can anyone attest to 3.2-V6 as found in rodeo/passport?

anyone have direct experience/knowledge of this powertrain?

any advice greatly appreciated. - thrillbilly

[G-Benz]

Owned a 1994 Passport when new. That was the first year for the Honda SUV, so much of it was badged and laid out like the Rodeo...the interior got "Honda-ized" the following year.

Even the engine still had the ISUZU logo on it.

I found the V-6 to be economical and reliable with only one anomaly...seemed to have a problem with noisy lifters after putting on a few miles. Would start out doing this only when cold, then at all times...sometimes not at all, and other times constantly.

The Honda techs would have all sorts of theories including air in the oil system and valve adjustments...sometimes an oil change would cure the problem, but it was temporary.

Sold mine to a relative when I bought the ML, and he is still driving it when I saw him last fall. He had no complaints about the drivetrain, and has only replaced the starter.

narwhal- having owned 3 inline MBs (2 sixes and 1 turbo-5) and and BMW 535 I-6, its probably clear that i am a fan of the straight motors. (as well as a jeep and a 2.5 triumph TR-6)

the isuzu 3.2 V-6 is 205 HP, and i can not seem to find any real negative reviews or comments on the powertrain.

gbenz- did you ever get more than 20-MPG on the 3.2? research has led me to believe that the mileage would be between 15-20 MPG with an autobox, and that 20 would be good even on the hwy. probably ~17.5 combined.

i am looking at a 99 rodeo with 60k for around $8.5

i find its "mid" size appealing, and have found little other than failing fuel level sensors as common problems.

i would have never really thought to look at the isuzu before, but now that i am "shopping", find that the rodeo seems to present good value for the $ compared to others, unless i am really missing something.

[G-Benz]

Never really calculated the mpgs on that model...but it's a relatively small chassis (as opposed to the ML) so highway mileage should be around 19-22 mpgs.

The Rodeo would be cheaper than the Passport to maintain. For some reason buying the identical Honda part adds 30-40% to the cost of said part.

And Honda wisely had just about every component on the Passport slightly altered so they aren't interchangeable with the Rodeo...kinda like the Taurus/Sable clones in the early days.

[DMarble]

Be aware of a potential for some oil consumtion issues with the 3.2 V6. You might try spending a little time a doing a search on teh lifter noise and oil usage at this Isuzu site. http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/