I have this almost same model; a 1990 bubble top 2.5 litre turbo diesel. Interior is dated but the engine is still in top condition. It may be slow compared to the SUVs of today, but it still drives me from point A to B without any dramas. It's built like a tank!
I want manufacturers to again start building boxy ,shiny SUVs and trucks with chrome finished grills and why not ,simplicity with ladder frame chassis and good mechanisms
I agree body on frame is nice build trait. Perhaps once computer technology advanced to the point that it allowed vehicles engineers to design and test multiple pre-production tolerances on on a screen, it became less cost effective to invest in body on frame vehicles because their was a decrease in the modular benefits of body on frame construction.
My dad has owned one of these since '01, his is one of the last made (Dec '90) before the second generation came out. Its done its duty as a family car well, very thirsty but reliable and smooth riding. They were called Pajero here in NZ, ours has the optional twin rear seats which fold into the sides of the luggage area, we've carried 7 people in it many times and despite the low power rating (by modern standards), you don't really feel much difference in pace even when the truck is packed with passengers/luggage. I won't need a vehicle like this for a few more years, but I'll make sure dads one sticks around because I'll sure as hell be buying it from him!
This review is spot-on. I bought new a '87 2-door (4 cylinder 5-speed manual) then replaced it with a '90 4-door (v-6 automatic), and one of the big reasons to go for the 4-door was the import tax they talked about. 25% additional tariff on the 2-door put it within just a few $$ of the 4-door. It was a great truck. The perfect transport for 2-4 people and their stuff, or in my case, 2 people, 2 big dogs and stuff. And it was easy to work on too. It drove very well with independent front suspension while the Jeeps and others had solid axles. If I could only find a pristine example now I'd buy it in a heartbeat
I LOVE how this gen Montero had the exact same steering column, overall dash design, & dome light as on my family's dearly beloved, yet departed, 1985 Dodge Colt Vista!!!!!!
Lucky to have one. Also black on tan. The ride is even better than the new ones with leaf spring suspension. The independent suspension system of the Montero is superb coupled with the seat suspension. Giving you a comfortable ride.
I miss mine. 89, red 4 door automatic. Frame trust claimed her. For 10 years, that truck got me through many a service call and took me anywhere I needed or wanted to go. I've been looking for another one since
MotorWeek: do you have a review of just a Jeep Cherokee (80s) available? Ive seen the 1985 comparo and the 95 Cherokee Sport road test, but would love to see one of the 89 Limited shown at the end of this clip.
used to love reding about the SUV's and Sportscars of that era lot of cool comparisons. They were purpose built and didn't try to do everything just what they were intended for.
Owned a V6 Red Dodge Raider. Miss it alot while watching this video. Graet truck, but after 150,000 everything started going wrong. Had to let it go after trying my hardest to keep it trouble free. Became a money pit. Would not have spent the money to keep it going , but i loved it. Like a Japanese Defender 90
A coworker of mine's father still drives one of these. Or, rather, used to. Got into an accident with it about a week ago. Supposedly wasn't going to pass inspection this fall anyways from rust.
Rust has nothing to do with inspection. The reason it wouldn't pass inspection is caused by crack in mirror,windows, or mechanical issues. Not by rust.
What was the difference between the 2-door 4x4s and the 4-door versions to make the 2-doors be subject to 25% tax?? The 4-door versions were the same trucks underneath, only with more doors!!
really late reply but its due to the chicken tax and if you weant to know more google is defi your friend in this regard as its a lot of information on how it all started and why it exists in the first place
BTC Nice! I've been polishing and waxing this thing over the last two weeks lol. Took off the old gold pinstripe with the amazing 3M decal remover wheel. She's looking pretty good. 👍
Government regulation always achieves nothing. Require trucks to get unreasonable fuel economy? Everyone just makes giant trucks that are exempt. Problem is still there, and also worse.
Funny to hear you mostly got the two door models. In Australia we always had the four door with the two door models having poorer sales. This year 2020 is the last year the Mitsubishi Pajero as it is called here will be available. So after 40 years of sales we will sadly say good bye.
gilbert martinez why? Mitsubishi sales in Australia keep them in 3rd place in sale numbers. Across Asia they also do very well. European sales are pretty good also. Sales in the states are low because they don't make oversized petrol guzzling tanks. But the outlander and as you call it outlander sport do pretty well.
As much as I agree that Mitsubishi needs to bring back the Montero (despite the Chicken Tax), however, SUVs/CUVs are heavily oversaturated in the U.S. market...need more sedans/coupes!
One of the best off-road SUVs ever ,just love it and also liked the classic simple boxy design and mechanism ,I want Mitsubishi to again come up with the pajero and also round headlights if I wish so and why not shiny chrome finished bumpers
Blows my mind that once a four door SUV was an outlandish concept. I've grown up knowing that two doors are impractical and don't sell nearly as well, often being cancelled!
Looked better than I was expecting. If you corner harder than they did, that's your fault. Pay attention to your driving, know how much you can push it and know when to hold your ground.
Mitsubishi often missed the mark which is why they barely even have a presence in the US anymore. The Montero is yet another example of their failure to compete.
It was my first car in 1999. A BMW m3 turned in front of me and got stuck in the snow...I hit it going about 40mph and completely cracked the rear frame of the BMW...the montero had no damage I could see. I was braking as I made impact but still no damage. I put this truck through hell and can attest to it's structural integrity. A shame they don't make them like this anymore.
