Possible '01 Rodeo Sport owner here-help?

[palomo93]

I have the chance to buy a 2001 Rodeo Sport for pretty cheap. I've always loved the Amigos since I was a kid. This car has ISSUES though. New tires and brakes all around, 153,000 miles, needs a starter, have to pull up on the shifter to get out of park, check engine light (fuel gauge not working), recent maintenence is bad (don't know about the rest). The tires would be a big cost, the rest of the parts add up too, but I've got a friend that gives me a decent discount.

The car was parked and would not start, but I took a hammer to the starter and it fired up. No smoke. Took it for a short drive, bad front right rotor/pad. Seemed to idle well, shifted smooth, the radio even picked up AM.
Plus, I've always loved the Amigos (or Rodeo Sports) since I was a kid.

The 17 year old girl that owns it says that her father owned the car up until 9 months ago when he gave it to her. She said that he did regular maintenence, but I don't know whether to believe her, she seems a little sketchey.
She's smoked alot of cigaretes in that car and was pretty messy. The straw that might break the camel's back though is, some vandals kicked her passenger door WAY FORWARD, damaging the door and fender.
Can I pull a door and/or fender from a 4 door Rodeo in its place? If so, what years beside 2001 will fit? Have any of you done this? The parts numbers seem to be the same for 2001 but there seems to be some differences.

FYI-I can do nearly all regular maintence stuff. I'd probably start with all fluids, thermostat ( clean the intake? while im at it) . This is my first post, I liked the info on the FAQ. I'll definately be back if I get this thing.Your comments greatly appreciated.
I might see if I can take it for another drive tonight and use a code tester on it.

I know its alot of work but I figure that with the money I'll spend on parts and with the money I'll save on labor I'll hopefully have made a good purchase. Your thoughts?

[amigo-2k]

I have never heard of having to pull up on the shifter to get it out of park.

Read up on the FAQ's for lots of how to.

Sounds like the starter is bad. If it is 4wd the exhaust needs to be dropped to get the starter out.

2000-2004 Rodeo Fender and door will fit.

www.car-parts.com

Swap the fluids, clean the egr system and PCV.

The FAQ's has info on the fuel gauge fix.

If the shocks and front O2 sensors are stock I would swap them out too.

MPG is 15-21 (just so you are not shocked at the pump).

[FL 3.2L]

A grand or less and I might consider it. That's a long list, even for someone who can do the work themselves.