This first-generation Isuzu Trooper radiates a tough, boxy look that has sent so many SUVs into the stratosphere in terms of price. But it’s a product of the 1980s, so it still wallows in the “used car” category, nowhere close to “collectible” yet. Judging by the Scout, the Bronco, and the K5 Blazer, its time may come – sooner than we think. What better example to consider if you’re aiming for a potential up-and-comer than this low-mileage ’89, advertised here on craigslist for $9,500. Drive it home from Imperial Beach, California. T.J. – good job on the tip, we appreciate you!
The Trooper holds the record for “most rebadged vehicle EVER”: in Australia, the Trooper was sold as the Holden Jackaroo; in Japan, the Rodeo Bighorn; in New Zealand, the Subaru Bighorn; Europe had the Opel Monterey…. Any manufacturer requiring a capable 4×4 SUV in its lineup could nab a Trooper and rebadge it, maybe dress it up inside, maybe strip it down, maybe restyle it, maybe repower it. In this manner, several hundred thousand were sold in two decades of production, under thirteen different makers’ names. Early Troopers made do with an itsy bitsy four-cylinder, but shortly thereafter, displacement increased, a six-cylinder was introduced, diesels became available, and transmissions gained a gear. This example is fitted with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which is about 100 hp, responsible for lugging around about 3700 lbs. Fortunately, it has a five-speed manual. The odometer reading of 50,000 miles is documented as original.
The carpets are stained or moldy or both, and a hunk of material is missing off the tunnel in the rear, but the seat upholstery is remarkably intact – even clean. This is the base model, without air conditioning. The seller notes that it was recently repainted in its original color, and it is rust-free. Underside and before/after photos are available, but not posted to the listing.
First-gen Troopers are the real deal, before the company softened up the styling, offered larger engines, and plushed up the cabin. These moves were designed to capture a larger share of the SUV market in the US, but alas, met with limited success in the face of stiff competition. On the other hand, the bigger engines did contribute to wins on the rally circuit, including a class victory in the 1994 Paris-Dakar. Today, Isuzu makes only commercial trucks, having abandoned the consumer market in 2009. If you’re in the market for a nearly vintage, usable 4×4 with low miles, better jump on this ’89 Trooper pronto: comparable vehicles around this price have registered well over 100k miles.
What a trooper, a term often used for a job well done. I mean no disrespect to the great folks of Australia, but I’m sorry, “Jackaroo” would never fly here or Japans “Bighorn”, like American John Wayne shoot ’em up, but in the end, the “Trooper” covered it all for Americans.
Not sure about most rebadged ever, the Renault 4CV had several, and GM sure hopped on the bandwagon. Not sure why the Trooper had such a tall roof. It added to the instability, in fact I think they could be had with a tipometer, or “inclinometer”, to indicate when it was WUH-OH time. Many learned it was not the best choice for off road. It was however, incredibly popular in the Midwest, my ex-BIL had several in Wis. Go through the toughest snows, never failed, quite possibly the best import 4×4, except for one glaring downfall,, they rusted profusely, in the very environment they were created for. For a spell, Isuzu was very much a part of the 4×4 scene, but faded away, sadly, they were good vehicles. It’s amazing to see one like this again, and a warm climate is the only place you’ll find one. Great find.
Yeah I’m pretty sure the second generation Suzuki Swift, best known here as the Geo Metro, matches or tops it.
Popular with the skiing ⛷️ crowd up here 🍁 Howard, saw many in the parking lots. But the best import 4wd is no contest pal… LandCruiser wins that one. 🏆
They were and are good vehicles. Still driving the 2002 Rodeo my wife bought new.
I believe it was the Mitsubishi Montero that had the tipometer or inclineometer.
The Troopers were not really that top heavy. I liked my 85 a lot, but it was not that well made.
Wow!!! Michelle wrote up a vehicle I actually owned!!! We had a ’90. Base model like this one except it was dark green, same interior and we had AC. We had a 2.6 4 cyl 5 speed in ours it was 120 hp. Its not a lot but it was geared low to get it going and if you anticipate a hill coming you’d drop it down a gear and stand on it. It actually got a little over 20 mpg on the highway despite having the aerodynamics of a brick. We had 2 small kids at the time and it carried everything. That high roof came in handy when we got our first house and moved ourselves.We didnt experience any tippy behavior ourselves. It actually handled well for a truck. And the 5 speed was one beautiful shifting transmission. The rust situation is what unfortunately did it in at about 200,000 miles. Frame rotted out in several places and wasn’t safe to have the kids anymore. But it ran like a top still. It even had the original clutch in it still. This is great Michelle. Thank you for some great memories of one of my favorite trucks I ever owned, and one of the best periods of my life. This is one huge thing I enjoy about Barnfinds, all kinds of different vehicles that brings many of us back to a different time in our lives. This is great Michelle thank you!!! I also want to say thank you to T.J. for finding this too. Great find!!!
-Dave
Great points, Driveinstile. I had a ’94 and they were built like tanks. Mine had the V6 and it was quite peppy, and that 5 speed was slick.
Mine never had rust issues, but ultimately maintenance got too expensive once Isuzu got out of the consumer vehicle business.
Mine was amazing off road as well. What a lot of fun that thing was.
I remember spending a week with a Trooper nearly identical to this. Poverty-spec — no a/c, which was a major bummer in L.A. — and a wheezy little engine under the hood. It was white with a blood-sausage-red interior, the latter very-Detroit-like in appearance and feel.
Needless to say, there were no tears shed when I gave it back.
The Trooper II was a major improvement. My preference was for the Rodeo/Honda Passport, though.
Isuzu never really took the U.S. market seriously enough, I don’t think. At least they progressed considerably over the early days, when a few Bellels and Belletts dribbled into the country.
Driveinstile – Completely agree as we had exactly the same Trooper as you except in red. Never a mechanical problem until the rust came years later.
This is in Imperial Beach, so like 15-20 miles above the US-Mexico border, if that far.
Unless spirited away, it will sit for 6 weeks until seller discounts to ~ 4k, then will quickly disappear back into Mexico where it will perform admirably in a dry climate for another 200k miles.
Love these simple mechanical / analog examples of durable but under appreciated vehicles from the past. Thanks!
Had an 88 Trooper dark blue grey interior 5 speed with AC. Underpowered and rusted out looking like swiss cheese.
I got fanagled into buying a totaled Trooper II with the V6. I was told it had 117k. It had 217k. The engine was a little clattery, but didn’t sound ominous, and ran fine. I found that I could buy whole parts cars cheaper than individual parts. So began the Isuzu Era. I never had a mechanical problem, and ended up making a nice profit, selling and trading cars, and some extra parts. Good, tough, reliable rigs, with the lovable profile of a brick. However, there’s no danger of me dropping $9k on this rig- I didn’t pay $900 for any of the ones I bought, including two runners.
I’ll chime in by saying what Driveinstyle said mirrors my experience with our ‘89. Thanks to TJ and Michelle for the trip down memory lane. I sure would like to jump into the wayback machine and roam the four wheel drive beaches of the Outer Banks again. Good times.
We had a red 89 with the 4 cylinder/5 spd set up. Great truck, for a while. Low maintenance, easy on gas and plenty of go with the stick shift. Perfect for getting out of the city’s cramped studio apt to our country house in the middle of nowhere Pa where we could stretch our city slicker legs for the weekend. Loved the rear doors that opened… as doors. No tailgate to lift.
But alas, once something broke it seemed everything decided to break. And they were all expensive fixes, transfer case, etc.
Great truck which I loved, until, well it broke, again. No rust issues though.
I had a 1989 similar to this one, 4 cylinder and 5 speed. Mine had AC.
Many trouble free miles loaded with boy scouts and gear. The troop had at least one two night campout every month, so it was well used for five years. It was still in good shape when I sold it. It was a good car.
When first-gen troopers have round headlights, they look like such a ripoff of a Range Rover Classic.