I just test drove a Gen-1 Montero last night. It has 100K, V6, auto trans and stock as they come. Single owner, $2700.

I'm impressed. I only drove it on the street but I can tell you right now that this motor is way better than the 4cyl Trooper. This thing has great get up and go. I feel as if the ride height was a bit taller and it seemed a bit narrower to me too.

All in all I like the machine and will give this some more consideration.

What sort of things should I be looking for when I take a look at a used Gen-1 Montero? Of course I always check fluids and the usual stuff, but is there some tell tail signs of impending doom or certian sounds or so on that should be spotted before purchase?

....As for cash for clunkers - Its hog wash. We are told that this program is to help out the economy and the environment. REALY? How does this help my economy. I can not afford a new car, nor can I afford full coverage insurance. But uncle sam is using my tax dollar to help the upper middle class guy buy a new car. How many poor folks do you see driving smoking station wagons, or working on old truck in the front yard. Their the folks who could use the hand out and could use a new car.

How is this program helping my environment. Adding motor kill juice to a motor and then running it till it seizes!?! I understand that this process produces clouds of toxic smoke and takes up to 20 minutes per motor. And according to SEMA, it takes less energy to keep an exsisting car on the road than it does to produce a new car. And looking at things from an enviro mode, how about this; It is better to reuse parts, or replace small parts than to simply scrap grind and rebuild.

So I get to help a richer man buy a car I wish I could afford, and watch a perfectly good car get scraped. A car which could have been used to keep my machine up and running. A machine that I count on to get me and my family back and forth to work. Nice plan Uncle Sam! Thanks for thinking of the hard working, underpaid, behind the 8 ball guys in this country like me. I refuse to participate in this plan and hole hartedly plan on keeping what ever it is I buy up and running. I swear that if Uncle Sam thinks he can tell me what I drive, he can shove it. Whether its a hotrod, classic collector, or old SUV it shouldnt matter. This is America and if I feel a particular car has value and is my source of fun, then I should be alowed to keep it going and on the road.