An SUV Pioneer
The Mitsubishi Pajero wasn’t the first SUV, nor was it the first of its kind in Japan. However, it was among the pioneering 4x4s in its home market, and it was even one of the reasons why Land Rover ended up developing the Discovery. The Pajero was also instrumental in the ‘RV’ boom in Japan in the ’80s. It was known as the Montero in the U.S, but it also carried Dodge badges briefly from 1987 to 1989 as the Raider.
Three generations of Montero were sold in the U.S with the final model offered from 2000 to 2006. America never got the fourth-gen model that ran from 2007 to its discontinuation in 2021. Its direct rival has always been the Toyota 4Runner, and it’s been unchallenged for quite some time already.
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The Backstory
Classic.com currently lists third-gen Montero values at around $12,000 for nice, clean, and solid examples. Monteros never really got the same amount of fanfare as the 4Runner, as reflected by its resale values. Many have been used and abused, but not this particular one from Bring a Trailer.
This one is a Limited model from 2004, so it packs the larger 3.8-liter V6 instead of the pre-facelift version’s 3.5-liter. We’d love to get an interesting backstory from it, but it’s worth pointing out that this Montero has been with the same owner for the last 22 years until it was sold to the dealer who’s posted this listing. Its two-tone paint appears unblemished, and everything looks pretty straight. The interior condition is spectacular for a car of its age, although we wish we could get hold of its service history. That said, Monteros are generally strong and robust.
Blemishes? Well, it’s an unrestored example, so there are some hard water stains on the glass, faded ‘Limited’ badges, and the Montero lettering on the tailgate is out of alignment. Still, it’s in great shape all things considered.
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The Offer
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Make | Mitsubishi |
| Model | Montero Limited (V60) |
| Year | 2004 |
| Mileage | 87,696 miles shown |
| Engine | 3.8-liter 6G75 V6 |
| Power | 215 horsepower |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic |
| Drive type | Four-wheel drive |
| Exterior color | Viking White on Sudan Beige Metallic |
| Interior color | Tan leather |
| Wheels | 16-inch six-spoke |
| Suspension | Double-wishbone front, multi-link rear |
| Brakes | Four-wheel vented disc |
| Steering | Hydraulic rack and pinion power steering |
| Current bid | $1,100 |
Interested in this car? View the listing here.
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Why it’s Special
The third-generation Mitsubishi Montero isn’t a rare SUV per se, but it’s an uncommon sight in the U.S. The first couple of years were strong, with about 40,000 sold in two years. However, sales fell off a cliff by 2003 and never recovered from there. Less than 100,000 made it stateside, and the number of survivors has been thinning down since.
While it doesn’t have the same rugged appeal or underpinnings as the first two generations, it does deserve credit. After all, this was the generation that raked in successive Dakar Rally victories for Mitsubishi. It hasn’t reached collector or mythical status just yet, but that means you can still pick one up for a bargain.
Iakllc/Bring a Trailer
Iakllc/Bring a Trailer
Iakllc/Bring a Trailer
Iakllc/Bring a Trailer
Iakllc/Bring a Trailer
Iakllc/Bring a Trailer
Iakllc/Bring a Trailer
Iakllc/Bring a Trailer
Iakllc/Bring a Trailer
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.
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About the author
Anton Andres
News Editor