I am a Toyota guy and know very little about Mitsubishi products (other than a cursory reading of this board) I have the oppurtunity to buy a 1991 Mitsubishi Montero RS. Auto, 4x4, v6, powerwindows, locks. Pretty good shape, a few dings, and the rear bumper is covered in surface rust. 144k no smoke, runs well, AC blows cold, interior is pretty straight, small rip in the rear seat. I can get this from a wholesaler for $1800, Sound like a good deal? Any specific problem areas I should check out?

Any input would be great!

I just bought a marginal 1990 with 200,000 miles for $1700; it apparently has many more problems than yours:

1. It will need a timing belt soon
2. Needs new front oil seal
3. Needs new valve cover gaskets
4. Might need new head gaskets
5. Idles very high
6. Just installed new alternator/battery
7. Overall, very little rust (some on the bottom behind the rear wheels).

If the truck is running nice and smooth and is $1800; go for it!

You will probably do much better than I did if you purchase it; however, there are not many to be found in my area, so it's a little bit more of a seller's market.

This may sound cheesy, but every old truck needs a caring owner - the one who will bring it back to life. Either that, or it dies in the junkyard. I will resurrect my Montero; it will be the Phoenix rising from the ashes...I hope.

Most of the anecdotal evidence I read here on the V6 truck says not much is a common problem except the famous Mitsu 3.0 dropping exhaust valve guides with resulting seal failure (there's a part to fix it - guide with a snap ring at install height), and the normal need for radiator rodding/recore on vehicles with the mileage your candidate shows. They are very tough and very capable trucks with adequate power, good road manners, good offroad performance stock or with only easy mods, will take a 10.50-31-15 tire with almost no work, and are supported by the best board community on the Web. That's a pretty good price for that ride based on what I see, but I'd try to beat him down anyway given the current state of the used car market. If it breaks, we can tell you how to fix it here. The ones with LSD (orange sticker on driver's door jamb), bouncy driver's seat, and headlight washers are preferrable. I prefer the a/t to the m/t trucks for durability and wheeling ability. Jump on in, the water's fine!

<small>[ February 19, 2003, 01:12 PM: Message edited by: fasteddy ]</small>

Dang, I feel guilty. I sold my 91 Montero LS in September for $3100. A guy offered me $4100 a day after I sold it. 140K miles.

Thanks fellas! I think I will buy it! Once again thanks for all the good info!

WOW! I'm gonna try & sell my '93SR in Milwaukee!! Wadda ya' think bretwalda???

It all depends. You hear stories about "Just take it away" to mine, an almost perfect '90 LWB w/ 70K orig miles, sold less than 1 yr. ago for $7060.00. The guy bugged me for almost 1 yr. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />

I went ahead and bought it! As a long time Toyota owner, I feel like I now have dual citizenship! This thing reminds me of a Yota...Kinda slow, basic interior, and still running well at 144k!

Welcome to the board, toyota87. My advice to you right off the bat is not to race ricer hondas in your montero...unless you're offroad. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

What??? racing rice???