Rodeo - a good vehicle?

[cahdummy]

We've HAD IT with our 96 Blazer. It's been one thing after another. All fairly minor stuff, but it all adds up.

We're looking at a 96 Isuzu Rodeo V-6 4x4. 137,000 miles on it. Looks like power everything. Automatic. Took it out for a drive, and it sounds good. The only thing that's giving me a red flag is something smelled hot when we brought it back to the lot. Husband said it was from him spinning the tires (on dirt) to make sure the 4 wheel drive worked. I'm worried he's being too optomistic. It wasn't a strong smell, but I wasn't comfortable taking the vehicle out for 5 miles and having that happen.

But you guys are the experts. What sort of problems are you having with your Rodeo? We've heard good things about Isuzu and I've had it with Chevies. Absolutley had it!

Is this generally a good vehicle? I'm just looking for something reliable.

[desmarkus]

had it with chevies, who do you think owns izuzu (since late 90
early 91)?

Not withstanding, I love chevies and my izuzu rodeo (but blazers and jimmy's are notorious for their lemons)

It has well over 200,000 miles and still runs good. There are, of course, some common problems with them, all of which aren't too serious. I think the most major one is intake gasket problems. Which should cost about $80 and and saturday to do.

If the 4X4 works good and you've checked the oil to make sure the engine isn't on the way out or has sawdust in it (which is added to stop any engine noise) I'd say you've got yourself a good truck. Also you might want to check the window regulators to ensure the cables aren't frayed or kinked, thats a $114 dollar fix, of course you'll have to take the door panels all off.

That smell, if you were spinning all 4 tires in 4X4, is most probably the clutch.

[amigo-2k]

http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showfl...=&fpart=1&vc=1

Good link on high mileage ISuzu

that smell could be a bad cat (cheap fix).

[Ramblin Fever]

I think so, most definitely. I've had 2 Rodeo's.

I loved them both, but am a bit more partial to the liking of my '97 Rodeo; V6, 3.2L ISUZU engine.

My 1991 Rodeo had the 3.1L CHEVY engine.

I love the 96-97 yrs moreso then all others, to me, their just a bit different.

I think the 1991-92's had the Chevy 3.1L engine, 93-up has the Isuzu engine, 3.2L SOHC (95.5-97yrs), 3.2L DOHC (98+)

I never had an "engine" problem with the 91 Rodeo, bought brand-new, it was a great truck, only thing it seemed to "like" was brakes; however after we put some heavy duty ones on, it stopped eating them as fast. This truck was great, hauling us everywhere from vacation trips all over the south, west coast, some parts of the east, and returning us problem free to Colorado, even while pulling a boat. We had this particular black beast for 11yrs. and 150K miles, no unusual expenses at all.

We only traded that Rodeo because we needed an open bed truck for hauling the camper, there's times I miss her.

Our 2nd Rodeo, the 97, we still currently own, and will not part with.

Fully loaded, auto in every way; have had it for almost 8yrs and 124K miles now. Engine has been totally problem free, with the exception of new valve cover gaskets.

She swallow's alternators about every 45K miles, but I also run a lot of extra auxillary's, i.e. boat/trailer lights, fog lights at night, plus I have a habit of driving with my lights on day & night. And when we go camping, we're also notorious for listening to the CD player from the truck while sitting at the campfire.

I think I'm on my 3rd set of tires, 2nd set of brakes, 2nd set of shocks, 3rd alternator, 3rd battery, 2nd power steering pump; no problems at all with electrical, window regulators, doors, wheel bearings, suspension, exhaust, auto tranny, O2 sensors, etc. Knock on wood, I hope it continues.

This truck does the everyday grind, along with vacation trips, and still pulls the boat on occasion, but not much - that's what I got the Dodge Diesel for!!

[rodeo02]

I think on average, you will find rodeos are a more reliable, stronger, longer lasting truck than a blazer (exploder or durango). I agree with ramblin'- 1996-1997 rodeos seem to be the best. Frequent maintenance will give you 200K+ miles with relative ease. That's pretty hard to do with a blazer.
G/luck
Joel

[cahdummy]

Thanks for the replies. We went and got it. First we drove it some more and there was no more "hot smell", so I guess it was from spinning the whells. I ran around in it yesterday and am very happy with it.

Desmarkus -- I'll just have to pretend I don't know that my Isuzu is a Chevy in disguise. When we were first married, our first car was a chevette scooter and that was one tough little car! But that was the only chevy we've had that I was really happy with. We had a Ford Explorer that we sold with over 200,000 miles on it to a guy who has taken it from Maine to Florida and back again and it's still going strong.....that's the kind of vehicle I like!

[surferfletch]

130K+ on my '97. Leaky valve covers are my next job. Mechanically the V6 has been flawless.

[95.5 Rodeo]

132K+ miles and I don't think my Rodeo has been maintained very well by the previous owners.

Repairs done in 15 months of ownership:

Replaced starter.
Replaced ABS speed sensor mounted in rear differential.
Installed new oxygen sensor.
Fixed leaking O-ring behind the oil filter.
Transmission flush.

To do list:

Install valve cover gaskets and spark plug well seals.
Turn rotors, I have an annoying pedal pulse just before coming to a complete stop.
Install new spark plug wires and spark plugs.
Valve guide seals and possibly rocker shafts. I have a noisy valve train and blue smoke / oil smell after the first start in the morning. I don't know if this will ever get done.
Oil pressure sending unit is toast. $85.00 for the part and that was the best price around. I've been quoted as much as $200.00 for it. What a ripoff, even at $85.00.
I have a new problem with the engine wanting to stall (only when cold) after replacing the oxygen sensor. This happens off-idle. When warm, there is off-idle hesitation from a standing start.
The engine will not hold a steady 2000 rpm, it wanders from 1700 - 2000 rpm. I don't know what this problem could be.
Adjust steering box.


Overall, I don't think I'd buy another Isuzu. I had minimal trouble with my 1987 Trooper, so I bought the Rodeo.

I'd be a lot happier if it ran right and got better mileage. Combined 19 city / highway would be a dream come true.

I guess I'd better keep working on it and see what happens.


Dale

[Mike72771]

I loved my Rodeo. BUT! The whole 19-MPG (60/40 split highway and city) thing finally caught up to me. On average I spend over $200 per month on gas just to get to and from work. I spend probably 45 min - 1 hour in traffic both ways.

My girlfriend was sad but I had to cut loose and trade in for something a little more efficient. The Rodeo served me well for three years I never had a problem other than those pesky sending units and intake gasket. I will miss that truck but wont miss dropping 35 bucks for gas every four days.

[Dober89]

Mike I take it you got the mazda 3 to replace the rodeo?? I traded in my 03 Protege 5 for my 00 rodeo last december. While there is a huge difference in gas consumption, I hated the thought of driving my brand new car to dirty construction sites and always having it coated in mud and dust. Plus the 4wd makes me feel so much safer while driving in bad snowstorms!!

[LuvLizard]

My 97 LS 4X4 has 171K on it and runs great. I have only had it for 3 months, but have been very happy so far. I do have a rear passenger power window needing to be repaired, and it's time for a brake job, but no biggies there. I must admit the 17-19mpg bothered me at first, but I only gave $3K for it. After realizing that the money I spend for gas per month is alot less than the payment I would make to buy something newer and more effecient, I feel better in that regard. Good luck with your Rodeo. I know that if you treat it right (regular upkeep maint.) it will treat you right.

[Mike72771]

Yep Dober, Thats about the jist of it. The only mud my 01 Rodeo saw was the stuff I went looking for. Other than that it was strictly on road commuting to and from work where it was parked in a garage.

I did have a ton of fun in that truck though. I will miss not having to shovel.

[bald eagle]

For me our 01 bare bones rodeo is an all around good buy the mpg is fair and no break downs , and best of all it holds up in a crash , fixed and good as new

[Epsilon]

Originally Posted by amigo-2k

http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showfl...=&fpart=1&vc=1

Good link on high mileage ISuzu

that smell could be a bad cat (cheap fix).

Sweet yet another from the Wire!


As far as if you think it is reliable? I would have to say of course, but of course I am biased with a 96 Rodeo myself. I haven't had any major problems except the tranny faliure due to my own negligence with letting my brother borrow it with low oil in the tranny and him came to find out pulled a nice heavy trailer. It was the Manual MUA-5 tranny.
There isn't a whole lot of aftermarket options for it, but you can easily make it into a rig you can be proud of.
How much were they asking for it?