So whatcha think about the outlander?

[3jarrells]

Some of you may have seen in the "other" section that I am looking for a Forester replacement. We would like a bit more room and a bit more off road capability. Without sacraficing too much mpg. We just moved to Phoenix and we are very excited about exploring indian ruins. Does anyone have any experience with the outlander? Is there any aftermarket support?

[fangars]

I live in Phoenix, let me know what you wind up with, if there is no aftermarket support I can become that aftermarket support for you.
Cant say as I am a fan of the Forester or the Outlander, as far as off road capability goes, but I have a bias for more rugged and capable vehicles such as my Montero and Xterra.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2530/4201392481_f67fdce492_z.jpg

[RogerH]

My wife drives the Outlander XLS and we love it! That being said, I wouldn't take it off road. It has low profile tires on 18" rims and that wouldn't do well off road. I don't think it would be that easy to switch wheels with the system it has and brakes. The AWD system is very nice but the rest of it really isn't set up for offroad driving. I like singing its praises but I have to be honest I would only choose some dirt roads for it.

[3jarrells]

Thanks for the responses. The just of our adventures are on fire roads. Though they are a bit rougher here, than they were back east. A little more ground clearance is needed. With the current fleet we (wife, myself and eight year old girl) either take the Nissan CC 4x2 which has good ground clearance but less traction. It also likes gas, I'm lucky to get 18 on the highway. Plenty room for all our stuff too.

Now the Forester has no traction issues. I have never owned a car that felt so planted on the road (other than our previous Subaru). The way that thing can hook in the snow is astonishing. But then we all know there is a ground clearance issue. It get about 28 mpg on the highway. Carries most of our stuff but sometimes it goes on the roof.

Short of a new capable diesel cute ute coming on the scene. Don't mention the Liberty I had a CJ7 no way am I buying anything heep again. And I dont think the diesel boxer is coming here. Either lift the Forester or sell my truck and buy a Montero or Trooper (I do like boxy vehicles). Anyone interested in a trade?

Maybe Its time to buy a real 4x4. Just take the hit on fuel mileage, have fun, and throw away the gas reciepts! Divert my 401k money to Sierra Expeditions, I may come out ahead anyway!

[fangars]

Thats the route I would go, cancel your cable or satellite TV and put the savings in your gas tank.

[3jarrells]

Yeah, all that stuff is useless. Got rid of it already. We are savers and have a hard time parting with it for some things. We moved out here as part of a "save-more" plan. Although we do want to have more quality of life, which camping without neighbors contributes to. We always vacationed in one of the four corners, so why not live here. So far we are smitten with Phoenix despite moving here during the monsoon (we like to call it "the wet").

So enough touchy feely back to gears and dirt:

I know this may be the wrong place but I believe I have narrowed it down to either Mitsubishi or Isuzu. I see Rover vs Landcruiser threads. Has there ever been a Montero vs Trooper thread. Even the Montero Sport and Isuzu Rodeo seem to be similar.

I really do appreciate the responses. This is truly a worthy place to waste loads of time. Very interesting group of people.

[datrupr]

I'll chime in on the Trooper v. Montero debate as I have owned a '98 Trooper and currently own a Gen III '01 Montero. Both great trucks.

I find the Trooper had a bit more power to lug all the weight around in, great G-80 LSD in the rear, tons on cargo room, great room for passengers, and very capable in stock form. I loved the Trooper, but had to sell it a few years ago as gas prices were reaching $4 a gollon. I still miss it.

Enter my Montero. Also a great truck and so far with 107K on it has not let me down. Not as capable as the Tropper in stock form due to the IRS (can be solved with a lift or buying a Gen II or 2.5), decent LSD in the rear, very comfortable on the road manners, slightly better MPG than the Trooper (even with added weight), Good cargo capacity, but despite it being bigger doesn't seem as big as the Trooper, and good room for passengers, though again not as much as the Trooper. With a lift and good tires it takes me where I want to go, an anemic engine for the weight of the truck, bigger fuel tank and better MPG than the Trooper. I like the dash ergonomics better aside from the worst cup holder design in history, and the way awesome HUGE sunroof is nice.

Troopers have known oil consumption issues, but keep an eye on it and you'll be fine. I would say try to find a '98+ without TOD (could be hard in '99+ models). The Troopers will cost less than the Montero. The only drawback I see to the gen III Montero is the IRS, but it really doesn't bother me too much. Mine does not burn or leak oil, it could benefit from a 5th gear in the tranny like the "Limited" models get for better fuel economy. They will cost more than the Trooper. Aftermarket is limited for both, but you can find what you need, Trooper bits are little less spendy than Montero bits. Both will fit 32" tires with no lift and 33's with just a little trimming. It's a toss up. I love my Montero but still miss my Trooper.

[off-roader]

I can't speak for the trooper but as for the Montero, I can give you my personal experiences since I've owned 4 over the past 10+ years.

My first was a 1990 4 door v6 LS model. I found it when I confused it for a trooper which I was originally searching for. At the time, I wasn't even aware of the Montero. It's very sturdy, well built vehicle with a full boxed frame, and an LSD. Cost was 12k used from a local dealer.

My 2nd was a 1990 4 door v6 RS model. Like the first, it was very well built but did not include an LSD. I added one and made it through the rubicon without issues (with additional armor and aftermarket bumpers). Cost was $6k used from a local dealer.

My 3rd is a 1989 2 door v6 RS model. I made the same modifications as my previous monteros even reusing the bumpers and re-inforced skid plates, 33" MT tires. I also installed a 2" body lift for better clearance. Cost was $1500 from a private party.

My 4th is a 96 SR 4 door model. I've upgraded the bumpers, installed a 2" BL, & am running 35" MT tires for better clearance. I'm in the process of building it for hard core trails (4-5 on a scale of 1-5) like the Dusy Ersham trail. Cost was $1350 from a private party.

As for the gas mileage, my SR was able to get 20+mpg on the highway but with 35's and the lift and armor it now gets ~15mpg in the same conditions.

As for capabilities off road, any of them will be capable enough for the kinds of trails you've noted.

HTH.

[rattle&thump]

Some of you may have seen in the "other" section that I am looking for a Forester replacement. We would like a bit more room and a bit more off road capability. Without sacraficing too much mpg. We just moved to Phoenix and we are very excited about exploring indian ruins. Does anyone have any experience with the outlander? Is there any aftermarket support?

I am on my 5th Montero/Pajero. We also currently have two other Mitsu 4wd's in the garage - a Mitsu Galant GSR (like the VR4, but without the turbo and 4wheel steering), and my wife drives a Mitsu Outlander... the 06 version, before they went to the V6. Does have the Tiptronic transmission, connected to the 2.4 MIVEC engine.

The Outlander and the Galant have very similar systems, proven in the Galants and Evo's on the rally circuits: transverse mounted engine with transaxle driving the front wheels, driveshaft out of the t-case driving the back wheels, and the two connected by a viscous coupling to allow differential between the front and back wheels. Rear suspension is independent. Does really well on pavement in all weather, and excellent on gravel/grass/snow. Also reasonably good on fuel, due to the lighter weight... I wouldn't hesitate to take the Outie down fireroads, over grassy fields, through snow....but it's not a substitute for a true 4x4 with locking center diff and low range, as you know.

If you want something more capable than the Forester, then IMHO you won't get it in the Outlander. You may get slightly better fuel economy in the 4 banger version, and an innovative interior if you go with the newer version, but that's about the end of your advantages over the Forester...oh, and it's a mitsu, which to my mind is an advantage over Subaru, but that's just me! :D

The Montero/Pajero and Trooper for that matter, will take you further, but you need to ask yourself how often you are going to use those capabilities? Everyday use in a slower, thirstier, more top heavy, poorer braking SUV may make you wish you had gone with the crossover... unless you can do both. :sombrero:

[fangars]

This is probably built up a lot more then you would care for, but it gives you an idea of where you can go with these if you ever want to. I do not like the brush guard.
1989 4.9L Cadillac POWERED Isuzu Trooper 4x4 manual trans 50k miles - $5450 (i17 and Cactus Rd. 85029)
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/1902857688.html
http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/oo139/forcedairtech/Robs%204%20point%209%20Cadillac%20powered%20Isuzu% 20Trooper/IMG_0804.jpg

[3jarrells]

I saw that ad but did'nt click on it. The GM parts diswayed me. I have had several bad experiences with american cars. I know things may have changed but...

That reminds me. Isn't there a GM connection with Isuzu and a Chrysler one with Mitsubishi? I know Mitsubishi made some motors for the Chrysler minivans that seemed to run forever. On the other hand I have seen very few Galants that were not smoking. My brother in law had one, you could swear it was a two stroke.

I still kick myself for not buying a used diesel 4x4 chevy luv I found. Mikado actually, I was driving a diesel vw pick up at the time. Could not imagine what I would do with 4wd at the time.

[sneakyninja]

Montero's are all mitsu Except 83-89 4cyl 5 speed and 85-86 auto. They had Chrysler trans, the rest of the trucks are solid, and if you find a nice 4cyl truck with 5 spd the auto swap is easy and cheap. All V6's are bomb proof, as for smoking they have valve seals that start to leak around 160k other than that they are great engines. I MIGHT sell my '94 SR at the begining of the year but it depends on if i get a Gen 3 to replace it and the misses says NO to 5 Montero's because i also want to get a Gen 1 2 door if i find one on the cheap:D

[Viggen]

That Trooper looks okay but a spring over axle conversion on a Trooper never looked right too me. Very narrow body with a huge lift looks bad. Spring unders on the other hand, look perfect. Look at that front driveshaft angle! Holy crap.