Is it really worth it?

I have the opportunity to purchase a '99 Passport for ~$3500, It is an auto 2WD with 140,000 miles on it. The down side is that the bumper cover and hood need to be replaced due to some minor dings according to the owner. I've seen the pics and it's obvious the bumper is ripped and sagging in the corner. The hood has a slight dent about the size of your palm. Also, the owner has not performed the timing belt/water pump maintenance. Do you think it would worth buying the car and just replacing the bumper and hood assuming there are no other issues with the body? I can't seem to find a firm price on a front bumper cover. I know the timing belt change will cost me at least $600. I need something very reliable since I commute to college 4 days a week. BTW, I am waiting on a Carfax report from a friend. I do my own repairs (within reason) on my Acura so I'm pretty sure I can on the Passport God willing. Any thoughts? Thanks.

~$3K would be a great deal, especially if you do much of your own work on it. First thing I'd do is change out all the fluids/lubes/filters. Particular attention to the 4L30E trans. I'd do a few drains/fills to the pan (no dipstick as you will discover. Seperate drain/fill plugs on main pan), drive it for a 500-1000mi and drop the pan to clean the magnet & replace the filter, then do another 2-3 drains/fills or have an ATF 'transfusion' done on it. A rebuild (general motors) 4L30E can run ~$2K. Keep a CLOSE eye on your engine oil level as that can get low quick depending on your usage. Some burn oil, some dont. Replacement engines are $$$$. You can replace that bumper skin with any 1998+ rodeo/p-port, same goes with the hood. Getting at that T-belt, waterpump and tensioner assembly would be a good idea too! There have been owners who went ~180Kmi on all that.

G/luck
Joel

There have been owners who went ~180Kmi on all that.

G/luck
Joel

Not Meee :shakehead !!!

Just here to tell you that the unusual can happen and don't expect to make it to 180k on the original OEM waterpump, belt, etc. That truck's made it to 140k on the OEM, that's pretty darn good already, I'd personally, at that mileage, specially if you'll be driving from home to college (long open highway stretch, I'm presuming??) want to do that soon.

My waterpump went out with only 95k on it, and it only gave me a days notice - had I been jamming down the highway (CD of Alabama playing) doing 65-70mph I would not have noticed as quickly, as once I'm on the highway - that's it - I only stop to fill up, which can be 650-700 miles in a stretch.

If you can do the work yourself, the price of parts are somewhere's around $200-$300, but peace of mind is :p

I think the rig is a great bargain, like Rodeo02 stated, do all your fluids/filters - on a 4x2 it's not as labor intensive.

Just wanted to add, that I received a PM from a Rodeo owner with an Automatic who now has 230k miles and has never serviced the transmission!

Talk about good luck!

lol, ramblin...

i love your posts. it gives me such great hope.

Thanks for the replies guys. The carfax states it was involved in 2 minor accidents. Can you guys take a look at the pics of problems and give me some input? It looks like it needs the grill and bumper.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a85/quick_dodge2/honda_passport_007.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a85/quick_dodge2/honda_passport_003.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a85/quick_dodge2/honda_passport_001.jpg

Watch ebay for a grill (I think there are a couple up there now).

I think it looks fine for a college type of car .... Why stick $$$ into it for the looks?

some things you may want to consider:

front impct...did it effect teh airbags. yes i know they airbags didn't deploy--buy is the system ok (sensors, wires, etc.) will go off on you when your driving becuase a sensor wanted to reset all of a sudden?

radiator? any damage?

it was obviously a side impact at that spot as it moved the bumper over...what else did it effect--steering, ball joints, etc. check the front end well (how are the cv joint boots?). check the alignment at the doors and fenders (gaps) are they matching on both sides? do the doors stick (i'm implying frame bending--you'd be surprised how easily it can happen--even small bumps--i'd say you're fine in this case though)

look for pinched wires.

screw the looks. it's the drivetrain you want to worry about. get it looked at professionally for opinions on that.

Just get a grill and dont worry too much about the bumper, maybe get a new cover for it later on when you have more funds. You might be able to loosen the bumper mounts and move it back into a somewhat close position. I just did mine today, it was knocked over about 1/2-1" after a light tap. Mostly got it in position just by loosening the bolts and adjusting (the mounts has slipped a bit) then tweaked it a bit with a portapower.

I wouldnt worry about the hood dent, costs more to fix then its worth. You can get a bug sheild and hide it.

Check the headlight alignment incase the mounts bent a bit.