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I currently drive a 1998 Mercury Mountaineer V8 AWD variant of the Ford Exploder. It goes off extended warranty in 12 months and there's no way I'd own it if I have to pay the constant stream of repair bills myself. I've also owned a 2 door 1992 Mazda Navajo variant of the Exploder and an '87 S-10 Blazer. I buy cars new and usually drive them until they need to get crushed into cubes. The Mountaineer is so unreliable that I commute in a VW GTI. A replacement SUV would likely only see about 15,000 miles per year.
I have 5,000 pounds plus-or-minus of boat, fuel, and trailer to tow. Twin-axle braked trailer. I don't see hills when towing the boat but it often goes on 100+ mile trips.
I see floorboard-deep mud in the spring but I haven't taken an SUV off-road in years. The Mountaineer has floorboards, a long wheelbase, and no low range. Who am I kiddin'?
I'm 6'3" and have headroom and legroom issues in many cars. A telescoping and tilting steering wheel is an important feature.
In the winter, I ski every weekend. I understand how to drive a heavy SUV in the snow. (Go down hills and corners like Grandma, use the transmission for speed control, and never touch the brakes.) I tend to keep half the split bench down so I can carry skis inside the truck. I require 6 feet on the diagonal for the skis.
I drive 2 miles in skiboots from my parking spot to the ski resort. I have a size 12 foot.
I'm a chronic speeder. The truck has to have reasonable manners at 80 mph.
I'm thinking a Pathfinder LE would probably work for me if it can really tow 5,000 pounds. Are there any pitfalls I should be aware of?
I'll let you know my impressions. If you have one let me know all the pros and cons Thanks
question for anyone, what is the definitive concerning AWD vs. 2WD? I usually leave in AWD through the winter months and 2WD in the spring and summer. Is there really extra wear on the vehicle due to leaving it in AWD? I was lead to believe that the system is unintrusive and does not come into play or cause any wear unless needed. Please let me know, sorry for the long post.
After several test drives, I pretty much settled on the PF. The ride was smoother than any other and the handling superior.
I had read that the room for taller folks was something to be desired, especially with the sunroof. I'm 6'1 and my roommate is 6'4, and neither have difficulty with the headroom issue or the steering wheel. Plenty to spare.
Behavior at 80 mph is respectful. That's the average speed in these parts on the beltline. Recently the winds have been way up and the truck hasn't been fazed.
Skis should do fine. The rack above is always another place to think about. The SE rack is pretty tough. I'm not familiar with the LE rack, although its rating is 100 lbs.
Good luck on your search. I don't think you'll be disappointed if you decide on a PF.
-andy
Got the 02 SE. Nissan decided to change the rack on this one to something more akin to the XTerra style rather than the one that's found on the LE (and all models prior, regardless of trim). Does anyone know of a rack manufacturer (i.e. Thule, Yakima) who makes adapters for their gear that fit this setup? I have a touring kayak that would be no problem throwing up there, but the bike is a different story.
Regards,
-andy
by Yakima.
Woody (Rick
http://www.nissandriven.com/vehicles/FutureVehicleDetails/1,9437,22792,00.html
($325 per mo/39 mo - $1975 at Signing - includes 1st payment .15 per mi over 12,000 mi(Req's Popular Pkg)
My questions:
1)Edmunds incentive listing shows the cap cost as $25,898, and an acqusition fee of $450. Would this fee be added to the cap cost and to my $325 payment?
2) I'd like to add the sunroof pkg, invoice is $953 for this option. Can you give me an idea of how much this might add on per month? I've gotten fuzzy answers from dealers.
3) Do the Nissan leases usually cover gap insurance or does that vary?
4) When it's National deal like this, is there any hope of negotiating a lesser down payment?
5) Is this such a great deal that I should just take it and run? Deal expires 3/4.
Thanks much!
K
I have a '92 Pathfinder SE. It's a great car - over 250K miles and going strong. I'm a big fan of the PF. But...
I'm having an issue with the dealer where I purchased the car. At the time I bought, I paid about $300 for additional rustproofing treatment. This treatment came with a lifetime warrantee against body rust-through, supposedly good for as long as I own the car. However, now that I have a rusted-through spot on the rocker panel, the dealer is refusing to honor the warrantee.
The dealer claims that the warrantee is not valid because they haven't inspected the car every 12 months, as required by the fine print in the warrantee. But, the fine print also states that the dealer must notify me by mail whenever this inspection was due. I never received any such notification. It's not as if I would've blown off the inspection had I been notified - I work about 3 miles from the dealership.
I feel this is fraud, and am planning on taking legal action. I've spoken with the sales manager at another Nissan dealer, and he thinks I've got a good case. I'd like to know if anybody else has experienced something similar with Nissan, and how they resolved it. Thanks.
You will feel that you have tamed the Coquihalla Hwy with that 240 hp engine. I have a Boler trailer, which weights about 1300 pounds loaded. My automatic version is rated to tow 5000 lbs., and my trailer does not have brakes. I have rarely noticed the trailers presence, and leave the air conditioner on, and cruise control in many instances. My 2001 is much more responsive than my 95 Pathfinder. I have never towed anything heavier than my Boler, but feel the torque and horsepower could handle a lot more than I have given it.
I use premium gas, (91 octane), as that is recommended by the manufacturer. A salesman told me they always use mid-grade, but that is 89 octane. I heard that Kamloops has the cheapest gas prices in Canada at this moment. You will find many threads on fuel recommendations for the 01-02 Pathfinder by using the search function.
Best of luck, you will find the Chilkoot a well-optioned package.
Woody
Auto mode - I only use when there is a possibility of tire slippage - my mileage will suffer a bit (10 to 20%) and there will be some extra wear and tear when in Auto mode. There will also be disconcerting surges and thumps when I stop and put it in "park" or turn off the engine (as the system disengages).
Towing a heavy trailer (greater than 1500 lbs) - I disable the fourth gear with the button on the side of the shifter. With a manual transmission, I would not use fifth gear on hilly terrain. I let the engine rev. - it's quite happy even at 4000 RPM.
It may be true that the Pathfinder has a unibody design, but remember it also has a solid rear axle, part-time 4x4 with a low range transfer case, and can tow 5000 lbs. FYI- the Jeep Grand Cherokee is ALSO unibody, but they introduced the Liberty... and it seems to be selling...
It would NOT be rather dumb for Nissan to have 3 SUVs in their lineup. Take a look at Toyota's lineup:
1) Rav4
2) 4Runner
3) Highlander
4) Land Cruiser
In fact, Nissan would be dumb to replace the Pathfinder with a mini-ute! Instead it makes sense to add a smaller SUV to their lineup. For many buyers, the Xterra is still too large and more vehicle than they need. In my opinion, the Xterra fits a niche market, and cannot compare to the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Toyota Rav4, or any of the other 4-wheel independent suspension FWD-based SUVs. Nissan needs something to satisfy those buyers. If Nissan DOES replace the Pathfinder, it should be with something like the Patrol, which is currently only available overseas.
1. Murano (XTrail?)
2. XTerra
3. Pathfinder (TrailBlazer size - next redesign)
4. Full-sized model
Cool.
but here is where i need help..the dealer offered to deliver my PF to NYC (to a custom house for an extra $ 850 or so, i pay no PST or GSt tax..the 2.5 at the border is a wash..all i pay is my state tax of 8% in New york..
has anyone done this before..should i be weary? what if an XE version shows up? what is the truck has dings in it when it arrives...should i go pick it up in montreal..only 6 hr drive? or should i be pampered and have it delivered? what would you do?
any insights please...would be great..
eric
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Of the now 70 people who've gone to Canada to buy I know of only one who had it shipped and that was from Montreal also. From the note he sent me it ended up being less than perfect. It took three weeks to arrive and then he still had to go sixty miles to pick it up. Also the paperwork had problems and some "extra" broker charges showed up. But of course your situation might be different.
My opinion (did you ask for it?).... Take a cheapo flight up to Toronto and you will have your new Path in one day. Lots of people from NYC have done this. If you want the name of the manager at the dealer we all have used, just drop me an email. I also have lots of info.
Why not Montreal? Because Quebec won't refund the provincial sales taxes like Ontario will. Toronto is not that much further and it's all interstate too.
-Jon
here is where i am right now..
i have spoken to 2 dealers in toronto and one said an americ acannot buy and bring back to states..you have to have a canadian address..he also said " dont you think i would be in buffalo every weekend selling thse pathys at 4 thousand less if i could..so i am very CONFUSED..can this be done? is it shady? is it 100% legal?
i am looking for straight talk please...
kind regards and thanks in advance for any help!!
eric
erichochman@hotmail.com
Americans can buy in Canada and many others have. I have exchanged info with others from WA and CA that have too. Find another dealer in Toronto. Jon will have some names for you.
You will need to secure financing on your own. Canadian dealers cannot finance residents from US. Dont tell your bank your getting a vehicle from Canada. Just tell 'em you need a cashier's check. Exchange it into CAN funds thru Currency broker.
Jon can provide latest procedures of dealing with customs from both sides. Beforehand, talk to your state license dealer about their rqmts.
Most important -- have some fun.
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. The last two days have been jam with work and home issues. I spent my "spare" time trying to help a couple people who had planned on getting Infinitis THIS WEEK. I think this is the first time in the last 18 months that I haven't given 48 hr response (even when I was in Istanbul).
Nissan has not stopped US purchasers like Infiniti did this week. All is still a go for now. You should have no problem with getting a Pathfinder. Full info is in your inbox.
-Jon
INFINITIS?? That sounds like a disease!
Sorry, Jon! I couldn't resist!
tidester
Host
SUVs
To: Lycurgus, I guess you are asking if you can put a fake "HID XENON" bulb into for fog light? answer is "YES" but it will dim your lights. It will be worse than your factory bulbs. E-mail me if you want more information on lighting on Pathy. Since I upgraded to the real HID for my low beam headlight. I'm assuming you have 00-02 Pathfinder right? here's my e-mail add : mr.q@onebox.com
I got a little over 30k with my stock Duelers before they went through the wear markers on the outside edge (typical PF tire wear). Replaced them with Michelin Cross-Terrain SUVs which offer a better ride, greater dry/wet/snow traction, and supposedly greater longevity. They were $$$, but I feel that it is worth it (considering that the tires are the only part of the vehicle actually touching the road). Happy tire hunting when your time comes ...
normp1 - write me and I'll give you the name of a manager at a Vancouver dealer that ALL the US people have been using. No one has told me his price has been beaten yet. I don't like to publish names and look like advertising.
-Jon
Have fun!
The deciding factor was they took my lease car off my hands with 4 mo. to go. I got it at Mossy San Diego and their prices are pretty fixed and they are similar to carsdirect.com pricing. It was also one of the easiest car transactions I've ever made.
The car is absolutely awesome and I think my wife likes it a little too. She really had her heart set on a Highlander. The things I prefer on the PF over the HL are the ride is more firm but not bouncy (better than my ex-99 Accord), quiet ride, more stuff for your money, reliability (key point) just as good as Toyota and Honda, good looking, extremely well made, nice stereo.
The only kind of bad thing is the gas mileage but my commute to work is about 8 mile round trip and half the time I carpool in my wife's car. I probably put less than 12K a year. So I'm happy to splurge a little and get the awesome 240 HP engine--boy is it smooth!!
Anyway I don't want to blab on forever. I want to keep my next car for quite awhile so I did put a lot of thought in this and I know I made a great choice.
Well I hope to be on the board a lot to give my impressions and experiences and I will definitely be asking tons of questions. For example:
1.gas mileage?
2.how does it run on reg. gas?
3.I got 2WD 'cause in San Diego we get very little rain. In fact this season we got less than 2 inches. So with RWD is the handling tricky in the rain?
Steve
First Congrats on your New P-Finder... aren't they SweeeeeeeT !,
Now as for some of your ?'s
1. Gas Mileage... well 12-18 mpg's
2. Reg Gas... Runs fine ..But.. I am sure over the long haul it will effect your VQ engine... not worth saving Cent's on the gal...go premium!
3. RWD well the P-Finder is a heavy SUV so it should not be a problem.
4. ENJOY IT!
5. For the rest of the gang here, Does any one have the nav sys? i have a few ?'s for ya!
PIT
Size-I'm also 6', and I fit fine in our SE w/sunroof. I will have problems though if big hair for guys becomes the rage again! ; )
Gas-use prem! It gets 2-3 mpg better than reg. (which makes up the cost savings), will give you more power, and since you dropped 30+k on a vehicle. what's $4/week?
gritz
Also, has anyone heard anything else on that Canadian orginazation that is trying to get both Governments involved to open up the other auto manufacturers to allow cross border purchases?
Bryan