High Mileage Gen 2.5?
- Thread starter jugganaut
- Start date
BIGdaddy
Expedition Leader
225,000 miles is a lot for any car, especially one you didn't own since new.
Montero's aren't any kind of exception to that rule.
Will it fail catostrophically? Probably not.
Will it fail in some way? Of course.
If you cover your bases, baseline it, and are willing to put up with "old car" type issues, you should probably be ok.
These motors are good ones, but definitely have normal issues like coil packs failing, oil leaks, oil consumption, etc...
Heater/coolant hoses leak, O2 sensors go out, 4wheel drive and locker solonoids need repairing/replacing, etc, etc.
I could see spending several thousand dollars on maintenence and repairs before getting to actual modifications.
This will be the same with every vehicle of that age, though. Asian cars tend to hold up better, and in that way, you're ahead of the game due to the high level of quality built into the interior, body, frame and drivetrain of these rigs. Similar to land cruisers, Jeeps and old American iron from Dodge/Ford/Chevy.
Montero's aren't any kind of exception to that rule.
Will it fail catostrophically? Probably not.
Will it fail in some way? Of course.
If you cover your bases, baseline it, and are willing to put up with "old car" type issues, you should probably be ok.
These motors are good ones, but definitely have normal issues like coil packs failing, oil leaks, oil consumption, etc...
Heater/coolant hoses leak, O2 sensors go out, 4wheel drive and locker solonoids need repairing/replacing, etc, etc.
I could see spending several thousand dollars on maintenence and repairs before getting to actual modifications.
This will be the same with every vehicle of that age, though. Asian cars tend to hold up better, and in that way, you're ahead of the game due to the high level of quality built into the interior, body, frame and drivetrain of these rigs. Similar to land cruisers, Jeeps and old American iron from Dodge/Ford/Chevy.
Thanks. You think the price is ok? I've been scouring craigslist nationwide and I think people are catching on to these, because they just aren't around.
I know about old cars - I have an 85 Benz Wagon as my daily driver. The speedo read 175k when I bought it 4 years ago, which is practically brand new. Called Benz dealer with the VIN and they told me the last time it was in was in '96 and spedo read 256k :Wow1:
I know about old cars - I have an 85 Benz Wagon as my daily driver. The speedo read 175k when I bought it 4 years ago, which is practically brand new. Called Benz dealer with the VIN and they told me the last time it was in was in '96 and spedo read 256k :Wow1:
BIGdaddy
Expedition Leader
As for the price, I've come to the conclusion that it really depends on where you are. For example, I bought my Cherokee with 160k miles for $2000.00 here in San diego.
Some in the midwest/south can't seem to find a good example with those type of miles,without metal rot, for less than $4000.00.
Does it mean they're overpaying? Of course not. If they don't want to do a fly-n-drive, they have little option but to pay the going rate.
The going rate for 3rd gens around here is about $10,000. That's about right when it comes to blue book, but some might say that's high/low, etc, etc. Doesn't really matter if that's the standard price for this area...
Some in the midwest/south can't seem to find a good example with those type of miles,without metal rot, for less than $4000.00.
Does it mean they're overpaying? Of course not. If they don't want to do a fly-n-drive, they have little option but to pay the going rate.
The going rate for 3rd gens around here is about $10,000. That's about right when it comes to blue book, but some might say that's high/low, etc, etc. Doesn't really matter if that's the standard price for this area...
BIGdaddy
Expedition Leader
Wow, yup. That's a benzo for ya. Built like a tank.
See my previous post for my opinion on pricing.
Cheers, bro.
off-roader
Expedition Leader
Price is driven by demand as they say... If there aren't any local for sale but I were selling one, you can bet money on it that the price would be higher.
If you're willing to drive...
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3632196220.html
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3622400447.html
then pick up this http://athensga.craigslist.org/pts/3645381586.html arb bumper in Athens on your way back =)
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3632196220.html
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3622400447.html
then pick up this http://athensga.craigslist.org/pts/3645381586.html arb bumper in Athens on your way back =)
KarmannMarco
Adventurer
From the number of " Looking to buy montero , what to look for " or " Is this montero a good deal ? "threads popping up recently I think people are catching on. Combine that to the already fairly low number of trucks compared to Jeeps or Toyotas and I think either prices will go up or the wait will be long for a good truck.
When I was in the market a few months ago I noticed 1st gen go for $500-$3000 , 2/2.5 gens go for $ 1500-$4000 and third gens for $5500+
obviously there are exceptions. I paid $3000 for my 97 LS which I felt was fair but not the deal of the century either.
When I was in the market a few months ago I noticed 1st gen go for $500-$3000 , 2/2.5 gens go for $ 1500-$4000 and third gens for $5500+
obviously there are exceptions. I paid $3000 for my 97 LS which I felt was fair but not the deal of the century either.
I've come to the conclusion you either gotta wait with cash in hand for a stellar deal... or be willing to travel. Where I live, there's been maybe 4 or so Monteros that are 1994-2000 in the past couple of months. Ideally I want a 2.5 because I love that body style more, but am lightly kicking myself for not picking up the 97' LS with 140k on the clock for $2250 obo... had a small oil leak and cracked windshield, but nothing else I'm aware of... shoulda snagged it =/
Needless to say, they aren't bounteous where I live.
Looks like the 2.5 you're looking at is at a dealer... remember the dealer doc fee and sales tax. Let's say dealer doc fee is $300 + TN sales tax of 7% = $4400 out the door before negotiations. To me that seems like a lot of coin for such high mileage. Even if the rig had been meticulously cared for over it's life, it could still potentially crap out on you the next day.
Needless to say, they aren't bounteous where I live.
Looks like the 2.5 you're looking at is at a dealer... remember the dealer doc fee and sales tax. Let's say dealer doc fee is $300 + TN sales tax of 7% = $4400 out the door before negotiations. To me that seems like a lot of coin for such high mileage. Even if the rig had been meticulously cared for over it's life, it could still potentially crap out on you the next day.
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There's another one on CL, '99 with 160k for $4k. Says it was a "northern car", so has some rust which worries me a little bit. Dude won't email me back though, so I'm assuming it's gone. At $4400, that's just too much, and dealers are always less apt to negotiate even if they are holding inventory they don't want.
They can make lots of money on used cars since they can mark it up from the trade in so often times they wont like you said. There's a 2.5 that's been sitting on a used lot and I swear they're bi-polar with the price. It started off at 4999, then went down to 4499, then 3999, then back up to 4499...then down to 3499 and so on. When he had it at 3499 I went down to drive it and check it out, had a few minor issues with locks, doors etc (even though his ad says "nothing wrong with it"). Asked what his lowest cash in hand would be, hoping to get him down to around 3k because he doesn't know when it had timing belt done and I said I'd have to get it done, he told me he had a buddy who could do it for $500. He wouldn't budge on price even though he's literally had it on his lot for 5+ months now.
Well seeing as I'm not in the market right now I'll share this one with ya. Local to Nashville, and you could probably knock off that price with the dents and dings:
99 Gen 2.5 with 160k and it has the factory locker
http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/3634196201.html
Sabre
Overlanding Nurse
Several years ago I was shopping for a Gen III. Of course, they're not overly common and, as was said, the price varies widely by region. I saved several thousand dollars by flying to Las Vegas for a fly-n-drive. Of course, I've done over a half-dozen long-distance vehicle purchases between cars, trucks and motorcycles; it's not in the comfort zone for everyone.
I agree 100% with Bdiddy's observations. I admit that I know nothing about the used car biz, but I'm flabbergasted by the guys who are willing to let these things sit on their lot for months and months. I would have thought that volume was where the money was. I also agree with the notion that, to get the best deal on any used vehicle, you have to have ready cash on hand and be ready to snap it up immediately, without farting around. I've scored some incredible deals by striking literally instantly, and have likewise lost some by taking too long to decide. I've seen some beautiful Gen 2.5s come and go over the past six months. The really nice ones with fairly low mileage that are attractively priced are snapped up very quickly. I've sure looked at a bunch that were clapped-out and overpriced for the shape they were in.
Furthermore, every experience I have with used car salesmen only reinforces my belief that they're utterly lacking in any professional ethics whatsoever. How can you describe a vehicle as "perfect" or "no flaws" that is dented, wrinkled, rusty, with parts missing, major systems failing and/or frightening noises coming from under the hood?
My tried-and-true method is to scan frequently for private sales that look good, quickly establish a vibe about the seller and make a prompt go/no go decision.
I agree 100% with Bdiddy's observations. I admit that I know nothing about the used car biz, but I'm flabbergasted by the guys who are willing to let these things sit on their lot for months and months. I would have thought that volume was where the money was. I also agree with the notion that, to get the best deal on any used vehicle, you have to have ready cash on hand and be ready to snap it up immediately, without farting around. I've scored some incredible deals by striking literally instantly, and have likewise lost some by taking too long to decide. I've seen some beautiful Gen 2.5s come and go over the past six months. The really nice ones with fairly low mileage that are attractively priced are snapped up very quickly. I've sure looked at a bunch that were clapped-out and overpriced for the shape they were in.
Furthermore, every experience I have with used car salesmen only reinforces my belief that they're utterly lacking in any professional ethics whatsoever. How can you describe a vehicle as "perfect" or "no flaws" that is dented, wrinkled, rusty, with parts missing, major systems failing and/or frightening noises coming from under the hood?
My tried-and-true method is to scan frequently for private sales that look good, quickly establish a vibe about the seller and make a prompt go/no go decision.