96 Rodeo deal or no deal?

[Ramblin Fever]

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?