ISUZU trooper/bighorn lotus handling question.

Post by **lewd lude lover** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 4:06 pm

Hey guys, so I know a couple of us have or have had troopers/bighorn. @thebusofwoe and JJ being two.

I am interested in the actual difference between the lotus hanlding package and the 'standard' car? What makes it different? And is it worth holding out for one and will I find a manual one?? I see a few autos but I dont want auto.

Any help, experience and or opinions from people who have any knowledge of them would be gratefully listened to.

I am going to view this one on the weekend as its the best one I have seen yet, for the money. Any pointers much appreciated also. What should I jiggle and squeeze?

Cheers.

Post by **lewd lude lover** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 4:10 pm

From what I can see its just a trim package. Shocks are the same etc...

Just a sales pitch to the jap market maybe. Unless anyone can show different prt numbers for suspension parts? In that case could you not convert a standard one?

Hmm.

Post by **Thebusofwoe** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 4:48 pm

I'm not too sure on the lotus differences. I think it's different springs and some cosmetic stuff. @jjmartin349571 should be able to answer that one. The older troopers do suffer rot. As do my shape. Just look all over especially brake lines. It really is a car that you will have to look/check everything.

If I was going to buy another 3.0 I would defo buy a auto. The manual transmission is a handful to use, with the weird gearing and it being a diesel with a very limited rpm range. Gets a lot of getting used to.

'92 Si VTEC · Post by **jjmartin349571** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 6:29 pm

From opinions on the Trooper forum, a lot of people recommend the automatic for towing. You don't have the engine braking you'd get on the manual (which I think I'd personally prefer), but apparently stop start traffic can be a bit miserable with the manual + a trailer for the reasons @thebusofwoe mentioned. Less driver fatigue from towing with the auto box and smoother acceleration.

The Lotus edition had firmer shocks, springs and uprated anti-roll bars apparently, along with some bits of trim. Older Lotus models may well have had the shocks swapped out for standard ones when they failed though, but mine has a full set of the yellow shocks iirc (it's up the farm atm so can't check).

My dad has the facelift 3.0 Citation manual with standard suspension, and having driven his I found it rolls a lot more than mine. I can put mine through corners at a fair speed, I am on road tyres though so that may help the handling.

To be fair they aren't exactly meant for the track so there's probably not much point in the Lotus edition

Post by **lewd lude lover** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 7:11 pm

cheers guys thats great advice.

I dont really want an auto because you pay more on fuel while you are driving it and the repair bills always seem to be bigger and more often. This is just my view of autos though so I am open to advice about these specific boxes.

I can see what and why an auto would be a better option for towing generally what with torque availability etc but to be honest we need a vehicle to tow but its going to be used as a car most of the time. It will have maybe 15 towing jobs a year? What kind of MPG would I expect to get from the auto Bighorn then @jjmartin349571

And thanks bus, I will be sure to look over all the bits I can. I dont need one now so I might just wait a while and find a really minty bighorn. That one in the link is the best for the money to come up in a few weeks.

Post by **lewd lude lover** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 7:17 pm

Ahh, the missis just informed me that she could very well be towing weekly. Maybe a minty bighorn is the one to think about... Another jap import

Post by **lewd lude lover** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 7:26 pm

I have also found one of the newer ones that busofwoe has but it has had an engine transpalnt from a 2.8 Dihatsu Fourtrak

I am rerally liking the idea of that but I dont know anything about the work done to it or how much trouble it will cause me down the line when I need to replace exhusts, prop shafts etc

This is what you mean then?

I think I might go see that one instead. I had looked and liked but discarded because auto. I might just have to consider the option

Post by **Thebusofwoe** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 7:46 pm

Well I wouldn't touch a motor transplant one. It could be big problems. Tbh, the auto in both the old shape and new shape is a good box. The manual model(my one) can and do suffer Dual mass flywheel failure. Something to think about. Good luck

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 7:52 pm

Those expensive tailored seat covers that he doesn't Want to remove because he spent so much time fixing them on to hide the wear underneath set off my first alarm bell. I have bought and sold hundreds of cars and bikes and seem to be a very good judge of bullshit sellers and this is one to view if its only up the road, which its not, but not worth travelling for in my opinion.
I also think you would be better off with an auto and handling by lotus ? Its not going to handle well no matter what, its an off road vehicle after all.

Post by **lewd lude lover** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 7:56 pm

I dont expect it to feel other than a boat to be honest. I just wanted to know what people with them had found. The internet is very quiet with any detail on the 'lotus' package as to what it was actuallly made of.

I do like the look of the blue one if its an auto thats going to be got. I have been watching them for a few weeks now and its one of the better ones on the market.