99 passport-to buy or not to buy?

Hello all-
I'm a newbie here. I just found a passport that I fell in LOVE with today. It is a 99 with 80,000 miles. One owner, never smoked in, maintenance and service records. What I am wondering is what you think I should be LOOKING for. Until an hour ago, I felt confident in this decision. Now you have me worrying about ABS, timing belt, and the ever popular fuel sending unit. Let's just say "I'm no mechanic". I had a 90 ranger back in "the day" and I replaced the radiator and multiple thermostats, but my skills end there...:grinno: I am a single mom on a very limited budget. So, I am concerned I could be getting in over my head with this. I want your honest opinions, if possible. I have no idea if there are recalls, what they are or if they've been performed. I'm going into this just a little bit blindly... I would love to hear your input.

PS-I did try a search on here regarding that sending unit for the fuel. It doesn't appear there ever was a recall, but I wasn't quite sure.

Thanks, again

PS-I live in Oregon. This is the LX model, 5 speed 4wd.

I would watch the oil. Check it at every fillup. Some Rodeo's and Troopers are oil burners others burn very little.

Other then that, you may want to list what things have been done it so far.

No worries on the timing belt (i would wait until you hit 120k).

I'm going to have to ask the guy what all has been done so far. I will get back to you on that. I feel like I'm getting a great deal. The vehicle is immaculate. It is a 99 and I'm getting it for $6100. I think that is great! It just makes me worry that maybe something is wrong. I don't even know what to look for.

Thanks for your help :)

Not a bad price. I paid $5500 for mine last year with 88k miles. Had a new clutch, timing belt, water pump, windshield. But I'm 3rd or 4th owner and it hadnt been maintained very well. Also plenty of little dings and scratches on it. Sounds like the one you are looking at is much nicer and been maintained better.

My experience has been that if the body and interior look really good then everything else has been well maintained too. Thats the key with isuzus. As long as you keep up on maintenance they will go a really long time with nothing major going wrong.

The abs sensor probably wont be a big deal, I bet that one has never been offroad. The problem is that the wire is too short and will break the wire if the rear axle is flexed all the way. There is an abs modulator recall on them, check with the dealer if its been done, only takes them about 1/2 hr to do. As a2k said the timing belt is no big deal at this point, should have lots of miles left on it. The fuel sender I answered in your other post.

Don't know if I would go for a '99yr - what month was it built in?

The 98-99 model years seemed to be susceptable to the #1 cylinder cracking; some were affected, some not, so it's hard to say.

But, if it's closer to a 2000 model year, you may be ok.

Have to say though, I've had 2 Rodeo's, loved them both very much - they were the older models though, a '91 & '97. If I were to go for a newer one myself, it would be an '03-'04.

I personally can't recommend the '99, I've seen so many owners having issues with those 2 years (98-99), but then again, there's plenty more who haven't had issues either.

It's just you're a single mother, and don't have time for questioning a vehicle. Personally, look around and see if you can't find an '02-'03 Rodeo for around the same price, maybe a bit more, reliability was better for the '03's.

The '99 - '02 Rodeos are on Consumer Reports' list of "Used Cars to Avoid." In CR's reliability ratings, these models get black marks in the areas of engine, transmission, fuel system and electrical system. I don't know why the Passport version would be any better. I think you would be much better off with, say, a '99 or '00 Toyota RAV4 or a Subaru wagon. Of course, these are smaller than the Passport and don't look as nice. If you need something about the same size as the Passport, pay more and get a 4Runner or a Pathfinder.

Don't know if I agree with a Pathfinder being any more reliable, just my own opinion, of course, but I've heard not so good things about those too.

You won't find a Rav4 or 4-runner for $6k unless it has WELL over 100k miles

Take consumer reports with a grain of salt. Remember they listed the rodeo as a high roll over risk and we all know its not any more so (or even less) then the average SUV.

When properly maintained isuzus are pretty reliable. Better then any 'american' vehicle my family has owned.

BTW, mine was built 10/98 so its barely a '99 and has the original engine with no cracks so far. As far as I know still the original intake gaskets as well.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=376791

good post to read.

Take consumer reports with a grain of salt. Remember they listed the rodeo as a high roll over risk and we all know its not any more so (or even less) then the average SUV.

When properly maintained isuzus are pretty reliable. Better then any 'american' vehicle my family has owned.

I agree with you about Consumer Reports' rollover tests, but their Frequency of Repair database comes from hundreds of thousands of owner surveys, not from CR's testing. It's the best source of reliability data outside of the manufacturers' own databases on warranty work.

I agree with your second statement and Consumer Reports confirms it. Their "Used Cars to Avoid List" is chock full of American cars. European cars are well-represented on that list, too.

I think the truth of the matter is though, that not very many owners of any kind of car, truck, suv, etc TRULY take care of them to avoid break-downs and costly repairs. CR's doesn't think to ask JUST how many owners, again, of any make or model, REALLY take care of their car.

And, if they did ask that, who would honestly answer anyways!

You could give the absolute worst make/model of a car to one who babies it, nurtures it, etc and it would probably last 15yrs; give that same make/model to one who neglects it, and it may last a good 3-4yrs.

You won't find a Rav4 or 4-runner for $6k unless it has WELL over 100k miles

You're right, you won't find a 4Runner for under $6K and I never said you could. I disagree with you on the RAV4. I looked up RAV4s in the Phoenix area on cars.com and found a '98 with 61K miles listed for $5,600 and a '00 with 60K miles for $7,000. Both were being sold by private parties.

I think the really question is why an SUV? Are you planning on towing or going off road? If no stick with a car and enjoy the better MPG.

And, do you need 4WD? It commands a higher premium and creates additional maintenance expense. I've used the 4WD on my Rodeo maybe once in the last 5 years.

P.S. to Moderator: How many messages do I need to post before I'm not called a Newbie anymore?

You're right, you won't find a 4Runner for under $6K and I never said you could. I disagree with you on the RAV4. I looked up RAV4s in the Phoenix area on cars.com and found a '98 with 61K miles listed for $5,600 and a '00 with 60K miles for $7,000. Both were being sold by private parties.

I forget your in Phoenix, sorry about that.

In 4x4 country, you can't find a low mileaged Toyota unless it's a 4-cylinder single cab 4x2 for less then $7k without being high mileaged.

I agree though, in the desert states or in the south, you can find Toyota 4x4's for really good prices, or any 4x4's for that matter.

And, do you need 4WD? It commands a higher premium and creates additional maintenance expense. I've used the 4WD on my Rodeo maybe once in the last 5 years.

P.S. to Moderator: How many messages do I need to post before I'm not called a Newbie anymore?Quiet Newbie. :evillol:

That being said, amigo-2k and MrMGA beat me to it. I wouldn't buy a 4WD unless I really needed it. As much as I love my Rodeo and as much as it filled a need when I bought it, nowadays I couldn't justify buying a similar vehicle. You can get almost the same (and in some cases more) space from a station wagon or Cross-Over Vehicle combined with better gas mileage and fewer maintenance costs. If you need added traction, AWD still gets marginally better MPG with lower overall costs.

The worst part about buying a used vehicle as many have stated before is not knowing the history and maintenance regimen used by the first owner. I am a firm believer that how a vehicle is treated in its first year or so of service determines how that vehicle will be further down the line. You see kids driving their "Rice-Rockets" around like they are powered by jet engines and while they may look "nice" on the outside, would anyone on this board buy one if they knew it was used to drag race from stop light to stop light? I doubt it.

So if you have a question about reliability and are worried about added maintenance (and a limited budget), a second Gen Rodeo with a questionable history and a disappearing dealer support network, probably wouldn't be what I would recommend. Even if you can do some of the work yourself, and even if Isuzu is supposedly required to supply parts for 10 years after the model year, I would still be concerned about parts pricing and availabilty, especially if this is your only vehicle and you can't afford to "not have it on the road".

In 4x4 country, you can't find a low mileaged Toyota unless it's a 4-cylinder single cab 4x2 for less then $7k without being high mileaged.

I agree though, in the desert states or in the south, you can find Toyota 4x4's for really good prices, or any 4x4's for that matter.

I believe Arizona is just as much 4X4 country as the mountain states. Offroading in the desert (as well as the mountains) is very popular. I'm not in a position to comment on regional market conditions, but 4x4s definitely command a premium around here. Of course, the same is probably true in northern regions that get a lot of snow.

In any case, I think Summergirl (remember her?) should only buy a 4x4 if she plans to use it.

P.S. to Moderator: How many messages do I need to post before I'm not called a Newbie anymore?

50? I'm not sure ....

I forget your in Phoenix, sorry about that.

In 4x4 country, you can't find a low mileaged Toyota unless it's a 4-cylinder single cab 4x2 for less then $7k without being high mileaged.

I agree though, in the desert states or in the south, you can find Toyota 4x4's for really good prices, or any 4x4's for that matter.

I really think they ship different vehicles to different regions. When I bought my 01 Tacoma I didn't want to pay for teh 4x4. Things changed and I wanted the 4x4 now. As I was looking in the last weeks there are not many 4x4's for sale in Texas....pages and pages of Prerunners. I finally found the one I wanted and had to drive 200 miles out of Dallas to get it. I don't think the 4x4 was getting a premium down here, I saw similar prerunners for about the same price......mileage and year and condition of vehicle is what is selling it down here.

I believe Arizona is just as much 4X4 country as the mountain states. Offroading in the desert (as well as the mountains) is very popular.

In any case, I think Summergirl (remember her?) should only buy a 4x4 if she plans to use it.

MrMGA - I never meant to imply that the desert wasn't off-road country, I too spent a LOT of time off-road in the desert, just meant that 4x4's do cost more here in Colorado - don't ask me why, I haven't a clue.

But I do agree with a toyota being a good fit, notice my sig, I bought one too.

Summergirl - just incase you're wondering, the Rodeo is quite a capable beast in the 4x2 version as well. Mine is a 4x2, which I do feel has required much less maintenance then those with the 4x4's comment on.

But, either way, unless you need a true SUV built on a truck frame, with only mediocre gas mileage, i.e. 19mpg city, at best, then I would look elsewhere.

I think the truth of the matter is though, that not very many owners of any kind of car, truck, suv, etc TRULY take care of them to avoid break-downs and costly repairs. CR's doesn't think to ask JUST how many owners, again, of any make or model, REALLY take care of their car.

And, if they did ask that, who would honestly answer anyways!

You could give the absolute worst make/model of a car to one who babies it, nurtures it, etc and it would probably last 15yrs; give that same make/model to one who neglects it, and it may last a good 3-4yrs.

I completely agree.

Anytime you buy a used vehicle, expect to invest some money in repairs. I just think it is unavoidable unless you purchase a warranty. I'm satisfied with my 98 Rodeo which now has 154,153 miles on her.

BTW, you can't purchase a Rav-4 or Pathfinder in this area for under 6k unless it has close to 130,000 miles on the odo. I believe a used Rodeo provides more bang for the buck, if the original owner took proper care of it.

I've managed 21 mpg's in my '98 3.2V6 Rodeo, mixed driving. Can anybody match me? :icon16:

Yeap! And I have 32" tires and the automatic.

Just don't ask me to match that in the winter; summer no problem.

vacation 2004 from cincinnati to gatlinburg we got 22.8 all highway. i about messed myself, had to do the math twice to make sure. in town we get 11-12 in the winter and 14-15 in the summer. mike