Vehicle:1999 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT LS/XLS

VIN:JA4MT31HXXP024414

Greetings everyone and thank you in advance for any input you can provide!

Basically I am looking to check on the reliability of the specific model of Mitsubishi. A friend of mine is Has an opportunity to purchase an inexpensive Montero and I know nothing about Mitsubishi's.

Here's what I know about this car:

1. 116,000 miles, two owners - Cost: $1600
2. The current owner changed the struts and the brakes, that is all.
3. The vehicle currently exhibits some shaking in the steering, is this a known issue?

Other than that I do not have any additional history on the vehicle. I imagine it is due for a timing belt change (cost?)

I am also weary of this vehicle because I do not see many of them on the road, How long do they typically last? At what mileage to catastrophic issues begin to occur?

Bonus: if this truck is a money pit, What SUV would you recommend for less than $2000?

Thanks Again!

 

are you able to do the timing belt and water pump job ? if not you are already under water , the shake up front is possible hub replacement or suspension wear , these are 20 years old if you are able to complete the maintenance and source the parts as some early models are a challenge they are reliable if you can maintain it but paying for these would definitely cost more than it is worth