Used 1998 Isuzu Rodeo Consumer Reviews
Used Rodeo for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Satisfied
ccarnes, 01/31/2011
1998 Isuzu Rodeo LS 4dr SUV
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
I have put 50K hard miles on my Rodeo in less than 3 yrs. bringing the total miles upto 160,000.Twice a week I drive 130 miles over three different high elevation mountain passes.I have always felt safe and never gotten stuck.I have made a few minor repairs(brake pads twice, alternator,EGR,fuel pump and I had to disconnect the horn ) and now it appears that the computer may be going out.Sometimes it dies immediately after starting up, idles roughly, & there is a minor delay in the acceleration.The Check Engine light comes on, but it will not give the code reader a code.This sucks, but I am more than happy to put in the time and $ to fix it.
Great car, just the best
luke702, 08/20/2013
1998 Isuzu Rodeo LS 4dr SUV
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
I've had over 20 cars including high end (such as MB S600, etc). This car has outlived every single one, and I'm sure it will outlive military tanks! Recently I had to sell it, which I didn't want to do, at the time the car had about 280K miles and was still running strong. Loaned the vehicle to a friend who abused it for a couple of years, and still the car NEVER had ANY problems. The VERY FEW things that I had to fix were minor.
1998 Isuzu Rodeo for sale near you
3 of 3 listings
- S 4dr SUVMSRP: $2,9951,536 mi away
- S 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,9952,097 mi away
- LS 4dr SUVMSRP: $2,9002,283 mi away
My "Beater with a heater"
quagmire86, 11/09/2013
updated 05/09/2016
1998 Isuzu Rodeo LS 4dr SUV
12 of 14 people found this review helpful
I bought this rig that ran but had an overheating problem. Previous owner said the water pump was bad. I paid $600 for it cuz it was in poor shape. I replaced the water pump and timing belt but it still overheated. Common problem with the Rodeo (3.2L)V6 were bad head gaskets. Since it was a project vehicle, I had time to work on it. I spent many weeks going from head to tail repairing/replacing issues with it. The SUV is somewhat unrefined (due to age) but I love driving it. Major issues with this car is the frame rusts out from rear axle back and is a recall/safety issue. I love my Rodeo and though I don't "Off-Road" with it, it is great even with 206,000 miles on it. Love it! I ended up giving the truck to my step-daughter since she needed a vehicle and I try to provide. I didn't need the truck but it was hard to let it go since it was so fun to drive. Sure, it is somewhat "Unrefined"...but that is what I found endearing. The suspension/ride was not soft or overly-pleasant but it was built on a truck frame. The seats probably weren't meant for comfort on a long trip but it was enjoyable around town and short trips. The 3.2 liter engine was powerful and at no time did I find it anemic. If Isuzu would have sprung for the higher quality steel (frame rusting is an issue with these) and forecasted the market better, they could still be a player in the SUV market. Honestly, I miss my Rodeo. I am still searching for one that I can resurrect and enjoy.
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
I Don't Know What Happened?
ANGIE KING, 04/29/2005
1998 Isuzu Rodeo S 4dr SUV
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
When I bought my Rodeo a little over a year ago it was running fine, no problems when we bought it. It had 85000 miles on it. We did the regular maintenance. Well when the thing hit 100,000 miles we decided to change the timing belt as recommended; everything went down hill from there. First the belt was done wrong so the valves were smashed. Its been 10,000 miles since the belt was changed. We have since replaced the water pump, the thermostat 3 times, the radiator, the drive belt, the belt tensioner, the hoses, we have had the head resurfaced and let me tell you the parts for these things don't come cheap. I love the look of my Rodeo - it is a very rare orange color, if it would just run!
2nd Rodeo
judi, 05/03/2006
1998 Isuzu Rodeo LS 4dr SUV
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I love my 98 Rodeo; it's my 2nd, the first was a 97. I have had some costly problems with it however. At 97,000 miles, a transmission, numerous sensors, fuel indicator, and other small things. The body, living in the sun, is still in fantastic shape and the truck is large enough to fit my family but not too bulky. Can go just about anywhere in it. The gas mileage could be a little better.