Did you recently rush to buy a new vehicle before tariff-related price hikes? A reporter is looking to speak with shoppers who felt pressure to act quickly due to expected cost increases; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com for more details by 4/24.
Mitsubishi Montero Sport
bearcat00
Member Posts: 2
in Mitsubishi
Comments
Due to the poor ratings that I have been hearing
from T.V. and insurance reports.
Mike Kebede.
As for insurance, stay away from Allstate. I was around $600/6 mos, and my Montero Sport raised it to $947/ 6mos!! I then called around, most other insurance companies gave me $650/ 6mos. an increase of only $100 a year. (my previous car was a Mitsu Eclipse GST).
I live in a big city and hit mountain trails on the weekends!!!
My wife and I shopped two years ago for an SUV and really like the Montero Sport...the biggest complaint was no torque to the engine. Sure it has horsepower...but without torgue..no go go from stops. This is important since we live in the country in the Midwest. We have to pull out of intersection obscurred by growing corn. Has the new 3.5L engine get the boost in torque as it needed?
The MS is rated at 228 ftlbs. The Limited for 2000 has 4.90 axle ratio, up from 4.64 for 99 MS.
I have tested the 99 and it seemed good. The 2000 should be even better yet. I have been waiting for a Limited to show up at our local dealership to give it a try as well. I have driven both the 99 Lim. and 2000 XLX and I prefer the 2000. The ride is much better on the 2000 as well as the cup holders.
Now, I have never driven or even ridden in an MS, so forgive me if I don't know what I'm talking about in the next sentence. With the 4.9 axle ratio, the engine will be spinning at 3000 rpm at 75 mph. That seems a little high for anything but a 4-cyl. I used to own a 96 Dodge Avenger with a puny 2.0L engine, and even it didn't hit 3000 rpm till 80 mph. It could get a little noisy up at highway speed... not to mention what it will do to fuel economy.
I have wondering what the RPM will be at 75 as well with 4.9 gearing. Don't know why the changed from the 4.64. I guess Mitsu decided they needed more low end power. They did change tires from 15" to 16", but the diameter is the same. Fuel EPA rating has gone down to 15/18 campared to 16/20 on the 99. Quote to me from our local dealership, with leather, hitch, 6-disc cd changer, bug shield, engine block heater, is at 30k. There is a $1000 rebate on the limited until 9/30/99. But I do not count on the rebate going away any time soon. The 30k does include the rebate.
ES 20,600
LS 22,600
XLS 24,000
LTD
w/lthr 28,200
Those are all 2wd models. Not sure on pricing for 4wd since we do not get a lot of requests for 4wd where I live.
Thanks!
What they did was compare cost of repair and found the Sport to have a slighly above average repair cost in accidents. If you compare it to the other suvs in the class they were all about even.
Looks like the prices you quoted in post #14 had about a $3000 discount, give or take a few hundred. Not too bad, but 4x4 models in the snow belt probably will not get such a discount.
I've had the 2000 XLS 4WD now for about a month, and the 3.0L is good, but I wish I had the 3.5L.
Another thing about color. The dorks at Mitsu did something so stupid, I can't stand it. I really really liked the new black/silver and black/dark gray 2-tone colors available on the 2000's. The problem is, they only offer tan leather. Soooo, if you get the premium package on an XLS, it automatically comes with leather, which automatically made the 2 new 2-tone colors not an option!! I had to go wit the black/beige, which I like, but the black/silver is much sharper. If you see any black/silver 2-tone XLS on the road you already know they didn't get the premium package. Pretty dumb, huh? I bet they offer gray leather for the 2001 models after they realize their mistake.
Just tried a Limted Sport 4X4 yesterday (finally). Had it for 1 1/2 days, so got to put it to the old test. It performed very well. Off the line it is ok, but would not break a tire loose. Once up to speed, runs well. I live in Montana so took it on the freeway, up over some steep hills, and to my surprise, at 80 mph, did not shift down and dropped off only 2 mph before gaining it back. Did the same at 75 and 70. The 3.5 litre engine definately has more power than the 3.0 litre.
Also, it has 4.90 axle ratio, lower than the 99's 4.64 which I thought would hurt fuel ecomomy. The 4x4 is rated at 15/18 for 2000 and the 99 was rated at 16/20. I tried both the 99 and 00 over pretty much the same test and the results were 18.3 mpg for the 99 and 18.1 for the 00. The lower axle ratio did not seem to hurt the fuel economy. At 80 mph, the engine is turning 3250 rpm, which is pretty high, but it seems to be more into the engines power band. At 70, it is 3000 rpm.
The vehicle is quiet. Transmission shifts extremely smooth. Better riding than the 99. Comfortable leather seats. Has great rear passenger leg room. More than most SUV's in this class. Funny, the brochure shows less than most SUV's. Must be where they measure from where the front seat is located. And the rear seat reclines! Build quality seems very good. Noticed a lot of little things to make this vehicle smooth and quiet, vibration dampners, intake hose pods, insulation, etc.
I also found out from our dealer that Mitsubishi credit is offering 0 payments, 0 interest, and 0 down unill the year 2001. Yes thats right, '2001'. They do have the same plan for the 99's going till 2000. So you could possibly have the vehicle for 14 months before you have to make a payment. Unheard of in this industry.
My suggestion to you is to wait and try a Limited before you buy one and check out their new program.
Another interesting discrepancy, is that Edmunds review stated that the Limited 3.5 engine was weak climbing up mtn passes or used in high altitude. Shifted down from overdrive. The one that I tested did not. Hmmmmm!!!
No rebates or incentives apply on the 2001 program. You waive them when you go for this plan.
ladyblue
Community Leader/SUV Conference
Here is the kicker! Mark said that if you wanted to refinance when 2001 rolled around you could. This means that you could seek your own financing (maybe 72 months) as long as you paid off Mitsubishi Motors. According to Mark there is no penalty for doing this. Mark has been very helpful, and he is very low pressure. I, however, have seen nothing in writing and recommend if you do go for this program you read the "Mitsubishi 2001 Program Guidelines" that should be available at all Mitsubishi dealers. Good luck.
My problem is that I don't see these trucks on the road anywhere in Minneapolis. I see Ford, Chevy, Jeep, Toyota, Nissan and Isuzu for the most part. I want to dive this vehicle for 10 years, I know I could do that w/ Toyota or Nissan. Any opinions on the reliability of the Montero Sport? Any opinions on the fact that nobody drives these around here? I really want to buy one of these, but I don't know if it will be a good deal at 30K.
What is the verdict on safety for the MS?
Thanks for such detailed info -- very helpful. Is it true that you forego a $1,000 rebate if you go with the special financing?
That is correct. No rebates or incentives if you sign up for the 2001 plan.
The vehicle is great. The fit, finish and ride are outstanding. The inside is very well designed. Everybody who has seen it loves the appearance. I know it's early, but this may be the best vehicle I have ever purchased.
Interestingly, many people who ask me what kind of SUV I got without seeing the vehicle) have no idea what a Montero looks like. Those few who know what a Montero looks like always have very positive comments. Perhaps the Montero merely suffers from a lack of a good marketing campaign.
Only dissatisfaction I had from the dealer was the $550 adevertising assessment from Mitsubishi tagged on to the price. Doe this sound Kosher?
Will probably sell right before payments kick in hoping resale is not too bad.
I live in the Northwest as well. I am dealing on a 2000 MS Limited 4x4 right now. Where did you find such a great deal? Is it a friend! Would you please let me know. If you wish to keep it private, please e-mail me at www.dmetzger@mtpower.com. (day) or
www.cmetzger@intch.com. (night)
Thanks!!!!!!!
You received an excellent deal. Was the $550.00 advertising charge above your $99 under invoice price or was the $99 under invoice including your advertising charge. Also did you drive a 3.0 liter model before you bought your limited. I'd like to know how big of a difference there is. I drove an LS model and thought it drove nice up to about 55mph,then it seemed a little loud, and the rpm's were way up. Thanks
Apparently, demand for that vehicle is really high in large part due to the PR campaign. I am not a Lenny Kravitz fan and am out of the target group for that vehicle(mid 20s), but the ads really grab your attention.
In contrast, until I saw the commercial again tonight I did not realize that the tough dog/pretty dog commercial was for the Montero. I recalled the commercial, but not the product. I imagine many who have seen the ad do not even recall it.
Obviously, increased demand would help our re-sale value down the road. Given that, why is the 2001 finaning program not heavily advertised. My local dealer's radio and print ads make it sound like he is the one offering the program.
The advertising fee was added to the $99 under invoice price. I also purchased my wife a 2000 LS two weeks ago so had the opportunity to drive the 3.0 liter. Since hers is a 2WD didn't think it was too underpowered although the 3.5 4WD did have more power. Rpms are also high over 55 mph on the 3.5 liter.
To all,
The $99 under deal is being offered by Sheehy Mitsubishi in Manassas VA. Don't know how long it will last.