Montero Information

[PirateMcGee]

Looking at selling my 86 4runner and purchasing a montero, xterra, 3rd gen 4runner, tacoma, or frontier.

I am familar with the toyota's and the nissans but have no clue on montero's so someone take me to school!!! I need the vehicle to be very reliable and capable of towing up to 2500lbs fairly comfortably from OR to Colorado (one time thing, moving there, hence the selling of my loved but weak 86 4runner).

I am looking at a 2001 3.5XS with 90k miles tomorrow...but I have no clue what an xs, sr, or sport is and how to tell the difference.

Thanks!

 

[shmabs]

Sports look like this, and this one is an XS as well.

Being that you said its an XS, i would say its a good chance its a sport. I dont believe they made the full size montero in the XS trim. The full size montero's have a higher roof line similar to a land rover discovery. As with any vehicle, maintenance is the key to reliability. Others will chime in with more detail but a few things to consider...

-At 90k if the timing belt hasn't been done i would consider doing it soon, along with all the related tensioners, pulleys etc.
-A common leak area that i have seen is the rear cam shaft seals, these are found on the backside of the motor near the firewall. You can usually get a hand back there to see if there is oil running down the back of the motor onto the trans, not a huge deal unless its gushing oil.
-The trans should shift smooth and on time, be sure to check the fluid. The mitsu trannies found in the later sports can be troublesome if the correct fluid is not used.

Got a link to the one you are checking out?

Mike

 

[PirateMcGee]

http://medford.craigslist.org/ctd/2741191463.html

 

[scrubber3]

That sir is a Montero Sport. Not the same as a Montero at all. IMHO the vehicle you are looking at is very overpriced.
This is a Generation 2 montero http://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/new/reviews/montero1.html

This is a Generation 3 montero http://mitsubishibuyersguide.theaut...d&make=Mitsubishi&model=Montero&styleid=18267

 

[shmabs]

i too think thats a bit much for that sport, but you never know what he is willing to take. It should handle towing 2500 lbs with little issue, i know several people have towed more than that with thier sports. Might i ask what your budget is?

Mike

 

[PirateMcGee]

$10,000

 

[PirateMcGee]

So are sports any good? It's a PITA to search craigslist for a regular montero vs. montero sport etc.

 

[shmabs]

Pirate McGee PM inbound.

I personally love my sport, its been a capable, reliable, comfortable vehicle for me. When i was shopping i was looking at both full size montero's and sports, most full size montero's i found had very high milage and i just couldn't find a nice clean example so i went with the best sport i could find. They have a nice v6 that returns decent fuel milage, 4 wheel discs, a stout drivetrain, fully boxed frame and overall a great build quality. It seems like most full size montero owners don't like them and i cant quite figure out why?

Mike

 

[PirateMcGee]

replied

 

[SOFpirate]

I love my full size. While I do wish there was a little more booty in the engine department sometimes, I wouldn't give up my Monty for the world. By far one of the toughest, best built trucks around.

PirateMcGee:

With a budget of $10k, you can easily find a decent GenIII montero with the bigger engine and by far better gearing and you'll have no issues whatsoever towing. It's also EXTREMELY capable offroad. Don't let the luxury of it fool you, that truck shows up ready to work. Seriously, look for a 2001-2003 Montero full size. Roomy, comfy for the long haul, just as capable as any truck out there, and it's nice enough to take the ladies out to a dinner theatre in.

 

[PirateMcGee]

So took that one out tonight for a long shake down and had my buddy mechanic throw it on a lift. Needs a timing belt (has 97k miles) and front wheel bearings. Everything else is perfect. Feels extremely solid and has had one owner since new. The guy was good about maintaining it and it has every record including wax/details at the dealship, several coolant/tranny fluid changes etc. Definitely nice rig. I don't get why these aren't more popular...btw this has the 3.5 in it.

 

[SOFpirate]

The only reason why they're not more popular is because we don't want them to be. That way we can keep them all for ourselves!

 

[PirateMcGee]

lol I was really impressed by the truck. Granted this is a prime example but still...

 

[off-roader]

Capability between a sport and a full size really depends on your off road needs.

For expedition/exploration type wheeling it's hard to beat any of them.

For hard core rock crawling trails like the 'con or Dusy ersham, all my experience tells me to stick to a full size SR class Montero (one with the stock 9.5" rear locker) unless you don't mind extra suspension and drivetrain mods.

 

[PirateMcGee]

I think a sport is perfect for my needs, I like smaller vehicles and am looking for something to explore around the backcountry not crawl around on rocks.