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.

  • MaintenanceCosts Poorly packaged, oddly proportioned small CUV with an unrefined hybrid powertrain and a luxury-market price? Who wouldn't want it?
  • MaintenanceCosts Who knows whether it rides or handles acceptably or whether it chews up a set of tires in 5000 miles, but we definitely know it has a "mature stance."Sounds like JUST the kind of previous owner you'd want…
  • 28-Cars-Later Nissan will be very fortunate to not be in the Japanese equivalent of Chapter 11 reorganization over the next 36 months, "getting rolling" is a luxury (also, I see what you did there).
  • MaintenanceCosts RAM! RAM! RAM! ...... the child in the crosswalk that you can't see over the hood of this factory-lifted beast.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Yes all the Older Land Cruiser’s and samurai’s have gone up here as well. I’ve taken both vehicle ps on some pretty rough roads exploring old mine shafts etc. I bought mine right before I deployed back in 08 and got it for $4000 and also bought another that is non running for parts, got a complete engine, drive train. The mice love it unfortunately.
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