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.