I like Isuzu, and one of the places I found while researching them was these forums, which greatly influenced the purchasing of my vehicle after seeing the brand loyalty on here.

I am now of the opinion that the 1st gen Rodeos were alot more stout than the 2nd gen. You here alot of no-problem stories with the 1st gen, but I have yet to talk to a 2nd gen owner Ive met (not online) who has had an overall positive experience with the vehicle. The 2nd gen seems to have loads of electrical gremlins always causing wierd things to happen when something seemingly unrelated starts to go.

When I first showed my truck to a friends dad (who is a mechanic) he chuckled and said "Ya it looks awesome - Your going to look great standing next it on the side of the road."

When I inquired what he was talking about - he brought me into his 7 car shop with 2 2nd gen rodeos in the shop. He says they seem to come back at least every other month and to make dang sure I keep oil in it because hes had 5 people bring in their rodeos saying theyre having major engine problems and he gets in there and find the engines roasted.

I think the 1st gen vehicle was one of probably sufficient reliability, however, I think isuzu cut alot of corners to put out the 2nd gen at such a low price. I really wanted a 4runner, but a similary equipped 4runner (98 - Options & ~90k) runs about 11,500-12,000 where I paid about 8700 for my truck. Not to mention the Rodeo looks awesome, which unforunately helped influence my decision. There is a reason these rodeos depreciate like mad and 4runners dont.

Anyways I just got the rodeo out of the shop yesterday for the 5th time in 10 months. (The abs light started flickering for the first time today <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />) and I think me and my dad have decided to hold off selling it for at least a little while. We are going to see if anything else comes up and if it does its going to sit until I can afford to fix it then were going to sell it at a major loss and Ill just get a honda or something (theres no other reliable suv's in the $7500 range with enough power, ect).

I love my truck, but its not really returning the affection.

But then again I would be nowhere without these forums. At least diagnosing problems is so much easier thanks to you'all! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

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