Possible purchase of a 91 Rodeo 2WD Auto Trans...You thoughts?

My dad's girlfriend owns a 91 Rodeo 2WD Auto trans. It has about roughly 130k on it. She has got into an accident with it back when she first got it which I believe was like 93 or 94, but it has been fixed since then with no body damage I believe. The fuel injector, fuel pump, module, and the computer of the vehicle. My dad plans to do a tune up before purchase, replacing the oil and oil filter, as well as spark plugs. $2000 is the asking price. Does this sound like a good deal? I need a vehicle, and I believe it has been kept well maintained seeing my father is a mechanic. Only reason they are selling it is because she just purchased a new Trooper. What are some things I should look for at this time as far as preventive maintenance or possible fixes prior to purchase?

Thanks for all your help!

always a good purchase. it will give you great many more miles...just ask ramblin!

as far as preventive maintainance goes, check the egr valve and the intake manifold gaskets, just to be sure--as they are the nost common issues. change **all** of the fluids (trans/oil/coolant/diff) check the tires/belts/ etc.

basic stuff. good luck!

Thanks a lot directory! I have faith that it's a good vehicle, I'm doing as much research as I can, however it's harder for me to understand due to the fact I don't know too much about vehicles. I had a Pathfinder but the timing chain went out causing a whole host of other problems leading to it's demise. So I am hoping this will be a better purchase. I'm expecting a son soon and need a "family" vehicle. So if any other suggestions could be given in pure "lamens" terms I would greatly appreciate it (can you tell I'm a chic yet)! :D

i have a 4 month old son now, i bought my 99 honda passport (isuzu rodeo in a costume) with my wife pregnant--and after reading about it on these forums, i have faith in this vehicle--and i didn't even have the luxury of knowing the previous owner.

if it breaks--know that these forums (as well as others) have people who either have had the same thing happen to them, or know how to fix it...or their name is amigo-2k---and you're a god!

everyone on here can help. this is a great place--just use the search as any problems you run into--most liekly are remedied under these pages.

check amigo-2k's FAQ page (found in my sig for quick reference)

other forums--planetisuzoo.com and 4x4wire.com have a wealth of knowledge. good luck and welcome to the dark side...

I had the luxury of owning a '91 Rodeo for 11yrs; LOVED it, it was a very good truck.

Only problem that ever happened was a computer chip for the transmission went out - believe that came from overworking the truck, personally. When I moved from Denver, Co to Las Vegas, NV, the only vehicle that I owned at the time that could haul our 4k# boat was that Rodeo.

4K# behind a 3.1L GM 140hp engine is asking a lot, especially when you're climbing 11-12k' mountains, up over I-70 and the Continental Divide. Let's put it this way, that truck was screaming, engine handled it fine. But the transmission arrived in Las Vegas with burnt fluid, we had it flushed within 2-3 days of arriving, and a week later the computer chip went out.

May of just been coincedence, not sure.

Had that truck for over 150k miles, can't remember the exact mileage now. The ONLY reason we traded it, is because we had a 2nd & current Rodeo, a '97 3.2L sohc, and the '91 Rodeo just couldn't handle towing a heavy load.

We had no reason for needing 4 vehicles, so we traded the '91 for a 3/4 ton Chevy truck with a 6.0 Vortec.

Had the usual go out, but the engine and tranny were original, it was the XS model with 4x4 and automatic.

If the fluids look decent, as is, and all records are currently available, I'd buy it for $2k for sure. Just make certain that they've done regular tranny flushes, and you should be ok for some time.

Thanks for all the posts, help is already appreciated! I believe I'm going to enjoy reading the FAQ, a lot of info is packed into it! :D

Only problem with those FAQ's is they don't rightly pertain to the '91 Rodeo's - whole different engine and tranny (IIRC).

To be honest, I have NO idea what transmission I had in that Rodeo, thought it was the same 4L30-E that's in the 93+yrs, but others have said no. So I'm not sure.

The engine is whole different beast, the '91-'92's had the 3.1L GM V6 engine; the '93-97yrs have the 3.2L Sohc Isuzu engine; and the 98+yrs (which is the yrs covered in the FAQ's thread) have the 3.2L Dohc Isuzu engine.

Is it the GM 3.1 or the isuzu 4cyl? The 4cyl is another valve crasher should the timing belt break. + they are prone to cylinder head cracks. IMO- $2K is high for a 15yr old rodeo, but if the body is clean, it's the 3.1L, and you don't have super high expectations ($2K doesnt get you much :banghead: ), it's a good buy!

G/luck
Joel