It’s been over a decade since Isuzu stopped selling passenger vehicles in the United States, and while they were mostly known for selling trucks and SUVs before they departed from the market, the automaker also sold a handful of unique cars. We recently featured a survivor-quality example of an Isuzu Impulse, which was the company’s rear-wheel-drive offering, and about a year ago, we covered this 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS with a Recaro option package. However, it is now re-listed here on Facebook Marketplace for a few thousand dollars less.
This Isuzu is available in Saint Paul, Oregon, and while the seller uses the same photos in this new advertisement, they show a surprisingly well-kept example of this compact, even with its high mileage. Except for wheels from an Isuzu Stylus (the I-Mark’s successor), the exterior is all original. It is also worth mentioning that the I-Mark RS features suspension developed by Lotus, and the seller includes an extra pair of Lotus tuned front struts, the original wheels, and other parts with the vehicle’s sale.
Inside the cabin, you’ll find a beautiful pair of Recaro seats, which will provide comfort while also keeping the driver firmly planted. This I-Mark RS also includes features such as a sunroof, the factory AM/FM cassette player, power steering, power brakes, and an “excellent heater.”
This hot hatch uses a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, which pairs to a 5-speed manual transmission to drive the front wheels. Even though the drivetrain has 200,000 miles, the seller labels it as a “daily driver,” and also notes that it has lots of recent maintenance, though they do not specify what that entails.
The asking price for this hot hatch is now $5,000, which is a significant reduction from the previous $8,000 asking price. The seller will consider trades for a 4×4 SUV or other interesting vehicles, but they only will negotiate the price in person, even stating “If you can’t make an offer face to face, you lack integrity. No messaged offers, the answer will be NO.” With the decreased asking price, would you consider this sporty Isuzu compact?
You’re killin’ me, Kevin! Nice find, sir! I wanted it at $8,000 and I really want it at $5k.
Be careful if you negotiate for less than 5k, lol
The seller is a pompous idiot!! With that many miles and an attitude to boot. Maybe he thinks that no world exists outside of Oregon.
Seller is somewhat brusque.
Otoh, what gets really tiresome when trying to sell a car is getting inquiries from people who have not yet seen the car in person and which can be described as one of the following (sometimes both):
1. First question is “what’s the lowest price you’ll take for the car?”
2. Caller says this is exactly the car they have been looking for but…they only have cash equal to 1/4 -1/3 of asking price (ok so… am I supposed to feel sorry for them?) and they will buy it today if I am willing to sell for that amount.
My response to 1 is “for you? My asking price…plus $500”
and to 2: “No, and may I suggest that you focus your search on cars that are priced at or near the amount of cash you (say) you have to spend.”
Major Tom hits it on the head! I would assert the seller has probably been assulted by too many non-buyers like yourself who ask too many questions and then disappear back into your hole when the answer is no to your lowball offer…….but that’s just my experience. Anyways, if you want to drive something other than a Honda, you need to setup or shut up!
I remember selling a car in the Auto Trader in the late 80s. A guy calls and says “I like your car, and I want to buy it. But I don’t have the money, can you finance me?”
Back in those days, it was one small picture.
And I wasn’t a bank back then. I’m still not a back.
In August of 88, I was looking for one of these. Complete unobtainium in Kansas City, then when I moved to upstate NY.