Jump LinksIf you're pining to drive off into the wilderness but need an appropriate set of wheels to carry you, then you may be searching through the classifieds and looking for a reliable beater. If you've got around $5,000 to spend, you may be faced with an assorted number of Jeeps or find that you're coming up just short when looking at third-generation 4Runners.However, if you keep flicking through those entries, you'll likely come across another option that enthusiasts hardly ever mention in this context, but that may nevertheless represent the smartest move of all. See if you can find a third-generation Mitsubishi Montero or very close relative, the Mitsubishi Pajero.If you can uncover one, you'll be looking at a genuinely capable and reliable 4x4 that has its roots in rally raid glory and features a solid engineering approach. And because the market in the US mostly forgot about it, decent ones are available for around $5,000. They may turn out to be less dramatic than an old Jeep and typically cheaper than a 4Runner, but they'll surely be tough enough to carry you deep into the back country as you say your goodbyes to the grind. A Third Gen Montero Is The 5k 4x4 You're Sleeping On Cars and BidsMitsubishi has always been one of the lesser-known OEMs, but it has nevertheless had some serious aspirations. For a while, it dominated the Dakar Rally and other brutal long-distance off-road events with those Montero and Pajero nameplates. The Japanese company always ensured that its platforms were as sturdy as possible throughout their lifetime to make sure that its vehicles could maintain that redoubtable competition record. And by the time the third generation landed in 1999, Mitsubishi was in its element. In pursuit of even better reliability and performance, the company switched over to a unibody with an integrated ladder frame. And this hybrid construction gave the vehicle truck-like toughness with car-like rigidity, as well as better torsional stiffness, safety, and refinement in almost every condition imaginable.Mitsubishi did a lot of its talking in those remote desert environments but in truth did not put as much marketing effort into real-world environments to back that success up. The company had nowhere near the brand power that Toyota had as it pushed the 4Runner in the U.S. and it didn't have Jeep's cultural footprint either. In the end, this meant that the Montero never became a status symbol in either the new or used market.Translate that into basic language for your vehicle search, and you'll typically need to pay a little enthusiast tax pricing if you're after a third-generation 4Runner. And even worn-out Wranglers will tend to carry a prickly price. But if you continue searching through the classifieds, you'll probably come across a running, inspected, V6, and four-wheel drive example of a Montero or Pajero, which should be trading in the $4,000 to $5,000 range. How It Really Compares To A Jeep And A 4Runner Cars and Bids The same era Jeep Cherokee, third generation 4Runner, and third generation Montero are all mid-sized 4x4s that have good off-road intent and real low range. And any one of them can help you achieve your objectives, get you to the most remote spot, and cart you back home again. But the benchmark is probably the 4Runner, with a solid reputation for going 300k miles on just oil changes and timing belt replacements. That reputation carries into its used vehicle value, and you'll probably have to pay noticeably more for a third-generation 4Runner, with a clean history and four-wheel drive, than a same-era Montero. If you do force the budget down to $5,000 for your 4Runner, you may be looking at something with a considerable number of miles under its belt, and a good story to tell.Meanwhile, there are plenty of Jeeps around in the shape of Cherokees or Grand Cherokees from the late nineties or early 2000s. You can find several of them for well under $5,000 with legendary engines like the 4.0-liter inline-six, and there's a good aftermarket support network around. However, your ownership experience could be a rollercoaster, as a high-maintenance Jeep from that era could signal dodgy cooling systems, hidden electrical gremlins, or random sensor failures. If you do love to get your hands dirty as part of the adventure, then that could be part of the charm, but if not, issues like that could really be a problem if you're stuck in the middle of nowhere.By comparison, the Montero appears to sit in a quieter place. If you look after them and stay ahead with your timing belt and cooling system maintenance, while changing the fluids when you should, then they ought to just work. Certainly, the jury is out when comparing a 4Runner with a Montero in terms of reliability, especially as there's less data to sift through in the world of the Montero. But the Montero might be a better bet than a Jeep when taking everything else into consideration. This Off-Road Hardware Makes The Montero A Mountain Goat Cars and Bids Mitsubishi has loaded its third-generation Montero with plenty of thoughtful hardware to make it plenty capable enough in the wild. For example, there’s the Super Select 4WD system, which is a lot different from the basic two high, four high, and four low setup you’ll see in older part-time systems. This setup allows you to choose rear-wheel drive for maximum economy, full-time 4H for use on dry tarmac without binding the driveline, and 4H with a locked center differential for loose surfaces. You’ll also get 4L for the really tough stuff with the center differential locked.Full-time 4H is definitely a good place to be if you deal with mixed conditions a lot, including snow patches, gravel transitions, or wet sections. It means you don't have to constantly decide whether what you're facing is slippery enough to go boldly into four-wheel drive. And Mitsubishi also added a well-engineered low range transfer case with, on certain trims, a factory rear locker with proper low range. You can crawl slowly and carefully down steep descents or over tough obstacles and if you have the rear diff lock, you can keep both the rear wheels turning together even if one is hanging in the air or spinning in the mud.The Mitsubishi has solid ground clearance and gives you good approach or departure angles. You won't have to resort to sky-high lifts to prepare for your adventures, and the suspension can help you maintain control on rough tracks without turning into a bucking bronco on the highway. So, when you look at Mitsubishi's approach in total, you'll see a truck that can absolutely handle the same rocky roads, forestry trails, and back-side-of-the-moon environments that tend to draw legions of Jeeps and Toyotas every single weekend. What Breaks, What Doesn't, And How To Keep One Alive Cars and Bids You can't expect everything to be sweetness and light in your world if you are buying a 20-plus-year-old SUV. But if you want any drama to be manageable and predictable without opening up your wallet too far, then the Montero seems to be a reasonable purchase. Usually, you'll find a vehicle for sale that still has a fundamentally robust engine and transmission system. You'll then need to make sure that the previous owner has paid close attention to the water pump, timing belt, and cooling system parts, as otherwise you’ll likely have to fork out for repairs yourself.The steering and suspension components tend to wear out gradually and not catastrophically and reported electrical issues tend to be localized rather than systemic. If you give your acquisition a thorough debrief before you set off into the distance and ensure that previous owners have been attentive, then you ought to be okay. But remember that careful attention to detail with a vehicle like this is just common sense, and none of the aforementioned preparations should be unique to a Mitsubishi.However, before you conclude that a Montero is for you, bear in mind the parts and servicing situation, as the model never sold in Toyota numbers. You may find that local parts counters don't carry everything in stock, and as independent repair shops may not know this platform offhand, you may need to be quite creative. Some owners will handle the basics themselves and look online for specific part availability. But the trucks tend to be fairly straightforward to work on and there is a community, even if it's smaller than elsewhere, to help you top up your knowledge. How To Actually Find A Good Montero For $5,000 Cars and Bids When you come across your first candidate Montero for close to your $5,000 budget, begin by looking at its structure and checking for corrosion. Pay close attention to the underside and frame rails, as well as rear body mounts and suspension pickup points. Take more than just a moment to look through the vehicle's maintenance history and if you don't feel that the records are comprehensive enough, you may want to negotiate on the price and build out your to-do list instead. And try to choose vehicles that have the rear locker option as part of a healthy Super Select system.But if you can check all your boxes, are happy with the paperwork, and have had a revealing chat with the previous owner, then your used Montero may be good to go. And for the price of a sketchy Jeep with an odd misfire or a rusty old 4Runner, you can then pick up a third-generation Mitsubishi that does its work for you quietly, year after year.