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Comments
I think that I will only exercise the 4WD in the correct conditions. Thanks for the advice!
Even without the plastic, unless it was perfect, the opportunity costs of that 4th Gen were way too high, by about $5 grand. I love knowing I got the loaded vehicle I needed for basically $30K! Believe it or not, even in this crappy stock market, that $5K saved has already eeked out an 8% return since October. Don't forget all these "glass half full" things. I know you leased, but if you were putting the difference you saved each month into this cheap market, you would be ahead in the big 5-7 year picture IMHO.
You know, there's a lot of hype about Nissan no-longer being the imitator of Toyota/Honda, and instead being perhaps a new trend-setting leader with many of its new cutting edge vehicles that they are developing, including the new '04 Pathfinder. I have been watching NSANY (i.e., Nissan Motor Corp.) and may pick up more shares if we get down to the right number - I think Nissan is poised to pick up market share going forward. I don't think it was a fluke we "defected" over here . . . among other things, Toyota has some real marketing problems with its vehicles. The debacle with its flagship vehicle, the 4Runner, may be a sign of things to come. At a minimum, the Nissan_SHIFT campaign is closer to the mark than those pathetic, babbling Alzheimer Everest commercials. [But the H2 campaign definitely sets the mark!] Toyota has a lock for now on the baby boomers who discovered its infamous "reliability," but I think Nissan is poised to make some real inroads with the generations after (Gen X, etc.).
So, maybe take comfort in the fact that you may have bought into a rising star???? Just my gambit. We shall see.
P.S. To date, I have still only seen ONE 4th Gen on the streets around DC (with the ugly cladding). Unbelievable.
Crash test scores have their own set of problems, and maybe van drivers pay more attention to the scores than SUV/sedan drivers in general, but -- any predictions on how the new line up (across the board) is going to do?
Steve, Host
Curious as to your thoughts about the US, but this board may not be the right time or place. Sorry for the digression you all!
I was really getting at your "cutting edge" comment and what percentage of that effort was focused on safety for the NA market. The other market is a mess ;-)
Steve, Host
I didn't mean to open a can of worms when I made my comments about the new appearance package available on the 4Runner.
The intent was not to reconsider all the tought and decision making process we've been through(i.e. choosing, Nissan, savings, investment possibilities, etc). At that moment we have made the best decision with the information we had.
All I wanted to say is that I was quite surprised at how fast they came out with an appearance package and that it would have addressed most (but not all) of my concerns with the new look.
But I'm not sure I would have overcame some other oddities like the squarish look of the fenders (over the wheel), the headlights, ackward dash, busy rear-end, etc. And also I don't know if I would have liked buying into a first model-year. I'm sure they will fix lots of little quirks on the '04.
I got to see at least 25 03 4Runners of all model types and color. I'm getting used a bit to the new shape. Its like new hair styles or new clothes, they look odd at first but we all get used to it after a while.
A quick analysis showed me that a 03 SR5 Runner with appearance package would cost just about the same as a 03 Pathfinder LE. Obviously the Runner has less equipment: leather seats, power seats, 17 inches wheels..... but that's about it.
So please do not take those 4Runner-Pathfinder discussion to seriously. I am not reconsidering my decision... but I'm bound to monitor the evolution of the 4Runner closely as I like the 4Runner familly of trucks and also compare it from time-to time with my Pathfinder.
Take it like this: Toyota is preparing my next SUV.... and unless they screw up big time again, I'm bound to drive another 4Runner in this life ;-) (I guess other people that have owned or own a 4Runner can relate to what I mean here).
World
I'm hoping for a small Nissan with the 3.5 VQ motor and 6 speed! Say around 3200 lbs weight. Now that would be a performer! Not to imply my Pathfinder is not a performer - I, like everyone else, always want more.
As for the trend setting, remember that Toyota (& Lexus) have never been known to be "trend setter". Instead, they are quite dull by comparison to most other manufacturers. However, what sets Toyota apart are it's well-documented reliability and quality. Take a look at the Camry. I think it is a best-seller among all cars (i think). There are many faster and better handling cars in it's class. However, buyers KNOW Camry! My ex-girlfriend ONLY knew Camrys...she loved how quiet it is and how smooth it is. Interior is roomy with high-quality materials. Safety is great. She does not care that it is one of the slowest nor that it is very bland in styling.
Take the 3rd gen 4Runner. It is cramped inside. It is slow (very slow when compared to '01 Pathfinder). It costs a lot! It is hard to get in and out due to it's height. YET, it was the best selling import-SUV. How many 4Runner owners know about off-roading?? VERY FEW! How many soccer moms realize it's off-roading potential?? None! The 4Runner had the looks. It has a tremendous resale value. It was built extremely well with excellent interior materials. It was simply made to last for years. Those things are what Toyota is known for! Those are the things that brought customers into the showrooms. Yeah, it never came close to the Ford Explorers, but it sure made Toyota a lot of money.
The same goes for Lexus. Why is the ES300 or RX300 the best seller in it's class?? Both are relatively slow and styling is "questionable". For the same reasons above, they are best sellers.
On Nissan/Toyota deal, I admit I didn't do very well (sorry), but intended to stay away from a direct inquiry of which is "better" and simply wonder aloud on that stuff that (sometimes) drives an increase in market share (even if they are less reliable somehow, or less safe for some reason, etc.). It's known as buzz, image, etc. - those intangibles that cause people to (sometimes) flock to movies and buy vehicles . . . and maybe cause a company's stock to increase as it steps out of the pack in our conscience, or perhaps our childrens. Yes, that 3rd Gen had the sweet looks; no one cared that they would never really off-road in it. Same for the 4th Gen, but the opposite, it just didn't have the looks perhaps (despite the Toyota solid reliability, which I of course appreciate as well); for some reason, never got that buzz; the whole Everest thing (unfortunately) never went anywhere. I too think I will end up with that 2010 Monochrome Black Runner; but you know, if this Pathfinder goes as it has so far for the next 7 years, I may just reward Nissan with one of its new version Pathfinders coming out. It all just makes me wonder what 25 year old "kids" will be buying in their big buck 30's and 40's, that's all. Although I don't know which vehicle is "better" per se, I think all of this just leads me to the feeling that I should maybe be buying shares of Nissan at this point versus Toyota. Who the heck knows. Maybe I should check with a stock guru in NY first . . . NOT. :>
Buy a fast SUV....
Unless he can afford both the mustang and SUV.
(sorry for the questionnable late friday night humor.... (or attempt))
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I guess I could leave it in cancel and simply undo the cancel and press the memory 1 button on those occasions that someone has fooled with my seat!
That's exactly what I do. I hate the idea of that seat going back and forth every time I get in and out...I ain't that fat! (yet). My daughter is the only other semi-regular driver and she has button #2...except when she changes it, I keep in in cancel. Now if I could only train her to put it back in cancel after she sets it back to #1...one out of two ain't bad :-)
30k mi is transfer case flush & repack wheel bearing, not sure how that could have affected it. Any ideas?
Do you actually read the nightmares on the JGC board? They are certainly not little things like the seat motor not working.
The wiring had a short...the little black box (sorry about the technical term, but I have no idea what that part is) in the line started smoking and so I cut the wires, stopping the condition.
I believe this is a putnam hitch, it has the round tubes..not the factory installed hitch, but the dealer installed it. It has no identifying marking anywhere that I can see.
I'm assuming a few things: 1) the wiring kit is independant of the putnam hitch, and is a standard item and 2) the fault was likely in the trailer wiring kit itself, so that replacing that will remedy the problem.
I plan to buy a replacement trailer wiring kit like this one. The part that fried is the light blue rectangular thingy in the upper right corner.
I assume that the connections are under some panels accessible from the interior rear, but I haven't looked yet. I also assume the instructions that come with the kit will be straighforward.
I have the ESM manual, but it seems to have no information on trailer wiring connections.
It's a 2001 LE.
You can either leave the 4 prong plug inside the unit and run under rear hatch when needed, or remove the hatch in the floor of the cargo area, then remove the screws holding the storage area in place and feed the plug through to the spare tire area. I removed a rubber grommet, ran plug through, then siliconed the grommet where the cut was made. The Reese plug has a plastic flap which protected the plug from the elements.
Have it checked out. You could have either a bad temperature sending unit, a short, or a bad gauge. It would be very unfortunate to overheat and perhaps not know it.
No buying and selling here on Town Hall though, please.
Steve, Host
I apologize for the solicitation. If it is OK for someone to post the name of the publisher you referred to, please do so.