There are vehicles that are enormously cool but with limited parts support that make you question the wisdom in preserving one long-term; I struggle with this challenge often with my 1989 Isuzu Trooper RS two-door. The truck itself is great fun to drive and fairly reliable, but there’s a day coming when I know the parts supply will dry up and the value will plummet. I see the same challenge for clean rigs like this 1991 Mitsubishi Montero listed here on eBay with active bidding in the neighborhood of $4,000 and no reserve – but when it comes to enjoying a true 4×4 in the most classic tradition, perhaps a strong enthusiast base will help keep these trucks alive.
When the Mitsubishi Montero was introduced, consumers were just beginning to wrap their heads around the idea of driving a truck…everywhere. The GMC Suburban was a known quantity at this point, but it seemed like it was a bit of a secret, a rig that only families who had a second home in Colorado or Vermont would use. The Isuzu Trooper was out there, but even with its mountain goat-like abilities to get up and down mountain passes, it was hardly refined. The Montero turned all of this on its head, combining an affordable price of entry with respectable refinement and horsepower. The 143-horsepower V6 was far better than anything Isuzu offered, at least until it rolled out the six-cylinder it borrowed from Chevy.
The Montero’s interior was, and still is, ridiculously cool. The three-spoke steering wheel is far more sporting than any SUV should have, and the grab bar on the dash suggests you’re going to have some wild rides in this go-anywhere SUV. The gauges with the orange needles and numbers looks downright racy, like it was lifted from the dash of a Starion. The missing 3-gauge cluster that includes an altimeter and compass and usually sits smack dab in the middle of the dash is missing, and that’s a huge bummer – it’s one of the truck’s most iconic features. Fortunately, the factory head unit that just oozes 80s-cool is still present.
The seller reports that the truck runs well, and that’s with 167K miles on the clock. The transmission is said to shift well and that the A/C still works! The only major ding he reports is that the shocks are a bit bouncy, so a new set may be in order. Like most Japanese vehicles from this era, rust is the biggest enemy, and this Texas truck appears to have no significant corrosion concerns. While I still think a day is coming when parts will dry up and no reproductions will be made, both the Montero and the Trooper have enough of a following that you’ll likely be able to lean into a deep enthusiast network to keep deserving trucks like these alive.
This is one super clean Montero Jeff. We noth have an Isuzu Trooper in common in our lives. Mine was a ’90 4 door base model 4 cyl. 5 speed back in the 90’s and we loved it. We put over 200K miles on it before I had to let it go. Frame rotted out in 3 spots. And the rear crossmember was completely gone. I knew a guy who had a Montero like this but in green. And had it for many trouble free years. But the point you make about parts is a very real one Jeff. Even in the late 90’s it was starting to get hard to source parts. I have the same problem with our ’01 Suzuki XL7 and 2000 Chevy Tracker too. The Tracker the frame let go on me too. The XL7 needed parts I couldn’t get. Or if I could was crazy expensive. These were ( are) terrific trucks too. Always was a huge fan of Mitsubishi trucks. And Isuzus here. Thanks for this write up Jeff. And the memories if my young family in our Trooper.
The Montero model always reminded me of a Japanese 🇯🇵 Range Rover 🇬🇧
Cool 4wd’s. 😎 👍
I owned a 91 Montero for over 15 years and it had 340,000. It survived several fender benders. Body parts were not hard to find as this body style was produced for three or four years. Mechanical parts did become hard to find.
When I first looked at the picture I thought it was a jeep cherokee
The seller realized it was worth more than the current bid (reserve not met). Relisted for $9,800. I just wanted to see the pictures to remind me of the fold out center facing seats. This model does not have them.
I have two of these Gen 1 Montero’s and I love them for their durability, great looks and ride quality. Many love to comment on the adjustable front drivers “bouncy” seat, just like you’d find in an 18 wheeler. Super cool!! Thankfully the internet means some parts will be hard to find but you will find them… maybe just not at your local NAPA store. That center stack with the inclinometer alluded to in the description came on the luxury LS editions. Not positive but it may not have been standard with the RS, which is what this one is. This Montero looks super clean and IMO, worth the $9,800 buy it now price. Guaranteed you will have the only one at your next Cars & Coffee… it’s the Japanese Land Rover.
I had this exact same Montero, same year, same color except mine had the inclinometer and other gauges. It was a great rig. My only issue (heads up for anyone who owns one) is the harmonic damper pulley bolts were brittle. Mine broke in eastern Oregon late one evening leaving my wife and two very young kids stranded. Replace that bolt! Wish I still had mine, the bouncy seat and gauges were trick!
I still drive my 1998 Isuzu Amigo weekly. My family had a 1988 Trooper we got new and I wish I still had it! Such great and fun vehicles.
Sure looks a lot like a 4 door to me!!
My sister had a ‘91 RS like this but gold. Bought it in ‘92 and probably had it twenty years. It did not have the center inclinometer. Was a really great rig. Other than valve seal smoke, the cowl area developed rust and let rain water in. Ultimately the fuel tank/lines got rusty and leaked. The underside was pretty crusty so off it went to car heaven. Still missed. Lot of fun trips in that one. That bumper end trim must be unobtanium because it was missing on every one you saw.
With a few exceptions post-1980 vehicles do not have the parts support that pre-1980 vehicles have. ‘80 and newer vehicles are much more difficult to repair and restore than the older stuff and, at least for now, there just isn’t enough people interested in keeping the newer stuff alive to justify making reproduction parts for them.
A coworker had one like this one in 93. All I remember is was it was roomy, comfortable and it rode nice. He said it was pretty reliable. They look a little top heavy but they weren’t.l like these SUV’S. You don’t see many these days.