Isuzu Cars | Used Cars, Motorbikes, Vans & Other Vehicles

Isuzu Motors Limited is the oldest vehicle manufacturer in Japan, and, although the company first started to export vehicles to Hong Kong as early as 1949, its overseas operation began in earnest in 1972, when, in affiliation with General Motors, it started to export pick-up trucks to the United States. Commercial vehicles, light commercial vehicles and SUVs ("Sports Utility Vehicles") manufactured by Isuzu first appeared in the United Kingdom in the early to mid 1980s.

History of Isuzu
The name "Isuzu" first appeared, in its own right, in a trademark in 1934, but the origins of the company can be traced back to a decision taken by the Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding and Engineering Corporation, in 1916, to manufacture road vehicles. The name is actually that of the sacred Isuzugawa River, which flows through the Mie Prefecture on the Japanese island of Honshu, near the great Shinto shrine at Ise, and was given to a passenger vehicle launched in 1934. Demand for Isuzu commercial and passenger vehicles increased sharply in the years following World War II, with subsequent expansion into Thailand, North America and China in the 1970s and 1980s. More recently, sales offices have been established in Spain, Mexico and South Africa, together with manufacturing ventures in India, and in Eastern Europe.

Current Isuzu Models
The Isuzu Piazza � a 4-seater, coupe style, passenger vehicle � is something of a rarity, these days, as it was first unveiled at the Motor Show, in 1985, but ceased production just 5 years later. Despite considerable improvements to its design, by Lotus, no less, during its lifetime, the Piazza was widely criticised throughout the motoring industry for its lack of handling, cluttered controls and dated transmission system.

The Isuzu Trooper � originally a 2-door, 4-cylinder, SUV � became something of a "landmark" in motor vehicle history, following its introduction in 1984, and it was, for a long time, an affordable alternative to a Land Rover. The specification was upgraded in 1992 � to include a 3.2 litre, V6 petrol engine, and a 3.1 litre turbo diesel engine � and again, in 1998 � this time to a 3.5 litre, V6 engine in the petrol version, and a 3.0 litre, common rail, turbo diesel. The latest revision, in 1999, also features so-called "Torque on Demand", which adjusts the torque fed to each axle, depending on road conditions. On the downside, although the Isuzu Trooper is powerful enough for its intended use as an off-road vehicle, on the road it has a reputation for being a little slow, noisy and uncomfortable. Its handling also leaves something to be desired.

The next step in the evolutionary chain, the Isuzu Rodeo � a 4x4, double-cab, "pick-up truck come SUV" � originally launched in 2003, does represent a step forward in terms of build quality, design and comfort, although comfort is still only comparable to early SUVs. Prior to an upgrade to common rail technology in 2007, a top-of-the-range Rodeo Denver Max LE, for example, featuring a 3.0 litre engine, typically retailed, new, from �23,500, yet still only produced 129bhp. Prior to that change, the engines of all Rodeo models are widely considered to be noisy, and underpowered, although power chips are available as official upgrades in some models.

Buying a Second Hand Isuzu
"Caveat emptor", or "Let the buyer beware", applies just as much to the purchase of a used SUV, or light commercial vehicle, as it does to the purchase of any second hand car, or any second hand item, for that matter. You need, first of all, to choose a category of vehicle that is suitable for your needs � for example, if you need to ferry children back and forth, or if you need to carry large objects, or materials � and try not to be persuaded into buying a vehicle that is obviously too large, or too small, purely by its price tag alone. You also need to think carefully about your budget, in terms of what you can afford to pay out initially, in monthly repayments, and in running costs. Diesel vehicles, for example, are generally cheaper to run than petrol vehicles, at least in terms of fuel costs, but petrol vehicles are generally quieter, and cost less in servicing charges. It may be worth your while to arrange to test drive both diesel, and petrol, versions of your chosen model, to see how their performance compares. You should also have an idea of what represents "fair" market value, and what does not. This can usually be achieved by visiting some of the many used car websites on the Internet, and comparing the prices quoted for the model in which you are interested, and the relevant mileage. When completing a purchase, pay due attention to the documentation that accompanies a vehicle; make sure, for example, that the V5 registration document is present, and matches the vehicle, likewise check the MOT certificate, and try to obtain as much service history information as possible.