I'm sold so 2 quick questions what is the difference in the LS and the Sport? What year Montero should I consider? Can you please IM me here. Thanks
The two types of Montero are the Fullsize (1989-2006) and the Montero Sport (1997-2004). Which Montero is best for you all depends on your needs, budget and mechanical ability. For instance a 2004 Montero will cost more up front, but it will require fewer repairs than a 1989 Montero. The Fullsize Montero came with seating for 7 , a locking rear differential, a heavier frame etc. I really like the fullsize Montero. It seems that the suspension is more refined on the fullsize Montero. The Sport is also an excellent vehicle but only seats 5 passengers. Midway through its lifespan it switched from a leaf sprung rear to a coil sprung rear end. Personally I prefer the 1992-2000 fullsize Montero with the 3.5 and lock rear diff which can be found on the SR model (1995-1996) and the those Monteros equipt with the winter package (1997-1999) Here is a vehicle rundown of both vehicles and a list of the year to year changes. Personally if I had it all to do all over again I would get a 2003+ Gen III Montero, but I will stick with my 2000 Gen II.5 Montero for a few more years because it only has 31K miles on it
VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS FOR GEN II (1992-1997) and GEN II.5 (1998-2000) MONTERO
Redesigned for 1992, Montero retained the 4-door body and 3.0-liter V6 of the prior generation, adding eight horsepower (now 151). Base, RS, and luxury LS models had 5-speed manual shift or optional 4-speed automatic; the sportier SR was automatic only. The 4x4 wagon had a side-hinged, swing-open rear door. The SR edition had fender flares and a 31-inch wheel/tire package. All models got new "Active-Trac" on-demand, full-time 4-wheel drive with shift-on-the-fly between 2WD and 4WD. Automatic-locking front hubs permitted use of 4WD on dry pavement. Also standard were 4-wheel disc brakes, with antilocking optional for the SR, and standard on LS.
YEAR TO YEAR CHANGES
1993 Mitsubishi Montero: Availability of antilock braking expanded this year, now standard on the SR as well as the LS, and optional on the RS. A leather/wood cabin trim package became available, including hide trimmed seats, steering wheel, and door panels; plus burled-wood dashboard accents.
1994 Mitsubishi Montero: A driver-side airbag went into 1994 Monteros, which could get a larger dual-cam V6 rated at 215-horsepower, 225-torque (standard in SR). The rear differential ratio on all 3.5L Montero's was 4.63. All models now had 7-passenger seating, with the addition of a 2-person, third-row bench. Base and RS Monteros were gone.
1995 Mitsubishi Montero: For '95, a more powerful (177-horsepower) engine with four valves per cylinder entered base LS models. California vehicles got a 168-horsepower engine. The SR again used a dual-cam 3.5-liter engine with 215 horsepower. A rear locker was standard equipment on all SR Montero's.
1996 Mitsubishi Montero: Dual airbags came in 1996 on both the base LS and upscale SR Monteros. The folding 3-place middle bench seat added a split backrest for greater hauling versatility.
1997 Mitsubishi Montero: All '97s got a single-cam, 200-horsepower 228-torque 3.5-liter V6. The LS lost its 5-speed manual transmission. Rear Locker was only offered with the winter package. The differential ratio was changed to 4.27 on all 3.5 Montero's.
1998 Mitsubishi Montero: Just one regular Montero model remained for '98, wearing a "safari-style" facelift which included the blister fenders. Also, antilock brakes are now standard. The leather also seams to be a much higher quality
1999 Mitsubishi Montero: Other than declining sales, nothing was new for the Montero.
2000 Mitsubishi Montero: An upscale Endeavor edition joined this year, featuring wood interior trim, heated leather seats, a power driver's seat, heated mirrors, and power sunroof. Base models gained a security system with keyless entry, a CD player, and a roof rack. The rear locker was no longer offered as an option.
Here is some info on the Montero Sport.
VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS FOR MONTERO SPORT
Mitsubishi entered the midsize sport-utility market during the 1997 model year, adding the new Montero Sport as a smaller-size companion to the long-lived regular Montero. Built on the same chassis as Mitsubishi Triton Pickup, the Sport had a shorter, lighter, and much lower body. Models included an entry-level ES with 2-wheel drive, an LS with either 2- or 4-wheel drive, and an XLS offered only with 4-wheel drive. All Sports carried Mitsubishi's veteran 3.0-liter V6 engine, with the exception of the ES, which used a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder. The ES and 4WD LS had a standard 5-speed manual transmission, while other models got a 4-speed automatic.
YEAR TO YEAR CHANGES
1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport: A 2-wheel-drive model joined for 1998, in top XLS trim. Formerly optional, antilock brakes became standard on the LS 4x4 as well as XLS models. The 4-wheel-drive XLS added heated seats and door mirrors, plus a locking rear differential that would be useful in tough off-road situations.
1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport: A new luxury Limited model joined the Montero Sport lineup, equipped with the bigger Montero's 3.5-liter V6 engine. Available with either 2- or 4-wheel drive, the Limited model featured a unique chrome grille with fog lamps, leather seats, power moonroof, and other amenities.
2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport: A mild facelift included a fresh front-end look and black tailgate trim. The LImited got a new monochrome exterior. Interiors were revised with 2-tone color schemes and larger front cupholders in a revised console. Rear coil springs replaced leaf springs, and all but the price-leader ES got larger front brakes and 16-inch wheels. The ES dropped its 4-cylinder engine in favor of the 3.0-liter V6, and lost its manual transmission. The automatic gained electronic shift control that adapts to driving style. An antitheft engine immobilizer was integrated with the ignition key. A limited-slip differential was included on Limited and available for XLS, replacing the previous lock-rear-differential option.
2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport: A new 3.5XS sport-trimmed model joined the lineup in 2001. All models added rear child-seat anchors, driver's-seatbelt pretensioner, front-seatbelt load-force limiters, and structural strengthening. All models also qualified as Low Emissions Vehicles in all 50 states this year.
2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport: A more-sophisticated 4WD system, called All4-wheel drive, replaced a 4WD system that had to be disengaged on dry pavement for 2002. Among other additions this year: a color-keyed grille for the Limited, tube-type side steps standard on LS and XLS and optional on ES, and platinum-finish gauges on all but the ES.
2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport: A .08-inch higher roof is the only significant change to the Montero Sport for '03.
2004 Mitsubishi Montero Sport: A 3.5-liter V6 is now standard on both the LS and XLS, instead of just the XLS, this year.
VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS FOR GEN III MONTERO
Mitsubishi's full-size sport utility vehicle got a major redesign for 2001. Longer, lower and wider than the 1992-2000 generation, the SUV gained a new independent rear suspension. Unlike most full-size SUVs, the Montero had unibody construction instead of a body-on-frame design. While the vehicle was a unibody design, it retained a separate and unique sub-frame for the suspension. It also had a right-hinged cargo door instead of a liftgate or tailgate, but lacked the V8 engine that powered most big SUVs. The previous version's 3.5-liter V6 engine returned, but delivering slightly more torque. A four-speed automatic transmission and part-time four-wheel drive went into the base XLS model. Mitsubishi's upscale Montero Limited featured a five-speed automatic with a separate manual-shifting gate, plus ActiveTrac four-wheel drive that could be used on dry pavement. Both models included low-range gearing and rode on 16-inch alloy wheels. Antilock all-disc braking and front side airbags were standard. The Limited came with leather upholstery, heated power front seats, and a sunroof. Seven-passenger seating included a two-place third-row bench that could be removed or folded into the rear cargo floor. Competitors included the Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon, Ford Expedition, and Toyota Land Cruiser.
YEAR TO YEAR CHANGES
2002 Mitsubishi Montero: Available suedelike upholstery and revised exterior trim highlighted 2002 changes to the larger of Mitsubishi's two SUVs. New XLS options included rear air conditioning, a power front passenger seat, and a Touring Package that added ultrasuede seat trim and a sunroof. The XLS gained chrome grille accents this year, while the Limited's grille and trim were now color-keyed.
2003 Mitsubishi Montero: Upgraded powertrains and an antiskid system were new for 2003, along with cosmetic revisions. The new, bigger 3.8-liter V6 engine produced 215 horsepower (up 15) and yielded 13 additional pounds-feet of torque. This year, the XLS adopted the Limited's five-speed automatic transmission with its manual shift gate. The XLS also upgraded to the Limited's ActiveTrac four-wheel-drive system, which can be used on dry pavement. Mitsubishi's new antiskid system included traction control, and was included in both models. Body cladding was revised, and a new grille flaunted the Mitsubishi logo. The split second-row bench seat gained a center headrest and three-point seatbelt. Integrated running boards were lighted on the Limited, which added a tire-pressure monitor. Rear air conditioning was optional for both models.
2004 Mitsubishi Montero: Front side airbags are optional instead of standard on the 2004 Montero. Mitsubishi did, however, add a tire-pressure monitor to the list of Montero's standard equipment this year.
2005 Mitsubishi Montero: Mitsubishi's Montero exchanges standard 16-inch wheels for 17s in its only change for 2005.
2006 Mitsubishi Montero: There were no significant changes for the 2006 Montero.
