Well, I'm now on my third Raider. My roomate -- whose reckless driving habits made him go through cars like tissues -- bought one in 1986, and I was amazed to when the vehicle lasted six months with him.

So I ran out and bought one myself. At that time, the 2.6 four was the only engine available, and I got it with the five speed.

Great little truck, but a tad underpowered. After 12 glorious years, the engine started smoking like crazy, so I sold it to a canny man who exported Raider/Monteros to Guatemala and had them repowered.

About six months later, I found this Raider on Yahoo at a Dodge dealer's lot. It has the might V6, which makes a big difference -- same gas mileage, but much better performance.

Here's why I think this is the perfect city/country vehicle:
Here's why:

--A rare 2-door model, its 155-inch overall length means you'll be able to squeeze into those small parking spots usually reserved for Mini Morrises -- very nice on those alternate-side days. But it can still carry five in comfort (and more if needed), and it can be camped out in.

--Its Thule racks allow you to carry plywood, sheetrock, ladders, kayaks, etc.

--You can go offroading and get real respect from the Jeep crowd. The short angle of approach (distance between wheels and bumpers) means it can climb anything.

--After snowstorms, you can park on top of those big piles of snow.

--In the city, it's sometimes mistaken for a Land Rover, which is a 40k complement indeed!

--The 3.0 liter V6 provides decent acceleration when needed (e.g., getting on BQE from Atlantic Ave.) but it gets 17 mpg in the city and 20 mpg in the highway on regular gas (I run it on 89 though).

I sold the first 89 in 2006, suffered for a year driving a Nissan Pathfinder, and got a third Raider in 2007.

Hi, I'm Melinda (Russell's wife). I am now an addict, too, due to Russell. He read a classifieds ad to me yesterday morning, then proceded to bring home another Montero for me. What's happening to me??



Another black 89 LS:


Darn him! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

A pair of matching Gen Is. That's cool... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Hey I gotta agree, of all the major things that have gone on my truck, its never been miles down trail. These trucks are smart that way.
btw, I'm obsessed with my truck for the reactions I get from people who say "what is that", usually followed by a lengthly discussion. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" />

I am not obsessed, but I have a wierd tale to tell about it...

I never planned to own this type of vehicle. Never looked around and compared this jeep to that toyota, and so forth. Dont really know why i have it ...oh yea,I bought it because it looked so damn cool....and it didnt cost that much. I figured someone would want it...I sure as hell didnt. There's pleny of places to go "4-whellin" within earshot of here, but that aint me. Too old maybe? Anyway,I cleaned the mud off the underside one time last year and she's stayed that way.

So, I think my obession is coming here reading.
I have learned alot here. And if the montero wasn't so well built, I might have something to fix

1.I have been thinking about selling the CJ 5

2.I paid 800.00 for the Raider, hoping I was not paying to much. Going back now I would pay 3 times that! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

3. I wish I had More than one!

Someone a couple of pages back talked about seeing one pull jeeps and trucks out a a concert. Well, mine got to do that this weekend. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I am so proud of it. I'm the route supervisor for a portable toilet company and one of my guys had to work Saturday. He got stuck in the mud since it had been drenching raining all week. He called wanting someone to come and help him get out. I was only 3 miles away at the house, so I grabbed my strap and went to him. Got there and hooked up to the 2007 Duramax with a 600 gallon poop tank and 300 gallon fresh water tank, (12,000 lbs) droppeds it in 4 low and proceeded to spin and dig until he came out.I made sure no one calls it a "jeep-thing" anymore! Raider.Say it again. Raider <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> Man I wish I'd video'd it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" />

Well, I'm just obsessed with internal combustion.

My Chevy truck is just to big. I grew up in the North East where parking lots are made to have room to move...and a place to push snow. Every parking spot in South /mid California is made for something about the size of a shoebox....or a Montero <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" /> I can haul the kids, bikes, camping stuff and not worry about my paint or $5.00 diesel

Since 1970 Ive owned quite a few 4wds:
1956 Willis Wagon; 68 Jeep Commmando; 73 CJ5; 72 Scout 2; '77 CJ5, another Commando,a'71; '73 Toyota PU; and now for quite some time an 89 2 door Raider/Montero.

I bought mine in '96 for like $5000. One of only 2 in Louisville, Ky. that was a SWB V6 ,5sd,LSD. Might seem high to some , but they were rare there. I've wanted a Land Rover sence I was a kid. But the Raider is about the closet thing in shape to a Rover Defender ,,,plus it doesn't break down every day <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />. I like the "school bus " transmission.
The sliding window , like a Defender , allows me to put horse panels to keep the dogs in and cool,,, and keep dog thieving <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" /> dogfighters out. It can do just about everthing I tell it to.
12 years latter , I'd say I got my money's worth,,,and I like owning it more everday <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I like square,
Gen 1 Styling reminds me of my refrigerator