RIP...my mint Gen3

[off-roader]

Goodbye old girl...

View attachment 213834

for some reason, I misread your post title, and I was thinking you had a "mint green" gen III.

if it's any consolation, prices are coming down each day and there have been a number of mint condition gen III's sold recently to various forum members.

i hope your insurance Company does you right.

 

[Sabre]

Dude, if he retains the salvage it will be to USE THE PARTS ON HIS NEXT RIG.

No need to shout, big shooter. He hasn't bought a new rig yet nor announced that another Gen 3 is in the offing, and he seems mature enough to respond for himself, thanks all the same.

 

[dookie]

He hasn't bought a new rig yet nor announced that another Gen 3 is in the offing...

So I've got the insurance folks to extend (nearby, not free) storage for a few days and the rental for another week to buy myself some time. All the maintenance records in the world appear worthless to them, however they did miss the (optional on the XLS) LSD in the initial assessment, which added a few hundred to the (still unaccepted) offer. Something, I guess.

As for stripping parts...not much there actually. The lift is about it. And with 150k on those parts, I'm not sure I want to mess. Oh, and the damper on the corner that was hit is shot.

Don't be mad, but given how the use of the vehicle had evolved, another Monty is hard to justify...especially given the abysmal fuel economy, lack of aftermarket support (in the USA), and the fact that it would be at a minimum 8yrs old (and kept for another 10+. It's on the list, but so are others.

Opinions on the Suby Outback/Forester? Surprisingly, both have nearly the same clearance as the stock Monty, both can be lifted, a CPO vehicle includes a 7/100 warranty, and the mileage is almost double (with the 4cyl). Pretty strong case.

Also on the list: 4runner ($$), Xterra (I had an 89 2-door Pathfinder before the Monty), Durango...what else?

 

[nasko]

What kind of MPG did you get out of it? I got an Xterra, 2005, great little truck but I do not think it is of the same class as the Montero. Nice SUV does everything I ask of it, but is a bit spartan if you are used to the luxury of the 3rd Gen Montero. Engine is great though, great power. Cheers

 

[mapper]

If you don't need the full truck capability of heavy duty SUV with low range gearing then go Subaru. I've got a Volvo XC70 and for most places you go it totally does the job and burns much less gas than a truck. My GF has an Outback and I find it to be a bit more utilitarian, better on gas and maintenance cost friendly than the Volvo, plus Subarus are ubiquitous, out west anyway, and finding a good mechanic is easy. I'd recommend the Volvo if you like something more luxurious, I love it for that...but the computerized aspects of it are a bit concerning.

If I was only to own one vehicle it would be a Subaru. My neighbor just put a King lift in his Forester and it seems pretty sweet. primary limiting factors are tire size and lack of low range gearing. That said, they are torquey, much lighter an SUV and able to do pretty damn well with the gearing they have.

 

[dookie]

Final update...promise.

$6500 settlement, finally. Quite a story and I can't share...

Planning to pic this up in the next day or two:

 

[Jay Ayala]

I've been following this thread and I'm glad that the insurance company settled out like that. I was hoping for more for you, but I'm sure you are happy with that. Good luck bro!