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If it is pulling hard left w/o significant input from you on the steering wheel, that's a problem.
While there I test drove the Murano. Neat vehicle. Lots of storage compartments. Kind of different to accelerate with the engine RPM staying constant. Nice engine braking too, if you shift to the "S" mode. I like it. Just have to justify the rather large cost of trading up. It is not an "off-road" vehicle of course, just a very capable 4WD passenger vehicle. I would guess it would be more suitable than the Pathfinder for perhaps 70% of SUV owners as most never take their vehicle off-road ;-).
Back to the Murano,
The interior is gorgeous and luxurious, could pass for a marquis nameplate. The exterior reminds me of a life size Hot Wheels car. Ride was smooth and quiet even with gigantic 18 in. wheels. Funny thing,test drive did remind me of my PF just more car-like.Back seats are extremely roomy and comfortable.Murano's cargo area is noticeably smaller. Any one used to a PF would be right at home in a Murano and since I'm not a boulder hopper like some of you nor do I live in a place with alot of precipation, I think the Murano suit me to a T. Just gotta figure out how to trade in my 02 PF and not get reamed.
Happy Pathfinding !!!
Steve
Also, wanted to know if anyone is using a Britax R/A car seat with the tether. If so where are you connecting the tether when using it in the rear facing position?
Thanks...Scott
When I was looking at the Pathfinder to replace my 98 Pathfinder SE, I did not do much research. I just went into the dealership, said I wanted a SE w/ Sunroof and Pop Package. I took a quick test drive, the papers were then signed and that was it.
I saw the new roof rack on it, I wasn't crazy about it, but I still took it. I thought that the LE was much more expensive, but I did not know the differences, nor the fact that it was roughly within $500 of a SE w/ S/R and Pop.
But for the extra $500 you get so much more. The most important thing I did not know about was the fact that it had a different 4WD system. Instead of the lever and part time it had an Auto 4wd system. Since I stay on the road about 99.9% of the time, this would have been great, especially in the rain, where you can't use 4wheel drive, but sometimes you need it when going around corners, etc where you can fishtail and spin your wheels.
Also, it did not have the roof rack that came on my Pathfinder and it had nicer 17" Alloy Wheels.
I wish I would have known, but it was too late.
I am 7 months into my lease, I think I want to get rid of it though. Does anyone have any advice?
I know that the Pathfinders are being discounted greatly now, so its possible I could get a good deal on a LE, the only problem being that Leather is now standard (and thus $2,000 more). However, I have seen dealers advertise Invoice, and I could probably even get it below that, so it shouldn't be that bad.
My only concern is terminating my lease. Does anyone know NMAC's policy, or how much of a hit I am going to take, etc, etc.
Thanks for listening.
Also-- I had developed a pull to the right, and suspected the tires. I got a realignment and a set of Cooper Discoverer H/T tires for this 1998 XE. The cure has happened. There is no trace of pull.
If I were you I would try to find out what the buyout price is. You can usually get this from the finance co. via automated tele. call and try to see if you can sell it on your own. Hopefully you put enough down so the payoff is close to wholesale price. There are also companies around that will assist you in getting out of leases. Can't remember the name but there is one in San Diego. Sorry for all the holes in my info but there was an article on Edmund's web site about turning in and selling your leased car early. The story was for a Nissan P/U leased through NMAC. Maybe this board host can help?
I bet the dealer would love to sell you another PF. Sometimes they try to break even on the trade if they make money on the new car sale. The reason I bought my PF was because they pretty much took my Accord 4 months prior to its lease end. See what they offer you have nothing to lose and can easily walk away if the price is not right. My Accord payoff was 13,400 and they offered 11,200 at first. They knew we were going to wait a few months and buy the Highlander and they then offered us 13,200. BTW Toyota would even consider taking my car.
I also wouldn't mind selling my PF and getting a Murano. I paid cash for my PF and I think if I turn it in now I would lose about 8,500--- purchase price with tax&lisc. 28,500 turn in price 20,000, for 9 months of use. I still like my PF quite a lot and I think I'll hold onto it for awhile. Excluding the AWD system it might be cheaper to get new rims and roof rack?
Good luck!!!
Happy Pathfinding!!!
Steve
All personal taste, I know, but I get a lot of comments and compliments on that rack as well from people with MDXs and the like with the looks-not-function racks...
I saw in the members photo's section that someone with a Se did put on a Le rack. I don't think I am going to change mine however, I don't mind the rack too much.
Again, with the wheels, just a minor thing, I wouldn't buy them to switch, like I said, it is really the AWD system that I want, and the only way to get it is an LE.
This brings up an interesting question. Why is Nissan not offering the AWD system on the SE as well? In 2002, the LE and SE were pretty much the same cost (when comparing a SE w/ S/R and Pop) to a LE w/o Leather. Of course in 2003 the Leather is required.
But if there wasn't much of a difference, I wonder why they are doing this. To me, it puts the Pathfinder at a disadvantage to the competition. The 4runner has a full time 4wd system (can be used on dry roads), and many others do. I think the Pathfinder SE must be one of the last mid-size SUV's with a part time system.
Its just a lesson I learned, I have to do more research before I purchase my next vehicle.
If I were to buy it out, I would get reamed I am pretty sure. With the way the Pathfinders are discounted, I am sure that if I choose the same configuration on a 2003 SE I could get it for 2K less, and then you have to factor in its a 02, has some miles on it (only 10k), but with the way the market is, I probably wouldn't get more than 22K on it.
Im looking to sell my model year 2001 SE 4WD and
am curious to what people are really getting. I
think that these numbers that edmunds has are way
high, as much as I would like to believe them.
The AWD system is quite advanced and does distribute torque as needed between the front and rear differentials (up to 50/50). It does not lock the center differential unless you choose 4Hi (or 4Lo). While driving in the city with the former part-time 4wd system, I found it a royal pain to always remember to take it out of 4wd when going from slippery to dry conditions then back to slippery conditions (ie. in and out of a parking garage onto snow covered streets). Now I just leave it in AWD until a long spell of dry weather is expected.
On another note, our neighbor recently took their car seat in to make sure it was installed correctly. The inspector told them that they recommend the tethers not be used on rear facing seats. You might want to look into that.
The discussion which I mentioned relating to this issue took place on the Problems and Solutions board starting at around post 445. The owner was complaining of a fluttering at hi-speeds in auto-mode. A corporate Nissan customer service rep (and a local tech) explained that like 4-Hi you shouldnt use auto over 60mph. This would lead one to believe that there is no AWD mode and instead it really just shifts between RWD and 4WD-Hi as needed (which again is pretty contrary to what the manual seems to imply).
Anyone care to get a definitive answer?
If you've ever driven the PF at 60 mph on dry pavement in 4-Hi vs AWD, you'll know the center diff is locked in 4-Hi (besides the fact a little idiot light tells you it has locked up). The NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) increases dramatically in 4-Hi vs AWD. You KNOW you shouldn't be pushing it! In AWD, it's just as smooth as in 2WD.
As far as I'm concerned, the manual doesn't tell me to worry, my dealer doesn't tell me to worry, and Nissan Canada told me not to worry...so I don't worry.
Scott
http://www.alldata.com/recalls/index.html
Our library just started a subscription with Alldata so it looks like I can get full text copies there if I need them. Unfortunately you have to go there in person to pull them - no online access.
Steve, Host
Normp1: In reference to your possible alternator squeaking on start up: Have you tried using belt dressing?? Had this problem before in cold weather with and old Bronco, no problem after I sprayed them...
If Nissan goes for a good discount, this is the site that will clue you in. I look at it frequently, and have used it to successfully acquire vehicles, here in Colorado.
Also, besides, the 4-Runner (insurance 250/yr more than PF + less equipped for more $), is there any other comparable vehicle similarly equipped for the $ that I have overlooked??
I still appreciate my '98 XE, but my 2002 Mercury Mountaineer Premier is fantastic. The window sticker was huge-- $37,370.00, but so is the power from the V8...
I just wanted to share with the others how I enjoyed my Pathfinder lately.
We received quite a bit of snow lately and it was very cold. All this lead the roads to be icy and secondary streets difficult to access during snow storms.
My previous 4Runner did not have any traction or stability system. So it this kind of temperatures I use to waltz around. It was fun when I wanted to skid around but with the family on board sometime this got me mean glares from my wife ;-)
Things are so different with the Pathfinder. TCS and VSC are quite effective. I can hardly glide around. As soon as the back wants to slide I can hear a grinding sound and boom the vehicule is back on track. Same thing on slippery street corners. I'm more concerned of people rear-ending me than the other way around.
Also, I almost lost control in an icy/gravel road nearby. I was going too fast and I had to reduce speed fast because I misjudged a curve. I felt for a moment that I was to slide sideways but then again "grrrriaaaannnggg" the SLIP icon light up and boom I was back on track and I applied the brakes and the ABS kicked in and I safely took the curve approprietly.
Ok, all those gizmos should not replace safe driving but gee they can really be effective when you need then.
I'm very impressed.
More I rank up miles on this truck more I like it. It really feels dependable. More than I thought initially. Aside from a very minor issue (bad radio reception) this truck rocks. I do not plan a visit to my dealer before the 1st scheduled maintenance appointment.
So if there are people here looking for a SUV this one is a very good choice.
World
Great handling, sure footed as can be. I LIKE the shift it yourself 4WD stick, bought the SE for that and the rack type (see earlier posts). I've spent a lot of time in a 2001 LE that two winters ago convinced me to go with a Pathfinder one night in a 10" snowfall. It was great today to go out and see that mine does the same thing.
So, you sensed an impending slide and the VSC stepped in? Can you switch it off? I know when I drive off road in deeper snow you always have a little sliding (the surface isn't flat) so I would need to switch off the system.
I'm waiting for the next storm to try a couple of things including turning off VSC. I simply forgot to try that during the last storm.
The VSC switch is there exactly for what you mention: when you want to have full control over the handling of the car, mainly while off-roading or when stuck in snow, and don't want electronics to step in.
Slide: yes, when I sensed I was loosing grip something kicked in (I think it is VSC). It really help that time but it is clear that this system has its limits, it can only correct small mistakes....
World
Well, that's the dealer's problem now, isn't it? Don't let them talk you out of having it fixed because it will cost them money "experimenting" to fix the problem. If they cannot successfully diagnose a problem, and replace unnecessary parts at their cost, who's fault is that?
The problem that Nissan is obligated to fix is a rattle in the dash, not replace the steering column. After all, your request is not "replace my steering column" it's "Fix the annoying rattle." And it is their responsibility to fix the problem to your satisfaction whether they replace the steering column once, twice, or even if they don't touch it. Heck, for all we know, a whole batch of defective steering columns could have been manufactured! Why should you suffer for that?
Ask them for official documentation regarding warranty claims that says something to the effect of "defective parts can only be replaced once, and if the problem's not solved, sorry, too bad for you." I bet they can't show you any such documentation... You truck is still under the 36month/36,000 mile BUMPER-TO-BUMPER warranty, right?
You want to live with an annoying rattle for the duration of your ownership? No way! Get it taken care of now, if the dealer tries to screw you, make sure you get any paperwork and documentation from them stating that they could not fix the problem. Then go to another dealership and have them take a look and see if they can fix it. Fight this thing, man! Don't take the dealer's BS.
I read somewhere that the pathfinder would be re-designed in 2004 and a new model would come out in mid 2003. Anyone has anything on this. According to my reading, it would be bigger, based on a truck chassis from a new truck from Nissan. I just can't remember where I read this!!!
It does make sense since the Xterra is somehow in the same market then the Pathfinder. In fact, what brought me to the pathfinder was the XTerra. However, when we looked at the price of the version we wanted, it cam out $1,000 highet then the Chilkoot! We like the Pathfinder better (much better truck, as far as we are concern).
I am worried that the model value may decrease rapidly if a new model comes out next year. On the other end, we could see some decent offers from Nissan in the spring, which is when I want to buy.
Any comments on this rumor?
On to another question! Has anyone installed the "tornado" air management system on their PF? does it work?
Info can be found at http://www.tornadoair.com/
regards
Bottom line: It's a gimmick, phooey, hogwash, snake-oil, are you interested in buying beach-front property in Arizona?
Fuel Gauge: same experience as WT, light comes on slightly before E, I refill when I hit E, and always have 2+ gallon reserve. I don't see as a problem.
Leather on '03s: I think it's tough enough to withstand my Lab (who happens to have very worn, short nails from all his activity) on the back seats, but prefer to keep in back to prevent wear, dirt, etc. Reason: most dogs have longer nails which may pose a problem, moreover that rear cargo area is perfect for the pooch. Caution with wet dogs and leather: they will tear that leather up. We had a leather Lincoln Towncar where our lab (wet from the river, etc.) eventually tore it up from a year's worth of soakings and use.
Problems with Dealers: my advice after, like most, "years" of problems with furniture co's, retailers, etc. is: 1) keep records of all attempts/efforts/conversations and take down ALL names, first and last (start Day 1!); 2) do as much as you can in writing, even initial contacts to service departments when you predict it will not be an easy to resolve problem (just drop off a written description with date and name blanks you can fill in when you get there - they will look at you crazy, but know you are serious); and 3) escalate it up the food chain to regional/district managers and owners and corporate if need be.
I have found this to be 100% succesfull and in many cases have received free product "to make me happy" so that I do not forward my paper trail to the Consumer Affairs desk at, e.g., The Washington Post. It's amazing what having things in writing and a long paper trail combined with diplomatic threats of "bad publicity" will do: this method has resulted in Honda replacing with wife's Civic with a brand new vehicle (rarely done) and Home Depot (love/hate relationship like most) installing products at my home for no charge. Try to orchestrate your efforts and concentrate your effort versus spreading around to many individuals (none of which will be immediately inclined to take ownership of your problem). Good luck!