28 — Friday, January 23, 1998 — North Shore News THE Isuzu Rodec is one of the least well- known sport-utility vehicles on the market, despite the fact that it’s been around since 1991, and despite the fact that Isuzu is a well- respected Japanese vehi- cle manufacturer that’s _ been making trucks for ~ decades. Isuzu, which 1s partly owned by General Motors, produces the Rodeo and Trooper sport utility vehicles and the Hombre pickup truck, all of which are sold at Saturn/Saab/Isuzu dealer- ships. The Trooper is built in Japan, but interestingly, the Rodeo is built in Latayerte, Indiana. For the 1998 model year, the Rodco has been complete- ly redesigned. Ina nutsitell, it’s roomier, more comfort- able, quieter, and handles and wees suzu Rodeo rides better, Frankly, 1 was quite imp! The new Rodeo has more interior room than the previ- ous model even though the wheelbase is 58mm (2.2 in.) shorter and overail length has decrea The additional inzerior room is a result of a wider ((97 mm1/3.8 in.) and taller (80 mn/3. } in.) cabin. Also, the cabin shape has been redesigned rest Lting int better use of space. There's lots of The Rodeo has du al airbay v.17 mm (0.6 in.). ‘ont and rear legroom, headroom and shoulder roon. seatbelts and head restraints (the “doughnut” design of the rear head restraits per- nits improved visibility when shoulder checking, — a good ideal. The cargo area is about 6% stnaller than before. However, that doesn’t mean it’s small. cet, the cargo. as big asa ized sedan. And with the ny rear seats lokied down there is cargo room, W seats up, there is a handy pull- go cover to keep cargo ghr. the cargo area, the Rodeo has a separate rer tydass and tailyzate — the lat- ings out towards the *s side. A full-size spare tire is mounted on the tail- gate, but unfortunately, it par- ually obscures rear vision. One of the best thin about the new Rodeo is its improved ride. The tront sus- pension rem the same as betore (an independent dou- ble wishbone /torsion bar setup), but the rear leat! springs have been replaced with coil springs and a multi- link suspension design (the solid tear axle remains}. 1 result is a ide that is Jess choppy, less jarning, more comfortable and more con trollalte, In combination with a i ck and a new rack and ing the recireulariug ball stee ing), the 1998 Re more stable when cornering and handles bumps and ¢ tion changes with more pois Asv there is less engine, tire and wind noise. x 2 the tall, boxy brations “ hen accelerating, more so when in tour-wheel-drive, but nothing unreasonable. The new Rodeo sow has a pushbutton on the dash to engage four-wheel-drive, ... and score a FREE TICKET to see the Vancouver Grizzlies with minimuen 2 day rental from Budg 931-7308 1700 Marine Dr., North Van Sal participating berate cols a | Photo submitted Ae Isuzu Rodeo is all new for 1998. Highlights include a roomier interior, improved ride and steering, and a quieter cabin. Rodeos start at $29,998. Test drive the new Rodeo at Morrey Saturn/Saab/Isuzu in Burnaby. New ier ride only be used on slippery sur- Operating it on dry, td roads will result in. tire wear and driveline damage. The Rodso's 3.2 fitre V6 replacing the shitt lever on the floor, Curiously, there's still a floor lever to engage AWD Low gear, but this is som thing vou will rarely use. The Radeo’s 4WD i art-ume svetent which should See Positive page 29 . Pus Complete Mechanical Repairs & Service eee 995.7195 laerore Pre-Owned Vehicles 95 Mercedes-Benz C280W (fcatured) Antic whitesgrev int, 27.000km 94 Mercedes-Benz E420W V8 AMG Walnuticream ieather, many extras, 83,000kin $39,900 97 Mercedes-Benz £300 Diesel Pearl blacksbhick int. 3 E000km 89 Mercedes-Benz 300E uid leather, local, all records, 165.0G0h 97 Mercedes-Benz S500V Smoke silver/crerae leather, 5000km 97 Mercedes-Benz E320W Aspen greenfcrome leather, 8000kM Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. 75 Marine Dr. 984-9351 Narth Vancouver