Advice on Isuzu Rodeo Purchase

[Radio]

Good Day,
As my beloved Dodge is finally giving up the ghost after 315K+ km's on the odometer, giving expensive trouble and showing it's age (it's a 95... owned it since new, been through alot together). I gave it to the wife two years ago when I bought my FJ, and she has treated it well, but the faithful Ram has given us about 90% of its life now. She would like another truck...
So, we got a handle on a 2000 Isuzu Rodeo LS 4x4. Took it out on a good test drive, sounded ok... no real bad noise, smooth, responsive, good braking, 4x high and low worked well, idled well enough (little rough after the test drive though, kinda throbing) and condition is reasonable. Engine compartment was reasonably clean, not too much oil (so it seemed).
What I am asking, what else should I be looking for? Anything you guys know that I should totally look at (deal breaker kinda stuff?)?
I am thinking of offering $5000 (canadian), she is asking $6000. Too much? Advice please!

 

[BKCowGod]

Good Day,
As my beloved Dodge is finally giving up the ghost after 315K+ km's on the odometer, giving expensive trouble and showing it's age (it's a 95... owned it since new, been through alot together). I gave it to the wife two years ago when I bought my FJ, and she has treated it well, but the faithful Ram has given us about 90% of its life now. She would like another truck...
So, we got a handle on a 2000 Isuzu Rodeo LS 4x4. Took it out on a good test drive, sounded ok... no real bad noise, smooth, responsive, good braking, 4x high and low worked well, idled well enough (little rough after the test drive though, kinda throbing) and condition is reasonable. Engine compartment was reasonably clean, not too much oil (so it seemed).
What I am asking, what else should I be looking for? Anything you guys know that I should totally look at (deal breaker kinda stuff?)?
I am thinking of offering $5000 (canadian), she is asking $6000. Too much? Advice please!

That is the 3.3l V6 or the 4banger? Either way, the idle should be rock steady. Probably just a vacuum leak, but could be used for negotiation. I'll let someone who has more experience with the later Isuzus chime in here, but that price doesn't sound too horribly out of line for a good condition Rodeo.

 

[Radio]

It is the 3.3L V6, 5spd manual tranny with the "offroad" package (trying not to laugh too hard here, but they really tried at this)

 

[mtnbike28]

no help but....

I bought a '99 Rodeo v6 I planned to drive "forever" The truck drove great and was comfortable, even on 16 hour drives.
But it started falling apart at 60k miles. I went out of my way to get all manual and that still didn't help. It needed brakes every 20k or so, the ABS pump went out.... twice. And it had lots of odd electrical gremlins. I wanted to trade it in on a new Toyota truck and 3 dealerships told me they could not find a buyer (auction) even for $3,000 and I owed a lot more than that. I had talked to a lot of Isuzu owners before I bought mine, and they all were loyal fans. I guess my mileage really varied... (you know the YMMV quote)
I had heard the clutch would be an expensive job....

All that said and the fact Isuzu no longer sells trucks(at least in the US) and parts could be tougher to find. I think you can find a nicer (you didn't really make it sound great) and cheaper one. Again remember, several dealers told me to private sell it, they could not auction it....

hth or for what it is worth....

 

[rynosurf]

I just sold my wife's '98 Rodeo that was loaded (2wd) for $2800. It had 99k miles and ran well but we had to replace the auto tranny at 70k miles and the thing gave us a lot of idling problems that we finally had resolved. The buyer had a mechanic look at it before he bought it and he said that it was a "fair deal". Not a great deal but not a bad deal. The mechanic said that the timing belt needs to be replaced at around 100k miles, it is an interference engine and if the belt goes out the engine is shot. ($300 - $700 depending on what you want done while it is apart). $5k seems a little steep, it wasn't a bad little vehicle and had plenty of power but I don't think I would buy another one.

 

[Maddmatt]

I had a '97 with the 5spd and the limited slip Dana 44 in the rear end, 3.3L V6.

Head gaskets went at 19k (replaced under warranty).

Then it was problem free for 70k miles. I loved that truck but the head gasket started to weep again at 79k so I traded it in.

Never wheeled it hard, but lots of deep snow, icy drives and long road trips.

 

[Radio]

Well, deal done. Took a good look underneath and everything seemed ok. The CV boots were in good condition, no leaks from the diffs, no massive oil/grease stains...
So, I purchased it for $5500. She wanted $6000 and was hard to waiver off that, as she needs the money to do house renos (family friend anyways). Thanks for all the comments, I used them in my discussion to bring her down, pointing out a few things here and there. Lets just hope it is a good truck and will last a few more miles!

 

[mtnbike28]

Thanks

Thanks for coming back and letting us know what happened! Good luck, I really enjoyed driving mine, it was comfortable and the steering wheel was praised by magazines as one the most comfortable ones ever made... enjoy the new ride.

 

[philndz]

The 3.2 V6 in the Rodeo is non-interference so don't worry yourself too much over that timing belt. It is VERY normal for the factory brake pads to last 90,000 miles. These are very solid reliable trucks but the biggest issue is that they can, and will use oil (not in the smoke-screen from the tailpipe fashion, so its harder to know it's happening). If you keep your oil topped off and check it bi-weekly it should run forever.

 

[Wareagle]

Yes, the 3.2 is a solid engine. The occasionally have an issue with the intake manifold gasket, but its a relatively easy fix. Also, they are very capable. Isuzu over built everything, so you should be safe on most components. I strongly recommend a lunchbox locker in the dana 44 and a teralow in the xfr case. These things are almost unstoppable with these two mods. Finally, checkout planetisuzoo.com and look for JLEMOND. He's a former isuzu master mechanic that has endless knowledge and sells OEM parts for dirt cheap.