1994 ISUZU Rodeo

Loved It.

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Bought my 1994 Rodeo used over eleven years ago. Loved everything about the car. Never had to put in any real money. Had 110,000 miles on it and going strong. If not for Hurricane Sandy I would still happily be driving this car. I planned to drive this car for several more years, unfortunately the entire interior of the car and the engine flooded with salt water after the hurricane. Only thing I found that could stop my beloved Rodeo.

My First Car

Performance: 3 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

I bought my 1994 Isuzu Rodeo when I was 16 years old in 2008. It was my first car and currently my daily driver. My Rodeo is the base model with 2wd, manual trans, and the 120 hp I4. It drives great for the most part though it does feel a little short of power when going up steeper roads at highway speeds. As of right now (November '10), it has almost 207,000 miles! I have to say that it's a great off roader for a 2wd! I did have to have a new clutch and radiator as well as some somewhat major engine work done around 190,000 miles. However, since then it has been a reliable SUV. I have really enjoyed my first car and I plan to continue enjoying it for thousands of miles to come!

Good SUV over the long run

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

Bought this car with only 42K miles on it and have driven it for the past 12 years! All in all the car has been amazingly reliable and good to me. Have done mostly wear and tear items with a couple exceptions including rebuilding the cams, which almost made me sell the truck. However the dealer at the time told me these trucks last until 200,000 miles and he was right! Was one of best decisions I ever made.

A truly great truck

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

I purchased a 94 Rodeo back in 2000 with around 80,000 miles. I've owned a number of vehicles and this was one of the best I've ever owned. Great styling, great off road, tough, reliable. For its age it handles well. Performance was great, again especially for its age. Did have to replace some items (cat converter, clutch), and it did have some heating problems, but given its age and miles when I sold it, was a very reliable car. It was far more reliable than the 2003 Jeep that replaced it, but that's another story.

4th Rodeo

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

I am on my 4th Rodeo and every one has been a pleasure to own. This one has 270,000 miles on it and still going strong. Has been very reliable.

Ugly Duckling Turns into Swan

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I got this car when I was 15.5 years old and it ran like a champ for me until the day before Thanksgiving for me last year, 2007 when the transmission finally went on me. Slips from 1st to 2nd gear. It wasn't the car I had wanted as a teen, but I have ended up loving this car SO much! It's hard to give it up. It's been a great car...141k miles!

Like the Energizer Bunny...keeps going!

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I've had the vehicle since it had 70k miles on it and it now has 175k. The car doesn't owe me a cent. I've been faithful on preventative maintenance. Yes, the Rodeo has always burned a little oil, but only about 1/2 qt every 2000 miles. It's not a big deal to add it. I've found that if you change the oil every 3000 miles, the engine runs quieter. Power windows, A/C side view mirror motor and heater, cruise control, and power locks all still work. Isuzu's paint quality is outstanding. Chrome still shines. We've never been stranded in this car. We've traveled cross country a couple times, exposed the car to extreme Minnesota temps and it just keeps going. Same battery for 100k+ miles!

Izusu

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 5

I have owned this vehicle for about 3 years. It has been very reliable and for maintenance I have had to replace the clutch, brakes, and changed the oil every 1,000 miles because of ticking noise in the lifters and oil consumption but other than that I would buy a new Rodeo if the problems with the oil consumption was not a factor, as well as the better gas milege

Japanese Lemon

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 2 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 1 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 1

The Rodeo looked and ran good, the price was $6,000 cheaper than a 4-Runner. I looked at all the available ratings and thought I could not go wrong. The front end had a shimmy but was fixed with new tires, until 6 months later when the steering column failed. List of major problems with this vehicle: bad water pump, continuous oil leaks from odd places on engine, transmission problems, bad rear wheel seal on BOTH sides at same time, (very pricey to fix!), injector failures, power steering pump failure, radiator tanks cracked, BOTH at same time, A/C comp failed($900.00 +), window switches break all the time ($300+ per). Too much more to list. Parts way too expensive, poor gas mileage, be careful!

Best Isuzu Ever

Performance: 3 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 2 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 3 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 4

I bought my Rodeo new in June of 1994. It had 17 miles on it. Over 11 years and nearly 130,000 miles I have changed one battery, one alternator, and one headlight bulb. All in all I love my truck. I bought another Rodeo in 1998 but I still am clinging to old faithful.

True SUV

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

Who needs a "crossover"? I got my Rodeo about 2 years ago, and it has been as reliable as the sunrise. Manual transmission is big fun, too bad they are unpopular. The V-6 is strong, keeps up with traffic at 80. Gas mileage is nothing to brag about, 12-16 MPG. Decent handling too. So many people complaining about lack of cupholders. I don't mind because when you get behind the wheel of a car, you are supposed to DRIVE, not do makeup, eat, drink, etc. The extior spare is annoyingly hard to try latch shut when you have an armfull of stuff. A rugged SUV that makes no apologies. One of the best driving positions I've ever driven in.

WOW I love it

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

I bought my 1994 Rodeo with a little less than 120,000 miles on it. It is awesome I have had a little clutch issues but they were more from the repair shop side though. I love this suv. I tow my boat it got me through driving to college and looks great. At 158,000 miles the engine died due to a pan gasket leak which I missed. As a salesperson I drive many miles a year and can count on this rugged great suv for work and play.

Best Truck Ever

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I have had my Rodeo for 5 months. I bought it used with 14700+ miles on it. It took me 6 months to find one in good condition, but it was worth the wait! Fully loaded, and looks like its brand new. Whoever had it before me took excellent care. I have 2 kids, and the space in the back seats is so good that they don't kick the back of my seat while I'm driving. Thats a plus. So glad I bought this truck. I plan to keep it for as long as it will run for me.

like it so far

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 3 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 3

I just bought this 1994 rodeo S (86000 miles) a month ago, and so far it's been just what I was looking for. I wanted to move to a more family- oriented vehicle than my little Nissan truck, and the amount of room in this SUV is awesome. The ride is pretty smooth, the power is tons better than the little four banger in my old truck, my wife loves the sunroof, and so far I've been getting 17-19 mpg, which is great for a ten year old V6. Had to replace an idler arm and tighten up the e-brake to pass inspection (picky Mass. inspection laws), but everything else works great (power options, AC, etc). We'll see how it holds up in the years to come.

not a bad suv.

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

not a bad suv. engine needs to be revamped. lifters broke which caused the rest of the engine to break. need engine to be made better.

FUN and PRACTICAL

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Used buy with 89000 miles,has been a great car,only two costly repairs starter and timeing belt, starter at 100000(they cant last forever)timeing at 102000(dont think it was done at manufatures suggested 60000). Other than that it runs stong. lifter can be a little load, but high octain gas and new oil every 3000 keep them quit.

Great SUV for the money

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 2 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

I bought this car used seven years ago and it still runs great. I'm now at 80K miles. Other than maintenance items, I've never had to bring it into the shop. I plan to keep this thing for another 7 years. What a bargain!

1994 Isuzu Rodeo keeps on going ...

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

This has been a great car! I bought it brand new in 1984 and now, mid 2003, have over 125k miles on the original engine. The clutch has been replaced just once (at 97k) and it has required nothing more than the standard maintenance. Although it is not 4WD, we do travel on the dirt fire roads in the local mountains quite often. This car just keeps going and going! I also use it to tow a 4300 lb GVW trailer.

Mechanically Great Car

Performance: 4 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 1 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

My husband and I purchase this car used with 98K miles. It has been the car that gets us through thick and thin. I have had NO major mechanical problems with this car. I've only had to do regular maintenance. It's crossed the country 3 times, with no problem. Granted, the engine sounds rough, but we first noticed it three years ago when we towed a Cavalier with it from GA to WA. No wonder, huh? But regardless of the way it sounds, it still keeps going. It still cranks just like a brand new car.

94 Rodeo Still Going

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 5

Have over 230,000 miles on vehicle and have never had ANY engine or drive train problems other than normal maintenance. Think the body style is still a classic. This is one of the last "working" SUV's, before they became status symbols.

Red money grabber

Performance: 2 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 2 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 2 Reliability: 2 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 2 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 2

One factory defect found at 81000 miles, called to report and they were not interested at all. Bearings in engine out at 91000 miles. Truck was babied by us. Used 4x4 rarely and never over revved. Zmaxed the engine and tranny at 61000 when we bought it. Did not help. Headlight bolt in assembly broke and not able to repair. Broke while normally driving down the road. Have to replace entire assembly for over 300 bucks. Very hard to find mechanic that knows anything about this truck or engine. Would never buy one again.

Gotta Love It

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

What can I say, our Rodeo has been an excellent example of why people buy Japanese. Its incredibly dependable, fun to drive and still pretty sharp even if it is 8 years old. We did have one major glitch with it at about 60K. The rear end needed attention to the tune of $1000. Thankfully, we had an extended warranty. The only other thing ever done to it was routine maintenance. Although, I did find the recommended 50K tune-up which included replacing a belt for the price tag of $500 a bit extreme. Otherwise this vehicle is fanatastic--120K currently and going strong.

Worked hard!

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 3 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 3

We bought this car new in '94, and have virtually had no problems with it until now. My husband was primary driver, and absolutely LOVED this SUV!! Only basic maintenance, tires, brakes, timing belt, etc. Alternator and starter have been replaced in last 18 months. It is now deceased (more than we want to spend to repair) at 8 yrs. old with 172,000+ miles on it. We have been very satisfied overall with the quality of the vehicle. The interior has become worn a little sooner than we would have liked, though.

rugged nice suv

Performance: 4 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 4

I did bought mine Rodeo 3 years ago with 60000, now (2002 fall) it has 130000. In spring 2002 I did rebuild engine (6VD1), automatic transmission, changed auto locks to manual, cleaned injectors. It could be just an age issue. Before this hard time it was very nice reliable suv. Used to own Trooper, Blazer in the past. Decided to switch back to japanes car.

Oregon to NYC 4 Times!!

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

3 yrs owned and never went to the repair shop. 94-96 may have been vintage for the Rodeo b/c I've heard horror stories about the current Rodeo. Isuzu's need basic TLC under the hood to prevent trouble. I survived Wyoming winters and iced roads of Shasta, CA. Sweet 4x4 to have on snow! Besides XTerra, Rodeo is the last body-on-frame pickup-based SUV for the price of a false SUV. Hard to find now. Honda gave me a good trade for a new Civic. It's back to commuter life. Good luck!

the perfect suv

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I love this car. It has worked perfectly. Everything about this car i love.

Loved this car!

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

I have loved this car from the moment I bought it.Revently I thought I should get a new vehicle.Well I bought a BMW X- 5.Its gorgeous but so far has had two recalls and has been on a tow truck already.I never once had this with my Rodeo.Its for sale & I am now wondering why I am selling it....maybe should reconsider?