Isuzu Rodeo SUV | Crossover

Isuzu Rodeo SUV | Crossover 

DESCRIPTION

The Rodeo comes with 2 engine options; the smaller 2.2-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-in-line with a modest 130 hp or the 3.2-liter DOHC 24-valve V-6 with 205 hp with choice of a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. Also choose between 2 and 4 wheel drive.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 241-250 of 325  
[Apr 23, 2001]
Bryan
Model Reviewed: 4X4

Strength:

lots of low end power, plenty of room for family and pets, looks good, good mpg for a suv, the 12 disc changer is nice 4 long drives, the shift on the fly 4WD is solid, sleek look with dark green paint with tinted windows, handles great

Weakness:

shocks to weak, needs a better cup holder(using the center console has its problems), should cruse at lower rpm in 5th gear, locks freeze easy(WD-40 fixed that prob), should have 2 tow hooks in the front(only has one) a reciever hitch should come standard on a suv

bought it at 2K under retail its a family car my father has a 1999 and my sister has a 2001 both love them ill have 2 agree mine only has 46000 miles on it im sure i will get a great deal more out of it

Similar Products Used:

blazer same year at 89000 miles more ($$$)
explorer had less power more ($$$)
cherokee had a jerky tranny and the part-time 4WD is for the birds

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[May 22, 2001]
Sean Stichter
Model Reviewed: Isuzu Rodeo LS

Strength:

Good power with V-6 Engine
Sharp Look
Great amount of Storage Space

Weakness:

I do not like that the max tow weight is 3500 lbs without a weight distribution hitch package (with the package the max is 4500 lbs). There could be a little clearance added (be carefull offroading). The truck will run ruff if you do not close gas cap totally tight. Since I use the truck in offroad conditions I would like the suspension to be a little more ridged, but it rides better than many other trucks of it's size on road. The hand emergency break is a piece of do do for this size of a truck.

This truck has a great amount of power for it's size. I've already pulled a friends Ford F150 out of a ditch in reverse. The interior is ergonomical and relatively plush for the price. The LS looks great with the tinted windows and stylish alloy rims. I have taken it off road a couple of times and it has performed relatively well. Lots of storage space especialy with the rear seats down. I love the 3/4 seat division so that you can put one down to add a lot of storage room and still have a good sized place for someone to sit (only available with LS model). Mine has 70,000 miles and runs great. I just replaced the timing belt which was only $320 at the local dealer in Charlotte NC.

Similar Products Used:

Nissan Pathfinder
Toyota 4runner
Jeep Wrangler

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 30, 2001]
Lindsey
Model Reviewed: S

Strength:

Only has 32K miles and is still in great condition. Has a ton of leg room in back and front. I like the body style. Well priced. It has great power. I hope nothing goes wrong!!!!!

Weakness:

It is a bit loud when I accelerate. So far nothing bad has happened, but I have a warranty that will cover everything but maintence for 30k miles or 3 years and I only drive 1/2 mile to work.

So far so good, I got a great deal on it with a warranty. Because I drive it so little it will be a while before anything bad probably happens, but I am crossing my fingers. I reccomend it to anyone who doesnt want to spend much on automobiles but wants a nice big truck!!! I love it.

Similar Products Used:

I wanted a 4-runner but I would have to spend more on one that had over 100,000 miles.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 29, 2001]
Shayne
Model Reviewed: Rodeo LS

Strength:

Build Quality
Ride Quality
V6 engine - good @ 210 HP
Interior (considerably larger than Durango, Explorer, and Xterra).
Price
Warranty
Electronically controlled suspension
Great automatic transmission

Weakness:

Mileage (18-23)
On commonly stolen vehicle list (insurace rate)

I purchased this SUV from a local used dealer after it came off from a one year lease. I paid more than $10,000 off the new sticker price and it has 13K on it. I was initially attracted to the body styling, but after an initial test drive I realized this is a LOT of vehicle for the price, and purchased on the spot! I am extremely impressed with the handling (excellent in very deep snow) in any weather conditions. The interior is plain, but very functional. The instrument cluster is simple, easy to read, and complete. I would like to see Oil Press, and Volt gauges though. Seats are comfortable for up to 3 hour rides. I was lured when I found out that the warranty extends to any owner regardless of pervious owners, up to the year/milage limit (transferrable). I would highly recommend this vehicle for anyone considering a non-entry level SUV that also doesn't want to take a second mortgage required for the larger, gas guzzling "family busses" available. Purchasing any vehicle requires research, please do yours. However, if you have been looking at mid-sized SUVs, don't waste any more time looking. Go to the Isuzu dealership.

I have owned Fords, Chevys, and Volkswagons. I was a little reluctant to purchase a foreign vehicle because of repair costs, but this ride sold me immediately. And for those of you who want to know, this thing hammers when you stomp on it!

Similar Products Used:

First SUV of any type. MUCH less expensive than Ford Explorer, Durango, etc. Comparable to Honda Passport, but with better ride qualities. Better interior styling than Nissan Xterras.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 24, 2001]
shawn henry
Model Reviewed: isuzu rodeo

Strength:

Plenty of room, nice ride, good steering

Weakness:

The interior of the car looks very 80's! However the exterior looks alot newer. Already having mechanical problems. This Rodeo already has 95,000 miles and it feels like it's falling apart. I wouldn't recommend this car, I'm sorry I got it now, looks aren't everything!

Not too happy with it, other than from what I said above, it's horrible on gas too. Its better of parked.

Similar Products Used:

First truck owned

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
1
[Apr 18, 2001]
Bob
Model Reviewed: 2WD

Strength:

Roomy, Comfortable Ride, Very few engine problems as of 89,000 miles

Weakness:

Back doors no longer open (and from what I have read in other reviews, there should have been a factory recall for this), Rust isuues, need to win the NY state lotto before you can bring it to a dealer for repair work.

Overall, the vehicle has been reliable and good to drive. It is just a shame that such minor issues like door locks and window repairs have to put you in the poor house. My vehicle only has 89,000 miles, and already has absolutely no trade in value.

Similar Products Used:

I have driven Blazers and Cherokees, and the Rodeo (although in a different class), can hold its own for comfort.

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
2
[Jun 09, 2001]
Greg
Model Reviewed: XS 3.1 Rodeo

Strength:

Alot of cargo room. 4 Wheel drive works really well. Especially with manual hubs.

Weakness:

Had to replace manifold, starter, alternator, head gaskets, and tranny. Alot of vibration noise like rear hatch and window, undercarriage, front and rear end.

Overall i give this vehicle a 2 out of 10. Nothing but problems since we have had it. Everyone i know who has had a rodeo, has had problems too. Lots of road noise, vibration, turning raduis is too short. Engine is not nearly powerfull enough. You have to floor it to keep up with other traffic. Thats even when it is tuned up. They should have put a bigger V-6 in the rodeo than the 3.1. Overall pretty poorly built. Would not recommend this vehicle to any one.

Similar Products Used:

Any other SUV's in its class blow the rodeo out of the water. In power, acceleration, stability, braking. Chevy Blazer, Jeep, Ford Explorer.

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Apr 12, 2001]
Rose Matthews

Strength:

Nice looking vehicle

Weakness:

Terrible heat system. Right in the middle of winter the heat went out because of a part. This part is $300 and of course the warranty expired 10 days prior. The same part for a Chevy would only cost $50. Also shocks went in two years. Noisy

Overall, I would not buy this car. The parts are extremely expensive, plus you can only get most of them at a dealership. Also the lease option is a rip off. According to the contract you have to pay a "purchase fee" of $550 for the pleasure of buying this car that you have been leasing for 39 months. This is a hidden fee so be careful. Shocks are gone, heat is gone, fuel gauge is inaccurate, squeaky. All this before it hit 30,000 miles.

Similar Products Used:

Bronco II was a rougher ride. It was less expensive for repairs and not as costly of a vehicle.

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Apr 09, 2001]
Todd
Model Reviewed: Rodeo LS 4X4

Strength:

Price is reasonable
Powerfull engine
Looks great
Lots of stuff come standard
decent MPG for a 6 cyl SUV (mine is a 5 speed)
Longer warrenty then most others
Nice ride

Weakness:

It is easly overloaded
rear visability is limited
plasticy inside

I really like my truck. It was priced VERY reasonably for what you get. Its got the 6 disk changer, tinted windows, keyless entry, alarm, 16 inch wheels, and an Ok sound system. I researched the hell out of the SUV market and kept comming back to the Rodeo. I was looking at XTerras and had not even considered the Rodeo untill I asked my mechanic what he would recomend. His responce was "Dont get another Jeep. Stay away from Dodge. The Toyotas and Nissans are fine. We dont see too many Isuzu's in here, and when we do they have about 140,000 miles on them" So I looked at the Rodeo. It has ALOT more power then the XTerra, and more features. The warrenty is nice too. 3yrs/50,000 bumper to bumper AND a 10year/120,000 powertrain sure beats the hell out on most other manufacturers. Add in a $799.00 bumper to bumper warrenty from Warrenty Direct (www.warrentydirect.com) that "Wraps" around the powertrain warrenty and everything is covered till 2011.

The 0% financing was a nice option too.

I finally had it narrowed down to the Pathfinder and the Rodeo, (the XTerra was just to underpowered, and the 4Runner was too expensive) I could just not justify spending $5000-$6000 more for the Pahtfinder, having to pay a higher finance charge, and getting a lesser warrenty.

Do your research, check prices at CarsDirect.com and Autobytel.com, and get quotes. Get the dealers in your area working against each other for your buisness. I had dealers from over 120 miles away fax me invoices, and quotes. I then took all the quotes to Royal Isuzu and asked them if they would locate the car I wanted and sell it to me for the lowest price I had. They did.

Similar Products Used:

Looked at the Pathfinder(nice but too $$$$)
Xterrra, (not enough power)
4Runner, (Very nice but way too $$$$$)
Explorer, (was OK but I just didnt like it as well)
I owned an 87 Cherokee for 9 years It was a great truck exept for the fact that once a year it became a GRAND Cherokee because I had to pump about a GRAND ($1000) into it.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 11, 2001]
Dennis Sorensen
Model Reviewed: 4WD V-6

Strength:

Reasonably Priced. Runs Excellent For A Vehicle With Over 110,000 Miles At This Point No Major Maintenance So Far Other Than Clutch Repacement And Minor Maint. Good Family Vehicle I Have Wife And 3 Kids. May Items Come Standard To This Vehicle. Good On Gas On Highway Not So Good In The City. Easy Shift From 2WD TO 4WD With Auto Locking Hubs. Looks Good Sporty. Decently Powerful To Haul 15' Boat Trailer And Camping Gear. I Am Looking To Buy Another For My Wife Right Now.

Weakness:

Sqeaky Suspension. Turning When In 4WD Be Careful Not To Over Turn Or Binding Ocurrs In Front Wheel Steering Knuckles. ***Notice*** For Others On Auto Locking Hubs Check The Black Tempered Steel Bolts Holding The Covers On The Hubs They Loosen Themselves Over A Short Period Of About 6-8 Weeks Make Sure You Check Them. I Noticed That Problem Because Of One Missing Bolt When i Bought It, So I Checked Periodically. Standard Sound System Speaker Mounts Limiting. 4-5inch In Dash And Only 4inch In Rear Very Dissappointing. After Careful Modification I Was Able To Put 51/4 inch Kenwoods In The Rear Speaker Boxes.

Over All A Wonderfully Refreshing SUV Powerful, Sporty, Handles Well, And The Low Cost Make It A Very Nice Buy. Bumper To Bumper Warranty Speaks For Itself. Fits 4 Comfortably But Five Is A Little Cramped in Rear Seats. I Purchased A Child Seat For The Cargo Area That Seats 2 And Is Wonderfull To Enhance The Vehicles Family Capacity, A Good Option At The Low Price Of $800 For A Five Star Safety Rated Seat. I Love This Vehicle And As I Said I Am Looking To Buy A Second One.

Similar Products Used:

Pathfinder
4Runner
Durango
Tracker

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 241-250 of 325  

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