Well, the search is over...I finally have my own rig! After being let down by the Montero and two Grand Cherokees I looked at yesterday, I went to bed feeling defeated but looking forward to the future. This morning, I woke up with a good feeling, thinking that today might just be the day I find my truck. I made calls on a few ZJs, going as far as to make plans to see one in Oceanside. Right before I was done searching, an ad popped up on the top of the Craigslist feed under "montero". A 2003 Montero Sport with 170K miles and pretty solid looking paint. The interior looked gorgeous in the photos too, so after consulting my dad, I decided it was worth a look. I wasn't particularly a fan of the Montero Sports before, but I figured I'd give this one a look since it was pretty new and good-looking. After getting a hold of the owner, my dad and I made the drive to south Orange County and rolled up just as the Montero arrived at our meeting point. I wasn't sure what to think at first, but upon closer inspection, I was impressed. The interior was in great shape, with none of the seats torn, and everything was there. The guy was the original owner who bought it off the showroom floor in '03, and had babied the thing ever since, with oil changes every 3K and regular maintenance. He was thinning his fleet of vehicles (not enough space), and had posted it that morning. I guess I sent him a text less than 30 mins after he put the ad up! Thank goodness I was the first person he showed it to...it probably wouldn't have lasted long.
Anyway, after driving it and realizing how tight it still was, I knew I had to drive it home or I'd be passing up a great rig. So, after a little negotiating with the owner and with my mom, I made it my own and took it home. The previous owner had installed 31"s, but they are Kelly A/Ts, and possibly the world's loudest all-terrains. They do look pretty sun-baked, so fitting replacement tires is definitely the first item on my list. Other than that, I plan to drive it, figure out what it needs (TIRES), and hopefully get out and tackle the wild soon. Oh, and his name is "Emmet", after Emmet from the Lego Movie...childish, I know, but I think the name kinda suits him.
I have one photo, and I would have taken more but it started to rain. I'll snap some more once the weather clears up. Also, if anyone can think of anything I need to look at while the truck is still "new" to me, let me know. Does anyone know how to tell if your Monty Sport has an LSD in it? Here are the basic specs on mine:
2003 Montero Sport
Munich Silver w/ cloth interior
3.0 V6
4-Speed Auto
AWD/4WD t-case (is this Super-Select 4WD?)
15" alloys
31x10.50 Kelly Safari A/T Tires
Basically everything I need and not much I don't! I look forward to getting out there and meeting some of you guys on the trails!
Anyway, after driving it and realizing how tight it still was, I knew I had to drive it home or I'd be passing up a great rig. So, after a little negotiating with the owner and with my mom, I made it my own and took it home. The previous owner had installed 31"s, but they are Kelly A/Ts, and possibly the world's loudest all-terrains. They do look pretty sun-baked, so fitting replacement tires is definitely the first item on my list. Other than that, I plan to drive it, figure out what it needs (TIRES), and hopefully get out and tackle the wild soon. Oh, and his name is "Emmet", after Emmet from the Lego Movie...childish, I know, but I think the name kinda suits him.
I have one photo, and I would have taken more but it started to rain. I'll snap some more once the weather clears up. Also, if anyone can think of anything I need to look at while the truck is still "new" to me, let me know. Does anyone know how to tell if your Monty Sport has an LSD in it? Here are the basic specs on mine:
2003 Montero Sport
Munich Silver w/ cloth interior
3.0 V6
4-Speed Auto
AWD/4WD t-case (is this Super-Select 4WD?)
15" alloys
31x10.50 Kelly Safari A/T Tires
Basically everything I need and not much I don't! I look forward to getting out there and meeting some of you guys on the trails!
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You got a good one!
