My 2008 Honda CRV needs to go. Really tired of daily driving this skate, for sure the worst AWD winter driving (think snow) vehicle I've owned, and I've owned many. So to keep in the Montero tradition I decided to start searching for a 2001 - 2006 Gen 3. What should I looks for and how much should these cost? Preferred under 100k miles. Not really sure about what comes standard and what is optional on these. Anybody have some advise?

Seems like our Gen3 folk here are asleep:) Probably because their Gen3's are so comfy:) I have been looking for a gen3 to replace my blazer, but am not in a hurry. I really haven't seen many complaints other than they are harder to lift than a gen1 or gen2. Over here, price is all over, but most I see are between 7k and 12k. I look fwd to seeing others comments.

Buy one with the 3.8 if you can afford it.

If you can find an 04 XLS model with the sunroof, that will give you an LSD in the rear without springing the extra money for the limited. XLS has 4.90's in the diff and a manually shifting T-Case.

Limited has a 4.2 gears but has a lower 1st gear in the trans. Also the limited has triptronic 5 speeed auto and upgraded climate control..rear AC & heat. Some kind of electric gizmos actuate the t-case.


Plus- Rides like a dream with the IRS
More travel in the front

Minus- Does not articulate so great due to IRS

OME springs are reasonably priced to get 2" or so lift. Will fit 33's

I've owned a gen 3, an 04 for several months. It was stolen, and I replaced it with a Gen 2.5, only because from experience, the Gen 2 suits my needs better.
My observations are:
Pluses:
Ride is excellent
3rd row seat folds flat in the floor
Engine and trans are top notch (3.8 / 5 speed auto)
Interior is high quality
Killer stereo
Minuses:
Any real lift is $$$
Exterior styling is "not boxy..."
Sunroof is moved forward of Gen 1 & 2. Kid's didn't like it
So, if your not building a rock crawler, and your kids never had a Gen 1 or 2 with the sunroof, your good to go <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Not mine! 4.6 for my 01 Limited and all others for that matter.

We currently own an 05 Montero Limited and it is by far one of my favorite vehicles. Just for reference, I've owned a 66 FJ45 Land cruiser LWB pickup, 1975 FJ40 Land cruiser, 1989 Isuzu Trooper, 1989 Suzuki Samurai, 1992 Isuzu Trooper, 1998 Isuzu Trooper, 1991 Montero LS, 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 1989 2 door Montero, 2008 Toyota Tundra, 2011 Subaru Impreza Outback et al.

I picked our Gen 3 up with 30K miles on it last year. At the time, I found another 06 with only 4,500 miles on it, the dude just bought it and left it at his vacation home but I lost it to a higher bidder and I had the out of state disadvantage. A few weeks after picking mine up, I saw another 06 on ebay with only 3 or 4K miles on it. It looked like it had just sat in the garage since the day it was purchased. Any low low mileage 2005-06 Gen 3 is still gonna cost close to 20K but in my opinion it is still a better buy than any new SUV on the market right now that is gonna cost double that (4-runner, explorer, tahoe, etc) You can easily find a nice 03, 04, 05 with 60-100k miles for like 8-12K though. It seems like there were more options and models from 200-2003 and then 03-06 they all came with the same standard and fully loaded features. The only options I am aware of are between 03-06 you could choose between big sunroof or ceiling mounted DVD player. I think 05-06 also had bigger 17" wheels. If you haven't noticed a theme yet, go for 03 up they are more modern with safety, better engine, etc.

How do you plan to use you're vehicle? If you are a hard core wheelin type, I like the 1st and 2nd gen types better. That is why I own one of each! More options with body lifts, mods and such. The 3rd Gen, especially 03+ is very smooth and feels much more high quality to me. I've noticed almost every used gen 2 the leather seats and interior look like crap, just cheap. (no offense Gen 2 guys, I'm sure there are some nice ones) The 3.8 motor in the 03 and up is actual "Mitsubishi" not Dodge like the former year models. That is a huge plus right there along with a great automatic transmission with manual shift option. The 03+ also has Vehicle Stability Control, Traction control which is amazing in mud, snow, etc., AWD vs 2WD or 4WD. I like being able to select between them all. 4 wheel disc brakes, and the unibody construction just handles better overall on the road. rear seat folds down into floor, rear A/C and Heat (literally a seperate AC unit in the rear so it works well)

I want soo bad to modify my 05 but it is currently the family wagon so I will probably just go with an ARB bumper for now and maybe lift/snorkel/winch later on when the wife gets a new ride. ARB has a decently priced lift, you can fit 33's, ARB winch bumper, snorkel, lockers are all available so it could still be a pretty sick truck for off road with a few grand in mods and a very refined truck for everything else. I love them, I've considered buying two! One thing to keep in mind, you do have to do a fairly pricey timing belt/service every 60K miles typically around $1500 I hear, so keep that in mind. If you maintain them though, they'll last you a long time just like the old ones. I say go for it. www.cars.com is your friend, hold out for a good low mileage truck and keep it forever. Good luck

Whoa! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

How ya figure???

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> Yea never seen any year Montero that came with with a Dodge engine...Dont know where that came from

Yeah, I think you have this uncategorically wrong. A lot of Chrysler vehicles use MITSUBISHI motors, not the other way around.

The only Mitsubishi that has a Dodge engine is the Raider. Mitsubishi Raider that is. Mitsubishi Raider <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />