Curbside Classic Outtake: The Car I Forgot Existed Edition

Paul Niedermeyer
by Paul Niedermeyer
curbside classic outtake the car i forgot existed edition

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?

More new Curbside Classics here

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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.

  • Inside Looking Out This is actually the answer to the question I asked not that long ago.
  • Inside Looking Out Regarding "narrow windows" - the trend is that windows will eventually be replaced by big OLED screens displaying some exotic place or may even other planet.
  • Robert I have had 4th gen 1996 model for many years and enjoy driving as much now as when I first purchased it - has 190 hp variant with just the right amount of power for most all driving situations!
  • ToolGuy Meanwhile in Germany...
  • Donald More stuff to break god I love having a nanny in my truck... find a good tuner and you can remove most of the stupid stuff they add like this and auto park when the doors open stupid stuff like that
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