Best actual experience with that engine is from Harry (user itsmehb). He did a cylinder head job on his.
My understanding is the engine, a license built Hyundai (? IIRC) is underpowered for the application. What I do know is it is an interference engine and a broken or improperly installed timing belt will bend all or most of the valves. For a 2 wheel drive "grocery getter" car, it may be sufficient. As for 4 cylinder being more reliable that the V6, no way. In Isuzus, what is known as "the bulletproof drivetrain" is the first gen (1989-1991) Trooper or Rodeo (1991-1992) with the GM 60 degree V6 and a manual transmission. My biggest complaint with these packages was gas mileage. The 4 cylinder beats the V6 packages hands down on gas mileage. Dennis
EDIT: Almost forgot user gwana66 is also experienced with this package.
FWIW, if you purchase this vehicle, have or replace the timing belt ASAP for peace of mind. If you are new to Isuzus, they, like any other older vehicle are best for "do it yourselfer" type owners. Having an older (and not so popular) vehicle and finding a GOOD, qualified mechanic (or one who is willing to work on them) can be a challenge.

 

Thanks for the info. I PM'd Harry to see if he could weigh in. Gas mileage is less an issue than overall durability. It seems the consensus from Isuzu owners is go for 6 cylinder. I appreciate any additional feedback from other members.

 

 

I have one. It's a Daewoo motor, sort of. Holden/GM/Daewoo collaborated on it.

As Dennis said, if the timing belt breaks while the engine is running, expect to do a head job. Same holds for many modern 4 cylinders, but the belt interval on this one is 60K. Power is pathetic, even with 4.77 gears and a manual trans. Seriously, bicycles can take me at traffic lights. Once up to speed it's OK, but I hate it for highway driving as merging on short ramps is dangerous. This is a DOHC car engine, power comes on over 3500 RPMs. No torque unless you're in 4 low. At that point, it's a decent crawler.

Fuel mileage is mid-20's in mostly town driving.

Another downside - since the 4 cylinder got into so few vehicles in the US, the parts are drying up quickly.

 

Thanks for the input. The seller had to apply for his title (gotta love Craigslist) which gave me another week to think about it. It sounds like I'll probably pass on this 4 cylinder 2wd model. I'll be on the lookout for a nice 6 cylinder 4wd model.

 

Be aware that on the 6 cylinders, 1998- (maybe 2000?) have oil consumption issues. There was a piston design problem that caused oil return holes to clog. Not all have had this issue, but many have had it. Only real cure is teardown and replacing pistons or modification of originals. Dennis
Gwanna: thanks for the correction. Daewoo is what I was trying to think of. Daewoo, Hyundai, KIA, all the "other" leading Asian brands. Dennis

 

It is the 98-02 Trooper 3.5L pistons that are the problem, they are not the same design as Rodeo 3.2L pistons. I never had any oil burning issues with my three Rodeo Sport 3.2L engines. I also changed the oil at regular intervals. My issues were frame rot due to road salt.

 

Thanks, Buster. I was aware of that issue with the Trooper. Good to know the 3.2 Rodeo does not have that issue.

 

Be aware that the front hub, brake rotors, calipers, pads, steering knuckle and 4WD drive axles on a 02-03 Rodeo Sport are not the same as a 01 Rodeo Sport. The 02-03 have dual piston front calipers and stop better than a 01. It is also a lot easier to replace the front brake rotors on a 02-03 because of the design.

 

Great info thanks!

 

Sent you a PM about my experiances with a 2000 Amigo. I eventually sold it while I had it running good. After the valve job and new head gasket it ran well, but drove in the right lane lots. If I were to ever buy another Gen. 2 Amigo or Rodeo Sport I would prefer the V6 with the standard transmission, and preferably the 4X4 version. The main reason would be the 4 cylinder parts are expensive and hard to find, and trying to find anyone who has experiance to work on one is next to impossible. I would say that if I ever came across a low mileage one owner one that was in an area that's not in the rust belt, and garaged most it's life, it would be hard to walk away from.

 

I bought a 2002 Isuzu rodeo sports s the rebadge amigo 3 years ago with duel calipers on front brakes 3.77 gears automatic transmission with the 2.2l 4 cylinder when I got it everything worked when ahead put a timing kit on it and front suspension all I've done to it still running strong at 208678 miles on it durable little motor tranny the only thing I can say need more hp up hills cause the 4 2.2 is only 130hp there are mods you can do to the motor to increase hp but need a good tech mechanic to help had my little guy everywhere top of mountains through washed out roads on a lot of muddy dirt roads really good handling car very agile lot don't like them cause of hp but for a small motor these little motors have a big heart

 

Uuuuuuhhhhh. No, they are not durable and they don't have a big heart. They make big holes in folks' pockets.

 

Man what is the deal with the completely lack of punctuation lately?

 

Perhaps side effects of covid? 😅

 

I was thinking maybe people just dictating into their phones or something. I know my auto correct is horrible so I try to give people some slack, but it's been so frequent lately.

 

That’s a very possible reason.

 

Man, what is the deal with the completely lack of punctuation lately?

Spelling too. Like duel instead of dual. Completely different in meanings.

 

I can't believe I used completely instead of complete. Oh well.

 

I guess we owl make mistakes now and then 😉. Dennis

 

Awl I wanted to do was make fun of other people for they're grammer deficiencies!

 

I have had my 2002 Isuzu rodeo sport s the rebadged amigo for 3 half years now with very little problems besides simple maintenance it has a auto tran never give me problems auto you have to keep a close eye on over heating fixed that problem on mine bigger intercooler love mine been a reliable car 208754 miles on it still going strong that original miles I'm 3rd owner it's been driven from Tennessee to Michigan a couple time been through all Tennessee mountains in east Tennessee love my little guy always reliable and got me to where I'm going with no problems been on a few 3 to 4 hour trips my self in it the only thing about these little engines you can drive them 70 miles hour but it takes a min to get there slow on start off

Thanks for the info. I PM'd Harry to see if he could weigh in. Gas mileage is less an issue than overall durability. It seems the consensus from Isuzu owners is go for 6 cylinder. I appreciate any additional feedback from other members.

I have got a 2.2l automatic transmission 2002 Isuzu rodeo sport 2 door rebadge amigo been everywhere in mine even been going 70 on interstate in Tennessee never had any trouble out of the motor or trans had some eltrictal that I redid to spec on it and I did a timing kit on it that's it been a great little vehicle even drove it on a couple of 2 hour trips the owner before me took it from Tennessee to Michigan a couple of trips no problem been in water mud and washed out roads car never giving me any trouble the owner before me said they put a bigger intercool on tranny had it rebuild all they done to it