2001 XLS with 140K

[newworld2004]

I have opportunity to buy 01 XLS with 140K on it , it is second owner and in good condition, water pump and timing belt has not been changed , however brakes, Radiator , Battery, and ABS pump replaced recently with 4 new tires.

I might be able to get it for $3500 or little less. would that be great find since I have to put another $1200 for timing belt job? what is limited buying me beside leather seat, heated?

Thx

 

[Swank Force One]

Fog lights, the better transmission and t-case.

No idea if it's a good price, would have to see the truck.

Limiteds are everywhere for that price and miles though.

 

[Worshington]

I believe the LSD was also only offered on the limited. I think it's a really cool feature, but I'm sure you could find one at a junkyard…or purchase a locker from ARB. One thing about that timing belt…make sure that the job is done with Mitsubishi factory parts. I also recently bought a Gen III that needed a timing belt and I had the job done with OE parts from my mechanic's supplier. Since then (12,000 miles ago) every seal that was replaced during the job has failed in a major way…and now the hydraulic tensioner is on its way out. The truck is in the shop now, and everything is being replaced with Mitsubishi brand parts at no cost to me…but still…it sucks not having the monty in the driveway.

 

[clmrt]

Is the 5-speed better because it goes to 5? Is it better because it is more reliable?

I "prefer" the old 4-speed because you can drop a gear without going auto-manual.

I'd be interested in learning if the 01-02 XLS / Limited 4wd system is same or different.

I also prefer the unheated fabric seats in my 240k mile '01 Sport vs the heated leather in my 75k mile '05 G3 Limited.

If there was an 02 XLS and an 03 Limited for sale, same miles, color, etc, I'd get the XLS. Simplicity in the HVAC, cloth over leather preference, simpler trans, simpler 4x4 (?), better looking wheels and cladding.

Speaking from the above experience.

 

[plh]

I'd avoid the '01

 

[newworld2004]

I'd avoid the '01

why would that be?,

I went and saw it yesterday and test drove it. upon start up you can hear noise probably coming from pulley as sound like cricket. also after few miles droving once I turn off engine I smells like burning rubber, not sure what was that. I decided to look for more Montero's as I am not in rush looking for good one.

 

[Eric M]

Is the 5-speed better because it goes to 5? Is it better because it is more reliable?

I "prefer" the old 4-speed because you can drop a gear without going auto-manual.

I'd be interested in learning if the 01-02 XLS / Limited 4wd system is same or different.

I also prefer the unheated fabric seats in my 240k mile '01 Sport vs the heated leather in my 75k mile '05 G3 Limited.

If there was an 02 XLS and an 03 Limited for sale, same miles, color, etc, I'd get the XLS. Simplicity in the HVAC, cloth over leather preference, simpler trans, simpler 4x4 (?), better looking wheels and cladding.

Speaking from the above experience.

Transmission is better because it goes to 5, yes. The transfer case is the same, but the 5 speed cars have the electronic selector.

 

[clmrt]

By electronic selector do you mean the tiptronic, or is it mech vs electric shift select in PRND?

I dislike the tiptronic because if you engine brake with it and come to a stop, you are locked in 1. I often forget about that and wind up redlining the engine when coming away from a stop and it pisses me off. I know it's my fault, but I don't like it, and that's subjective. The 5 speed is countered by the 4.3 diffs so that's a wash as far as gearing advantages, and the MPG is the same, or very close.

I prefer the four because I engine brake from 4-3, and sometimes 3-2, and you can physically feel the lever is not in normal drive so you are more acutely aware of it.

 

[PirateMcGee]

Unless you are on a major hill theres no meed to be engine braking all the time manually. The automatic downshifts on its own and the brakes work quite well. If you are redlining because you left it in first I would practice or leave it in drive. I don't see any reason to not go with a 03+ limited. Newer, more powerful, and nearly the same cost.

 

[clmrt]

All the time? No, not nearly. Why would you? Snow and ice, yes, and we have that here. Hills not so much. Engine braking on ice works well if you keep the revs low.

I drove a stick for years and engine braking is part of that routine still ingrained in my driving. I don't drive in OD all the time in any of my vehicles (Merc Marauder and the Sport), and like to keep the engine in it's power band when doing clover leaf exits, etc. Drop into 4 when approaching the exit, third when going around, stomp on it for a little Italian tune-up and slap it back to D.

If I ever buy another G3 it will be an 01/02 XLS.

The only other tiptronic car I've ever had was a Mazda, and it was much better, didn't feel as cheap when actuating. I really don't understand the need for tiptronic shifting in an SUV, other than the fact that there isn't enough room for PRND4321 on the console.

 

[plh]

why would that be?,

I went and saw it yesterday and test drove it. upon start up you can hear noise probably coming from pulley as sound like cricket. also after few miles droving once I turn off engine I smells like burning rubber, not sure what was that. I decided to look for more Montero's as I am not in rush looking for good one.

Like PmcG said:

03+ limited. Newer, more powerful, and nearly the same cost.

'01 also seams plagued by the ABS unit going out and its about a $2k fix at a dealer

 

[newworld2004]

Like PmcG said:

03+ limited. Newer, more powerful, and nearly the same cost.

'01 also seams plagued by the ABS unit going out and its about a $2k fix at a dealer

Got it, Thx Guys.

 

[clmrt]

Like PmcG said:

03+ limited. Newer, more powerful, and nearly the same cost.

'01 also seams plagued by the ABS unit going out and its about a $2k fix at a dealer

And the '05 I have is about to go over $5k in repairs in the last 13 months, 76k miles on it.

I'm not trying to be a buzzkill, but this thing has not been easy to live with.

 

[plh]

And the '05 I have is about to go over $5k in repairs in the last 13 months, 76k miles on it.

I'm not trying to be a buzzkill, but this thing has not been easy to live with.

That is crazy. We bought our '05 nearly 4.5 years ago with ~78K on it. Now has 138K on it. Only PMs - timing belt, fluid changes and normal wear items like brakes / tires.

 

[PirateMcGee]

And the '05 I have is about to go over $5k in repairs in the last 13 months, 76k miles on it.

I'm not trying to be a buzzkill, but this thing has not been easy to live with.

What went wrong? Pre purchase inspection?