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)
Hey Amigos/Amigas! I gotta go w/ the Amigo…especially since it’s stick. It would be more fun too. Still like the van though (down by the river!) I’m not worried about the tick and would look into it and fix if need be. That engine bay and interior are pretty decent. It doesn’t even look like duct tape on the seat; just looks wrinkled?
“Maybe we’ll stick to the original formula most of the time, and save the Jeopardy rules for special occasions.”
I agree; I like both but most of the time I like seeing new shitboxes every day
Amigo for me… It’s unusual, it’s manual and I like it more than a mini panel van.
Make mine the Amigo & give it a good oil change and tuneup out the gate.
Krylon that hood and let ‘er rip.
Only one of these is for Sun and Love and Joy, and fun for a girl and a boy.
Its Amigo.. Amigo…
I don’t think it’s that the readership is that sick and twisted, or down on society. It’s just a lot tougher to come up with a snarky, tongue-in-cheek, comment about what a great vessel this would be for hauling plumbing supplies….
Mercedes culls these for COTD, ya know. 🙂
That red faded paint looks to be a 90s Isuzu thing. I’ve seen a handful Amigos and Rodeos look the same. Troopers were a darker shade of red and never experienced the same fate.
By the way I’m open for new amigos this year so count me in. A cheap paint job and some period correct graphics would be in order, though
Work-a-day van vs open top trucklet? Definitely going the friendly route today.
I do not for one second believe there is no rust on that Amigo, as no matter what badge they wore, they ALL rusted. Like, the first time a cloud drifted over them in the sky they started to rust, and then they didn’t stop rusting.
Love the Isuzu, rather than just accepting the Caravan. If the Amigo were teal and close by, I’d seriously think about checking it out.
Caravan today. But a hard choice to be made today. Good job Mark.
The Amigos were a lot of fun, and cheap to keep on the road.
However.
The Dodge Caravan was also fun, and extremely versatile, and easy to live with.
I would buy it yesterday if it was closer to me. It’s a literal blank canvas, you can do almost anything you want to it, or in it. Parts are probably still easy to source vs the Amigo.
Amigo all the way, totally wanted one of these when they came out, and low key would love a little 90’s trucklet.
This is the first one of the week that is a tough choice. I was ready to smash the Amigo button until I read “lifter tick” … Screw it, I’m voting with my heart rather than my head and spending my internet monies on a drop top Amigo!
Amigo!
Oh no…
I’m driving through Rochester later today and I’ve got $1500 cash on me.
Be a sport.. Do it.
By the time I got there (1:00 PM) it had already been snatched up by someone.
Boo!/Yay!
That was probably a good thing,we will never know..
Caravan. I already have a li’l RWD 4-cylinder 5-speed, and it has a pickup bed.
If the Amigo had two more driven wheels, it’d win in a walk. But as is, it j-u-s-t pulls ahead of the Caravan. I’d probably give it a DIY repaint and look for repros of those neat graphics for the side.
I want that Amigo. IDGAF about the engine or number of powered wheels, I WANT IT.
Same! It was already winning in my head, then the $1500 clicked. At that point I frantically scrolled up to see if it was within a couple hundred miles of me so I could go grab it! It’s not. Wrong coast. No new amigo for me today.
Same here. I’d have to fly in and drive it home to Ontario, Canada. A HELL of a trip in a $1500 car with a lifter tick.
And would cost me more than just buying something local.
Yeah. I’ve looked for a small convertible SUV that isn’t a jeep many times and they are hard to come by in decent shape. This one might not be in decent shape, but it’s cheap enough to be worth getting it there. Just not cheap enough to be worth a 2k mile road trip
I’m actively shopping Samurai/Tracker/Sunrunners. They can be had pretty cheap around me, and we want one specifically to beat it up off road.
Yeah mine would just be for a goofy commuter. The list was tracker (and all variations), RAV4, and amigo/rodeo sport. But they had to be convertible, manual, and in decent enough shape to drive while being fixed up. I ended up with a Miata.
The answer is always…
Yeah, I wanted something new (I had a Miata several years prior), and quirky, but ended up basically just hitting the easy button.
Man, I’m so fickle. I’ve opted for the new choice every day and today is no different: taking the Amigo. I’ve always liked these. No 4WD is a bit of a bummer, but not a deal killer. And, no doubt, I’m still emotionally affected by Lewin’s post about the demise of manual cars, so a five-speed, sort of convertible, 2-door SUV pushes all the nostalgia buttons.
Exactly.
What goes down stairs, alone or in pairs, and barely goes off road?
A thing, a thing, a fuchsia thing; everyone knows it’s Amigo!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDMugdQxF8I
If it was 4wd it’d be an easier choice, but if it was 4wd it’d be more beat-on and I’d be tempted to drive it in the winter. Instead, it’d just be for sun, and love, and joy.
You beat me to it with the commercial.
Well that was a thing I didn’t remember at all. Now of course I’m thinking of Ren and Stimpy with Log!
It’s looo-og! It’s looo-og! It’s big, it’s heavy, it’s wood!
Howdy Amigo! No real need or use case for either, but based on past experience with a rented Jimney the Amigo should be a fun little runabout on the local 2 lanes
Yay I like the 4-cylinder Amigo 😀
Easier to work on and less thirsty than the V6, and it’s a cool color with a sunroof and removable soft top. Fuck yeah!
Also, that 2.2L Family II is a predecessor to the Ecotec and was also used on the Daewoo Leganza. However, it does have a timing belt (the Ecotec has a chain)
I’m still hauling stuff in the van. I’d want a 4WD Amigo to be worth a spot in the driveway.
But you could buy a 90s era Jetski and tow it around with the Amigo! They could be amigos!
Or just get your best friend to ride shotgun and you can be the Three Amigos.
You could just back the Caravan down the boat ramp with the hatch open, rev the Jetski up, and blast into the cargo hold! Then you could haul it home inside! I mean, you already stink of sunscreen and lake water.
But it doesn’t fit the A E S T H E T I C of the 90s the way a drop top SUV does.
Just splash some teal and magenta graphics down the side and you’re done.
Mysterious Utility is fantastic, thanks for that in the writeup.
Hey, that Amigo’s owner, his mom DID get him a Pepsi. I’m not crazy, but I’m picking the Amigo. If I had a business I’d buy that Caravan, tho.
Aw, that little Amigo looks like a puppy ready for a day of fun. A puppy with mange, but a puppy nonetheless. How much more fun can you buy for $1,500 these days?