Bare Monty or Full Monty?
I've always said: "Pay more for the car... not for the toys."... Toys like CD Changers, in-dash or seat-back VCD players and screens and whatnot mean nothing when selling the car several years down the road, when even the cheapest cars now have iPOd connectivity and DVD/media touchscreen players available as options.
Imagine you've paid extra for toys nowadays... then in a few years, they become as obsolete as suitcase-sized cellphones? If you want toys, buy them outside. In-dash screens nowadays are
cheap.
By that logic, the Montero would be the more logical choice... but:
-The Innova has more passenger space in the second and third rows. It's better than the Fortuner, too.
-The Innova is more stable. Yes, you wouldn't want to thrash it going to Tanay, but it's very stable and predictable... it simply understeers at the limit. The Montero rolls, pitches and dives because it's a taller car.
-The Innova is fuel efficient. Lower powered engine is geared for economy, and the body is lighter.
Only minus: The Innova won't be as flood-worthy (but the level of flood where that becomes a problem is the kind of flood
you shouldn't try to cross in the first place) and the ride is not as good as the Monty. It's a bit harsh.
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Me? Get the base "E" Innova diesel in MT. Then kit it out to your heart's content. Leatherette seat covers, in-dash touchscreen, new set of speakers, mags (get secondhand Camry mags, maybe)... you won't even come close to the top-of-the-line Innova's price.