1995 Mitsubishi Montero LS review from North America
"Great beastly truck, Mine has custom grille hard and headlight guards, and looks beastly"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Since I have owned it I have replaced these things, although they were not necessarily broke, just worn.
All 4 shocks at 249000, still had original shocks on it.
All 4 ball joints at 255000, was still running on originals.
Fuel filter at 247000, also original replaced.
Both drivers side calipers, were leaking from seals, they were also original.
Front brake pads and twice rear pads, not sure why the rears are wearing so quickly.
The 3.0 V6 is known for burning oil, and mine burns about a quart every 1000 miles, but that is with heavy stop and go traffic, highway it barely burns any.
Air filter, common maintenance, but not in stock anywhere.
ALL fluids have been replaced.
Power steering high pressure hose broke at 248000 miles.
Power steering belt tensioner at 245000 miles, can't find new, had to order used from California.
General comments?
This vehicle is a gigantic metal block, and I love it.
Most of the items I have replaced have never been replaced in the 256000 MILES of the vehicle's life!!!
It was owned by two other people before me who didn't look like they kept up on maintenance as well as I do. I am 19, and do most work myself, and it is the only vehicle that I have owned that hasn't left me stranded somewhere. I make 500 mile trips from college to my home on breaks, and it makes them with no problems.
The 3.0 V6 is a great engine, except that it is propelling a 4500 pound vehicle, so it's not a racer, but it gets up to speed and still has enough power to pass. It also has problems with the valve stem seals that makes it burn oil, but doesn't seem to affect the performance at all.
It is very top heavy vehicle, and you feel it on highways with wind and on sharp corners, but I have gotten used to it, just something to keep in mind.
This truck has one of the best 4 wheel drive systems I have every used, still has same center differential and rear end, and it shifts in and out smoothly, and handles amazingly in the snow.
If you can find one with lower miles, it's going to be reliable amazing vehicle. Also go for the LS 3.0 V6 model as the 3.5 V6 in the SR model is known to have more problems.
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| 1997 - Montero Sport LS 3.0 V6 Excellent Vehicle, Buy Used and Keep Forever |
| Reliable, tough SUV |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 1995 |
| Year of manufacture | 1995 |
| First year of ownership | 2008 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2009 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.0 V6 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 6 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 8 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 245000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 256000 miles |
| Previous car | Pontiac Bonneville |
| Date of Entry | 22nd March, 2009 |