No love for Montero's...

[red87]

I checked the other day and the monteros were sure represented in the comments

[MattScott]

It wasn't a top 5 list, just a list of 5 4x4s they found for under $5k to make a point that you don't need mega bucks to get into the hobby

Exactly,

The Montero is a great car, it wasn't a definitive list. I'm just trying to show people that overlanding is accessible.

I'll defend the Jeep Cherokee to the death though.

[GrassCat]

Exactly,

The Montero is a great car, it wasn't a definitive list. I'm just trying to show people that overlanding is accessible.

I'll defend the Jeep Cherokee to the death though.

Sound like a challenge Matthew.

[MattScott]

Sound like a challenge Matthew.

[BIGdaddy]

I like montero's, but they have faults just like any other car. Lets not get into the "myth-building" that fj80's enjoyed a few years ago.

Sure they're nice, but they're not very prevalent, not supported online other than maybe here and on 4x4wire, and not supported by much of the aftermarket.

I've seen more than a few rigs go down here with repairs - one of which ended up with the motor being pulled. I've test driven a few, and all of them had issues with the 4x4/locker system.

Don't get me wrong...I like them...but honestly, they're probably not topping the list of most people's car search for good reason.

I think Mitsubishi really failed in the N. American market. That's where Land Rover and Jeep take the cake. They created an aura of adventure, comraderie, and made their cars the "hero". Consequently, any faults that need to be addressed become personified as quirks, or the "personality" that the car embodies...

[off-roader]

Here's the nut of it w/ the mid 90's SR Montero's (94-97 & 98-00 w/ the 3.5L engines).

Want to run 33's? Just put them on. IT WILL HANDLE IT. Want to run 35's? A body lift and you can put them on. IT WILL HANDLE IT.

Locker Problems? Very, very rare. After a decade of being involved with them, the number of "Help! My locker doesn't work" post I've seen can be counted on one hand (only a couple that i can recall).

4x4 system problems? Almost all (95%) are simply related to the indicator servo not working. 4x4 still engages. The rig still runs fine off road.

In terms of their off road ranking... only reason they're not on most buyers list or supported online is because Mitsu rarely if ever advertised it as an off road vehicle. Maybe once or twice they've shown an ad with them off road. Otherwise they've primarily targeted the soccer mom segment of the market.

However step back and take a look at the ROW, there's a reason they're heavily used & very highly regarded. Because they're extremely capable and reliable... and most especially in countries where paved highways are optional.

100% agreed on your last point. Mitsu failed because they didn't understand the American market and as a result their marketing sucked balls. Even with LR's quality and reliability issues they knew how to use their camel trophy success and heritage to capture the hearts of prospective customers. Jeep has always enjoyed a similar mystique that comes with inventing the market. Lets face it... Until the Rubicon came out Jeeps were built, not bought. And I don't mean just throwing on a set of 35s the way you can with Montero's. Do that and you'll snap the wimply dana 35 axles that came with all the wranglers prior to the dawn of the Rubicon edition Wranglers.

Ultimately LR, Jeep, and Toyota have all found a way to engage & capture the American 4x4 owner's hearts. Mitsu Motors marketing has NEVER figured out how to do that with their 4x4's and as a result their sales have suffered. FWIW, they have been able to do it with their sports cars and it's obvious based on Lancer EVO numbers and following as illustrated at their annual MOD (Mitsu Owner Day) events.

[red87]

Mitsubishi really did drop the ball here in the states. I would say the montero is every bit as good as the equivalent year 4runner but the lack of aftermarket really does let it down. Cyi5 and I wheel together a lot and I'm jealous of all the options he has for parts.

The 4x4 system problems you had can usually be fixed by using it. I'm not being a smartass here, it's true. If you don't cycle the system every now and again, the grease on the actuators gums up and keeps it from engaging. So to fix it you just cycle it a bunch.

Every vehicle on expo has its own list of known issues (some longer than others) but every other make on here has had enough marketing that those faults get overlooked. Jeeps (until recently) have tiny little axles. Land rovers have terrible electronics. Toyota had the 3.0 motor. Nissan had weak steering (until recently). I'm sure we can go on and on here but I think you get the point.

[red87]

Haha, good timing and well said off-roader. You snuck in as I was typing my response

[GrassCat]

I've test driven a few, and all of them had issues with the 4x4/locker system.

Thanks to statements like this is why we can buy an off-road vehicle for a reasonable price, install some 33's and go do the Rubicon.

By the way in all my years of owing one I've never had a problem with the 4x4 system. One must understand how the system works before test driving.

[BIGdaddy]

Thanks to statements like this is why we can buy an off-road vehicle for a reasonable price, install some 33's and go do the Rubicon.

By the way in all my years of owing one I've never had a problem with the 4x4 system. One must understand how the system works before test driving.

Guy, guys no offense intended. NOT trying to brand bash. I'm stating reasons why Montero's don't get more love from the casual buyer just looking for a 4wd (rather than an enthusiast), not reasons they aren't worthy vehicles.

I'm well aware that the system MAY have been working in one form or another, but not only were the dash lights blinking but all three rigs I test drove were very slow to go into 4wd, and also would not disengage from 4wd, no matter what I did, using both the schematic in the vehicle, or using write-ups pulled up on my wife's iPhone. Also, I was able to test two SR models a couple days from each other, and drive each one to a lot with a steep driveway that when taken at an angle flexed the suspension. Neither locker prevented wheelspin in the downhill rear wheel, though the button was engaged and the truck was in 4Lo.

To be fair my dad's fj80 had the same issues, and it ended up being solonoid issues, which were replaced for a fair amount of money. And also to be fair, all 6 jeeps I've owned over the years who's systems are 100 mechanical in nature, have never, ever had any issues.

Do montero's have better ergonomics and comfort and safety records than jeeps? Of course, jeeps get spanked in the arena, but along those same lines, I'd say a Montero is NOT more comfortable than a fj80/fj100/ or 4runner, and with such strong dealer network, active community, and big pocket advert campaign, it's fairly easy to see how Montero's didn't stack up, even though they offered a similar, and in some ways superior product.

So, honestly, grasscat instead of personally attacking my understanding of a Montero 4wd system, maybe you could step back and take a breath and understand that I'm trying to offer an objective look at why Montero's are under appreciated to extent that Mitsubishi doesn't produce them anymore for the states.