Well I have been looking for another Montero since we realized the hard way that my '95 SR was rusted enough to break on the highway. We went to look at an '02 Limited today that a dealership picked up at an auction yesterday. I would say that it's average to rough condition with 141xxx miles. Honestly the price seems too good to be true, so I plan on having my buddy hook up his scanner to tell us what the computer says or what it's been through. I don't know much about the Gen 3's so what am I looking at besides a nice looking rig? Thank you.

Get an '03 or up with the 3.8L...

other than the 3.5L being lower hp, if the price is right, I would think he would be fine, right?

The 3.8 with the 5speed Sporttronic transmission on the 2003+ Montero is know to get 1-2 mpg better fuel economy, than the 2001-2002 with the 3.5liter.

Ya, I realized that if I was going to buy a newer one I'm going with the 3.8L. This guy at the dealership that put it up for $2500 couldn't tell that the altenator was shot even after I told him to have it checked. Long story short I went 3 times to drive it, and I kept trusting him that he had it ready to go. And then had the balls to say that it's worth $7500 when it wouldn't even move through the lot without dying. He thought it was appropiate to tell me that the $500 I would give him for it should be a down payment and that the offer would only make them mad. What an <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />, every time I give a used car dealership a chance it just keeps getting worse. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />

But I'm good considering there are a few 20th anniversary editions and newer for private sale around town.

So he can get 13.5 to 14.5 MPG? Buying the 3.8 over the 3.5 didn't make sense to me...higher parts cost and no LSD. Buy a 01-02 Limited and you get the 5speed auto anyway.

Check this out.

Best Montero ever made were the 80's two doors. I wouldn't trade my carby 2.6 for any other SUV in the world! Sure she's slow, a bit tippy in the turns, a little sloppy at the wheel but she'll plow through the thickest of mud, the highest of hills and will never back down! Not to mention it's also available in the correct transmission, the 5 speed manual!

I owned a 2001 XLS and was disgusted by the price of parts and lack of a timing chain! Handling was better and of coarse it had a lot more power through the gears but was no where near as good through he snow as my 89. Just my opinions though, to each his/her own.

I tell you what. I'll put my 98 GrassCat up against your 89 and see who wins. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />