Walking into my garage this morning, I caught myself staring at my 2015 Montero Sport GLX with that familiar mix of affection and doubt. It's been eight years since I drove it off the dealership lot, and lately, I've been wondering whether it's time to move on or if this trusty SUV still has plenty of life left. That internal debate reminded me of something June Mar Fajardo said after a recent PBA game—"Yung calf ko, may ultrasound ako bukas (Thursday)"—when discussing his injury concerns following San Miguel's heartbreaking loss to Ginebra. Just like athletes monitoring their physical condition, we car owners need to assess our vehicles' health before minor issues become major problems.
Let me be honest from the start—I've developed a real soft spot for this generation of Montero Sport. The 2015 GLX variant came with that reliable 2.5-liter diesel engine producing around 178 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque, numbers that still hold up reasonably well today. What many owners don't realize is that with proper maintenance, these engines can easily surpass 300,000 kilometers without major overhauls. My own Montero just crossed 145,000 kilometers last month, and apart from the usual wear items, it hasn't demanded anything extraordinary. The suspension still feels tight on rough roads, the interior has held up better than many newer SUVs I've tested, and that commanding driving position continues to make Manila's terrible traffic somewhat bearable.
Now, I'm not suggesting everyone should keep their aging vehicles indefinitely. There are legitimate reasons to consider upgrading, especially when it comes to safety features. The 2015 Montero Sport GLX came with dual airbags and ABS, which felt adequate back then but pale in comparison to today's standards where six airbags and electronic stability control are becoming commonplace. Fuel efficiency is another consideration—while my Montero still returns about 11-12 km/L on highway drives, newer diesel engines can manage 15-20% better figures. Then there's the technology gap; the infotainment system feels ancient compared to modern touchscreen units with Apple CarPlay, something I genuinely miss during long drives.
Here's where Fajardo's approach to his calf injury becomes relevant to our discussion about vehicle ownership. The basketball star didn't wait until his condition worsened—he scheduled an ultrasound immediately to assess the damage. Similarly, your 2015 Montero Sport deserves a thorough "physical examination" before you make any decisions. I recently took mine to three different specialists: a Mitsubishi dealership, an independent European-trained mechanic, and a transmission expert. The consensus? The powertrain has at least another 100,000 kilometers in it with proper care, but the suspension components will need approximately ₱45,000 worth of replacements within the next year. The DPF system might require cleaning soon, costing another ₱8,000-₱12,000 depending on where you have it serviced.
What many owners overlook is the depreciation curve. A 2015 Montero Sport GLX that originally cost around ₱1.5 million now has a market value between ₱600,000 and ₱750,000, depending on condition. That means you've already absorbed the steepest part of the depreciation hit. Replacing it with a new equivalent model would set you back ₱1.8-₱2.2 million today. Doing the math, keeping your current vehicle for another three years could save you over ₱1 million even after accounting for maintenance and repairs. Of course, this assumes your Montero hasn't developed any catastrophic issues—which brings me back to the importance of that thorough inspection.
I've noticed something interesting in online Montero owner communities—the 2014-2015 models seem to have fewer of the issues that plagued earlier generations. The timing chain problems appear less frequent, and the turbo reliability improved significantly. That said, I'm not blind to this model's shortcomings. The brake pads wear out faster than they should—I replace mine every 35,000 kilometers—and the stock shock absorbers tend to lose their damping effect after about 80,000 kilometers. These aren't deal-breakers for me, but they're expenses you need to factor into your decision.
There's an emotional component to this decision that spreadsheets can't capture. My Montero has been on family trips to Baguio, survived flooded streets during monsoon season, and hauled everything from construction materials to newborn puppies. That history creates a bond that makes objective evaluation difficult. Still, I force myself to consider practicalities: repair costs versus car payments, reliability concerns, and changing family needs. If your circumstances have changed significantly—maybe you're driving less since working from home, or your family has grown requiring more space—those factors might tilt the scales toward replacement.
Looking at the automotive landscape today, I'm actually more inclined to keep my Montero than I was two years ago. The current generation models, while more refined, come with complexity that often translates to higher long-term maintenance costs. The 2015 GLX remains relatively straightforward to repair, with most mechanics familiar with its systems and affordable parts availability. I recently priced a complete engine rebuild at approximately ₱180,000—expensive, yes, but compared to ₱600,000-plus for a replacement late-model used unit, it puts things in perspective.
So where does this leave us? If your 2015 Montero Sport has been well-maintained and passes a thorough inspection, I believe it's absolutely worth keeping for at least another 2-3 years. The financial argument strongly supports retention, and the mechanical fundamentals remain solid. However, if you're facing multiple major repairs simultaneously—say, transmission issues plus turbo replacement plus comprehensive suspension work—that might signal it's time to move on. Like Fajardo proactively addressing his injury concerns before they end his season, addressing your Montero's maintenance needs proactively can extend its life significantly. In my case, I've decided to invest in the necessary repairs and enjoy at least another 100,000 kilometers with my faithful SUV. The relationship isn't over yet—we've still got more roads to explore together.