Newbie here - help me understand!

[jugganaut]

After concluding that Toyotas are way overpriced and that I'd probably never have a 4WD SUV, I stumbled upon a friend that just bought a Dodge Raider. After looking at these and then realizing how affordable Monteros are, I've made up my mind that I want one. Now, trying to find one is another story...

I'm partial to the more boxy look of the Gen 1, 2, and 2.5 - but I get a little confused, so here's my question:

Is the Montero Sport a completely different model that has nothing to do with the Gen 1, 2, 2.5, 3, etc?

And also, as rare as these things are, why are those darn cheap? Is it just that everyone looks for 4runners, landcruisers or rovers instead?

 

[Kross]

I'd like some clarification on this too. Maybe I'm wrong but when I hear people mention Gen #, I think they're referring to the non-Sports.

 

[nasko]

As far as I know the Montero and Montero Sports are entirely different rigs.

 

[off-roader]

In the gen I montero's I've sometimes heard them call the 2 door models Montero Sports although I'm not 100% sure if Mitsu did this or if it was something consumers did on their own.

Eventually though they began using that name once they offered the Challenger Based Montero Sport that we all know (the one that looks totally different from a Montero).

These are a different rig entirely (frame, body, interior, etc.) with the exception of a few drive train components which can be shared (r&p gears, engine, etc.).

 

[Bdiddy11]

Full-size Monteros are the ones with generations. The Sport is a different model...

Some are cheap due to the fact they're not great on gas and some people just flat out don't know what they have.

 

[KarmannMarco]

The montero sport is a completely different model.

Why are they cheap ? Poor consumer knowledge and poor marketing by Mitsubishi in my opinion.
I bought my Gen 2 a few months ago when I was actually shopping for a S1 Discovery or LC80.
After driving many unreliable Discoveries and RRCs and seeing how overpriced LC80s are I decided to look at some other trucks. I actually found a couple of those "which is the best vehicle for overlanding on the cheap" articles and although Monteros were not mentioned by the authors it seemed like lots of readers commented " Why not full side montereros? " so this sparked my interest.
After a few days of researching I came to the conclusion that Monteros are overly tough , very reliable , under valued , practical tanks that could be bought on the cheap.
I found my 97 SL on Craigslist the following day and after a good test drive I know it was the right choice.
So far I have been very happy with the truck and I cant think of any other truck I'd reather have .... other then maybe a Disco I / RRC with a millspec diesel engine :sombrero:

 

[TNMontero]

Gen 1, 2, 2.5 is for fullsize Monteros. As mentioned earlier the Gen 1 did have a 2-door version affectionately named the sport.

But anything from 93 on that said Montero Sport was a completely different vehicle.

And after what I put my 96 Gen 2 through, I have no doubt it's definitely underrated as an overlanding vehicle.

 

[Sabre]

Mitsubishi vehicles were never properly marketed to the American consumer. The Monteros have been very popular trucks in other countries, where they're variously known as Pajeros or Shoguns. Any vehicle that achieves cult status as an icon in the minds of the public will always carry a premium price. The Montero is arguably one of the most competent 4WD trucks ever produced for the mass market, and is blessed with what is widely considered the strongest running gear of any of them. But it never caught the eye of the American driver and is therefore, even though fairly uncommon, worth less than other makers' trucks.

The rest of the world knows all about them. Google the history of Paris-Dakar rally winners and see how many Mitsubishis won.

For the buyer they're a bargain, although aftermarket support is poor. For the seller their low resale value comes as a disappointment but, happily, most Montero owners are in no hurry whatsoever to sell their rigs.

It's a pity that Mitsubishi chose to confuse everyone by coming up with the name "Montero Sport." Apart from being made by the same company, they have little in common with their larger brothers. To make matters worse, they share the same trim-level designators used by the Gen II vehicles (LS) and Gen III trucks (XLS and Limited).

 

[off-roader]

Mitsubishi vehicles were never properly marketed to the American consumer. The Monteros have been very popular trucks in other countries, where they're variously known as Pajeros or Shoguns. Any vehicle that achieves cult status as an icon in the minds of the public will always carry a premium price. The Montero is arguably one of the most competent 4WD trucks ever produced for the mass market, and is blessed with what is widely considered the strongest running gear of any of them. But it never caught the eye of the American driver and is therefore, even though fairly uncommon, worth less than other makers' trucks.

The rest of the world knows all about them. Google the history of Paris-Dakar rally winners and see how many Mitsubishis won.

For the buyer they're a bargain, although aftermarket support is poor. For the seller their low resale value comes as a disappointment but, happily, most Montero owners are in no hurry whatsoever to sell their rigs.

It's a pity that Mitsubishi chose to confuse everyone by coming up with the name "Montero Sport." Apart from being made by the same company, they have little in common with their larger brothers. To make matters worse, they share the same trim-level designators used by the Gen II vehicles (LS) and Gen III trucks (XLS and Limited).

Actually a lot of the drivetrain is very closely related if not the same...

 

[off-roader]

Engines... Gearing... Etc...

 

[shov3lbum]

I currently own a 98 Montero Sport. I agree that it is beyond confusing, try telling any official business (automotive, government, parking authority, etc..) that you have a Montero SPORT and they just write Montero thinking the SPORT designation is simply a model/trim moniker.

The frames are fully boxed and beefy as ever, drive train is rock solid and a bullet-proof engine. I've actually come to learn through research/happenstance that my manual gearbox is a commercial truck gear box slapped on the montero sport, its a top load transmission too so definitely adds to its credibility and strength.

Unfortunately only two 'generations' were offered in North America. 97-99 and 2000-04. Other countries are still getting the montero sports/shogun sports/pajero sports/challengers new generations, sadly N. America and Europe are left out because of low demand. Very robust vehicle though, never have gotten stuck, pulled out multiple other vehicles too.

Overall I have been very satisfied with my truck thus far.

 

[4D55 Performance]

The Montero Sport is based off the Mitsubishi L200 which is Mitsubishi's compact pickup. The Sport, also known as the Challenger is a good vehicle. It has strong running gear but it is no where near as refined as the fullsize Montero. They are both fine vehicles, but the Sport is more of an economy SUV while the Fullsize Montero is a flagship SUV.

 

[Michael Brown]

After concluding that Toyotas are way overpriced and that I'd probably never have a 4WD SUV, I stumbled upon a friend that just bought a Dodge Raider. After looking at these and then realizing how affordable Monteros are, I've made up my mind that I want one. Now, trying to find one is another story...

I'm partial to the more boxy look of the Gen 1, 2, and 2.5 - but I get a little confused, so here's my question:

Is the Montero Sport a completely different model that has nothing to do with the Gen 1, 2, 2.5, 3, etc?

And also, as rare as these things are, why are those darn cheap? Is it just that everyone looks for 4runners, landcruisers or rovers instead?

The Montero Sport (US) is usually known as a Mitsubishi Challenger in other countries. Why they changed the name in the US and created all this confusion is beyond me. The other reason is that Mitsubishi does not have a strong track record for quality in the US. Many cars were jointly designed or sourced major parts from Chrysler which began to cause some reliability issues. Early 90's engines from Mitsubishi also tended to get a leak in the valves causing oil to enter the combustion chamber. The Montero Sport shares many of these design issues because it was made as a generic SUV. The Monteros/Pajeros however are completely different machines and were forged in the Dakar and other offroad endurance races around the world (as Sabre originally wrote).

I also wanted to give you a little overview of the different US models. Hopefully others will correct me if I am mistaken.
Gen 1: 3.0L gas V6, large and boxy, 2dr model was imported as the Dodge Raider, body on frame design(like a truck).
Gen 2/2.5: 3.0L and 3.5L gas V6, smaller than Gen 1, very reliable offroad, body on frame design, 2.5 has more desirable standard features, preferred by many for offroad driving
Gen 3: 3.5L and 3.8L gas V6, not boxy, 7 consecutive wins at Dakar rally ('01-'07), unibody design (more comfort), preferred by those who see more road driving, but it is just as capable offroad.

Your decision should be Gen 2/2.5 or Gen 3 based on your needs.

 

[off-roader]

IIRC they had a car called the challenger back in the late 70's /early 80's.

 

[4D55 Performance]

The Montero Sport (US) is usually known as a Mitsubishi Challenger in other countries. Why they changed the name in the US and created all this confusion is beyond me. The other reason is that Mitsubishi does not have a strong track record for quality in the US. Many cars were jointly designed or sourced major parts from Chrysler which began to cause some reliability issues. Early 90's engines from Mitsubishi also tended to get a leak in the valves causing oil to enter the combustion chamber. The Montero Sport shares many of these design issues because it was made as a generic SUV. The Monteros/Pajeros however are completely different machines and were forged in the Dakar and other offroad endurance races around the world (as Sabre originally wrote).

I also wanted to give you a little overview of the different US models. Hopefully others will correct me if I am mistaken.
Gen 1: 3.0L gas V6, large and boxy, 2dr model was imported as the Dodge Raider, body on frame design(like a truck).
Gen 2/2.5: 3.0L and 3.5L gas V6, smaller than Gen 1, very reliable offroad, body on frame design, 2.5 has more desirable standard features, preferred by many for offroad driving
Gen 3: 3.5L and 3.8L gas V6, not boxy, 7 consecutive wins at Dakar rally ('01-'07), unibody design (more comfort), preferred by those who see more road driving, but it is just as capable offroad.

Your decision should be Gen 2/2.5 or Gen 3 based on your needs.

The Gen II/II.5 are noticeable bigger and heavier than the Gen I Montero. The Gen II.5 is a very refined vehicle that makes for an excellent daily driver. While the Gen I looks great, it is not as trail capable, as durable or as comfortable as a Gen II/II.5. Personally I would look to get a Gen III Montero at this time. Many of the newer members are going with the Gen III Monteros and they are having great success. The Gen III is probably the best platform of the three for building an overlanding rig.