One For Work And One For Play: 1990 Dodge Caravan vs 1998 Isuzu Amigo

Good morning, Autopians! It’s a brand new year – so new, in fact, that we haven’t even peeled the plastic off it yet. Wanna do it together? OK, grab a corner… ahh, there we go. So satisfying. The year may be new, but one of today’s contestants is a familiar face from Tuesday. The other is a new find, a cool little SUV in a great color.

I’m so happy that the Caravan won on Tuesday, not just because it would be my choice as well, but because I wasn’t sure what else I could possibly say about a Mercury Sable. I can see that being the problem with this format: if a car keeps winning, I have to keep finding things to write about it. Maybe we’ll stick to the original formula most of the time, and save the Jeopardy rules for special occasions.

I am, however, a little disappointed in the number of “free candy” comments that always turn up when I feature a panel van. I know, it’s a common stereotype, but what does that say about our societal norms if the first thing that comes to mind when seeing a good honest vehicle like this is something nefarious? Why can’t we just appreciate it for the working-class hero that it is?

Sorry, I’ll get off my soapbox now. I do still really dig that Caravan, and I like the idea of turning it into a little mini-RV. That seems like a good and fitting second life for a hard-working van. But I’d like to offer as an alternative, if I may, a vehicle that was made for fun right from the start, a frivolous, candy-colored bauble that’s just looking for a good time. Let’s see which one you prefer.

1990 Dodge Caravan C/V – $2,200

Engine/drivetrain: 3.0-liter overhead cam V6, three-speed automatic, FWD

Location: Gastonia, NC

Odometer reading: 160,000 miles

Operational status: Runs and drives great

Well, it looks like someone shared our enthusiasm for this clean white van – the ad now shows it as “Sold.” You can still choose it if you wish, however; this is all hypothetical anyway. I’ll keep this short and sweet. It’s a nice, clean, first-generation Caravan, in the tradesperson-special C/V trim, which means no rear seats, or carpet, or much else. The ad doesn’t show any photos of the interior, so I can’t tell you if it was built out with shelves or toolboxes or anything. It was used by a mobile detailing guy, who kept it spotlessly clean.

Someone in the comments mentioned that this van could have Chrysler’s own 3.3 liter V6 instead of the Mitsubishi-built 3.0, but as far as I know, the 3.3 and the Ultradrive four-speed automatic were limited to the passenger versions. I have seen a bunch of these vans, and every C/V that I’ve ever seen had the Mitsu engine and the three-speed transmission. Not to say 3.3-powered C/Vs don’t exist; I’ve just never seen one.

1998 Isuzu Amigo S – $1,500

Engine/drivetrain: 2.2-liter dual overhead cam inline 4, five-speed manual, RWD

Location: Rochester, WA

Odometer reading: 122,000 miles

Operational status: Runs and drives great, but has a lifter tick

The term “world car” has been bandied about with some fanfare in the past, usually by Ford, but General Motors often sells the same platform in all sorts of different markets without making a big deal of it. In fact, it often changes the model names to obscure a car’s international pedigree. Its Japanese partner Isuzu sold this little SUV in Japan as the MU, short for Mysterious Utility. In Europe, the UK, and Australia, it was called the Frontera, sold as either an Opel, a Vauxhall, or a Holden. And here in North America, it went by a friendlier name: the Amigo.

The second-generation Amigo debuted as a soft-top with a removable roof panel over the seats, and was originally available only with a five-speed manual. A V6 and four-wheel-drive were both available, but this one has neither. Instead, it’s powered by a 2.2 liter twin-cam four, driving only the rear wheels. For most driving, 4WD is not needed anyway; if you’re sticking to the pavement, why add all that weight and complexity? It runs and drives fine, but the seller mentions a tick from the top end. If it’s a sticky lifter, as the seller thinks, flushing it out with Marvel Mystery Oil or something might help. Of course, some engines can make noise for ages and not cause any harm.

This Amigo only has 122,000 miles on it, and as such, the interior is still decent. The driver’s seat has some wear, and it looks like somebody patched it with duct tape, but at least it matches. It’s basic; it has crank windows and manual everything, but that’s how a little fun machine like this should be. It doesn’t even have air conditioning; it wasn’t necessary in western Washington 27 years ago, though you might miss it now.

Outside, it’s unevenly faded, and the clear coat is coming off the hood. But there’s no rust, and from the looks of the interior, the soft top seals up all right. I don’t think it’s actually fuchsia; I think it’s just really faded red, based on the door sills. But honestly, Isuzu should have offered this thing in fuchsia. It kinda works.

Using a work vehicle for play is pretty common; lots of trucks and vans have second careers as recreational toys. But it’s harder to go the other way. You can’t really run a house-painting business out of a Miata. I mean, you could try, but it might look funny with a ladder rack. This Amigo, you might have a little bit better luck with, but I still think it’s better off as a toy. So that’s your first choice of the new year – do you want a retired work van, or a faded open-top fun machine?

(Image credits: sellers)