Holden Rodeo 3.2 Isuzu V6 opinions?

[madtuna (Steve)]

Need to purchase a cheap second hand ute for work

Am looking at a 2003 model duel cab with 152000 klms on the clock.
Not having owned an Isuzu before, I was wondering if anyone here has had any experiance with one?

Any feedback greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

[bert (Brett)]

Isuzu is in my opinion very reliable, I have a similar model supplied but with a diesel. That v6motor is ok, but holy crap they use some fuel! We have a 5.4 v8 falcon ute that uses a lot less fuel than these use.

Be ready for some big fuel bills!

Brett

[ngcles]

Hi Steve,

Well I owned a 1999 3.2 ltr 4x4 dual cab from 2001 to 2007 and I can't speak highly enough of it. I sold it last year under pressure from the family to buy something a bit more car-like (a 2005 Pajero) and while the Pajero is fine, I really miss my ute. The Rodeo was the best thing I've owned so far.

I drove mine about 160,000km (from 40,000 to 200,000) and it never missed a beat -- no repairs on the engine, driveline or clutch in 160,000 is a pretty good run. I replaced brakes twice, battery three times, regular servicing and the only other thing was a petrol pump that let go. Because I had a long-range tank (125ltr), it cost a bomb to replace ($1600) but it is the only time it broke-down in 6 years.

I also towed a 16 1/2 ft caravan most of the way round NSW and QLD (and to the eclipse in Ceduna) and Fraser Island and it went fine.

I have a quite light right foot but I got 13ltrs/100km in the city and sometimes 11ltrs/100km in the bush (not towing). Should point out that many owners complain of poor fuel economy. I'm not one of them but as I said I don't thrash cars.

Best,

Les D

[Ian Robinson]

It's a Holden and will be piece of rusty garbage .... as are all Holdens.

Buy a Toyota or something else from Japan.

[Babalyon 5]

Originally Posted by Ian Robinson

It's a Holden and will be piece of rusty garbage .... as are all Holdens.

Buy a Toyota or something else from Japan.

Any thing made in Japan is made from rusty recycled Holden FJ's anyway!!
Besides, support your country.

[madtuna (Steve)]

Thanks Les and Brett.

Presently I drive a Hilux 2.8 turbo diesil 4x4 tray back single cab.

I love my ute but I am sick of having all my gear out in the elements and dragging wet cable reels into customers home etc.. plus the security of my tools and gear.

Not to mention having to unpack astro gear at 4am in the morning.

This ute has a lockable canopy which more suits my needs.

The cost of diesil and the more frequent service cost makes me wonder if it's nearly as economical to own a petrol vehicle now.
One can always add gas I suppose.

I've passed my speeding days and normally plod along at 90 to 100 klms even on the freeway.

When I work away from home my travel is covered anyway.

[madtuna (Steve)]

Originally Posted by Ian Robinson

It's a Holden and will be piece of rusty garbage .... as are all Holdens.

Buy a Toyota or something else from Japan.

as far as I know they being Isuzu are imported from Japan

[Babalyon 5]

I can check with my work for you, but I think that if you are going to put gas on a Rodeo it needs to be an automatic as the manuals chew the motors up and we wont convert them. Would also suggest an injection sytstem but you will be shocked at the cost of some of the conversions, which makes recovery cost at the pump hard. If you are thinking of gas, do it while the government is still giving the $2000 rebate for a conversion on a used car. Talk to a reputable gas fitter, DO NOT GO BACKYARD, it will bite you on the... well you know where!!

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by madtuna

as far as I know they being Isuzu are imported from Japan

Thailand I thought Steve, but I could be wrong.

I have plenty of mates with Isuzu-engined Rodeos and they are mostly happy with them in the long-term. Being "Holdens", none seem to have rusted to date.

[madtuna (Steve)]

Originally Posted by Babalyon 5

I can check with my work for you, but I think that if you are going to put gas on a Rodeo it needs to be an automatic as the manuals chew the motors up and we wont convert them. Would also suggest an injection sytstem but you will be shocked at the cost of some of the conversions, which makes recovery cost at the pump hard. If you are thinking of gas, do it while the government is still giving the $2000 rebate for a conversion on a used car. Talk to a reputable gas fitter, DO NOT GO BACKYARD, it will bite you on the... well you know where!!

Thanks Babs!
it will bite me on the Ian Robinson??

Chris

[bert (Brett)]

I've had the rodeo and a diesel hilux (it had a custom turbo tho). Buy a locking lid for the hilux.

Keep the hilux. They are unbreakable.

Brett

[madtuna (Steve)]

Brett I love the hilux but it's a 96 model and a locking lid isn't suitable unfortunately

[bert (Brett)]

The rodeo is made in japan.

Rodeos are known to have issues with lpg. A lot of rodeo model do not have hardened valve seats which lead to valve recession in the head(s) when LPG is used.

Brett

[bert (Brett)]

Weld up a box!



Brett

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by bert

The rodeo is made in japan.

Rodeos are known to have issues with lpg. A lot of rodeo model do not have hardened valve seats which lead to valve recession in the head(s) when LPG is used.

Brett

I think the Rodeo (TF) was sourced from Japan from 1980 to 2003 - after which it came from Thailand as the D-Max, and was recently re-released as the Colorado because Isuzu Japan won't let Holden use the "Rodeo" name after the split. No?

[Ian Robinson]

Originally Posted by Babalyon 5

Any thing made in Japan is made from rusty recycled Holden FJ's anyway!!
Besides, support your country.

Nah those rusty FJs go as scrap to Bluescope who make the plate that goes to Holden to make more rust buckets.

[bert (Brett)]

Right you are Roo! The ra's are built in thailand.

My apologies

[Bobj]

Originally Posted by madtuna

Need to purchase a cheap second hand ute for work

Am looking at a 2003 model duel cab with 152000 klms on the clock.
Not having owned an Isuzu before, I was wondering if anyone here has had any experiance with one?

Any feedback greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

G'day mate, I've had 3 Rodeos from 1994, my latest is the 2003 diesel 3litre intercooled crew cab. Just finished a 6500 km round trip to the Darwin and averaged 34 mpg. Simply brilliant.

[madtuna (Steve)]

Thanks for the feed back

I ended up getting another one.
A 2003 V6 space cab with canopy, ladder racks and only 140000 on the clock. neat as a button and a straight swap for the 96 Hilux.

I loved the Hilux, but rego due in about 6 weeks and needed 4 new tyres and I'd seriously have to look at spending a few bob on a canopy and ladder racks. So all in all probably better off.

The last few years I averaged about 70 000 to 80 000 klms a year but have seriously cut back this year so should get a few years out of this one.

As a bonus I dont have to unpack my scopes and gear at 4am plus I can sleep in the back and my howling moon will still fit up on top.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Sounds like a good deal Steve - swapping an old '96 for a 2003.... how many kms were on the Hilux?

So where are you putting the rooftop? On a frame above the tray?