Faults:

Replaced the starter twice, alternator once. O2 sensor went out. Heater core was going out when I traded it in.

General Comments:

I owned this car for eight years, and it was the most reliable vehicle I ever had.

Faults:

Rear power windows go down, but have trouble going back up.

Hood pop cable flaky. Don't pop it too hard!

Tailgate release button on dash doesn't work, so you have to turn off the car and unlock it with the keys from the outside.

Power locks sometimes don't lock the first time, and make some noise.

General Comments:

I was given a 1994 Rodeo with a 5 speed manual and 3.2 V6 engine, and it's been a very nice truck for the first few months of ownership, and I expect that the pleasant experience will continue throughout the vehicle's life.

3.2 V6 SOHC 24 valve gas engine doesn't make much horsepower, but makes pretty decent torque, enough to smoke the tires a little from a stop if I'm in the mood. Doesn't get good gas mileage at all, but reliable as all hell. I'm expecting 300,000 miles out of this truck.

I once hit 1st gear instead of 3rd when shifting from 2nd, tires chirped and the engine rpm shot up, but I quickly clutched in and went to third, and everything was back to normal. No engine shuddering or roughness; Very tough. At almost 160,000 miles, the engine doesn't lose much oil between changes, and has enough power to climb somewhat steep hills at idle rpm with mostly open throttle. If there's one thing you can count on from your early 90s Japanese truck, it's that the engine and the transmission will never let you down.

5 speed manual transmission is tough, and the clutch grips like a truck clutch should. I *really* wish there was a tall 6th gear for highway cruising, so that I could turn ~1700 rpm at 70 mph, instead of over 3,000 like I do in 5th gear. That would certainly help for highway gas mileage, as well as the noise.

Seats are not supportive, and don't really offer any comfort, but it's a truck, not a Lincoln Town Car. It's not made to be comfortable. Leg room is good in the front, but not so good in the back. Stock speakers are pretty terrible.

All in all, I really love my Rodeo as a fun and tough truck, and would recommend it to anyone looking for such. The lack of comfort and highway gearing do make me want to get a nice Lincoln Town Car to supplement my Rodeo though.

Faults:

Water pump failed.

Oil leaks from all over the engine.

Factory cassette deck failed.

Rear hatch lifters failed.

Standard wear items (3 batteries, 2 sets tires, belts, brakes)

General Comments:

Very reliable car, bought new. We're only just now approaching 100K miles.

Gas mileage is only average (15mpg city, 20 highway)

Faults:

Gas leak; cheap fix by a friend.

Brake line; again a cheap fix by a friend.

Headlights won't stay on. The button pushes down, but won't stay. Cheap 8 dollar fix, but have been using tape.

General Comments:

I bought this truck on ebay a few months ago for 760 dollars. The previous owner let it sit for two years because of the infamous ticking lifter.

I love it. Still have not fixed the lifter, but oh well. Runs great for a 14 year old truck with 170000+ on it.

Faults:

The hatchback won't work now, but that is more due to my not being able to see the concrete pillar due to the spare tire blocking my view when I was backing up.

I had braking problems, and the mechanic was surprised to discover a secondary brake fluid reservoir, he'd never heard of one before.

The speakers in the back rattle around because I've not found an appropriate mounting bracket (stock).

The head gasket seems to want to blow every couple of years. The first time it blew it was directly into the antifreeze, this time it was between cylinder 3 and 4.

I have to shift down to fourth gear during some steep climbs. Down to third when she needs a tuneup.

The driver's illumination panel lights have a habit of going out whenever you need it least.

General Comments:

All in all, I'd call my car a Terminator. She's taken quite a beating, yet is committed to continue on. A couple years ago, a drunken driver threw a bottle of beer into oncoming traffic- me! It dented the left front panel, and made the driver's door hard to open and shut, yet the wiring and such are unaffected.

She takes time to work up speed, but she'll maintain it.

I've spun out when avoiding oncoming traffic, yet never flipped.

Not quite long enough for me to take a nap in the drop down back seat, but enough for an overnight camping trip.

She demands maintenance, but she's worth every penny.

I don't like the lack of bucket seats. It'd have been nice to adjust my OWN seat instead of what's best for both front folks.

The rear view window wiper works, when it wants to. The same with the fluid.

Fuel mileage is respectable, 23-24 mpg, when maintained.