Learn me Mitsubishi Montero

I was asked to take a look at a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero that has a coupe issuers for a friend of my wife. She is looking to sell it, but it has a check engine light, and asked me to diagnose it. The check engine light is for the pre cat efficiency, so that needs to be addressed, and could cost a bit if the pre cats have to be replaced. But they were planning on asking only $1500 AFTER fixing it- which sounds like quite a deal to me.

Details- 2003 Montero Limited Just over 120,000 miles Good condition- some bumper scrapes, but overall decent, Leather interior in good shape. Tires look new.

I don't need another vehicle, but I've been casually looking for a cheap 4x4 to fill that hole in my fleet. Was looking at older Pathfinders and Jeep Cherokees, this is a bit bigger and nicer, but I understand that they are very capeable off road. Not looking for a rock crawler, just something for trails. Wife is on board, she figures we can flip it if we don't use it much. What says the hive?

Sounds pretty good, interference engine, has the timing belt been done? The 3.5 V6 and automatic transmission in those are pretty stout. Drain and fill on transmission will smooth it out if it is not shifting smoothly.

Other than the lack of HP given the almost 2.5 ton of weight, they are overall pretty stout vehicles. It should be a 3.8L in that generation. It's the same engine family as the 3.5L from the earlier generations.

At $1500 I'd snap it up in a heartbeat and flip if you decide later it's not good for your lifestyle.

A month and a half ago I bought an '01 w/ 200k miles and a small bumper dent.
Better link

I have done nothing to it and driven it 3k so far including a 1500 miles round trip with my wife and toddler. I even got a chance to do some offroadiing.

Mine is an amazingly rust free example that has only been here in the north for 3.5 years. It was well taken care of all its life. I am constantly amazed at how well it runs and how solid it feels.

If you can get that one then do!

Downside:
Underpowered but not completely lacking of power. Mine is a 3.5L Yours would be the 3.8L. Both are rated to tow 5,000 lbs.

If yours is a Limited (which I suspect it is with leather) then it has a locking center transfer case which makes it very capable off road.

Looks identical in many ways to the Lexus GX which would cost more than $10k with similar mileage and age.

'06 Lexus GX vs '03 Montero Limited

Obviously information that is not of great use on the production street vehicle, but the Montero is the exact same vehicle as the Pajero, the winningest vehicle in Dakar rally history.
If you get it, I would not suggest rebadging it, as Pajero apparently has pejorative connotations in Spanish. Although English speakers know the car as the single-handed winner of so many enduro-rallies, in Latino languages it means an entirely different single-handed activity....

Thanks guys. John, I read your thread that you linked, I think you about talked me into it.

You can find more on the Expedition Portal website and the subforum dedicated to Mitsubishis as well as some Mitsu forum stuff

All the best videos on these offroading either come out of Australia or Russia and typically have diesels in those markets.

If you decide to get it, and tire of it, please let me know. I really prefer the 98-99 model, but I'm looking for a clean Montero period. I like the 98-99 as they are still body-on-frame, but the creature comforts, of the Gen 3 are a big step up in comparison to the Gen 2/2.5. Good luck, I don't think you'll be disappointed in the Montero. Very rugged trucks, and underrated in the world of off-roading for some strange reason. Even though they hold all sorts of trophies that would suggest they should be the king.

Anything but the 3.0. Electrical issues and valve stem seal that didn't work at all.

Other than that I had an 89 and loved it off road. The old 2 door Montero/Raiders with a MT are still my favorite.

An 03 is a pretty solid platform.

In reply to Mazdax605:

As for offroading, I notice when I watch these other country videos that the Gen3s Monteros have very little in the way of mods. Typically a slightly taller tire and a modest spring lift. Yet, they conquer some big stuff.

Similar Jeep guys would have monster tires and mega lifts.

John Welsh wrote: In reply to Mazdax605: As for offroading, I notice when I watch these other country videos that the Gen3s Monteros have very little in the way of mods. Typically a slightly taller tire and a modest spring lift. Yet, they conquer some big stuff. Similar Jeep guys would have monster tires and mega lifts.

The Jeep and Toyota guys have it because they can. The Montero guys don't because there aren't nearly as many options for them, not because they are naturally better off road.

crankwalk wrote:

John Welsh wrote: In reply to Mazdax605: As for offroading, I notice when I watch these other country videos that the Gen3s Monteros have very little in the way of mods. Typically a slightly taller tire and a modest spring lift. Yet, they conquer some big stuff. Similar Jeep guys would have monster tires and mega lifts.

The Jeep and Toyota guys have it because they can. The Montero guys don't because there aren't nearly as many options for them, not because they are naturally better off road.

True to a point, but if you have ever seen Montero differentials compared to even Toyota stuff, you'd be seriously impressed with the mitsubishi stuff. The earlier body on frame Monteros will take some pretty big tires in stock from as well compared to Cherokees and the like. Also the super select II 4wd system is pretty awesome and a lot of the models came stock with rear air lockers. Pretty cool stuff from a factory car.

Chris

Mazdax605 wrote: True to a point, but if you have ever seen Montero differentials compared to even Toyota stuff, you'd be seriously impressed with the mitsubishi stuff. The earlier body on frame Monteros will take some pretty big tires in stock from as well compared to Cherokees and the like. Also the super select II 4wd system is pretty awesome and a lot of the models came stock with rear air lockers. Pretty cool stuff from a factory car. Chris

Maybe compared to Tacoma truck stuff but factory electronic lockers have been on Land Cruisers for over 25 years.

Don't get me wrong, I've had both but I know what they're good at within reason.Stock Montero for daily driving? It'll do fine.

Mild offroading, 2 inch lift and 31s, a Montero will do alright. If you want to do much more than that, I recommend something with more options.

Toyotas and Jeeps with a solid front axle are so much more robust when you start talk big tires and lifts.