1990 Isuzu Amigo xs 2.6L I4

Summary:

The Amigo XS is a hoot on the back roads

Faults:

Brake rotors.

Emergency Brake.

Cracked Head.

Clutch.

General Comments:

My ex-wife picked this car when her Hyundai was totalled. Later she also bought a pink and blue -'73 VW beetle, so when we divorced, I took the Amigo and let her keep her Pepto-pink bug (though I thoroughly enjoyed my '74 Candy Apple VW.)

I really enjoyed the Amigo, it was a capable off-roader and performed adequately on the slickrock near Moab and along the White Rim trail, entry/exit angle on this thing really helped this stock Isuzu keep up with other (modified) 4x's. The 31x10.5 tires tended to float on the slick clay in southern Utah's mountains, but I never got stuck. A little more power would have been nice, but it did all right with the gear ratio. The cracked head problem seems to be an issue with the Isuzu 2.6L I4 engine also happened to my buddies Trooper, (after warranty for both of us, naturally) the replacement was improved, so that has been no problem (my sister now owns the car and it is still running strong).

I wouldn't mind having it back, although I would make some modifications to the vehicle to make it unstoppable off-road.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th March, 2007

1990 Isuzu Amigo XS 2.6 liter 4 Cyllander

Summary:

This is a fun, sporty, reliable little truck, and I enjoy every minute I am in it

Faults:

The starter needed to be replaced at 132,000 miles.

The oxygen sensor light stays on. Apparently this is a common problem in early model Amigo's.

The idle speed is off, and the car idles rough.

The exhaust manifold needs replacing at 133,000 miles.

General Comments:

For an SUV the vehicle handles well.

The car does feel underpowered.

The seats are uncomfortable for long car trips.

The 4 wheel drive works very well.

If you don't know what you are doing, the removable soft top can be difficult to put back on.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th September, 2004

29th Mar 2005, 15:40

To get the O2 light to go off you need to remove the screws that hold the instrument cluster, pull and tip it toward you. On the back of the cluster there is a printer circuit board. You should find two places to put a screw in labeled A and B. There should already be a screw in one of these places, just move the screw to the other hole and the light will go off. The O2 light is triggered by the miles driven, not the computer saying the O2 sensor has failed... The computer is not that smart... :-)

Hope that helps.

Kevin.

21st Oct 2005, 15:39

Just thought that I might add that your O2 sensor could be why your car is not idling properly. you should get it cleaned. see if that works. its pretty easy to do I bought the sensor removing socket for about 15 bucks. I took out the sensor and cleaned it on a wire wheel put it back in. big difference idle smoothed right out. saved the 15 bucks on gas in the first month.