[Harbir]

Mods please move as appropriate.

I am going to be looking for used Monteros for my dad. the vehicle will be used for highway cruising in the plains, mountain driving on tarmac roads in kashmir and ladakh, completely rocky or desert trails in kashmir, and every sort of terrain likely to be encountered in ladakh, plus local running where ever my dad happens to be.

we've only been looking at used monteros in the 20 to 22 lac range, around 40,000km.

but now I am not sure if it wouldn't be better to buy a brand new pajero or montero for the same eprice.

what your thoughts?

[Parm]

a new Fortuner any day over the other two.

Pajero is more than 15 year old vehicle.

Montero is expensive to maintain and doesnt sell much in numbers, hardly any resale!

TFort the best buy among the above three.

[Harbir]

Does the fortuner ride and handle better than the Montero?

edit: I can feel comparative test drives coming up!

[MileCruncher]

I would throw the Pajero out of the equation just because of the engine. Between the TFort and Montero, Montero will have much better equipment levels. Even though a new car is a new car any day, I would take the Montero!

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by Harbir

...the vehicle will be used for highway cruising in the plains, mountain driving on tarmac roads in kashmir and ladakh, completely rocky or desert trails in kashmir, and every sort of terrain likely to be encountered in ladakh...

Reliability would be the #1 requirement for the vehicle you plan to buy. You don't really want to break down in Ladakh with a Montero, with no hope of repairs or spares. What better than a Toyota for such purposes?

[mayankjha1806]

One of the reasons that i would like to buy an SUV is to take it to places where a sedan would have tough time to go. Most of these places would have limited service network. If you plan to take the Mitsubishi to such places then the chances of getting things fixed (if they break down) would be impossible as almost non-existent network of Mitsubishi service centers.

With that aspect in mind i would recommend a Toyota over Mitsubishi any day.

The other factors that could impact your decision would be cost of repairs, and if you are planning to drive the car mostly in the city or close to the city then Montero would serve you well and would be more comfortable as it is from a segment higher (This i am assuming, as i haven't driven a Montero).

PS: I have driven a Fortuner multiple times and have been on the middle row on a longish drive. I don't had any problems with the so-called bumpy ride and was fine with the comfort and ride provided by the T-Fort.

[jyobeb]

Exactly my dilemma when I wanted a change! I had booked a Fortuner and was among the first in the country to take a test drive. My options were between a Pajero, Captiva, Fortuner and a used Montero and after examining my requirements and driving style, I choose to go for a Montero.
Now, 2 years later if you ask my if I made the right choice, I would emphatically say yes.
The Captiva cannot take abuse and the engine life is suspect.
The Pajero while being extremely competent, is just not up there with its low power and archaic interiors.
The Fortuner is still has low equipment and safety feature are still missing. For its size, it has less interior space and its not very comfortable.
The Montero on the other hand has excellent equipment level, great safety feature, is a phenomenal off-roader and parts are available, not that I have had reason to change any OR wait for parts.
My bet is with a used Montero anyday!

[RS_DEL]

I have no experience of any of the vehicles in question so will not attempt to comment on the relative merits and demerits.

One of the critical factors that should prevail is fallback in case of exigencies. If I recall correctly one member who traveled to Ladakh in his T-Fort said Toyota are planning to establish a presence in the region or already have?. That is one big reassuring factor.

[Akshay1234]

I'm going to have to say the Montero. The Fortuner and the Pajero are overpriced. Also the Fortuner is due for a facelift which will probably improve the interiors, and features.

Depending on how many km the car has done, a used car can be as troublefree as a new car. Also I think the Montero is as capable, if not more than the Fortuner offroad, while providing much more luxury.

Oh yes, and a banging Rockford Fosgate system.

[.anshuman]

Originally Posted by akshay1234

I'm going to have to say the Montero. The Fortuner and the Pajero are overpriced. Also the Fortuner is due for a facelift which will probably improve the interiors, and features.

Depending on how many km the car has done, a used car can be as troublefree as a new car. Also I think the Montero is as capable, if not more than the Fortuner offroad, while providing much more luxury.

Oh yes, and a banging Rockford Fosgate system.

Add to that the much superior Ride and Handling, The Montero is not a Pick-up truck based cut cost SUV like the Fortuner. But finding a low mileage Montero will be a tough task.

[4x4addict]

My preference would be Montero as it is way superior to either in terms of features. However, the biggest draw back like others have pointed out would be the A. S. S from HM. I doubht they carry critical parts in stock and will have to be back ordered.

You get the following safety features in the Montero that you don't get in a Fortuner:

1) Rear Disk Brakes
2) Traction Control
3) Six airbags, including side curtain airbags

Fortuner maybe some what inferior in features but Toyota has great After Sales Service.

[BBR_SHR]

A new Montero costs almost twice as much as a Fortuner. You can certainly expect Montero to be better in terms of luxury/features/comfort.

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

1) Rear Disk Brakes
2) Traction Control
3) Six airbags, including side curtain airbags

Fortuner maybe some what inferior in features but Toyota has great After Sales Service.

No doubt the Montero has superior braking than the Fortuner, TCS and ASC are a big plus in adding to safety, and ride comfort is streets ahead of any other SUV in or below its price range save perhaps the Freelander2. But all this can come to nought in Ladakh if a sensor fails, a bearing breaks, an oil seal leaks, a relay short-circuits, the clutch fails or the engine refuses to start. Toyota's reliability and service support would get Harbir and his dad home riding on his own set of wheels, but the Montero cannot even be put on a truck or towed back, it's so big and heavy.

[Guna]

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

My preference would be Montero as it is way superior to either in terms of features. However, the biggest draw back like others have pointed out would be the A. S. S from HM. I doubht they carry critical parts in stock and will have to be back ordered.

You get the following safety features in the Montero that you don't get in a Fortuner:

1) Rear Disk Brakes
2) Traction Control
3) Six airbags, including side curtain airbags

Fortuner maybe some what inferior in features but Toyota has great After Sales Service.

You also have the option of Automatic.

[RS_DEL]

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

No doubt the Montero has superior braking than the Fortuner, TCS and ASC are a big plus in adding to safety, and ride comfort cannot even be put on a truck or towed back, it's so big and heavy.

Exactly!

The superior vehicle is Montero without a doubt.

However the relatively sparse service network , more advanced technology which can confound the support personnel in non metro locations and the inhospitable terrain which is practically unpopulated where he intends to use the vehicle are also factors that need to be considered as well.