Dependable, great rear axle travel, cool cargo stowaway compartments, stylish yet rugged.

Poor down trail on the front IFS when lifted 2". All most no after market parts. Poor gear ratios. Cargo area is a bit too narrow. 97-99 had poor crash test rattings.

We have had are MS now for 5 years and it is still going strong with over 80 thousand miles on it. It's been a good vehicle to own. We have had just a few miner problems like all vehicle do. We have been taking it 4 wheeling ever since we go it. It is a very capable vehicle for 4 wheeling with just few mods. See picture at http://skidplate4x4.tripod.com/Wheelerlake02/pg30Wheelerlake02.html

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All other SUVs

As mentioned above, the major strength is visual.

The manual transmission. I'm not sure if we would be experiencing the same problems with an automatic transmission.

My husband and I bought a MMS 4WD, manual transmission in 1998. It was our first vehicle purchased. I knew the moment I saw the MMS that that was the SUV I wanted. It's beautiful and I am very proud of the fact that the body style has only changed slightly since we purchased it. On first sight, really only the front lights are different. BUT, we had to get a new transmission at 61,000 miles in 2001 and we are told by our mechanic that there is a vibration in the transmission drive-thru; thus, we are in need of another transmission. We are currently at 96,000 miles.

Solid construction, positive handling and steering with very good turning radius. Suspension is Solid and doesn't make you feel like you might "loose it" in some off-road situations. (Sorry Jeep "Quadra-coil" suspension, but you are soooo weak.) Wonderful combination of solid suspension with good ride for my arthritic joints. Very easy access for vehicle maintenance. 3.0L engine good in freeway and downtown traffic; adiquate on uphill mountain driving. Comfortable seating with lots of head and leg room, even in the rear seat.

Well, I suppose the engine could have a little more power, but then, I could have popped for the larger engine in the next model up. And, it didn't come with the rear cargo area cover or with the luggage rack cross members, but then again, I didn't pay for them. It also didn't come with the fog lights or receiver hitch, but that was because I chose not to pay the dealer prices, which are higher by far compared to what you can get them for on the internet after market, so no crying here. No real weaknesses noted to date other than a couple of bolts that didn't take the beef I put into them. We got what we paid for...and much more!!

We have 16,000 miles on our Sport since July, when it was purchased new. The steering and suspension is far superior to ANY U.S. made SUV we tested. The Highlander and Sequoia beat it, but their prices don't, and the Highlander is on a car frame. Interior is not what you'd find in an Escalade, but beats the blazer by a country mile - and the Blazer goes for a little more that what we paid! Out the door tow rating is 5000 lbs, more than some "mid size" SUV's. Gas mileage is 19 to 21 mpg, depending on how heavy my foot gets. Very stable and solid on our winding mountain roads (6200 ft elevation). Very good ground clearance. Great performance on snow and snow packed roads...so far. Some minor road noise, but not as much as our Oldmobile Intrigue! Did have some difficulty with a couple of bolts stripping out when replacing skid plates removed for oil changes/lube job, etc. Engine size (3.0L) not as "peppy" as I would sometimes like, but is still very much up to the task of passing flat-landers on the way up the mountain. Had a semi truck/trailer rig roll backwards - down hill - about 10 feet and hit the front...with only minor cosmetic damage to the plastic bumper shell. Well built. Also, I've added a receiver hitch and OEM fog lights and trailer wiring harness (e-bay, of course!). The Sport comes with all wiring connections you need to add any such items aftermarket. The fog lights come with a small wiring harness that connects to what is already installed, and the kit came with a fuse, relay, and OEM switch. Even the wiring for the switch was already in place behind the appropriate plug, which is simply pulled out to allow for switch install. The trailer wiring harness was just as simple. It's plug and play all the way! Sound system is not a Bose, but it is very good. No complaints so far...and I don't baby it. Well, not much. We love our Sport! A good pick.

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'80 Toyota 4 x 4, Ford Explorer, military 4 x 4's, plus road tested almost all foreign and domestic AWD/4WD and 4WD SUV's on the market for months before our purchase in 2002.

The Montero Sport has to be fixed or this could be a very dangerous experience for Me,My Wife and my 4 children. What should I do?

To be involved in a accident.

My Wife and I had purchased a Montero Sport ES almost 4 months now, and we have been having problems with the new vechicle. When we first test drove the SUV, we were some what satisfied with the handling and performance of the vehicle. Although this is our first SUV, I'm very unsatisfied with the problems we have encountered. The problem we are having is engine failure. The vehicle will shut off on it's own. I was told from the sales rep. that it might be the type of gas we are putting in the SUV. Which the SUV requires unleaded gas only, and that's what I've been putting in. Then I spoke with the Service Dept., and he insisted that I should put a higher quality of gas in the vehicle and I did so. And I'm still having the same problems.I have made numerous calls to the Dealership,and they said to bring it in. So they did a Engine Diagnosic check. And the result's came back and which the engine performs better with a low gas octane only. So now I have to put regular unleaded. Which is no problem but I am still having the engine failure. And the check engine light is not on. I was told from the service dept. that the light had to be on for them to correct the problem in the engine. This could be a very dangerous situation, recalling the several times that I've could of been in an accident. Now I do not know who to inform about the problem. I shouldn't have these sort's of problem's with a 2003 Montero Sport. Question: Is it normal to have Engine Failure problems with using regular unleaded gasoline? I was told that the gas quality here in Texas was really bad and that's why I'm having the problem.

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Either My wife and I could resolve the problem and get it fixed, or look for another SUV!

The 3.5L V6 is very consistant and peppy, and driving in Atlanta traffic everyday, you don't want a slow vehicle. All the accessories work perfectly, though the radio and HVAC stuff could be a little more ergonomically laid out. Many people have complained of a rough ride, I don't understand that unless they came out of a gas guzzling, sissy Cadilac or something. We've been very pleased with the ride and comfort of the Montero Sport.

I haven't found anything that is truely a weakness, with the exception that sometimes the transmission seems to hesitate to go into passing gear unless you really mash the accelerator down. I would like to see some added or optional in the XLS. I like to see defrosting outside mirros, more ergonomic center dash, and integrated cross members on the luggage rack. The metal on the body pannels seem thin, I accententally bumped into our plastic garbage can and put a small dent in the fender.

This is the first Japaneses vehicle I've ever purchased, I've had 3 German cars, 3 Volvos, 2 Alfa Romeos, 1 Renault LeCar, and a Jeep (standard) Cherokee. And my wife is currently driving a VOLVO 940 wagon. At first I really wanted a Toyota 4Runner, but the timing and cost made it unavailable to me. Well, I finally narrowed my search down to the Mitsubishi Montero Sport XLS. I purchased the XLS mainly for the larger 3.5L engine. After getting used to the fact that it didn't drive as sporty as my Alfa Romeo 164, nor as stiff as our Jeep Cherokee, I really started to enjoy the vehicle. We've racked up just a little over 6000 miles on it since Septembe of this year, and its unbelieveably flawless as far as NO problems found. I'm really glad I purchase the vehicle now, even after many second thoughts. In addition after looking at the new Consumer Reports, it looks like the reliability of this vehicle rates right up there with the Toyotas, Hondas and Lexus, and much much better than ANY Grand Cherokee. The gas milage is about 19mpg on an average. All of our other vehicles have over 100,000 miles on them, so in my opinion, the true test of the Montero Sport will be how much maintenance will I have. And since I'll probably do my own work on it after its' out of waranty I'll be courious to see how easy or dificult it is to work on and get parts for.

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The first SUV I ever owned was a used '93 Jeep Cherokee Country which now has over 250,000 miles on it. I can't believe Jeep quit making this vehicle as it is much more reliable than the Grand Cheroke

Size, Interior Room, Price (Some of these guys paid too much), Ride, Gas milege, ground clearance, LS includes tinted windows, power locks and windows, keyless entry, CD player, 2 cigarette lighters, rear windshield wiper, luggage rack, & spare tire is easy to access and is equipt with a rim

Did not come with a privacy cover for the cargo area, Moist floor carpet in high water, water runs from the luggage rack down into the car when the door is open, and last but not least, the service engine light (it can be triggered if you don't tighten the gas cap 3-5 times - $50 lesson learned)

I have to say that I love my vehicle. After pouring over the consumer report guide and countless websites, magazines, and trade books, I have to say that the Montero Sport is a great buy especially compared to the small and mid-size SUV lines (2000 CRV, Saturn Vue, Mazda Tribute, the Durango, Hyndai Santa Fe etc.) It received a good reliability rating from Consumenr Reports. It has lots of room (I was able to transport 5 floral arrangements (4 med, 1 lgr), 2 buckets (containing flowers), a picnic basket, and a box; and I was able to reach my destination with out incident. The ride is comfortable for a truck-based SUV (I test drove the Xterra, HORRIBLE. I also test drove the CRV. The ride was smoother because it was a car-based SUV, but not worth another $7000). I get great gas miliage (about $19 to fill-up). The thing that tops it all off is the price I paid : ) I giggle everytime I think about it. For those who are thinking about purchasing, I have some advise: * Test drive several vehicles on and above the level of the Montero Sport * Search the VIN on carfax for the vehicle history * Search for recalls, and maintenance schedules on edmunds.com * Don't rush to purchase, take your time. You can find great deals (Dealers are flexible on the last day of the month- Just look at the deal I got) * Go to at least 3 dealers * Get the warantee inforamtion before you drive off of the lot * Invest in the consumer reports guide (not just the magazine) It compares every make and model for the last 7-10 years..........I should get paid, I sound like a commercial : )

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looks good (needs nice wheels),rides nice,

wheel seal was leaking, dealer said it was break dust mixed with water . took it back months later and they said seal was leaking just like I told them.something wrong with transmission, don't know what yet

I love my sport, and as soon as I put some nice wheels on it I will love even more.it looks goofy with stock wheels.no problems for more than a year until now the trans is starting to slip from 2nd to 3rd sometimes it just winds a little, other times it jerks into gear. the dealer had it for 5 days and I even drove it with them , but it would not slip until the day after I took it home.its fine 98% of the time

OUTSIDE LOOK, BODY, TIRES.

CHEAP INTERIOR, ONE SPEAKER ALREADY WENT OFF, MAKES NOISES FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE FRONT SIDE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM NOT GOOD, ALL THE WHEELS ARE DISKS, MASTER CYLINDER WITH SOME FLAWS

THE WORSE I EVER BOUGHT, BECAUSE A BRAKE FAILURE I WAS INVOLVED IN A BAD ACCIDENT. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR WHAT IS NEXT???....GOD KNOWS

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PICK UP TRUCK CHEVY, 1500, THE ELECTRONIC 4X4 SYSTEM WITH SOME FLAWS

Room, Looks

Noise, and rough ride

I love the truck EXCEPT there is an ANNOYING rubbing noise coming from the front passenger side tire or in that area, I have been to 2 dealers who tell me it is nothing, has anyone else had this problem?

looks, price, ride, everything

none yet

Smooth ride, great sound system, great price.. It seems like you guys overpaid for yours. We got leather, full power, sliding moon roof all for 18,200. It had 30K miles.

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