Any of you guys have any experience with an Isuzu Trooper?

I have a friend wanting to sell me his 1999 model for $400!

He says it has a big dent in the hood, but is mechcanically in perfect order.

It is a 4cyl, 4X4.

Any recommendations?

wife has a 94 with 180,000 + miles on it and she loves it and it runs very well. weve had it for a year now and it hasnt given us any trouble.

Windgap,

Is your wife's a 4 cylinder?

no,6.

What kind of mileage is she getting?

Hell, if you don't want it, I'll come out and buy it.

I have a 95 P'up with the 4 cylinder fuel-injected engine.  So far the truck has cost me

1) oxygen sensor
2) spark plugs/wires
3) fuel filters
4) oil changes
5) shocks
6) Timing belt

As you can see, the only things that I have replaced were scheduled maintenance items.  I wouldn't give a shit if the truck crapped out tomorrow-- I have more than gotten my money's worth from it.

More mechnically expert people here could likely tell you for sure, but I think that the V6 in the izuzu line of vehicles was originally a chevy motor, and I think it had less of a rep for reliability than the 4-cyl.

For $400, you don' need very much time to recoup the investment.  

You will not, however, be looking at any sort of awe-inspiring power.

ETA, I think you could expect 22-24 mpg on the highway with the 4 cyl, maybe lower if you run 17" rims.  My truck ran 29mpg until I swapped out for bigger tires, and after 125K miles, it is only getting low 20s, which means that there is a problem that I haven't been able to diagnose somewhere.

Quoted: Hell, if you don't want it, I'll come out and buy it.

The thing is, I know it's a great deal, but I don't really need another vehicle, I drive a truck and my wife has a sable.

If it is a reliable vehicle and gets good gas mileage, I could drive it as a work vehicle.

Saw one flipped over down the street (two lane road) a few hours ago.  Tow truck was there trying to figure out how to right it back up...


Bigfeet

I'm considering the purchase of a early 90's Trooper or Mitsu Montero myself.
I have had both types in the past and liked them. My Trooper was a 96 and had the v6.
I think it got around 16mpg around town and 19mpg on the highway. The 4 cyl Montero was about the same.

I'm shoping for a 4 cylinder Trooper. How hard is it to change the timing belt on the Isuzu 2.8 4 cyl engine?

Is the Isuzu 4 banger a better engine than the Mitsubishi v6 that was used in the Montero/Raider?

I have a car that I really like (older BMW) but I am always needing to haul stuff so I'm gonna have to go back to an SUV.

Drive safe,

Flyer

Forgot to add:

$400 for a Trooper is a really good deal!

I'd buy that even if I did'nt need it...

<Napoleon voice>  "Lucky"