1998 Montero with stock 3.0: need you guys advise, thoughts and experiences...

fjatheart

fjatheart

Adventurer
Hello All,

I'm checking out the '98 Montero listed in the FS Section here and have a few questions. This particular truck has a solid maintenance history and is all stock. It was imported from Puerto Rico by a solider in Ft. Bragg, NC and all the major maintenance history is accounted for. The truck has a stock 3.0 motor and meets all the USA EPA requirements, also has a clean title. It has 133,000, new timing belt, thermostat, water pump, heater core, alternator, battery, AC compressor, 31x10.50 tires, valve cover gasket.

I'm a Toyota guy and have confidence in them, are Mitsubishi's built well and made to last or is it going to nickle and dime me with the age and miles it has?

Thoughts, input, experience?

Thank you!
 
Silverwulf

Silverwulf

Adventurer
I love Monteros. However.... I looked at the one in the fs section and the one in Scrubber3's link and they are the same pics. That being said read the posts. Personally I recommend you look for one that is from USA to avoid the pitfalls he is having.
That being said, I would say you should get one. Take your time and find a clean one. You will be pleasantly surprised with how capable they are right out of the box. Pretty bomb proof too, unless ot was seriously neglected. But what car isn't?
Just my .02
 
fjatheart

fjatheart

Adventurer
Doesn't it state once he got the title it was insured at a normal rate? What am I missing?

"It's been insured by Nationwide the whole time with Liability only, but they wanted more than I pay for my 2005 Dodge Powerwagon to get full coverage. Once North Carolina issued me the title though, Nationwide backed down to normal levels! I think the lady that works for my agent was just a little overzealous because the VIN has the letter code for the 3.0 motor that didn't match her computer system data for 1998 Monteros. It is a US EPA approved vehicle as it was sold in Puerto Rico, just built to Caribean Market specs, not North American specs."
 
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O

off-roader

Expedition Leader
fjatheart said:
Doesn't it state once he got the title it was insured at a normal rate? What am I missing?
Click to expand...

Well the general 'assumption' is that our 3.0L parts will fit but since nobody can confirm it's an identical engine in all respect's to ours, who's to say that assumption's right or wrong?

Less critical are the finicky insurance carriers which could also be an issue down the line since it could potentially narrow your options. This may or may not be a problem down the line because the level of customer support may not be the same between carriers.
 
fjatheart

fjatheart

Adventurer
Good points!

On the insurance my thought is to make sure it can be covered prior to the purchase. Now, as far as parts go, you're correct, it's been services and maintained fine through Mitsubishi dealers up unto this point, but who is to say the future couldn't hold a "snag" when it comes to a certain part.

Thank you for thoughts, it's much appreciated.
 
BIGdaddy

BIGdaddy

Expedition Leader
I have bought, owned and sold probably 30-40 cars in my lifetime. One thing I have come to understand is that as much emotional weight I put into a car purchase, these objects at the core are simply appliances.

Just like washers/dryers/fridges I hardly ever see a reason to buy them new, so I'm with you on the value that these montero's present. Our Whilpool washer and dryer were 100.00 on craigslist about 4 years ago. They're quiet, powerful, and have never missed a beat. If and when they fail, we'll find another set for 100-150.00 and do it again.

Could I have spent money on new ones? Sure thing. No-one would ever fault me if I wanted the latest greatest Latte-making stackable LG washer and dryer from the local Fry's, Sears, or Costco.

Imagine instead, that I decided to buy a used washer and dryer set marketed and sold in a foreign country. The first question I'd be asked, is "why would you want to do that with so many US-spec new and used ones available probably literally down the street."

So, that somewhat rhetorical question what I'd ask you, too. "Why bother? What compelling reason is there when the same vehicle can be found in VERY good shape with all the same options, with no titling or insurance issues, literally down the street from you."

Good luck with the decision. :)
 
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fjatheart

fjatheart

Adventurer
Great point BigDaddy. This particular truck is super clean and has a good maintenance history, that's one reason I've spent sometime mulling it over. I havnt come across one similar in condition and maint history, but that's not to say one will come on the market.

Thank you for the insight, great points.
 
P

pinzmog

New member
IMGP2052.jpg
off-roader said:
Well the general 'assumption' is that our 3.0L parts will fit but since nobody can confirm it's an identical engine in all respect's to ours, who's to say that assumption's right or wrong?

Less critical are the finicky insurance carriers which could also be an issue down the line since it could potentially narrow your options. This may or may not be a problem down the line because the level of customer support may not be the same between carriers.
Click to expand...

No Assumptions guys.......Leith Mitsubishi confirmed the parts interchange 100%.........the montero is built in Nagoya, Japan right beside the US models, as the dealer pointed out it would not be cost effecient to use different motor parts just for one part of the world, i.e. Puerto Rico..........(the service tech made me feel kind of silly after pointing that out to me, it made perfect sense then)

Also BigDaddy, there was never a "title issue" with this vehicle, it has been in North Carolina since it came here legally in 2001 and there has always been a North Carolina Title since that time.

I'm a little concerned with the "assumptions" you guys are posting, in that people are going to speed read these posts and come away with false information! You guys are the very ones that I came to and trusted to ask of your opinions and experiences before and I'm kind of shocked at the negativity.

That being said as I've explained to fjatheart, I regularly bid on government surplus items since I retired, mainly electronics as a hobby. But, I just bid on and won a 2003 Tahoe from the State of NC and my wife and I have decided to build it up for our travels and exploration since it's bigger and we spend 80 to 90% of our time on dry pavement anyway. What I lose in gas mileage I gain in room, so it's worth it to us. I bought the Montero as a keeper but I never thought I could pick up a 2003 Tahoe at 1/2 of book value...........so things change!

Thanks to those that provided positive information before and as you know there were never any "pitfalls" it just took some time to gather the information needed........reason I posted the questions to start with. Thanks again and this is a US EPA vehicle as seen below.

2149q1i.jpg
 
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O

off-roader

Expedition Leader
pinzmog said:
I'm a little concerned with the "assumptions" you guys are posting, in that people are going to speed read these posts and come away with false information! You guys are the very ones that I came to and trusted to ask of your opinions and experiences before and I'm kind of shocked at the negativity.
Click to expand...

Uh... What you call negativity I call caution. So would it be better for me to "assume" he'll be fine and suggest he go ahead or should I raise a concern I feel he should verify?

Besides I think the buyer would agree that if I make an error it should be one on the side of caution.:coffee:
 
BIGdaddy

BIGdaddy

Expedition Leader
pinzmog said:
View attachment 87001

No Assumptions guys.......Leith Mitsubishi confirmed the parts interchange 100%.........the montero is built in Nagoya, Japan right beside the US models, as the dealer pointed out it would not be cost effecient to use different motor parts just for one part of the world, i.e. Puerto Rico..........(the service tech made me feel kind of silly after pointing that out to me, it made perfect sense then)

Also BigDaddy, there was never a "title issue" with this vehicle, it has been in North Carolina since it came here legally in 2001 and there has always been a North Carolina Title since that time.

I'm a little concerned with the "assumptions" you guys are posting, in that people are going to speed read these posts and come away with false information! You guys are the very ones that I came to and trusted to ask of your opinions and experiences before and I'm kind of shocked at the negativity.

That being said as I've explained to fjatheart, I regularly bid on government surplus items since I retired, mainly electronics as a hobby. But, I just bid on and won a 2003 Tahoe from the State of NC and my wife and I have decided to build it up for our travels and exploration since it's bigger and we spend 80 to 90% of our timoe on dry pavement anyway. What I lose in gas mileage I gain in room, so it's worth it to us. I bought the Montero as a keeper but I never thought I could pick up a 2003 Tahoe at 1/2 of book value...........so things change!

Thanks to those that provided positive information before and as you know there were never any "pitfalls" it just took some time to gather the information needed........reason I posted the questions to start with. Thanks again and this is a US EPA vehicle as seen below.

2149q1i.jpg
Click to expand...

I was giving the poster a high level view of how i'd react to a friend. Questions he should ask before he buys something out of the ordinary. If there are no issues/roadblocks, i see no issue with the purchase. He was asking for advice. He wouldn' t be asking if he wasn't interested. :) Gear down big shifter.
 
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