So I've been looking for a dirt cheap SUV on craigslist (under $500) to maybe go offroading, beat down on, have a bit of summer fun in. I came upon a Honda Passport that's very tempting, only $250 and it needs a new timing belt, but the 3.2L is not an interference engine (I've heard in places that it is interference, and I've heard elsehwhere that it isn't. I have no idea) so I'm assuming that the valves are fine. Did some reaserch to find that it's the belt tensioner that goes out as well, shouldn't be too difficult. Overall I've heard some nasty things about the Passport, or just a re-badged Rodeo, in terms of reliability, timing being the number one issue with these. My question is, is this thing going to be a mechanical nightmare and a money pit, or will I be able to fix the timing and be on my way?

As a side note, it has 190,000 miles and it's a '98.
Oddly, seller notes that it may need a new engine, despite the fact that even if the valves were destroyed, it's repairable. Has anyone heard of a Passport/Rodeo needing a new engine due to the timing failure?

Craigslist ad