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By the way, I drove the Montero through the snowstorm in Buffalo when we got 25 inches in a matter of hours, and it didnt get stuck once unlike all the other SUV's. This truck is sweet.
The Waag look OK but I dont see them in chrome/ss and with a beige montero I dont think black would look good.
Check out those Jaos skid plates, would like those as well.
other than all of that, I have been loving every single minute of my truck, rides like a true dream....very nice and high up, huge sunroof, the biggest i've ever seen on a vehicle, enough power for its size, and awesome seats!
You forgot to mention no remote control of the radio, even Durangos have that. I agree no powered passenger seat was also a cheap shot for cost saving. Just think, they will fix all those things and a V-8 in the next couple of years, but who wants to wait?
I think there is a "diversity antenna" in the window. I dont know if the window technology is as good as a regular antenna. Why they have two in the Montero is something for the antenna experts.
the best-quality FM signal from the available antennas or by
phasing and combining multiple signals. This gives improved fringe area FM reception.
Amen on the power passenger seat. Just think, it's a leather seat, with a heating element and an air bag. Would it have killed them to put a motor in it? My wife "loves" this feature. Even the car we got rid of (1885 Nissan Maxima - R.I.P.) had a power passenger seat.
Here's the other thing I hate. Where do you put the rear "shade" (the thing you use to cover up what you've got in the back) when you have the third seat up? (I don't have kids, but I haul a lot of them, and I'm always putting the third seat up and down.)
Speaking of the rear cargo area, does anyone use a pet barrier to keep a dog in the back? Any recommendations?
I noticed back on your post 494 that you mentioned the motor trend show. Did anyone happen to tape that show? I'm putting together a video tape of commercials, clips etc. on the Montero. (I know, it sounds weird, but that's the way I am.) If anyone has the tape, I'd like to make a copy. I'll send back your tape, and provide a copy of the one I'm putting together. Any other video of the 2001 montero also welcome.
Actually this group doesn't have a lot of information on 2001 model yet, so any input you might have, experiences, etc. would be appreciated.
Don't be intimidated by the depth of the topics discussed.
These folk are real friendly, and eager for new information. A few are really hard core rock crawlers, but most are only easy-moderate trail off-roaders.
For some reason, I can't post the complete address "You cannot post any words with more than 100 character". (?)
http://www.outdoorwire.com/
I am excited about purchasing a Montero in the next a few months. Judging from my own experience, I don't feel there is a significant quality issues with Mitsubishi cars. I have had the first generations of Gallant and Eclipse, and both of them had done well past 200,000 miles before I traded them in.
I am looking to some of your advice in the next a couple of months while I am shopping for a Montero. Has anyone had any experience with any Mitsubishi dealers in the Washington DC Metro Area. I have just moved to DC from Florida where I had very good services from Mitsubishi in Miami/For Lauderdale area.
I will be renting a Montero in Arizona next week, and can't wait the test the vehicle, and share my experience with all of you.
phonos, long urls in messages skews our margins, so that's why the 100 character limit is imposed. Apologies for the hassle. (Besides, trying to steer out members away from Town Hall isn't really encouraged around here, you know )
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Things I wish were better on the Montero: memory seats/power passenger seat, telescoping steering wheel (I seem to be too far from the wheel when I get it right for my legs), avg. mpg (not just miles remaining), nav. where the display screen is, 17" wheels, with the rear shade in place, rear passengers can't recline (silly), split rear door instead of one huge one, auto locking when the car is in motion, distorted driver's side mirror (replaced once already).
Things I LOVE about it: PRICE for it's class, good looks (get tons of compliments), relative exclusivity (still not too many around), decent power for the size, 3rd row seating (and ease of use), cargo space, perfect size for me, excellent off-road capabilities from what I read and hear (haven't tested yet, but hope to soon), build quality, better gas mileage than I expected, and did I mention PRICE?
After all that do you think I would buy it again? YOU BET! Despite some minor (very minor) criticism, I still think it's the best car for my needs (price, size, build quality/reliability). And who knows, maybe if Mits added some of the features I would like, it just may price it out of my range. --Jimmy
I too would by the Montero again. After seeing the best others have to offer including the MDX and Sequoia there is just no beating the Monte.
ehollis: you could probably call the show and obtain a tape. I dont think it would be too much. I would be interested in seeing your final production!
What does anyone else think?
I haven't bought mine yet but plan to soon.
By the way..does anyone know where to get information about the changes for 2002? I read somewhere that it is coming out in the summer.
One drawback to the new Montero is the way the running boards screw in to the body. I was told by the svc. mgr. that prior models had bolts coming out of the body. Newer Monteros have the body threaded, with bolts going in to the body. Mine had to be tightened, but the svc. guys were unwilling to tighten too much for fear of stripping the threads. Question: what would be my options if they 1) cannot tighten it enough to get rid of the looseness in the boards, or 2) they stripped the threads going in to the body? Thanks. --Jimmy
You'd think they should...
when I went to pick up the Montero, it was not much better. They said they were reluctant to torque it much more, afriad it will strip. I said this was unacceptable, period. They said, they'll see what they can do about it. A couple of turns later, it was much better. Nearly no play at all. Now if it loosens again...grrr. --Jimmy
I am considering side steps so I am interested in this issue.
First, I got them to help the kid's get in and out of the truck. They're fine for getting in but the step area under the rear doors is soo small that they are easy to miss when exiting. Also, it makes it very easy for your foot to slip off the step. In otherwords they are not very helpful for exiting the truck.
Second, mine are the type that has all the holes on the tread surface. Problem with that is that sand and gravel builds up when driving in the rain. All the water from the road surface comes up from under the truck through those holes. Good new's is that the dirt build up sprays off the aluminum surface very easily.
That said, I'd still put them on since I have young kids. Without kid's they are more of a hindrance for entering and exiting the truck as are most side step designs.
Good Luck
Drew
It sounds like you all feel Mitsu's product is the one to go with. Why not aftermarket. Who makes the steps for Mitsu?
Thanks
Steve
I just read that the 2001 Monte engine mounts are liquid-filled; this is to reduce vibration and noise. Interesting!
Last 300 miles averaged 18 mpg with general driving to work and short trips.
I dont think synthetic comes up to pressure faster (although thats what I use in all my cars) but there may be products that leave a better protective coat on the surfaces that minimize start up friction. I dont know if synthetic does this either.
Glad to hear you are getting 18 mpg combined becasue I do mostly city and getting 17. On the highway I have had up to 20mpg when driving slow and steady. It is interesting that some of the long term reports are down in the 15mpg combined. Perhaps they are 4wd more to see how the vehicle is standing up?
That being said, my Montero and I are bonding nicely so far (only two days old). Not much competition in our area (2 dealers), but was able to get very close to TMV. Trade value and aftermarket accessories muddy the waters, so I won't bore you with figures, but between two dealers, they were about $1,800 apart. It pays to shop! Looking forward to a good Monty experience!
I don't know enough to make an arguement for or against which is why I held back going any further in my last post. I can only document the Fuel Requirment facts.
Here's all I can say:
1)My service manager claims that there are in fact some engine designs that can be damged from the use of Syns and the 3.5 mitsu is aparantly one of them. Personally.. I have NO clue.
2)I had two Audis in years past that were purchased used. I switched one to Mobile 1 in the first and the second already used it.. both experienced dramatic oil. The first one was after making the switch. Both were higher mileage vehicles. No proof that synthetic had anything to do with it.
3)I believe Syns are Great for those people and engines that can benefit from them. However, from all my research on the issue, I find that Few People really need them or will find a noticible increase in engine life from them. I have no doubt that High Reving engines in Exotics and some Not so Exotics like a Honda S2000 will benefit greatly from this superior oil type.
Just my opinion from researching and experiences. If I wanted to use it, I would have asked my Service Manager to give me documentation on his claim for the Mitsu engine.
Drew
and change back for the Lic.
Your deal is extremely doable and you may even do a little better if you have the staying power.
I like the Monte more each day I drive it. The moon roof is huge.
from what I have read from previous posts the AD charge seems to vary from dealer to dealer so it may be something you want to check
Got to love the Monte -- Good Luck
Karno1, I, too, am very interested in your video set-up. I had just assumed that the monstrous size of the sunroof made an overhead screen installation impossible. But if it can be done, I'd definitely like to do it. I'm curious whether you considered an in-dash DVD installation (like where Mitsu puts the CD changer) or whether you know if it can be done.
Can anyone post purchasing experiences in this section of the US? How about fightingchance.com method?
Also, I have been considering leasing through Mitsubishi. Is it true that lease payments on a 36 month contract financing around 30K should be in the mid $400's? Pro's or con's with the Mitsubishi lease?
Thanks in advance. This is by far the best SUV we have tested!(About 6 of them)
And, if the local dealer won't come through for you, travel.
As for the TV, I was told by many that this would be undo-able to place the drop down 7 inch screen behind the sunroof, for it is way too huge!!! I thought about it, and decided to go with it. The good thing about this truck is that the 2nd row seats can recline 2-3 notches back, which helps makes this screen viewable. It works well...even when sitting upright. I made them put the screen as close to the sunroof as possible. Also got the dvd player installed under the 3rd row seat. The brand was by Accel & Apex, and the pkg cost was $699 for the parts, and $360 for labor, totaling $1059 plus tax = came out to about $1123. I got it done at 6th Avenue Electronics....which is a big chain store out here in NJ. What amazed me was that they installed it right way on the day I brought the it!!
Putting the in dash dvd would be too low to view, plus it is illegal to watch tv while driving. It's mainly for the rear passengers. Plus the in dashes are much more expensive than what I paid. Feels like sitting in an airplane.......lol.
I love the Monte. Not one real problem since August. (Other than the annoying intermittent squeak from the rear end when coming to the end of a rolling stop or when applying the brakes when backing up down a slight slope. The service writer said he thinks it is "glaze" on the pads and/or rotor due to dust. "Some vehicles just do it more than others." Why is I always end up with those vehicles?).
PHOnos, 2001 Montero Ltd, rear A/C, purchased Augusty 2000, build date July 1999, $34,500 (no extras, darn!)+ TTL, 4.9% for 48 months, Orange County, CA.
Good luck!
My Mitsi service rep. finally got back and told me the 2001 Monte engine is designed to use 92 octane, I not sure I am getting official information. Not all stations even offer 92 octane, as we are @ 2,000 ft. elevation. Try getting 92 octane in many places in Montana, good luck! Anybody getting different octane requirement for the 2001 Monte's,(or as related to elevation)?
Thanks for the equipment names. I was able to google the Apex DVD and it's the MD-100 which can be had for <$300 at Best Buy. However I had less luck with the Accel. Can you give me anything more to go on, such as a part number or model name? Most likely it is a rebadge of some other LCD but I'd like to make sure. I'm planning some handmade dual-dvd+videogame+4 LCD setup and a big/good/low-cost LCD screen is the missing ingrediant. I'm also looking to install in/behind headrests for a little more comfort.
cheers
I love the fog lights for lighting the side of the road for normal driving, but as soon as you switch to high beams the fog lights go off as designed (I know you don't use high beams in the fog). Any body found a simple way to defeat this automatic, not required or wanted feature. The high beams don't light the side of the road very good for deer and other criters crossing the road at night.
MPG: averaged 17.9 mpg for last 900 miles with 92 octane gasoline and general short trip driving.
Still loving this truck!
thanks
My dealer recommended an initial oil change at 1,000 miles. I don't know if that's a Mitsu factory recommendation or just my dealer trying to make more $$ off me. At about 1200 miles I had a complete oil and filter change (not performed at the dealership) and had my Monte filled with Mobil 1. I probably won't put more than 12,000 miles on the truck each year anyway, and so will change both filter and oil every 3,000 miles.