1990 Mitsubishi Montero 3.0L V6 from North America

Summary:

A fun, well-built, reliable utility vehicle

General Comments:

I purchased this vehicle for $2000 and have driven it for 2000 miles - I could not be happier.

The engine ticks when you start it up, but after it runs for a few minutes, it quiets down.

The interior is basic cloth, and the dashboard has very simple and clean lines.

All four door windows roll down all the way, and is has vent windows too!

It has 4-wheel drive, and a bar on the dashboard for the passenger to hold onto in case things get too bumpy.

The back seat easily folds forward for extra storage, and the roof is so high that there is a lot of room to put things.

The vehicle itself sits up pretty high, and the front seats are fairly comfortable.

This car looks amazing - there aren't any other cars made currently that have the same boxy, square style that I really like in a utility vehicle.

It has a decent amount of power from the 3.0L V6 engine, especially being able to control it with the manual transmission.

I'm glad I got the Mitsubishi Montero instead of the Land Rover Discovery I was looking at. It's great value!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th December, 2009

1990 Mitsubishi Montero from North America

Summary:

My favorite vehicle yet!

Faults:

I love this vehicle!!! It has done nothing but treat me right. It has been one of my favorite vehicles I've owned.

It performs excellent in 4 wheel drive, wet (snow) or dry, it gets right up there for you.

I've owned it for 2 years and had minimal issues... there was a sensor that went bad, and I had them replace the belt because it looked old and unreliable. There was also a pulley that looked like heck, and I had them fix that too. But it has never broke down on me.

I like to do preventive maintenance so I don't end up on the side of the road.

General Comments:

I would buy another one!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th January, 2009

1990 Mitsubishi Montero LS V6 from North America

Summary:

An SUV the way SUV's were meant to be

Faults:

Misc. repairs upon purchase (covered by selling party)

Remarkably few repairs worth mentioning between 80,000 miles (time of purchase) and 160,000 or so mile. These were its best miles.

Crank shaft broke at 175,000 miles -- expensive repair -- though I had just returned from a round-trip from Maine to Vegas on which many hours were spent exceeding 110 mph... so I deserved it.

Replaced engine with rebuilt ($4.5K) at 225,000 miles.

This vehicle does not rust much, even living it Maine... though I did drop $1.5K into under-body and door (rust) work at 250,000 miles.

Minor issues regarding power windows and wiper timer at 290,000.

Minor problems with the 4WD system creeping in at 300,000 miles. Not worth fixing as it will be retired within a few years.

Original alternator failed at 300,000 miles.

Oxygen and crank shaft alignment sensors went at 313,000 miles.

General Comments:

Wonderful vehicle, though not the most comfortable... but the only one I've ever owned. My parents bought it for me while I was in college and I still own it 13 years and 250,000 miles later. If willing to spend to keep it maintained I could run it for another 3-5 years.

Still used to commute between Augusta and Portland (130 mile round trip daily) and despite its age has no trouble whatsoever holding 80-85mph with its fellow commuters.

Original Transmission - Almost unheard of in this day and age of disposable vehicles, but at 320,000 miles the transmission is original and in near perfect working order.

Excellent 4WD vehicle... despite off-roading in its early years and enduring 13 Maine winters it has never gotten stuck. The vehicle just goes, plain and simple.

Should have listed more repairs, but in a nut shell more stuff is going wrong and at a faster rate. Parts of the electrical system and sensors and what not are reaching the end of their lifespan. Also, rust is creeping in around the edges of the vehicle now. Essentially, with a Blue Book value of $Not, I spend three times what its worth each year (about $5K) to keep it running because I love it so much. And though I shall part with it soon, I will likely give it to my retired father to use around town until I can one day afford to have it fully restored to its original condition.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th May, 2005

20th Jan 2006, 22:53

Thanks! I'm looking at buying a used one with 130,000 miles on. Your review gave great insight. Thanks again.

27th Nov 2006, 22:03

I have a Montero that has had just minor fixes. That are required of to maintain a vehicle. Mine has been up in the mountains digging and never been stuck I love it and it has almost 300,000 miles on it. We take it camping and just to goof around in.