Passport or Montero

[Papercut]

Here's the deal, I have a 97 Passport LX with 122k and a 98 Montero Sport w/112k. Both are 4wd, pretty much stock, 5 spd, V6's, with all power options. Both are mechanically sound and run great, neither one leaks. Which would you keep? I realize most people will lean towards the Passport on this site......

[Ramblin Fever]

I don't know squat about the Montero's, except to say that when I was out looking for another SUV 10yrs ago, I looked highly at the Montero's then.

At the time, I'd already had a '91 Rodeo with over 80k flawless miles, and wanted a higher powered V6, all the while keeping the '91 Rodeo. I loved the looks of the Montero Sport, and the fact that it came with fairly beefy sized tires at the time, the one thing that turned me against it was the price mainly.

For all the same options that I got with my '97 Rodeo, which was the vehicle I was strongly looking at too at the time, it would've cost me about $3-4k more, I can't remember the size of the engine differences, but it wasn't a big enough difference to be a concern in my mind, and definitely not enough to spend more then what Isuzu was offering.

With Honda Passport, which IS an Isuzu Rodeo, the package deal's at time of purchase were very similar to the Montero's in terms of warranty. But Isuzu was offering the longest warranty with rebates at the time, AND, I'd already had a Rodeo and knew how good of a truck it had been.

I don't regret our decision, we currently still have our '97 Rodeo 10yrs later with 180,955 flawless miles. Everything original except normal maintenance....this all with pulling a heavy boat for half of it's life.

I don't remember to be honest with you, the interior size difference of the two, but I'd keep the one most suited to your needs, aside from this, I can tell you that that 3.2L engine in that Honda Passport is ALL Isuzu, as I'm sure you know, and as long as you keep the cooling system thoroughly maintained and oil in that engine, you can go well beyond 200k miles without issue. The engines of the 93-97yrs were/are fantastic.

Aside from this, I would spend several days researching all you can about responses from other posters in the past as well as current about their Rodeo's and Montero's.

I'm sure they both probably use the same amount of gas?? What about oil changes, is the price/quarts roughly the same??

What size of tires are you running on both trucks??

I can't imagine the maintenance costs being much different, and I'm sure they're both paid or almost paid for??

Also, look at which one is cheaper to insure.

[FL 3.2L]

Originally Posted by Ramblin Fever

I don't know squat about the Montero's, except to say that when I was out looking for another SUV 10yrs ago, I looked highly at the Montero's then.

X2.

The Monteros we looked at were new and the Explorers, both new and used, were overpriced with less warranty. The Rodeo was priced right and still had factory warranty left - which I NEVER could take advantage of. Nothing broke!

My father-in-law couldn't wait to unload his Montero. He had tire balancing/road noise issues he couldn't get resolved. I guess that would not be an issue in your decision, but it's the only Montero tidbit I could come up with! Are parts more readily available in your area for the Mitsubishi?

[Papercut]

Thanks for the responses and info. As far as I know they both take about the same amount of oil, and burn about the same for that matter. They both use 10w/30 and even use the same oil filters. The Passport has slightly bigger tires 265/70/16 and the Montero has 31/10.5/15. Im not sure what the tank size is on them, I think the Montero is slightly smaller, maybe 16 gals. I think the Passport has a bit longer range, over 350 miles. Im fortunate to have both dealers close by so parts aren't a problem. I've done a lot more work to the Passport, including the starter, but for the most part nothing major to either one. Which brings up another thing to consider, the use of this forum has been quite helpful for the Passport vs the forum for the Montero seem to have far less views and responses. There is a big difference between the ride, the Montero is much smoother and quieter where the P.P is much stiffer and noisy, not to mention that chatter in the rear end that I've looked everywhere for and still cant find. Maybe I should just keep the one that doesn't sell.

[Ramblin Fever]

Isuzu's ride rougher because they're built on actual truck frames, they're very stout trucks and I would trust one in a heartbeat when it comes to being in an accident versus a vehicle built on any other type of frame.

Mine is becoming quite the chatter box too, mainly when on dirt roads and also because I have a dog barrier in it now too, whereas I never did before.

Double check the tightness of the rear tire carrier latch, that can give off some drastic noise too.

That passport probably proves to be heavier then your Montero too, which would lend to a rougher ride as well.

90% of your SUV's, even 9-10yrs ago, were built to *satisfy* the comfort zone of urbanized needs, Isuzu's, Toyota's and Nissan's in particular, were designed for the rough and tumble and sporty enthusiast who wanted to venture off the beaten path and come back to tell about it.

Keep the truck that satisfies *your* particular needs and the one that you're able to get the most information/support for should any problems arise and you need the assistance of other owners. I can tell you, that as both those vehicles age, finding informative websites will get harder.

FWIW - every day I see at least 7-8 1st generation Rodeo's, i.e. 91-97's still out on the road; just earlier today, before I saw your post, I had seen the first Montero Sport out on the road in quite some time....I remember this particular Montero Sport cause the guy used to live down the road from me and always babied this truck. It's a very pretty one that he's taken exceptional care of, but sat undriveable for over a year while waiting work on a headgasket repair.

Again, I've always liked the looks of both trucks, but needs out way looks...keep the one that's most suited to you and yours.

Keep us posted.

BTW, for the rattle in the rear, check out your leaf springs/bushings, and try lubing your driveshaft, and changing the rear differential oil....mine was doing this too. Lubing the driveshaft slip yoke reduced the noise and vibration by far!

Definitely keep us posted, I'm curious to which one you decide. For me the choice would be easy, because I know Isuzu's, we've had 2 of our own, and a total of 5 in the family - but my sister also has a Mitsubishi engine in her Dodge caravan and that thing's still running, drinks a LOT of oil, but runs good.