Once the Rodeo made its way to Detroit, our first order of business was to find an Isuzu dealership to schedule our 30,000-mile service interval and to get a bump shop estimate for repair of the body damage it suffered in New York. Our news editor John Clor was somewhat surprised to see that he had only a few choices listed in the Yellow Pages, the closest to his home being Key Olds/Nissan/Isuzu in Warren, Mich., (a Detroit suburb just northeast of the city limits). One call landed us Clayton Burnett, a young and personable service advisor who gave us an appointment for the morning of the day we requested, Friday, April 23. He explained over the phone what work would be included in the 30,000-mile service, and estimated the cost to be $317.95.

Upon arrival at the Key Motor Mall that rainy Friday morning, we were greeted promptly and courteously by none other than Clay himself, who not only remembered our name but also the reason for our appointment. During our write-up he checked under the hood and said that, because our vehicle had the V6 with the coil-pack over each spark plug, it would take somewhat more labor (about $16) than he had estimated on the phone to perform service. Thanks for being up-front about it, we said. We also told him we noticed the rear wiper wasn't working on the drive over, and he checked it out, saying the wiper arm nut appeared loose and the repair would be covered under warranty. We showed him the body damage and asked if, after the service was done, he would take it over to his body shop and get an estimate. He said the car would be done late that same afternoon, and that he'd get the estimate for us before the close of business. Clor asked if he could have it faxed to his home office, and he said no problem.

We were in and out of there in only 10 minutes. As promised, service was completed by 4:30 that afternoon. The body shop estimate was faxed to Clor, the repairs were approved and - after a quick discussion with the bump-shop manager - the car was sent over to the adjacent building for bodywork. It would take $1,030.68 to shape and refinish the creased upper right-front fender and the scraped and dented right-rear wheel arch; the punctured left-rear bumper cover would be replaced. They told us it would be ready by Thursday or Friday of the following week, depending on if the parts arrived by late Monday or Tuesday. It was all handled over the phone in a matter of minutes.

We got a call the following Friday, April 30, telling us that the car was done and ready to be picked up. No unpleasant surprises on the cost, as the service came to $334.54 and the bodywork exactly $1,030.68. We drove out to the dealership, paid the cashier for both invoices, and walked over to the body-shop where the now-flawless silver Rodeo sat gleaming in the sun. A walk-around revealed a nice job on the paint and bodywork. We showed the paid invoice to the manager in exchange for the keys, and headed out for the 30-minute drive home. The Rodeo looked and ran perfect. (The rear wiper even worked.)

Our bill indicated that the 30,000-mile service included an oil and filter change, a chassis lube, plus: service to the automatic transmission, including replacing the fluid, pan gasket and filter; replacing the air cleaner; replacing a PCV valve and the spark plugs; checking the engine timing and idle; replacing the engine coolant; the inspection of all belts, hoses and connections, and pressure-testing the system. It also includes inspecting the fuel tank, cap and lines, and replacing the fuel filter. Parts were $137.72, the rest labor. The broken rear wiper was fixed under warranty, as promised.

The body-shop bill showed repairs to the right-front fender and front door, right-rear quarter, and replacement of the right-rear bumper cover extension and right-rear wheel-arch chip protector. A total of 29 labor hours were charged, costing $754, and parts tallied $86.92. Paint materials cost another $174.09. The job was neat, well-matched and there was no noticeable overspray.

We were happy to have the Rodeo back in service. Clor used it a few times for picking up his boys from school and on quick trips to the local hardware and drugstore, and it ran and rode well, with no rattles. Our only extended test drive this month came on a short jaunt to a birthday party in the countryside southwest of Detroit near Metropolitan Airport. It hauled the whole family in comfort and style, and performed without complaint. Next month, we'll take it for a short loop of I-94 - Detroit's torture test for performance over horrible pavement - and let you know how it survives. For now, we're trying to keep the miles low, as the Rodeo's now more than 2,000 miles over the lease's 30,000-mile limit. ... At least she runs and looks good again.

Total Odometer Reading: 32,160
Best Fuel Economy: 17.8 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 14.8 mpg
Body Repair Costs: $1,030.68 (Fix/repaint dented fender, scraped quarter-panel and gouged bumper cover)
Maintenance Costs: $334.54 (30,000-mile service)
Problems: None