I work at a Chevy dealership, so I can tell you without any doubt what ISN'T the best...

I really like my 90 LWB. I've also driven a few Cheeps. I like them too. I drove a cj-7 with the doors off and decided I want one. It would make a really great hunting rig.

But, alas. I am married with three boys. My monty is the only cheap, practical rig I could find that will carry me, my wife, 3 carseats loaded with squirmy blond children, a family sized three room tent, 5 sleeping bags, a camp stove, lanterns, 9 days worth of clothes for 5 people, food for a week, and still close the doors. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

I almost bought a Cherokee sport before I found this rig. The Cherokee had problems and they wanted more money for it. Mine had (has) problems too, but I do all my own work, so it's cheap. The best part was that I can find no scrapes on the underside of my montero, the Cheep Cherokee was beat silly and $500 more.

My point of view is skewed by my experience working on many makes and the fact that all American made vehicles that I have seen are vastly inferior to their Asian counterparts <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Poor quality trickles up in auto manufacturing. Just look at Diamler Chrysler since they took over Chrysler. Mercedes Benz vehicles are falling fast in quality.

Cheeps are cool, I like them a lot. They just don't suit my needs right now.

And I also can't stand fixing the same problem multiple times because it was a stupid or cheap part from the factory. I know it must happen to Japanese cars and trucks too, but I haven't seen it. All American auto manufacturers have their heads shoved so far up their collective <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> that it'll take a major catastrophy to jar them loose. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I wish it weren't so. I would love to be able to buy American again.

Clay

1990 Montero RS (In pieces... for now)

KG6VNX