00:00 - Why Do People Hate On Their Cars?

On a recent road trip to Oregon, I saw enough vehicle damage from unforced driving and parking errors to make me want to cry. But rather than shed a tear, I decided to morph my pain into an episode.

00:50 - OPEN

We have two cars, a 30-year old Miata and a 15-year old Audi, but we have kept their exteriors in good condition, simply by being careful when we drive and park. Unfortunately that's not the case for many drivers, so it's painful for me when I see vehicles that have been treated poorly. The following are some examples of bad parking behavior that resulted in damage.

03:40 - Late Model Toyota Camry vs. Traffic Bollard

A Camry driver attempting to park in Portland Oregon finds out the hard way that Traffic Bollards are not paint friendly and curbs are tougher than wheels and exhaust pipes. I predict a bus pass is in that Camry driver's future.

07:35 - Brand New Kia Stinger GT... With Damage Done

I encountered a new Kia Stinger GT in our hotel parking lot and noticed massive wheel damage from scraping curbs. All four wheels were so badly scraped and gouged that they would be difficult or impossible to repair, and replacement costs were more than $800 per wheel. Who does this to a brand new car!? Boo. Shame on whoever you are!

10:30 - Toyota Prius Driver vs. Big (and very obvious) Curb

Without missing a beat, a Prius driver attempting to parallel park, drives up and over a high curb twice within a 5-second window. He scrapes a wheel (twice), a side skirt (twice) and partially removes the front bumper cover during the process. Brilliant! And the best part? He casually walks away after parking without looking back. So cool, yet so uncool.

13:55 - Ford Explorer's Bumper Explodes After Wall Encounter

You would expect this type of performance from a new teenage driver, but this person was maybe 35 or 40 and should have known better. Best part was their full-blown freakout when their front bumper cover popped off and shot across the parking lot.

15:55 - Too Many Broken Parts To Count

So many car parts, so little time to count them all. On the drive back home, there were so many bumper covers and large car parts on Interstate-5 that I lost count at more than 20, and most of them were on sections of freeway that were perfectly straight!

17:35 - CLOSE

With a little care and vigilance, drivers can avoid these unfortunate unforced parking errors.  But for those not willing to invest even a little bit of effort to keep the exterior of their car, truck or SUV in good condition, then the Used Car Gods will simply take it off the sales price when they go to sell the vehicle, or the trade in price when they go to trade it in down the road.  The choice… is theirs.

00:00 - To EV or To Not EV... That Is The Question

So is it the right time for you to buy a new or used EV or are the prices still too high? We explore that question in this episode.

00:55 - Used and New EV Prices Have Dropped, But They Are Still Expensive

The average price of a new EV has dropped 20% from June 2022 to June 2023, but new US electric vehicles are on average about $5000 more than internal combustion engine (gas and diesel powered) cars, trucks and SUVs.

03:00 - Manufacturers Are Offering Cash Incentives To Spur New EV Purchases

With less buyers available for multiple reasons, some car makers are offering cash-back incentives for purchase or lease and some offer buyers lower interest rates to get people behind the wheel of a new EV.

04:35 - More Competition = Lower Prices... Eventually

Many new EVs are coming on the market all the time, including Honda's soon-to-be-released Prologue electric SUV, which will be available in early 2024. Once all the mainstream car makers, like Ford, GM, Toyota, Honda and others get into the game, competition will increase, range and features will improve and prices will come down on EVs across the board.

07:10 - EV Prices, While Lower Today Are Still Really High - So Buying A Used EV At A Reasonable Price Might Make Sense

Lower prices on new EVs are good for buyers, but overall new EV prices are still really high compared to equivalent gas-powered cars and trucks, so buying a used EV might make more sense if you are on a budget. Unfortunately, there still aren't a lot of used EV options at the lower end of the market, so my recommendation is to wait for a year or two while prices drop and vehicle options improve. But if you really want an EV and can make a limited range work, there are a few used EVs that might fit your budget and an urban lifestyle, including the Fiat 500e covered in episode 48

10:40 - So Should You Go Electric Or Not?

If you're on a budget and need one car that can do it all, my recommendation regarding electric vehicles is to hold off on that purchase until used EV supply & model options improve and prices drop, but if you have the cash available for a new EV, and you are not willing to wait a year or two for prices to come down, then go for it.

11:35 - CLOSE

00:00 - OPEN - The 2002-2003 Mazda Protege5

Today’s show is about a used car that would be perfect as a first car for a new driver, or would make an ideal second or third car for your family to run errands or take you, a friend and a full load of gear on a weekend adventure.  I like to think of it as the classic Swiss Army Knife of personal vehicles, but it’s so much more than that.    

01:40 - The Perfect Affordable Small Wagon For An Active Lifestyle

The 2002-2003 Mazda Protege5 is a stylish, sporty 5-door hatchback that’s not only pleasant to be in and look at, but it also offered an ideal combination of carrying capacity, convenience, fuel economy and fun that’s perfect for people of any age who live an active lifestyle. 

03:45 - What Makes The Protege5 Great?

It's a car that's stylish, sporty and attractive inside and out, plus it was reasonably well appointed for a vehicle at its price point. While not incredibly quick, it's rev-happy engine, excellent handling and fun-to-drive nature delivered a great deal of joy for drivers while also returning reasonable fuel economy in town (25-mpg) and on longer trips (over 30-mpg) using regular fuel. And over time the Protege5 has proven to be a reliable partner for long term owners.

07:25 - It's Not a "Numbers" Car

With only 130-hp motivating about 2750 pounds of sport wagon, the Protege5 is not a car that produces stunning acceleration numbers. Zero to sixty mph is around 9-seconds and the quarter mile is covered in 17-seconds or a little less depending on humidity, track conditions, etc. But none of that matters because the engine, transmission, drive train and suspension work together in harmony to deliver driving dynamics and fun behind the wheel that's so much better than the numbers might indicate.

09:10 - What Do Mazda Protege5 Owners Think Of Their Cars?

In a word, Protege5 owners LOVE their cars and 97% of them give their lovable Mazda 5-door wagon a rating of "four" or a "five" out of 5-stars in their online reviews. And that's out of hundreds of reviews, which is impressive.

Car and Driver Retro Review Video featuring a "Ron Burgundy" lookalike (I swear it's not Will Ferrell!) delivering the story behind the Protege5 from back in the day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmkRRYOOB04&t=1s

14:35 - What Should You Look For In A Protege5?

• Low miles (under 100K, if possible)
• Minimal owners (1 or 2)
• Consistent maintenance with service records for proof
• No accidents (if possible)
• Avoid rebuilt title vehicles (again, if possible, but it doesn't take much now to total a Protege5, so if the damage isn't severe and it was fixed professionally, you might be able to get a good example even with a rebuilt title)
• Get a pre-purchase inspection if you can
• Look for P5s with recent major service already completed
• Get the ABS+side airbags option
• I suggest getting a manual to make best use of the power

18:20 - How Much Will You Pay For A Protege5?

• $2000-$4000 - More rare, but you can find decent examples with higher miles and a couple of issues in this range.
• $4000-$6000 - Good solid examples with reasonable miles will be found in this price range (be picky)
• $6000-$8000 - You'll find the best cars in this price range. While attractive and fun to drive, the Protege5 is not a collector car, so I wouldn't pay more than this.

20:00 - Other Affordable FWD 5-Door Wagon Options In The Protege5's Price Range

• 2004 and later Mazda3 5-Door
• 2002-2004 Ford SVT Focus ZX5
• Pontiac Vibe (2003-2010)/Toyota Matrix (2003-2008)

21:45 - CLOSE

So if you’re a new driver looking for a fun-to-drive first car with excellent handling, an engine that likes to rev and enough space to haul yourself plus three other people and their gear for a reasonable price, or if you’re looking for a second or third car with good fuel economy that’s ideal for commuting or as a back-up car that can do it all, then the 2002-2003 Mazda Protege5 should be on your list. 

00:00 - OPEN: The 1992-2000 Lexus SC400 Coupe - The Ultimate Escape Pod

In this episode, you'll hear about an early 90’s car that I like to think of as the ultimate escape pod.  It was a sport coupe from an emerging Japanese luxury brand that featured silky smooth V8 power and a uniquely designed exterior that set the bar so high, that car magazine editors fell in love with it, along with the buying public.  And this car dominated the luxury sport coupe category for years, just like its sibling did in the luxury sedan category.  

01:05 - Lexus Enters The US Market in 1989 With the LS400 Sedan

Back in 1989, Toyota, shook-up the US automotive landscape with the introduction of the all-new Lexus Luxury brand and their first-ever US vehicle, the 1990 Lexus LS400 sedan. 

03:30 - INTRO: The 1992-2000 Lexus SC400 Coupe - The From Scratch, Original Encore to the LS400 Sedan

Rather than alter their successful LS400 sedan by deleting the rar doors, shortening the wheelbase and calling it a coupe, Lexus instead designed their first Coupe - the SC400, from scratch.

06:25 - SC400 Engine & Drivetrain Changes Over Time

• 1992-1995 SC400 Coupe - 250-hp & 260-lb.ft of torque with 4-spd automatic transmission.
• 1996-1997 SC400 Coupe - 260-hp & 270-lb.ft. of torque with a 4-speed automatic transmission
• 1998-2000 SC400 Coupe - 290-hp and 300-lb.ft of torque with a 5-speed automatic transmission.

08:50 - Handling & Braking - It's a Gran Touring Car, Not A Sports Car

Both the LS400 and the SC400 coupe were rear-wheel drive and offered excellent driving dynamics.  However, potential buyers should keep in mind that the Lexus SC400 is not a sports car, but rather a luxury sports coupe in the gran touring tradition - a car that can be driven quickly and confidently for hours on end as it whisks its driver to their destination in quiet, luxurious comfort.

09:55 - Is the Lexus SC400 Coupe A Reliable Car Today?

In a word, yes. However, the newest SC400 is 23-years old, so it's best to keep that in mind and have a thorough pre-purchase inspection done before purchase.

12:50 - What To Look For In An SC400 Coupe

• All years of the SC400 Coupe would make an excellent daily driver
• I would focus on finding an example in excellent condition with one or two owners first. 
• If you want the most horsepower, the 1998-2000 cars with Variable Valve timing and the 5-speed automatic are best.
• All the standard used car considerations apply (low-miles, no accidents, access to service records, avoid cars that have rust)
• Get that pre-purchase inspection!

17:30 - Used Lexus SC400 Pricing

• $5000-$8000 - You'll find some interesting examples, but this is the low-end of the range and not where I would expect to find a solid combination of quality vs price
• $8000-$12,000 - This is my sweet spot.  I would expect to find the best values in this range, with the sort of cars you would want to keep and drive for several years at the top of this range. 
• $12,000-$15000 - These cars will be some of the best one or two owner examples with well under 100K miles, recent major services completed, shiny paint and tires and brakes in good condition
• $15,000-$18,000 - This is where I think you’ll find the best examples of the SC400.  You can pay more than this, but you’re probably wasting money based on current valuation

21:15 - Close - 1992-2000 Lexus SC 400 Coupe

With its combination of unique styling, luxurious refinement and V8-enhanced performance that the Lexus SC400 offered when new, it truly was the ultimate escape pod. 

00:00 - OPEN: Serendipity And Craiglist Can Help You Find A Perfect Used Car - Part II

It’s time to take another look at some of the fun, interesting used vehicles you can find when you let Serendipity and a quick local Craigslist search be your guide. 

00:55 - INTRO - Serendipity Search Explained

This Serendipity search idea is really simple, and it goes like this.  Open up your local Craigslist, go to "Cars and Trucks", click on for sale by owner, leave the rest of the search parameters blank, hit enter and then scroll down and see which cars have been posted most recently.

Following these steps is important because you’re just trying to view what’s been posted to Craigslist in the last few hours up to 24-hours.  In my experience, the really interesting used cars with amazingly low prices will be sold in less than 24-hours. 

The following are some of the interesting cars, trucks and SUVs I found near me in a recent Serendipity + Craigslist search:

05:30 - Interesting Sports Cars

• 1974 Fiat X1/9
• 1993 Pontiac Trans Am
• 1997 Mazda Miata

09:00 - Sporty and Fun And Practical, but Mostly Sporty Cars

• 1987 Toyota Celica GT-S
• 1998 Acura Integra GS-R Sedan
• 2015 Ford Fiesta ST

11:50 - SUVs, Crossovers and Trucks

• 2007 Honda Element
• 2000 Nissan Frontier Pick-up
• 2002 Isuzu Trooper

14:55 - Older, Funkier 4x4s

• 1984 Ford Bronco
• 1987 Suzuki Samurai
• 1992 Isuzu Trooper RS 2-Door

19:05 - Which One(s) Would I Buy If I had $15K To Spend?

Maybe the Fiat X1/9 because it was cool (to me) or maybe the Fiesta ST (it's newer, fun to drive and would make a great daily), but in the end I chose three: the 1987 Celica, the 1998 Integra GS-R Sedan and the Trooper RS 2-door. All three of these vehicles together added up to $15,300.

20:30 - Close - Time To Try This Method Yourself

Give this search method a try next time you think you can't find something fun in your price range. Great cars and trucks at an affordable price can appear out of nowhere, but they won't last long, so act quickly if you find something you like.

00:00 - OPEN - Murphy’s Law Can Turn Routine DIY Car Maintenance Into Chaos

Doing your own car maintenance can save you time and money and it helps you learn about your car. However, you have to plan your repairs wisely or Murphy's Law may stop by to derail your next DIY project.

01:20 - INTRO - How Long Will It Take To Catch A Fish?

With used cars, no matter how much you plan, no matter how much you try to stay on top of any potential issues, sometimes things just go wrong.  It’s inevitable. Unaccounted for variables can disrupt a DIY project and stretch out your repair timeline from a couple of hours to a couple of days or more.

That's why when someone asks me how long a car repair will take, I usually reply with the question, "how long will it take to catch a fish?" (Answer: I don't know)

03:40 - Audi Leak Repair is DIY Job #1

Our Audi wagon finally developed enough leaks from the valve cover gaskets, oil filter housing gasket, valley pan gasket and the oil cooler gasket that I had to schedule a DIY project to fix the various drips and drizzles. Nothing major, just lots of time and patience to remove multiple parts to gain access to multiple low-cost, but important gaskets.

05:05 - Murphy's Law Steps In To Disrupt My Oil Leak Repairs By Disabling Our Spare Family Car

The Audi is up on the rack with the front end removed for better engine access, but Murphy's Law sidelines my repair attempts by disabling the spare car (a 1998 Camry) my wife was going to drive while I fix the Audi. I offer to let her drive our Miata, but she refuses to drive a manual transmission, so now I'm a chauffeur as well as the family DIY mechanic. Awesome! Meanwhile, I think I know generally what's wrong with the Camry, but for now it will have to wait until I finish fixing the Audi.

10:50 - Murphy's Law Interruption #2 - My Son's Honda Accord

Not long after the Camry decided to go on a driver’s strike, our older son who will be receiving the Camry as his “free” car dropped by with his current car – a 1992 Honda Accord - to ask me if I could take it for a drive to figure out what the “noises” are that he keeps hearing.  Never a good sign...

Turned out there was junk in the trunk literally rolling around making noise, but there were also real car maintenance issues that needed to be attended to, like like low tire pressure, low brake fluid and low engine oil. I also discovered the alternator belt was failing, so I had to replace that along with the power steering belt. When my wife asked how long that project would take, I said "how long does it take to catch a fish?" (Answer: no clue)

19:10 - Are DIY Repairs Worth The Time and Hassle?

If you ask whether I like doing the repairs or not, the answer is "no". However, if you ask whether the time and cost savings are worth it, the answer - at least for me - is absolutely.

With repair shops backed up sometimes a week or two, doing work yourself can get you back on the road sooner. And with the high cost of labor and parts, you can save yourself a lot of money if you can do some of those projects yourself.

If you're not sure if DIY projects are for you, start with something simple like an oil change. If that works, then try something more difficult. After a few successful DIY repair projects, you just might find you actually can handle some car repair duties and it's not as hard as you think.

20:40 - CLOSE

As long as you have the tools, the parts, a spare car or a friend who can give you ride to the auto parts store while your car is being repaired, I think you can handle your own DIY repairs. But just don’t take too long, because your partner might keep asking whether you’ve caught that fish yet or not! 

00:00 - OPEN

Today is the fourth and final episode of our month-long "Little Weirdo’s" 4x4 Edition podcast special featuring four small, fun-to-drive and affordable used 4x4s from the 80s and 90s. 

01:45 - INTRO - 1987-1989 Dodge Raider

Today’s small, affordable 4x4 SUV is the Dodge Raider, which was sold in the US from model years 1987 to 1989. 

03:30 - By The Numbers

The Dodge Raider offered up specifications and performance that was slightly better than the other small 4x4s in this series, but it still wasn’t outstanding.    For example, when equipped with the 2.6-liter 4-cylinder, buyers got 109-hp and 142-lb.ft. of torque.  In 1989, a V6 with 143-hp and 168-lb.ft. was available as an option. The V6 Raiders also came with a trailing link rear suspension with coil springs and shocks, rather than the 4-cylinder model's leaf spring suspension.

10:40 - Serious Off-Road Capability

• Tough, body-on-frame design
• Capable Suspension (leaf springs for 4-cylinder, trailing arms fw/coils for 6-cyl)
• Short–wheel base (very maneuverable on tight trails)

11:00 - Dakar Rally Success For The Pajero

• 12 Outright Wins - A modified version of the Pajero (the Japanese version of the Raider) won the famous Dakar rally outright a total of 12-times. 
• World Record Setting Performance - The Pajero also set a Guinness World record with 150 individual stage wins.  By comparison, second place Peugeot had only 78-wins, so the Pajero’s ability off-road was really never in question.

13:05 - What Should You Look For In a Dodge Raider?

• Overall condition is most important
• Inline 4-cylinder vs. V6 (I would chose the V6)
• 4-speed automatic vs. 5-speed manual
• Typical used car things, like low miles, minimal owners, no accidents, no rebuilt title, etc.
• Buy one that is stock or close to stock condition. 
• Make sure it has all the factory parts (rear bench seat)
• Make sure everything works (test the 4WD, locking hubs, AC, heater, fan, lights, turn signals, etc.)
• Find a tow-behind example – might have higher miles, but it was towed, not driven. 

16:50 - Dodge Raider Price Range

Get a complete, running, fully functioning Dodge Raider. Don’t buy a project!

$3000 to $5000 range - Some decent examples can be found in this range with time and patience, but below $3,000 I would expect to find issue such as dents, rust, missing and broken parts, etc. 

$5000 to $8000 – Good solid options in this range, including some great family hand-me-downs that are undervalued for the market, but act quickly as good examples sell fast if underpriced.

$8,000 to $12,000 – Really nice, near-perfect examples can be found in this range. If I were looking for a Raider, I would assume the price I eventually pay would likely fall into this range.

$12,000 to $15,000 – The best examples will be found in this range, but once prices rise to this level, you have other options, including the 1997-2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ. Jeeps are more plentiful and have tremendous aftermarket support, so you might not want to pay this much for a Dodge Raider unless you just can’t live without one.

23:20 - CLOSE

That wraps up this final Little Weirdo’s 4x4 Edition episode on the rugged Dodge Raider - another outstanding, small 4x4 SUV from the 80s and 90s that’s provides jeep-like off-road capability with a relatively cheap price. The Raider, along with the Geo Tracker, the Daihatsu Rocky and the Suzuki Samurai are the type of small, boxy 4x4 that manufacturers no longer offer, but maybe they should. 

00:00 - OPEN - Little Weirdos 4x4 Edition Special - PART 3

Today is the third episode of our month-long Little Weirdo’s 4x4 Edition podcast special here on Better Than New - featuring four small, fun-to-drive and affordable used 4x4 SUVs from the 80s and 90s.

01:10 - INTRO - 1986-1995 Suzuki Samurai 4x4

This week’s “Little Weirdo” small 4x4 is the Suzuki Samurai, which was introduced to America in 1985 as a 1986 model year vehicle and was sold here through 1995

01:50 - The Numbers Don't Matter

The Suzuki Samurai's horsepower, torque and acceleration numbers are well below modern SUVs, but take one drive off-road in the Samurai and none that matters.

04:50 - Serious Off-Road Capability

The Samurai is very compact and light, yet it still features a rugged, body-on-frame design and a 2-speed transfer case with 2WD high, 4WD high and 4WD low, so it’s considered to be a “real” 4WD vehicle by off-road enthusiasts.

06:30 - The Altitude Record

In 2007, a team of Chilean drivers used a modified Suzuki Samurai to set a Guinness world altitude record of 21,804 feet on a dormant volcano in the Andes mountains - a record that stood for more than a dozen years.

07:30 - Primitive, But Better Over Time

While small and crude, Suzuki continued to slowly improve the Samurai over its 9-year US run.

09:00 - Beginning Of The End - The Consumer Reports Rollover Story

Even though the Samurai had performed well in Consumer Reports initial handling tests, apparently a staff member of the magazine later rolled a Samurai while driving.  Because of that, the magazine's editors decided to try to replicate the same conditions to determine if the Samurai was actually more inclined to roll compared to similar vehicles. 

11:15 - Is The Samurai Really The Rollover King?

High ground clearance 4x4s with a short wheelbase, a high center of gravity and tall off-road tires will always be inclined to roll over easier than say, a low-slung sports car with a low center of gravity. 

13:35 - What Should You Look For?

• Condition is the most important thing to consider
• Available with a Soft-top or Hardtop
• Low miles, minimal owners, no rebuilt or salvage title
• Buy one in stock condition
• Make sure it has the back bench seat

18:10 - How Much Should You Pay?

• Under $5000 - Not very many good Samurai's in this low price range, but you might get lucky
• $5000 to $7500 - Good solid examples can be found in this range, but with some minor issues
• $7500 to $10,000 - This is the price range where I would expect to find great examples, excellent value and the best deals
• $10,000 to $12,500 - You should easily be able to find a great Samurai in this range without too much effort.
• $12,500-$15,000 or more - At this price or higher, you might want to consider other options, so make sure a Samurai is really what you want to buy before paying this much.

20:55 - Conclusion

That wraps up this week’s Little Weirdo’s 4x4 Edition episode on the Suzuki Samurai.  Another excellent, small 4x4 SUV from the 80s and 90s that’s provides Jeep-like off-road prowess with a relatively inexpensive price.

RELEVANT LINKS:

5-Door Jimny Coming in 2023 - https://www.drive.com.au/news/2023-suzuki-jimny-five-door-wagon-official/

00:00 - SHOW OPEN - 1990-1992 Daihatsu Rocky

Today is the second episode of our Little Weirdo’s 4x4 Edition month-long special featuring four small, fun-to-drive and affordable used 4x4 SUVs from the 80s and 90s, and today's small SUV is the Daihatsu Rocky, sold in the US from model years 1990-1992

01:25 - INTRO - The Rocky

The Daihatsu Rocky was an outstanding example of the small 4x4’s sold in the US back in the 80s and 90s, and you should know about it in case you come across a good one when you’re looking for a used car or truck.

03:55 - Timing Is Everything

The Daihatsu brand was launched in the US in 1988 during a recession and in the case of the Rocky, while it was a well-built, reliable and outstanding off-road vehicle, and certainly one of the best examples of the small 4x4’s sold in the US at the time, it hit the market towards the end of that small, rugged 4x4 era when consumers who wanted an SUV were gravitating towards larger 4-door examples, like the Ford Explorer and Jeep Cherokee. After only 5-years in the US and faltering sales, Daihatsu exited the US market and the Rocky was no more, but it still represents an impressive example of the small 4x4s sold in the late 80s and early 90s, so it's worth considering if you can find a good one.

05:55 - Fun Both On-Road and Off

Like the other small SUVs in this month-long review, the Rocky is highly maneuverable due to it’s short 85.6-inch wheelbase, which, for comparison, is more than 3-inches shorter than a 1990 Mazda Miata’s wheelbase.  But what made it even better was its wide track compared to the competition.  At 57.9-inches, the Rocky had one of the widest tracks for a small 4x4 vehicle in its class. 

Combined with an independent front double wishbone suspension, traditional leaf springs in the rear and more than 8-inches of ground clearance, the Rocky offered reasonable on-road stability and comfort along with impressively capable maneuverability when driving off-road. 

07:05 - Not Exactly Fast

The engine motivating a 1990 Rocky was a 1.6-liter DOHC 4-cylinder that made 94-horsepower at 5700 rpm and 94-lb.ft. of torque at 3200 rpm when new, which is pretty typical for similar size 4-cylinder engines from that era.  However, unlike most of the other SUVs in this series, the Rocky was on the heavy side at about 2800 pounds.

With less than 100-horsepower, a relatively high weight and a 5-speed manual transmission, you should expect zero-to-sixty-mph times similar to or a little slower than the other 4x4 SUVs in this month-long series. The only review I found with stopwatch times was from Road Test Magazine featuring a 1991 Rocky that covered zero-to-60-mph in 17.59-seconds. This is quite slow by modern standards, but still similar to the acceleration of other small SUVs in this review.

Road Test Magazine Daihatsu Rocky Review - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do1k_f2MvJ4&t=5s

08:50 - Features and Options

Keeping with the nature of this rugged, jeep-like small 4x4, there weren’t a lot of creature comforts available on the Daihatsu Rocky when it first launched.  Early examples had hand-cranked windows, manual door locks and manual locking hubs that required drivers to get out of the truck to lock the front hubs by when using 4WD. However, over the course of the Rocky’s short run, many of these issues were fixed with the addition of power windows and locks, along with auto locking hubs and more attractive alloy wheels, rather than simple steel wheels   

10:10 - Two Trim Levels

• SE is the base level interior with vinyl seat trim
• SX is more premium, with up-scale cloth seats or velour seating surfaces on the SX Plus model with wrap-around bucket seats
• Air Conditioning was an option and I recommend it, if you can find a Rocky with functioning AC

11:10 - Two Ways To Get Your Vitamin D

• All Rocky models have a tilting/removable sunroof section above the driver and front passenger seat
• Buyers had a choice of a soft top or a hardtop over the rear seats.
• Soft-top could be easily retracted to provide ample sun to the rear-seat passengers.  But if you want more security, you should get a Rocky with a hardtop, that can be removed for the same open effect as the folding top.   
• Both hard and stop tops are interchangeable

12:30 - What To Look For In A Daihatsu Rocky

• Excellent Condition (garaged, no accidents, no rust, etc.)
• Minimal Owners
• Low miles
• Consistently maintained/serviced
• Has all parts and pieces that came originally with the vehicle

I haven't vetted this vendor, but they could be a potential resource if you need Daihatsu Rocky parts:

https://daihatsurockyparts.wixsite.com/drpn

15:00 - Price - What Can You Expect To Pay?

Prices vary dramatically from very inexpensive ($1500) to expensive examples that push up towards $15,000. Condition of the Rocky you buy is mission critical since Daihatsu is a brand that is no longer sold or serviced in the US. Realistically I would expect to pay between $5,000 to $8,000 for a great example, but again condition is everything. I suggest that you be patient and wait for an excellent, but affordably under-priced example to come to you. If you have the time to wait, a good one will show up.

23:40 - Show Wrap/Close

I rate the Rocky highly as a fun-to-drive small 90s 4x4 and would buy an excellent condition example myself if I could find one at the right price. However, finding a excellent condition Rocky will take time and patience since they are quite rare.

00:00 - Show open - Little Weirdos 4x4 Edition Series

Today is the first episode of our Little Weirdo’s 4x4 Edition month-long special reviewing small, affordable used 4x4 SUVs from the 80s and 90s. over the next four weeks, I will review four different mini SUVs, including the Daihatsu Rocky, the Suzuki Samurai, the Dodge Raider and the subject of today's episode, the Geo Tracker, which was also sold as the Suzuki Sidekick.

01:30 - Intro - the 1989-1998 Geo Metro and Suzuki Sidekick

The Tracker is a seriously fun and affordable way to travel to your next outdoor adventure.  The intention was to put drivers behind the wheel of a small, fuel-efficient, fun-to-drive 4x4 that could take them out on the sand at the beach after work without getting stuck or take them to a trailhead for an epic hike on the weekends without worrying that the underside would

05:30 - Geo Tracker Details

If the idea of getting a Geo Tracker or Suzuki Sidekick sounds intriguing to you, let’s dig into the details, review what to look for when purchasing a Geo Tracker and talk about what you can expect to pay to put one of these fun little’s SUVs in your parking spot.   

10:00 - Changes over time to consider

• Engine - horsepower later bumped from 80-hp to 95-hp
• Transmission - Get the manual for best use of power
• 4WD or 2WD - You choose
• ABS - Available as an option in model year 1996
• AC - Recommended for hot/humid climates

14:00 - Pricing

$2500-$5000 - Examples are okay at the bottom end of the range and improve to decent driver-quality vehicles as you approach $5K

$5000-$7500 - I would call this the sweet spot for great deals. These won’t be show-winning examples, but they will typically be well-cared for vehicles that will have a lot of life left in them.   

$7500-$10,000 - This range is where you will find some of the best private party examples.  If you’re willing to spend this much and take your time finding a good example, you could easily find a low-mile, one-owner example here. 

$10,000+ I would expect Trackers and Sidekicks in this range to need nothing.  The top should be in great shape, tires and brakes should be relatively new, paint will be shiny, interior will be excellent and there would again be minimal owners, no accidents, low miles, etc. 

16:35 - Wrap Up

So that wraps up part one of our four-part Little Weirdos 4x4 edition series here on Better Than New.  After listening, hopefully you’re considering the idea of a buying a small, 2-door 4x4 convertible version of the Geo Tracker or Suzuki Sidekick. 

Please join me for part two of this 4-part “Little Weirdo’s 4x4 series” next week as we dig into what makes the fun, but hard to find, Daihatsu Rocky, another outstanding small 4x4 SUV that you should consider if you’re in the market.