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Is the 2014 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Still a Reliable SUV Choice Today?
2025-11-18 10:00
When I first saw a 2014 Mitsubishi Montero Sport rolling into my workshop last month, I couldn't help but smile. The owner, a rugged-looking fellow named John, had driven it nearly 200,000 miles and still treated it like his favorite pair of broken-in boots. He'd just spent $2,800 replacing the timing belt and water pump - what many would call preventative maintenance on a vehicle this age. When I asked why he didn't just upgrade to something newer, he simply shrugged and said, "You couldn't really blame John for doing that." And honestly, after spending years working on these machines, I completely understand his attachment.
The 2014 Montero Sport represents what I consider the sweet spot in Mitsubishi's SUV lineage - old enough to have proven its reliability through years of service, yet modern enough to not feel completely outdated. Under that hood, you'll find either a 3.0-liter V6 or a 2.5-liter turbo diesel four-cylinder, with the diesel being the real star in my book. I've seen these diesel engines regularly clock 300,000 miles with proper maintenance, which isn't surprising given their robust construction. The transmission choices - either a five-speed automatic or manual - aren't exactly cutting-edge by today's standards, but their simplicity means fewer things can go wrong. Just last week, I serviced one with 187,000 miles on the original transmission, still shifting smoothly despite the owner's admitted tendency to tow small boats on weekends.
Where the Montero Sport truly shines, in my professional opinion, is its mechanical simplicity compared to modern SUVs. While today's vehicles are packed with sensors and computers that can cost thousands to repair, the 2014 model keeps things refreshingly straightforward. I recently helped a client replace the entire suspension system for about $1,200 in parts - something that would easily cost triple that on a newer luxury SUV. The interior materials might show their age with some hard plastics and dated design, but I've always found the seating position comfortable for long drives, and the cargo space at 1,480 liters with rear seats folded remains genuinely practical.
Now, let's talk about what potential buyers should watch for. The 2014 model does have its known issues - the transfer case seals tend to weep fluid after about 100,000 miles, and the glow plug system in diesel models can be temperamental in colder climates. I typically recommend budgeting around $1,500-$2,000 annually for maintenance and potential repairs, which is about 15-20% more than you'd spend on a comparable Toyota Fortuner. The fuel economy figures of around 18-22 mpg combined won't impress anyone, but considering you're getting genuine off-road capability with its Super Select 4WD system, it's a trade-off many enthusiasts willingly accept.
What continues to surprise me about these vehicles is how well they've held their value in certain markets. While depreciation hit them hard initially, good examples now command prices between $15,000-$22,000 depending on condition and mileage - that's only about 40% depreciation from their original $35,000-$45,000 MSRP. Compare that to some European counterparts that lose 60% of their value in the same period, and suddenly John's decision to keep maintaining his doesn't seem so sentimental after all.
Having driven and worked on countless SUVs over my career, I've developed a particular soft spot for vehicles like the 2014 Montero Sport. It's not the most refined, not the most efficient, and certainly not the most technologically advanced SUV you can buy today. But there's something to be said about a vehicle that does its job without unnecessary complexity. The fact that approximately 75% of the 2014 models I've encountered are still in regular use speaks volumes about their durability. When I see owners like John investing significant money into maintaining a nine-year-old vehicle, it reinforces my belief that sometimes, the most reliable choice isn't the newest or shiniest option, but the one with proven character and capability. In an era of disposable vehicles and planned obsolescence, the 2014 Montero Sport stands as a testament to honest engineering that ages gracefully rather than becoming instantly outdated.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
