Pretty please.

I dont know anyone who has one and they really aren't that easy to come by in Calgary so sitting in one and pushing all its buttons isn't so easy.

I'm looking for an over all view of them. Likes, dislikes. Things to watch for, options to get.

Thanks in advance.

Well I just wrote a bunch of what I've seen around here but the dang thing crashed when I submitted it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />.

There are a few around my small town ( but nothing else though).
rear fixed diff., indepedent axles.
Don't know if they have a full frame and how heavy duty it is.
3.2 gas as I recall. Don't know what block it's based on.
Possibly has carbon fibre rear driveshaft that will shatter if scratched.
The steps/siderail things make it sit way too close to the ground.
Saw one this morning that had the drivers side torn off and the owner was smart enought to take the other side off. Looked alot better that way.
These things have every kind of bell and whistle on the inside.

The 3 gen is a unit body construction with a hefty sub frame on each end for the suspension and drive units. Independent rear. I doubt they have a carbon propshaft. The front is rack and pinion and uses cartridge bearings in the hubs. Car style that is so there are no options for selectable hubs. There are no factory LSD or lockers, they used traction control to limit wheelspin. After market lockers are coming available. There are subframe lifts available.
The engines will be either a 3.5 or 3.8 SOHC with either a 4 or 5 speed automatic. The 5 speed adds a lower 1st gear and uses a tall final drive. Both still have a very wide spacing when shifting into top gear. Overseas did get a 5 speed manual transmission.
If you are looking at diesels both the 2.8 and the 3.2Dide were available depending on market.

You will not find a diesel anywhere north of central america, unless its been imported.

The rear driveshaft is carbon fiber...I know, I just looked at mine!

01-03 NM's had FACTORY LSD, the NP's had AMAZING traction control that also worked offroad in all 4wd modes. Factory lockers WERE available in other markets, but rare!

Unit body construction that is 300% stiffer that any previous Montero. Lifting springs are easy to come by and give +/- 2" of lift, anything more requires thousands of dollars in suspension subframe lifts. Will run 265/75/16's with no issues, and 285/75/16's with some trimming....if you can find 255/85/16's they work much better than the 285's.

Overall I love my 01 Limited. 5speed auto 3.5 SOHC. The 3.8 makes a little more power and torque. Find the most well cared for example you can because even the guys at MM don't know [censored] about fixing these things. Very complicated, but very reliable. I would rather buy a year or two older than I could afford if it has a perfect maintanence history. Thats how critical it is!

Feel free to ask me anymore specific questions.

Doug

They are Carbon shaft, cool. I missed the LSD for the rear, I see it in Caps now that I look <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

DougL3NC would you say its possible to work on yourself? Seeing as you own gen 1s as well how would you compare their off road capabilities to each other?

Basicaly what I'm looking for is something thats not my 03 dodge 3500 diesel when it comes to matinence. I really cant work on it myself. I love my 89 monty and have always been a big mitsu fan. I would really like to get a gen 2.5 but we did not get them in Canada at all.

I'm not looking for a 'hardcore' wheeler but something that could tow my sami( the hardcore one <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />) or tow a small utility trailer but also do some offroad and exploration.

Thanks for the info guys. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

The other option is to go to the states and buy a 2.5. I love those trucks. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" />

I've owned Gen 1, and 2 monteros, for over 18 years.
I've had my 04 for 5 months now, and a few observations:
The ride is alot smoother on the highway, and even off-road you'll notice a big difference. The power from the 3.8 is great, and like others have said, the 5 speed auto trans is a terrific unit.
As far as living with it day to day, if I could, I'd rather have a low mileage Gen 2.
I prefer the more "truck like" qualities of my old '95 SR.
YMMV, just one man's opinion... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

You can work on the Gen 3s yourself if you have some mechanical knowledge. They will take you where you wanna go and then some IMO. They tow just fine and are very durable. Dont worry bout the CF driveshaft, mines held up great. Maintenance on my 03 has just been normal routine stuff that you would expect.

Best word to describe them is "EXCELLENT".
My wife has the XLS with the 4 speed and this thing drive better then a Mercedes and still will get you whenever you want to go off the pavement.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
Javy

Yeah buddy! I'm just not sure I wanna drive it, anytime soon...'cause if Betsy VI happens anytime in the next three or four years, my wife may stop making us cupcakes...

I still say, eventually, we will all have genIIIs. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />