Sigh. After a while it get silly. Remember, we're both SUPPORTING Isuzu.

so, you really believe Toyotas have no Tech bulletins and NTSBs ?
I never said that. I always said, percentage wise, they have less. Never have I said they have made tens of millions of cars with no errors or breakdowns. Silly arguements don't make a position stronger.

I saw the Outback awarded as the most reliable vehicle of North America (it shared the first place with Lexus LS400). I do not believe that they made U-turn just in 2 years.
From your "2 year" reference I'll assume you meen the 2001 ratings were great (2003 - 2 years) since 2004 ratings obviously aren't out yet. But again, who's ratings said Outback was #1 reliability?

As you say, Sabaru can't make a turn-around in 2 years....so here they are in 2001 ranked 31 out of 37 and way below the industry average. Rhetorical question: How can they be #1 in 2003 if they can't turn around in 2 years?

Can't find docs: Nor do I know what understandable reasons are.

Please, if you want to take it offline, I'm at [email]Sanaghan@yahoo.com.[/email] If you have some concrete proof that Isuzu North America is high in quality compared to other current models (note I'm NOT saying they quality stinks, just that there are others who do it better) then I would honestly love to see it.

YMNFJHDT : <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Not in any internet acronym dictionary or Google. You May Now Forget Just Heavy Dodge Trucks?

Otherwise, let's stick more to the heading topic or we'll just be locked.

I really wanted to stay out of this arguement, until I saw this. I couldn't agree with Koby more. I have a friend, a sister and 5 neighbors that have or are currently owning 88-95 model 4Runners....all have the 3.0 6cyl engine. I can not recall one that hasn't had less then 3 months downtime during their ownership (ranging from 1 year to 4 years) Currently my friend has an 88 1st gen 4Runner. Since he bought it 1 year ago he has had to replace the alternator twice, the starter, it overheats(he can't get to that until he can keep it running <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />) and most recently it stalled in the middle of the road.(my guess the fuel pump)but the code is reading the air induction system.

My sister had a 95 limited 4Runner that they bought brand new and had it in the shop for 1 month after only owning it for 4. multiple problems occured. Luckily they were able to get it refunded due to the lemon laws. Neighbors have had numerous issues. Most dealt with the head or head gasket. Quite a few having to do with the fuel system...and some electrical(not many) and then 2 with overheating issues. Now, I am not going to say that Isuzu is the best and most reliable. I would agree that on an overall basis Toyota and Honda are better. Part of the reason people keep buying them is based on reputation, unfortunetly since Isuzu doesn't sell as many units, it's reputation won't be as strong. Nissan I would not consider in there at all. I have not met 1 Pathfinder owner that hasn't had twice the number of problems any Isuzu I know of has. I would say that Isuzu is very reliable. In fact I only bought my Rodeo because 2 different sisters had Isuzu's and during the time 1 other sister went through her 95, 96 and then a 98 4Runner the Isuzu's never had any serious problems

As far as your problems go, I would say that some is pretty standard. Yes the altenators aren't in the best spot, and the starters do have a tendency to go out. I would take those problems any day over the dreaded headgasket problems a lot of the Toyota's faced. When you look at the problems you have you have to tell yourself it is the accessories(most of which aren't made by Isuzu directly) that go bad. I rarely hear about an Isuzu built engine that goes bad. They are some of the best made engines out there. In fact I had a friend that used to own an 88 Trooper in college. His dad (who is extremely automotively inclined) was with him when he went to do the mechanical check was so impressed with the build of the trucks he stated "This things are built as stout as any vehicle I have seen of this caliber" I know he sounded funny when he said it too. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" /> My point is that yes other cars may have better "realibility records" but what really counts is what is actually causing the breakdown...most of the problems Isuzu is faced with aren't even inherently Isuzu.

my $.02
Steve

I have had my Rodeo since march and I am very happy with it. The only 2 things wrong with it are the oil pressure guage not working (didn;t work when I got the vehical) and the AC compressor locked up (or so i thought until for some odd reason I tired it today and it seemed to be working. Yes, i have spent a good deal of money or rutine and prevenative matence, these include:
1.new plugs and wires
2.new fuel fliter
3.changing oil or a very regualr basis
4.changing front and rear diff fluid
5.changing t case fluid
6.changing timeing belt, water pump, cam/crank shaft seals, radatior hoses and drive belts.
7.new set of tries
and cominf up is tanny fluid/filter and brakes.

But having done all of that puts my mind at ease knowing ol' red is being well taken care of. My rodeo only has 92,000 miles on it and *knock on wood* and not had any major problems to date (to the best of my knowldge). But when trucks get old, things break and wear out. The bright side to that is that once you do it, then you more than likley won;t have to do it agin.

This truck is one of the most capable 4x4s I have had the pluasure of wheelin in (some others I have used have been a chevy 210 and k5 blazer, ford explorer, jeep wagonner, cherokey, and wrangler and a toyoata pick up.) The only one I wold say gives my truck ron for its moeny was the k5 and that is only cuz it had a 350, 8 inces of lift, and 38s. But after watching my freind go though countless u joints, slip yokes, and drive shafts (not to mention about $80 in gas a week) I wold not even want something like that. My truck has done things and gotten me through situations that most other vehicals would have not been able to handle and the that I give Isuzu props for making a bad ass vehical!

I'd never consider Consumer reports "charts" to be a statistically valid, much less a site that creates an index based on CRs charts.

FYI, presently on sale at newstands, there is an Australian 4wd magazine that reviews the new AUS spec Rodeo turbo diesel. Magazine trashes performance of the engine, BUT mentions that NISSAN and Isuzu are comparable in quality.

Also, go to www.automotivedigest.com , a trade publication for fleet managers, to find true story on isuzu scoring last in anticipated owner retention.

Banchi,

IÆm going to go out on a limb here, and (in part) support one of the negative things that you said about the 2nd gen Rodeo/Passportà



For quite a while now, Joe has been experiencing an annoying rattle on his`98 æRodeoPortÆ, coming from the front passenger side, up in-and-around the dashboard/windshield area. --- Last week, while he was taking me to get my replacement alternator (My third in two years û WHAT OF IT? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> ), I did my absolute level-best to isolate the source of the noiseà and within a minute or so, I found it.

All of this time, he believed that it had been coming from somewhere inside of the vehicleà Not soà ItÆs actually the passenger-side hood mounting bracket thatÆs to blame. --- While I was searching, I just happened to look past the dashboard, through the windshield, and noticed that the rear-most portion of the hood was moving up-and-down, ever so slightlyà and that its movement perfectly coincided with the noise.

When we got back to his house, we popped the hood, and quickly confirmed - beyond all doubt - that this was actually what had been rattling all that time.

Later, when I was back to the task of installing my alternator, I had the hood up on my`97 Rodeoà and I noticed something. --- My 1st gen has a substantially larger and sturdier-looking hood mounting bracket. --- Comparing the two, everything else looked more-or-less the same in that part of the vehicle, but the bracket itself was almost twice as long, and notably beefier on mine.



[*Flame Suit ON*]

In some ways, however slight, I believe you may be correct in the assertion that Isuzu cut a few corners here-and-there when they redesigned the Rodeo for the 1998 model year.



Still, even with that said, I nonetheless have to wholeheartedly agree with everyone here whoÆs been singing the many praises of Isuzus in general.



If you rely on published and/or reported information alone to support the notion that Isuzus are somehow a lesser breed, youÆre most likely basing your hypothesis upon flawed data. --- More than once we have seen reports here that one or another website was proliferating woefully incorrect æfactsÆ and æfiguresÆ about Isuzus. (Be it: Towing capacity, engine size and/or performance, any number of available options, etc.) --- And letÆs face ità Any statistician who is worth their salt can tell you that you can alter the parameters of any study or survey to make the final figures prove pretty much whatever point you care to makeà so citing such things as æfactsÆ really proves nothing in the end.



It all comes down to this: YOU possess a vehicle that YOU are dissatisfied with, and that YOU feel it does not live up to the standards that YOU have set.



I canÆt argue that pointà Hell, no one can. --- From what IÆve read, it appears that you believe your Isuzu is costing you more than it is worth to continue maintaining it, and that things have been failing to last as long as you believe they ought to last.

It would seem that thereÆs really nothing that anyone here can say that will change how you feel.

While I am very sorry that your Isuzu ownership experiences have been rather less enjoyable than you had hoped, personally, I believe MY Isuzu to be the best damned vehicle IÆve ever had... and as such, despite your feelings about yours, I will not be swayed from my opinions about mine, or of those that I hold for the moniker as a whole.



Like so many others here, I believe my Isuzu to be AT LEAST as capable, well-constructed, and durable as any other vehicle out there today, be they Japanese or otherwiseà So, it truly pains me to see where someone believes that an Isuzu is somehow an inferior vehicle. --- I-for-one vehemently disagree.



It is the basic nature of all-things-mechanical to actively seek a state of disrepairà and this tendency toward dysfunction hastens exponentially if you fail to stay ahead of it.

A used vehicle is therefore often a far more uncertain bet than a new one, mainly because you are seldom able to ascertain the degree of dedication that the previous owner had toward preventative maintenance. --- More often than not, itÆs a Crap-Shootà and as much as I wish it were otherwise, unfortunately it appears as though you may have shot Snake Eyes on your first roll this time.



On the bright side, as many have pointed-out already, piece-by-piece you are nearing the point where you will soon be ahead of the game. --- There are only so many things that can possibly go wrongà and you have already replaced or repaired most of them. --- If you throw-in the towel now, you run the risk of starting the process all over again on another vehicle.



By starting this thread, you effectively were seeking opinionsà So (Finally!) hereÆs mine:

If I were you, despite any reservations that I had to the contrary, given all of the repairs that have been made thus far, I would definitely keep what I had. --- If I didnÆt (assuming that your luck is anything like mine), the next vehicle I got would undoubtedly be fraught with all of the same problems, and IÆd have to go through the same costly ordeal all over again. --- IÆm a very strong proponent of the idiom æDo it ONCE, and do it RIGHTÆ, and IÆm also a very stubborn cuss, so the idea of giving-up and starting from scratch again holds no appeal for me. --- Despite the many things that I have had to repair or replace on mine, itÆs not going anywhere any time soon.


Well, thatÆs my protracted two-cents worth, anyhow.

Good luck to you, Sirà Whatever it is that happens next, I wish you the very best.


Cheers! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
Smiley

This is one of the smartest things I have heard on this board. I second that.

This is true, but it also assumes that the statistician our 'out to get' Isuzu. And what reason would they have to be out to get Isuzu. They would be after Chevy/Ford/Honda/Toyota (Which ever brand poses a threat to the 'bribers' company).



Also true. If I owned a Toyota right now and had all of these problems I probably would just shrug it off and deal with it. But after just about everybody into cars I know trying to talk me out of buying an Isuzu I was a little antsy. My good friends dad owns a shop and at the time I was buying my rodeo he had 4! 98 models in his garage with blown engines from having no oil. Also I think if I had the knowledge/time/tools to do this work on my own I would not be upset, but there is no way that I can do this so I have to take it to the shop which leaves me without a vehicle and with a large bill.

If this is the last problem I have for a while I will be more than satisfied. My uneasieness comes from three problems in <10 months. I just dont want this to be an ongoing battle to keep the vehicle working. Its also annoying to have everyone who told me not to buy an Isuzu know that mine keeps breaking down while their toyotas/nissans keep right on chugging past 150k and they bought them used at 110~ (3 friends with 97+ 4runners) with not one problem.



Again, true - But its $250+ for a fuel pump which is a pretty outrageous price. No fuel pump should fail at 90k, but stuf happens I guess. (My moms Chevy Astro's fuel pump went out 2 weeks ago @ 165k) And now we are installing our 2nd one because the first one that they installed only worked for a few hours.



This is what I sincerely hope. I am hypothesizing that all of the minor parts are failing around 100k and once those are replaced it will keep truckin' for another 100k before I have problems with all of those things again. But if the engine or tranny starts getting iffy...



The survey was based on 'willingness to buy another vehicle from the same company after owning one already'. In other words customer satisfaction with what they bought.


I love my Rodeo and hope that she'll be great in the future. Its just upsetting and quite frustrating for when it goes down every other month. I hope I can get her quabbles worked out and then actually be able to carry out all of the monstrish 4x4 plans I have for her.


Thanks for all of your insights (esp. smiley) and Good Luck!

Actually, IÆm not so sure. --- I think it would be quite naive to assume that these polls and studies are conducted solely for the benefit of the consumerà My æinner conspiracy theoristÆ tells me that there is a whole lot going on behind that curtain, that we as the general public are not supposed to know about.

The first question I have would definitely be: Who pays for these polls/studies, and what purpose do they serve for the company or companies that are footing the bill? --- The second would be: How does this tie-in with the general focus of the publisherÆs advertising department?



[ Oh, and before anyone says anything about Consumer Reports not having adsà IÆm not talking about them. --- I think we can all pretty much agree that the staff of CR, more often than not, consults a giant Ouiji Board in order to come-up with some of the steaming piles that they publish. --- No, IÆm just talking about the good-old average mainstream media here. ]



Just as an example, think of your favorite automobile magazine for a momentà Now try to recall some of the more memorable automobile ads that youÆve seen recently hawked upon its pages, and make a mental list of them. --- Now, from that very same magazine, think of the first vehicle comparison feature study that comes to mind, and make another list of the vehicles seen thereà

OK, now compare the two lists...
Roughly what percentage of the vehicles are showing-up on both? --- 50%??? 75%??? 100%???

Now let me ask you this:
Were any of those vehicles (on either list) a Daihatsu?



[*Ah-hem*] Do you hear me now?



All IÆm saying is that it is in the best interest of the media to support the brands that support them. --- Someone will always have to be at the bottom of the heap, but you can bet your sweet arse that as soon as the advertising revenue increases on the one hand, so too does the back-scratching with the other.








IÆll drink to that! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />





Shucksà`TwernÆt nuthinÆ <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />
What else is a caffeine-tweaked insomniac gonna do at æOMG-itÆs-WHAT?Æ in the morning? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />


Cheers! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
Smiley

What is a Sabaru ? Where can I get diesel One ? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" />

Sabaru [n] Sue-bah-roo. Vehicle very popular in New England. Pretty good, actally. Scores very well in crash tests, has easy-load reachable roof, but small engine. Working on more power in recent years, first by Turbo, then in future plans by getting bigger.