1991 Isuzu Trooper 2.6 inline four cylinder gasoline from North America
Faults:
Rear brake caliper.
Failed smog (California!), but the motor was running fine.
Inner door latches.
General Comments:
The Trooper is a classic and, given its price ($700), is probably unbeatable. Toyota 4x4s with 22re motors are arguably better, but more expensive and don't have as good a looking body.
I've owned both the 2.8 liter US GM V6 engine Trooper, and the 2.6 liter Japanese inline 4, and the first one was less reliable, ended blowing the head gasket, and had no noticeable extra power, but did consume more gas. My understanding is that because of the inroads the Japanese car industry was making in the US market in the nineteen eighties, the governments reached a compromise where Japanese makers agreed to use some American engines. This was a political decision -- it was not based on the superiority of the GM engine versus the Isuzu.
I'm very happy with my 4 cylinder Trooper, and just the other day, I drove it all the way up and down El Camino Real on the Peninsula, and I kicked butt at every stop light -- and this is against modern sedans. The engine has nice torque, and surprising mileage given the very UN-dynamic profile of the vehicle.
We have driven this thing all the way to Utah and Colorado several times, and have never been mechanically stranded (though we did get stuck in some ungodly, bottomless orange muck, somewhere in the Land of the Mormons -- who very kindly came to our aid).
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 27th July, 2013