96 Rodeo deal or no deal?

Hi Folks,

I've never owned a rodeo. Been shopping around for an SUV and stumbled upon a 96 rodeo s v6 4x4 w/ 133,000 miles. Car is in decent shape. Owner is asking $3,300 for it but i suspect they will take a bit less.

any thoughts?
are these cars reliable?

thanks for any advice.

-ab

I've owned 2 Rodeo's since new, both have gone over 150k+ with only minor issues in comparison to other vehicles I've owned.

1st one was a '91 Rodeo with the GM engine.

My current '97 Rodeo has the 3.2L V6 Isuzu engine, 164k miles and everything is original, except the starter, alternator, normal wear/tear items.

Would I do it again - in a heartbeat!

ab,

Take a good look underneath for signs of advanced rust. The body will not show it in some cases. Ohio uses road salt don't they? Also, if you can get your hands on any servicing records that will help determine how much less than $3300 you could offer. No records, assume that it wasn't oiled and spoiled. Listen for ticking in the engine, if smooth and quiet youre OK. Very light ticking may need attention, but is not a show stopper. Moderate to heavy ticking, walk away from it unless you are handy with advanced tools and have patience. Check for any new gaskets or signs that the timing belt has been changed recently. If no signs, consider a hefty repair job to make the truck reliable for a few years. So, if you have records and there is evidence that it has had the typical aging problems addressed, then 3K isn't bad at all. They are rugged (yet fuel thirsty) little trucks that can tow rather well and are a blast to drive in deep snow and on ice. Tom in Maine.

I got a 97 with 115K for $2500. I bet you can get it for $2500. If no record of repairs for time belt, it will cost you around $600 to replace it. If you want a 4x4 this is a good truck, and if the truck's 4x4 does not work is very easy to replace and or fix it and make it manual. I purchase mine 4mos. ago. Here is what I've done. New time belt, oil,filter,air filter, spark plugs, tint windows, radio,remote start,fix the 4x4,trans oil change, and reverse glow gauges. The guy wanted $3600 but I lowered it to $2500. The other $1000 was invested in it. I love my truck.

P.S. If there is a low ticking noise comming from the engine will most likely be a stuck lifter. It seems like this trucks all have the same problem.
Also you can find most of the answers you need for your Rodeo here on the AF/Rodeo forums.

Thanks for all the info. i am taking it for a test drive this afternoon. I follow up soon.

Thanks again,
AB

OK, I just went to look at the rodeo. Its a v6 LS w/ 133k on it.
It drove very well, engine sounded OK ut had a small tick in the motor.

My only concern is that under the hood there was alot of orange stains. The oil looked a bit brown/orange. I cant confirm that there was a head/gasket problem.

They were asking $3,300 for it which in my opinion was well over bluebook. I offered $2000 as is and would go no higher than $2500.

The car had enough issues to be consider fair-good. Aside from possible head issues I think the car is solid. Any advice on cost to change head or head gasket if needed?

thanks,
ab

Headgasket issues on the 3.2L SOHC (93-97 yrs) are actually, according to a good Isuzu mechanic - 2eyefish (common visitor), pretty rare on this engine.

BUT, if it's ever been allowed to overheat, it will cause the head to crack. This engine is all aluminum, and if the cooling system is kept to par, heads really shouldn't be an issue.

Don't know what to say about the orangish stuff - does it look like a sealant/gasket material, or some kind of engine cleaner, or is it like a left over residue type stuff that's dried on certain parts?

How does the inside of the radiator look?

Thanks for all the input. I also looked at a 1999 LSE v6 today. Any known issues with the 1999? It has 90k on it. Looks like a good deal. may need a bit of work in the front end or transfercase.

Thanks for advice... I hope to have a rodeo by the end of the week.

-ab

...engine sounded OK ut had a small tick in the motor.

My only concern is that under the hood there was alot of orange stains. The oil looked a bit brown/orange. I cant confirm that there was a head/gasket problem.

...

just call him up and ask him what that orange stain stuff is all about --and especially the oil color.
i don't use anything, but there's plenty of guys around here who seem to treat their oil in an attempt to get rid of that valve tick (pretty common and not really a problem). maybe one of them can say whether such a treatment has such a color ?

mostly, just ask the seller, and then judge the answer.
(besides, i want to know what he says :grinyes: )

//bc

Sounds like a plan.. the only issue is that the original owner went back to college and i am dealing with his mother and father. They seemed in charge of maintaining the vehicle but (the mother atleast) had no idea what the repair record was. I will speak with "dad" tomorrow.

in the mean time... any thoughts on the 99' mentioned in previose post above? I ran a carfax report... just minor accidents reported.

thanks,
ab

...the only issue is that the original owner went back to college ... ask for his phone number, or for him to call you, or an email address. if it's not forthcoming, i'd pass.

in the mean time... any thoughts on the 99' mentioned in previose post above? I ran a carfax report... just minor accidents reported...

addidents ?

//bc

99's have intake manifold gasket problems. 400$ fix out of warranty
also some early 99's cracked their heads. others on this board know what heads cracked. other than those issues you gotta clean your egr alot. that is in the faq section. thats all i know about the 99 model.

As I'm finding out, the EGR can be an issue with the '97 model year as well. However, it is VERY easy to clean, just have to make sure you do a good job while doing it.

And I'll find out here in a few, if it works better (the cleaning effect) with the engine running while cleaning it.

I however, didn't have any kind of EGR issues until around 150k or so - but I had NEVER cleaned it before, so that could've been my own fault.

OK, so here is the dilema.

I have two offers out:

#1

$2,500 on the 1996 LS v6 4x4 w. 133k miles.
Its little rough around the edges. Timing belt has been changes at 117k
Issues include;
- Oil is orange/brown in color, coolant color is just fine. not sure if there is a head issue.
- passenger window is wedged in place. motor just spins.
- tailgate wont open
- hood has sun rash (Arizona car)
- Inside is "used" but in decent shape

#2


$4,000 offer accepted on 1999 LSE v6 4x4 w/ 90k miles
Looks good and pretty clean. Has a few dings on the outside.
Few isseus include;
-rear windows dont work from driver seat control (only work from back)
- tires are totaly shot on the front end, lots of uneven wear.
- noise in the front end... maybe a wheel bearing, maybe transfer case. Can hear it when turning hard left.
- owner who is selling it just bought it a month ago. She is having here friend who ownes a detailing shop sell it for her (he sells cars on consignment).
- Ran carfax report on the vehicle, it shows 2 minor front end accidents with no major damage reported. you can still see the signs on the body from this. No record of it going into the repair shop for either accident.
- Prxy seller seems OK bt I get suspiciouse about 3rd party deals.

any thoughts.

-ab

Look for other Rodeo's in better shape than these. The '99 could be a problem down the road. If the previous owner didn't bother to get the front end tightened up after accidents, then they probably neglected all other maintenance too. On the '96, sounds like a $2,000 vehicle to me.
The mystery color of the oil is too uncertain - put the $500 difference into a partial tear down and rebuild of the top end of the engine.
As much time you've spent researching and asking questions before buying, you are likely to be in a good position to look for a few more weeks at other Rodeo's as they come up for sale. Bet you'll find one with less issues for just a little more $.
If you have to choose between these two, it's a coin toss, but chop down the price on the '99 to maybe $3500 - and expect to put a couple of grand into either one.
Keep us posted -
Tom

ok, so you're saying the color of the OIL itself in the '96 is orange?

Could be an additive, OR some brands of oils do have their own color additives; i.e German Castrol oil 0w-30 is green in color.

But, it's really hard to say - can you find out what kind of oil they put in it, i.e. what brand, and I can research and see if it has a color additive in it.

When they did the timing belt, did that include the waterpump, timing belt tensioner - these 2 additional items are VERY important when doing the timing belt, otherwise that tensioner is VERY sure to fail soon after.

On the '99, I would be suspicious as to why this owner is selling it when she just bought it a month ago.

Tires wearing badly can either mean the front-end took quite a punch, out-of-alignment, or you could be looking at a front-end rebuild, i.e suspension ($$$), or simply be just shocks that are bad.

Other items you mentioned for the '99, i.e tires, front end noise, etc. does the '96 have the same issues?

I agree with highlandlake, look for other Rodeo's, but, if you're in a pinch, I'd be inclined to look more thoroughly into the older one just because it appears to have less issues at least in what you've written.

What price range are hoping to stay in? i..e is a 2003-2004 with less mileage out of your price range?