Isuzu Meet the Members

paisan

With only 10K troopers sold a year, there aren't many, but those who have em know their value. If you don't mind me asking, how much did the 100K bumper to bumper warranty cost? Was it a factory Isuzu one or a 3rd party one? I'm gonna likely buy the extended bumper to bumper on mine as it gets closer to 50K.

You have basically the same milage I have on my 2000 LS that I bought in June. It still feels new to me everytime I get in it!

-mike

johnny_ringo

Long time reader, first time poster. I'm in the Minneapolis area and planning on a Trooper purchase in the next 6 months. So far, I've had mixed experiences with the few dealers in town. Who do you recommend?

michtiff

My b to b warranty is through the dealership and it was 1200$+ change. They said they offer used vehicle ones at closer to 1800$. But since mine was close to new it was reduced. FYI... I had good luck with Morries in Brooklyn Park. The sales person I talked with was Jim S. He was easy to work with and they didn't throw in a whole bunch of different "fees" when the deal was done.

Good luck

grucela

I own a 2000 LS 2wd. It has taken me everywhere a 4wd has. Since I was racking up the miles, I got a 1986 Trooper. Another great truck!! Its a 2.3 4cyl, but runs great and its tough. I plan on putting another 100k or so on it. I'm sure there are other members that have older Troopers. Itog is not updating info any more. Maybe we can get owners on this board to come forward.

sdc2

I bought mine through Scott at Signature Fleet Sales. He is a straight shooter, won't BS you. He sells for a hundred or two over invoice, minus manufacturer incentives. You can get the same deal at a dealer with some dickering, but the thing I like about the fleet dealer is you can set the whole thing up over the phone without dealing with a salesperson. No muss, no fuss.

The easiest way to get ahold of him is via cell phone 850-0998. The area code is 612 or 651, not sure which.

Good Luck, whatever route you choose...

paisan

Which brings up an interesting thing. I was reading through the dealer material over the weekend, and found out that you can get an "s" Trooper via fleet sales with the deep tinted side and rear windows and in-glass antenna. Something interesting to consider.

-mike

duktrooper

I'm hopelessly addicted, here in Memphis on the Muddy River. Just bought my 3rd Isuzu in 5 yrs(first a 2wd 95 Rodeo, then a 97 Trooper, and now a 99 Trooper S). I keep it pretty muddy 3 months of the year during duck season and laugh at all my Chevy and Ford buddies who are too wimpy to get theirs more than 50 ft off the road. Anyway, I got my 99 for a steal with only 12K on it. Have added: Edelbrocks, Michelin APT/XCX's, Draw Tite, Alpine Cd player and changer, Clarion 2 ways(front&rear), window tint. I'm anxiously awaiting a Calmini hi flow air filter kit and hope to add grill guard,springs,and sway bars soon.

I'd love to know if there are any good 4WD trail driving schools/seminars anywhere in the South. I want to find out what I can really do with this thing.Also, would like to join a group for buying accessories....there's lots more I want to do for this vehicle. Talk to you later.

paisan

Thanks Karen for adding that. I was gonna ask you to do that! Also could you put links to the Owner's Club in Edmunds under where the new car descriptions are. When you look at a new car on edmunds they list discussions that are pertinent to the cars, perhaps we could get some links there to here as well Thanks in advanace.

-mike

Karen_S

...you're quick, paisan! I was just going to announce it and ask if I had missed any Isuzu discussions that should be included.

And yes, I have already asked that the Owner's Clubs discussions be included on new/used car pages. Hopefully, someone will get to that soon.

KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs

Karen_S

I spoke to Dana/Community Manager and they are trying to get all the Club chats set up on

Tuesdays: 4-5pmPT/7-8pmET

-or-

Thursdays: 5-6pmPT/8-9pmET, 6-7pmPT/9-10ET, 7-8pmPT/10-11pmET (This last time would be kind of late for East coast, but is available if you want it.)

The first scheduled chat would be March 6 or 8.

Let me know what time works for you!

KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs

paisan

I'd like to participate in multiple ones, (subaru and Isuzu) so that doesn't really work well for me personally. Back to back ones would be cool. If I had to vote, I'd say 10-11pm for me.

-mike

bama_luke

One of the recent auto magazines (can't remember which one now) has a rundown on basically every SUV on the market. One of the stats they give is cargo space with the rear seats up and down. The Rodeo is pretty equal with others in it's price range with the seats up, but when the seats go down, it blows the others away, and is actually in line with many of full size (not behemoth size) SUVs.

Luke

Karen_S

So, Thursdays 7-8pmPT/10-11pmET will work?

I think it is possible to participate in more than one chat at a time, but let me check for sure.

KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs

gpm5

sounds fine to me.

paisan

You can check out the FAQ on http://iac.tzo.com/isuzu/ it should be up and working now.

-mike

bluedevils

Good start on the FAQ page. You really are into this stuff!

I'll try to put together a few questions and answers in the near future and send them to you for consideration. I was thinking about stuff such as, Q: "Does the Trooper have a 4WD system I can leave on all the time?" A: "Yes, it's called TOD. It is available only on models with automatic transmission. It is not available on 2WD models (duh!). On 1998 models, it was included with the Performance Package so any Trooper with Luxury Package (which required Performance Pakcage) or Performance Package had TOD. A "base" Trooper S did NOT have TOD. Starting in 1999, all automatic trans Troopers- "base" S model, Performance Package models, or Luxury Package models- had TOD. 2000 and 2001 Troopers-- S, LS, and Limited-- with auto trans all have TOD."

gpm5

Paisan should be paid by Isuzu or at least given half-price on his next trooper!

paisan

Was down at my dealer today. He still has a 2000 Trooper LS Black with side steps and moonroof actual selling price: $26,600 if anyone wants one and wants to come to NYC to get it.

-mike

cburton58

I picked up my new Trooper Saturday, and have put about 150 miles on it just showing it off to people. I probably have never done as much "homework" on a vehicle purchase before. I am happy with my choice, I went with the Alpine White I/ gray trim and gray interior. I will have the windows tinted this next week, I really liked the way the LS and Limited models looked with tinted windows. Again, thanks to all who posted info to assist with my decision.

paisan

Keep us updated on your progress and we'll be here for yah if you have questions.

Be sure to check out http://iac.tzo.com/isuzu

-mike

paisan

Hey guys, I registered a new domain today. http://isuzu-suvs.com will be up in a few days!

-mike

Karen_S

Your first chat has been scheduled for Thursday, March 8, 7-8pmPT/10-11pmET.

I'll include a link when it is ready!

KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs

biets7463

on a '01 Trooper S. Also reside in MN and looking for the right dealer/opportunity. Luther Isuzu is offering $4800 off invoice to get it just below $25K. Is there better offers out? New to Trooperville but like the test drives, now it is time to sell the wife on the deal!!

gpm5

25k may be a little on the high side--I'm not real sure about the present 2001 trooper S offers. Does it have a CD player?

bluedevils

Is this a 4WD Trooper? I assume so, since you're in Minnesota. Manual or automatic trans?

Also, you meant $4,800 off MSRP, not $4,800 off invoice, right? I'm not sure what the current factory incentive is, but you might be able to do a bit better. Still, you can't get more SUV for your $25k with anything else, so even if that's the best you can do on a Trooper you've made yourself a fine deal.

Does the deal involve a trade-in of another vehicle? People often don't mention this when they state the price they paid for their new vehicle. When a trade-in is involved, it becomes impossible to tell how much you really paid for the new vehicle and how much the dealer gave you for your trade-in.

gpm5

Are they offering low financing, because this also can be a big factor. Actually if you finance, low financing % can save money in the long run even more so than a lower price.

gpm5

Mike, your site look's great, especially the effects on the logo etc.

paisan

Someone from one of the other boards actually did the Logo on the top of the screen for me. I have a ton more links to add into the site as well. Any other suggestions for the site? I'm gonna try to make it as comprhensive as possible.

-mike

sdc2

What are the dealer incentives right now? they used to be $3,000 - 3,500. Maybe if you can find a 2000 you would get that large an incentive, then you would probably get it for about $6,000 below sticker...

BTW welcome in advance to a fellow Minnesnowta Isuzu owner!

paisan

'01 Troopers $2000
'00 Troopers $6K off MSRP

-mike

michtiff

I searched every dealership within 300 miles of the Twin Cities area (and beyond too) and none had a 2000 left. The closest I could find was somewhere in Michigan. I just bought mine and had to settle for newly used '00. It still seems like new though! Maybe like sdc2 said before a Fleet dealer could find you one. I would have gone that route if I hadn't had a trade in.

biets7463

Thanks for the feedback, the deal is $4800 off MSRP ($29,600-$4800 for price of $24,800) it is a 4WD and does not have a cp player. I have driven it twice and it has a much better feel than the used '00 with 15K miles for $20,000 (rental). I think the $4800 is just a dealer incentive not a manufacturer incentive, I will search for a better deal but would like to get into this truck soon. Thanks....

paisan

Biets,
The first advantage of the new v. used is the 10/120K warranty you get with the new one.

-mike

tennesseevols

I have been visiting the Isuzu sites at Edmunds for a couple of years now and thought it was time to introduce myself. My family and I live in Maryville,TN in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains(20 miles south of Knoxville). We have owned our 1999 Trooper (performance package with sunroof, WOW!) since October 1999. We have approximately 22k on the truck. Unfortunately, my wife gets to drive it M-F. I use it in the evenings and on the weekends. I regularly tow either my camper or a 18’ trailer loaded with ATV’s weighing up to 4200 lbs and have experienced 0 problems. We really love this vehicle. What goes on in the chats and what would I need to do to attend the scheduled chat for March 8, if I’m available.

gpm5

So the 1st chat is not tonight but is next week?--is that correct. Does your normal login suffice for this?

paisan

You just follow the link in the main town-hall home page, to the chat link, and then you are in. Should be a good time

-mike

scroggs1

I recently purchased a new 2000 S4WD and now have about 1k miles on it, mostly 55-60 mph to work. The mileage on the initial tanks is about 16.5-17.1 How does that sound? I use 87 octane. Any need for high test? Also, living in the brutal summer heat of coastal NC I've been thinking of bronze window tinting. Will that make a difference? Thanks.

paisan

Tint will make a big big difference in the summer. I ran about 1000 miles on 92 @ about the 5K mark, and it didn't change my milage nor performance at all, so I switched back to 87 from major brand gas stations. Running well on that. Welcome to the group!

-mike

sdc2

Not to be a wet blanket, but how will chat be better or different that what we are already doing? I will say that I have never "chatted" before, but I think I understand the process...

paisan

Because we can ask and answer questions on the spot. Also prospective buyers can have 4-5 Isuzu experts there to answer questions on the fly. It's good stuff. You'll enjoy.

-mike

Karen_S

There is a "Chat" button available in the Isuzu Owners folder. It is located just under the Isuzu Owners: Linked Isuzu TH Discussions folder. No need to go to the Town Hall home page. During the scheduled chat time (Thursday, March 8, 7-8pmPT/10-11pmET), click on the button to enter the chat room.

KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs

bluedevils

Do I need any special software to participate in Edmund's chat stuff?

sbcooke

As I am preparing for what could be the worst storm in the northeast in a long time (though we have gotten about 12" twice already this year?), I wonder what the winter button is for? The truck goes through a foot of snow with no problem, and from what I have read others have gone through up to 2 feet easily. So what is this winter button supposed to do, when you "slipping" in 3-6" of snow? 3-6" of snow doesn't phase it? Just a thought.

gpm5

What I found with my '99 trooper is that TOD works great in all snow and especially deep snow with the winter drive off. You can power through the deep snow with the TOD, as Paisan has pointed out, using the front wheels to pull you through even 2-3' drifts. When its just a little bit of snow, maybe an inch, and if its very cold, what I found is that powering the truck can cause fishtailing (especially from a stop or at slow speeds) which can be "cured" by use of the winter button--(starting out in 3rd gear is what it does).

I have also found that in really slick stuff (very cold and 1-2") that if I'm going slow (under 20 mph) on winding hilly side roads the 4WD low felt more solid to me.

mhiggins2000

The Winter Button just slows your acceleration from dead stop to guard against wheel slippage. It's a little odd to get used to; you might want to go out now, press the button, and see if you like it before using it when you might need it.

bluedevils

The Winter transmission mode does "slow" the vehicle's acceleration. It achieves this by starting the vehicle in 3rd gear, as gpm5 noted.

sbcooke

I was not entirely clear. I know what it is and how to use it. I just have not found much of a use for it. I have had no issues with the truck "slipping" in such a way as to use it. In regards to fishtailing, I just don't gun it.

bluedevils

I never use it, either. I've engaged it a couple times to make sure it works, but that's it.

paisan

I haven't found a good use for it yet either, with TOD. I had the same button on my '97 rodeo and used it often when in 2wd mode on slick surfaces so that I didn't cut the rear wheels loose. I found that with TOD if I used it I actually was able to spin the wheels easier than in regular TOD. I'm looking forward to the 2+ feet that is gonna hit NYC! I've got my 75' of rope in the back so I can make some tips towing people who insist on skidding off the road

-mike

michtiff

I am far from knowledgible when it comes to the Trooper since I am a new owner but I did just use the winter button a couple weeks ago. I was pulling a truck out of some deep snow and found I had better traction when it started in 3rd. For me the wheels had a tendency to spin less when I first started to accelerate.