-tra crispy. Lots of blinds spots. Sightseeing is out of the question

Super duper dependable and realiable. I haven't had any mechanical problems whatsoever with this SUV since I bought it. I wish it would have 4 doors though, I know, I know you are going to suggest the rodeo, right? Not the same in my opinion and doesn't withstand the same great reviews as the Amigo . I really love this car and wish I could magically make two more doors appear.

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Nissan X-terra

Isuzu engine, dependability, soft top

Rear leaf suspension, rear bumper design, only 120HP, top's minor leaks during heavy rains (new probably eliminates this)

I bought my Amigo in 1998 with only 32k miles and now with over 111k. Mine is a "bottom of the line" vehicle. It is an S softie model, no sunroof, no A/C, steel wheels, 2wd and stick shift. I can live with these. I only modify it with an alarm, a CD player and K&N filter. It has been a dependable working truck. I replaced the starter at 69k because it had been abused too much and replaced the alternator at 82k. The alternator was not really bad, it was just weak. It didn't fully charge so I stalled once when the battery was also weak. I wish that I should keep it for couple years more and only pay attention to the battery. Other than that, the truck is so good with routine maintenace and I have yet replaced the brakes. I use it for daily driving and I plan to keep it for years to come. Go farther!!!

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good power for 4 cyl can seat 4 adults comfortably great for summer soft top and sun roof easy to put down or up and in or out

can be expensive to fix ($630 to replace clutch, all but $190 was labor) bit noisy due to soft top, but i don't mind

I bought it used while actually looking for a pickup truck. The moment i saw it I knew I wanted it. The first time I say an Amigo I want to get one. I have a 4 cyl, with a 5 speed but its only 2wd. It has enough power for me, decent ground clearance, can haul my tools for work, and has decent gas mileage. I've never road in the back but i have had a 6'4" 275 lb guy ride in the back with little problems. had to replace the clutch at around 55000 miles. other than that i love it.

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minivans, kia sportage

Quick and reliable. The electric 4WD is flawless. Have busted sand drifts and deep mud without ever needing to put it in 4 low.

Pioneer CD player is junk--have warranteed thru two. Clearance is limited, but you have to pick your path whatever you drive. Cruise control should be part of standard package.

This vehicle spends its life driving on dirt roads on the Hopi/Navajo reservations. We average 30-40k per year and the roads are vehicle killers. I bought the V6 for the power and towing ability. You have two choices: mileage or power and real 4WD. I got tired of creeping up hills and went for the power. Also went for the automatic trans--anyone whose tried to shift their way though the sand of Canyon De Chelley knows how quick you can burn a clutch. Went with BFG mud terrains, a little birg and they rub but can't be beat in the wet clay.

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Jeep Cherokee (totalled); Toyota 4Runner (gave to daughter)

I walked away without a scratch. The insurance money so i could buy a SUBIE! Didn''''t roll over.

CATCHES ON FIRE! Brakes suck - cant tell you how many times a steep hill or sudden stop would make the amigo slip.

Last december i was driving to work in my Amigo. It was a rainy morning and i was stopped at a light, when it changed i began to go through the intersetion about 10-15 mph, as i went through i accelerated slightly. With just that the rear end began to slip, when i tried to brake (nothing but slipping) the thing just lost it. I let go and it jumped a curb, hit a tree, spun around and landed 3 lanes over facing the opposite direction. My airbags deployed and my frame was damaged. About 5 min. later, the front hood began smoking, then flames started, another 5 min. later, the entire vehicle was on fire. The inside melted, the top was melted, my seats were destroyed. A total vehicle loss. The fire men and police said they''''d never seen anything like. I have pics if you don''''t believe me.

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Bottom line - this SUV made me go back to buying a car (best thing i ever did). My AWD subie takes me to all the best mountain biking tracks.