Thanks for the replies. Among others, we've had a 2002 and 2006 Xterra. What the earlier Xterra lacked, the '06 handled with aplomb. It's hard to beat 270HP and a 6-speed. I don't want another Xterra, though. There are way too many of them roaming the streets.
I seem to be having a bit of a time finding a good example of any Gen 2-2.5. I've looked at a Gen 3 and actually think that she'd really like driving one, but she's not enamored with the styling.
I love the styling of the Gen 1s, but it is hard to sell a vehicle on reliability and styling alone.
I'll keep up my search...
I too loved the styling of my gen I Montero.
The Good:
The boxy style with the flat windows is just looks cool. I dig the safari look.
The dash or the lack there of is great.
I also appreciate the head room because I am 6'8".
The size of the vehicle was perfect for my needs. It was easy to park, and it had a good size on the trail.
Cheap and easy to maintain.
Fun to drive. I loved how nimble the vehicle was and how it handles.
Offroad capability was better than I expected, even with the IFS it was capable of tackling moderate trails with easy. I found that they are much more capable than a Toyota pickup because the don't spin tires, but it's no Jeep Rubicon.
The automatic transmission with the lockup torque converter is a great unit. It's as smooth as butter.
The IFS indestructible when compared to other manufactures.
While it may not seem like a big deal, the fact that the spare tire is mounted on the rear door is a big deal. It really helps departure angles, and it makes it much cheaper to mount oversized tires. It also comes in handy when you have to fix a flat.
The bodies are pretty rust resistant when compared to other vehicle from that period
The Bad:
While it is great for short distances, it was not a comfortable vehicle for long distance travel. It really made my shoulders and back sore.
There is no third row.
Safety was always a concern for me because it lacked all the newer safety features like crumple zones, ABS and airbags.
Poor fuel mileage. I would consistently get 14-15mpg with mixed driving and 17 mpg on the freeway.
I wish it had more power. I can live with 15 mpg if I have power. But when I have 140 hp and crappy mpg's something is wrong.
Aftermarket parts were limited and many companies stopped producing aftermarket parts.
Lack of dealer support for OEM parts (particularly interior trim pieces)
While very offroad capable, I wish it had a solid axle. If the Montero would have come with a solid axle it would have been even more capable. With major up
No factory front or rear lockers. While they can be had in the aftermarket, I wish they were available from the factory.
It lacked the AWD mode found on the second gen Monteros.
It was difficult to find a Montero that is over 20 years in great condition.
So I too was at a cross roads. I wanted the boxy styling, more offroad capability, updated safety, more luxury and more aftermarket support. Over the years I have really liked the first gen I Troopers because of there boxy look, but they are inferior to Gen I Montero in almost every way. The Gen I Trooper is also a 20 year vehicle that is hard to come by in great condition. The only other vehicle on the US market with the high roof and boxy styling is the Mercedes G wagon. The Mercedes has it all, except it comes with a heavy price tag. A 10 year old G Wagon will cost over $20K where a Gen I Montero or Trooper can be had for a fraction of that cost. The G Wagon is everything the Montero or Trooper could have and should have been. The G Wagon is hand made in Austria with solid axles, 300-650hp, lockers, extreme luxury, seating for up to 9, and unbelievable safety. The G Wagon may just be the best offroad vehicle ever made. They are that amazing, but reality is they are out of most peoples price range. If you can't afford the G Wagon, then I would recommend getting the Gen II.5 Montero because it is probably the most underrated offroad vehicle ever made. It is a huge upgrade over the Gen I Montero. Yeah you lose the boxy body, but it is superior in every way and your body will thank you after a long drive. Did I mention I saw 24 mpg several out of my 2000 Montero with the 3.5L and 4 speed auto. They are beautiful vehicles.