Faults:

Manifold had been welded previously, so I had a new one put on.

Battery would not hold a charge when I bought it, so I got a new one.

General Comments:

What can I say... the truck had 270k miles on it when I bought it for $400. I got the oil and air filter changed, and got the manifold replaced to reduce cabin noise and the occasional exhaust fumes.

Second gear gets sticky if you try to rush, but other than that, I couldn't be happier. The value is amazing!

I am teaching my nephew and cousin how to drive a manual and have gone at highway speeds...75mph + with no problems for extended periods.

I heard some of these earlier Troopers had brake issues that caused the pads to rub and reduce speed (and gas mileage). Mine is fine. Simple and tough... the Trooper is amazing.

I am fighting the urge to modify the truck and get it painted. Chicago winters are cold and she starts without a problem every time! If you find an 88-92 Trooper, 4 cylinder-manual, buy it!

Faults:

Replaced head at 172,000 with new Japanese.

Fuel pump at 165,000.

Front suspension at 155,000 (wasn't bad, just preventative).

Trans input shaft bearing at 175,000.

Normal items at intervals.

Body rust repair in last year (minor).

Front seats due to be redone.

General Comments:

This SUV is an absolute joy.

Mileage is between 18 and 21 mpg.

The 2.6 four cylinder is adequate for our island, but the hills do pull the acceleration down. However, put this thing in four wheel and it will climb a building.

The boxy look is being copied by SUV's that cost thousands more, and there are absolutely no blind spots on this vehicle.

It is a very stable platform for such a short wheelbase, and it handles corners very well. A bumpy road will lead to frequent bladder relief however.

It's a tank disguised as a SUV. I have had this vehicle in places that a normal 4x4 would be in trouble, and I have pulled a few "off roaders" out of trouble.

Faults:

Replaced head with new Japanese.

Fuel pump replaced.

Motor mount replaced.

General Comments:

This thing is a tank! Go anywhere, anytime, any conditions.

I am so happy with this vehicle that I'm looking for another one for off road only.

The 2.6 has power to spare when operating off road, and enough power to keep a steady highway pace.

Mileage is between 15-19 mpg.

Only complaint is the rear half door is rusting out, and needs some repair.

Faults:

-Head gasket blew.

-Head was cracked by valve seat and had to be replaced with a new head from Japan ($400)

-Catalytic converter clogged up and was eliminated.

-O2 sensor went bad and was replaced.

-Motor mounts were bad and were replaced.

-The drive shaft donut broke and was replaced.

-The ignition module died and was replaced.

-The ignition coil module died two times (it was my fault)

-The radiator had to be repaired with JBweld.

-The intake had to be replaced with a custom one because the plastic tube somehow melted and made a hole on the bottom.

-The brakes were completely re-built due to stuck calipers and worn out pads (new pads, new rotors, and re-built calipers)

-Fuel pump died and was replaced.

-Fan clutch didn't engage and was replaced.

-The Auto-Locking hubs never worked properly.

-I popped one of the front drive shafts in a moment where I REALLY NEEDED THE 4X4.

General Comments:

If I could describe my trooper in one word it would be LEMON. The previous owner of my trooper beat the living daylights out of it and everything started to break when I had it. It was a bad choice. Troopers are really good SUVs, when shopping for one look carefully at everything, including the way that the owner treats his vehicles because this will have a direct relationship between how your carr will turn out to be, in terms of reliability. I know lots of people that have early troopers and they turn out to be great.

What I liked most about my trooper was the fuel economy. It also has a good low range for pulling stuff. The back seat transforms in to a bed. The roof rack is practical.

Remarks and things to look out for: the center console tends to crack on the side, the dash can warp and sometimes crack, the bottom part of the mini door tends to rust from the inside out. The hynge in the small windows of the front doors tends to break, also these windows make it easy for a robber to enter the trooper. The V6 model is a gas hog and doesn't have more power than the 4cyl. Troopers suffer from warped heads and bad head gaskets. Be careful with the dome light, it breaks easily.