Curbside Classic Outtake: The Car I Forgot Existed Edition

Paul Niedermeyer
by Paul Niedermeyer

Do you remember this car? I didn’t. I don’t mean the vehicle in general, but this variation of it. This doesn’t happen often, but it’s humbling to know there are gaps, and I’m thankful to come across the opportunity to refresh the memory banks.

As I said, I knew it was Kia Sportage, but totally forgot this variation existed. The half-soft top small SUV was popular for a while there, with Suzuki leading the charge, and Isuzu’s Amigo, Daihatsu’s Rocky, and…oh oh; am I forgetting another?

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Paul Niedermeyer
Paul Niedermeyer

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  • Stickman Stickman on Jan 25, 2010

    I had a second generation Isuzu Amigo with the half soft top. It was the V6 + Auto + 4wd and performed quite well anytime I went off road. I never tried any of those rock courses that you see the jacked up trucks climb, but it was very competent for my needs. I remember it's reliability and capability fondly. Not so fond of its ride quality which was better than the Wrangler (and much better than my previous K5 Blazer) but eventually a little too harsh for me. I went car for a turn and now I'm in an Isuzu Trooper with a little bigger engine and a lot better ride.

  • VanillaDude VanillaDude on Jan 25, 2010

    My two year old's doll stroller has a similar top. Maybe that is why this vehicle looks like a girl's toy.

  • SCE to AUX With these items under the pros:[list][*]It's quick, though it seems to take the powertrain a second to get sorted when you go from cruising to tromping on it.[/*][*]The powertrain transitions are mostly smooth, though occasionally harsh.[/*][/list]I'd much rather go electric or pure ICE I hate herky-jerky hybrid drivetrains.The list of cons is pretty damning for a new vehicle. Who is buying these things?
  • Jrhurren Nissan is in a sad state of affairs. Even the Z mentioned, nice though it is, will get passed over 3 times by better vehicles in the category. And that’s pretty much the story of Nissan right now. Zero of their vehicles are competitive in the segment. The only people I know who drive them are company cars that were “take it or leave it”.
  • Jrhurren I rented a RAV for a 12 day vacation with lots of driving. I walked away from the experience pretty unimpressed. Count me in with Team Honda. Never had a bad one yet
  • ToolGuy I don't deserve a vehicle like this.
  • SCE to AUX I see a new Murano to replace the low-volume Murano, and a new trim level for the Rogue. Yawn.
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