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Help me out guys, what should I do here??
P.S. As for the bait and switch to the demo, I would refuse to do any further business with the stealer. Try a mass Internet E-mail to all your local dealers with the option codes and tell them you want a line by line listing of all your costs to the penny and you will come in and buy. That is what I did in CAT region. Most Internet departments respond with general "come on ins" and only give you a single # (as to which you're left guessing what it represents and wonder whether they will do better), but there will probably be one like mine (VOB Nissan in Bethesda, MD) where the Internet guy gave a complete breakdown, with T/T/T, option codes, and a final non-negiotable price. As a result, they were rewarded with me going in, test driving, and buying same for the nice $31K price at the time. I even tried haggling over a free tow hitch, but no-go; this price was final, kind of like carmax. Turns out, other dealerships really couldn't even do any better on the same color and equipped vehicle. The process was far more enjoyable then traipsing around dealerships (with the games you're experiencing) and it's too bad more dealers don't do same (although they are starting to . . . )
You are absolutely right. I have no intention of going back to that dealer now. I too live in the DC metro area and the dealer we are talking about is Darcars Nissan in MD. No matter how much research one does I guess there is always a chance of getting ripped off by these car dealers.
Thanks for the info about VOB Nissan!
link
I'll add my own footnote: The data people think that TMV is the bottom line.
Depending on supply and demand, sometimes TMV is the absolute best deal around (think hot new models), and sometimes dealers will just laugh at TMV (not in the current market though!).
But someone, somewhere, is always going to get a better deal than you. Arm yourself with the info, and you can be that person. Heh, I should go into motivational speaking :-)
Steve, Host
Little further, I think more Nissans/Infinitis are very reliable. I still have 94 Altima and the only "major" replacement is its distributor. 96 Maxima has absolutely zero repair but it's gone to junk yard after it was rear ended a year ago.
I’ve had it close to 15 months with a little under15K miles on it and as expected have had zero problems with it. Just changed the oil every 5K. Mileage has improved a little but still get 14mpg with all city driving and 21 all hwy. I average about 16-18.
Don’t have any major complaints or minor ones come to think about it. I go camping with my little boy once a month through the Y. and do get to take it on a lot of dirt and rocky roads. Holds plenty of stuff inside including our bikes.
When I decelerate it does shake a little but it might be because of the road surface, as I can’t duplicate it all the time. Hopefully it’s not warped rotors! Love the light colored interior but I’ll never get it again. A 5 yr old and 2 dogs make it so I’m constantly wiping the seats to keep them clean. Thanks goodness I Scotchgaurded them when I first got it.
I’m very please with my purchase, still might have been better off with a station wagon but the only one I considered was the L.L. Bean Outback and it was way too expensive then, close to 30K and I don’t really need 4WD. I do like the looks of the 05 Legacy wagon. Oh!, and on a side note while driving back from the desert in San Diego I saw a red Nissan Xtrail with Mexican plates on it. Looked very nice and sized right. Wonder if you can buy one in Mexico and bring it over?
Happy Pathfinding!!!!
Steve
:-)
Steve, Host
http://www.nissannews.com/?http/www.nissannews.com/nissan/news/products/relmatt2003062583640.shtml
I wish it would be built in Japan.
Nissan Pathfinder Moving to Tennessee
As Nissan moves to the final phase of its North American product renaissance, the Pathfinder SUV is moving to the company’s Smyrna, Tenn., assembly plant, where it seems likely it will share a common architecture with the next Xterra and Frontier trucks. Nissan says the new Pathfinder — not to be confused with the Titan-based, full-size Pathfinder Armada SUV built in Mississippi — will enter production in Smyrna in the fall of 2004. The company will add 800 new jobs at the sprawling factory and its Decherd, Tenn., engine plant to accommodate the new vehicle."
Smyrna plant to get $250M expansion, Pathfinder SUV (Clarion-Ledger)
Steve, Host
Twelsh 40, I think the a/c performance problem is not with the 2003 only but also 2002. I have 2002 LE and a/c seems to be very weak compare to other cars. In hot sunny day the a/c does not seem to be cold at all, but I did find a solution. I tinted all windows which helped a/c work better than before.
The plastic finishing trim (bumper skins, wheel well mouldings, etc.) sure mark up a lot. Mine are turning into an almost matt finish from small rock chips.
One more warning for those with wheel well mouldings - clean with water under force directed toward you as you stand beside the wheel. Those fender extensions fill with sand and muck (salt filled I'm sure).
Mine is now 3 years old - 33,000 km.
It's hard to beat a google search for aftermarket suppliers though.
Steve, Host
It was $73 and change, $12 for 2 day air shipping to me. Great prices! $7.50 for ground shipping.
If you are on the east coast I suggest you take the 2 day like I did, because they are in Washington State.
It was very easy to put on the defector.
The only problem was that my 10mm socket was not deep enough so I had to buy a deeper one.
Have fun!
I have been shopping around for quite a while and it was a big dilemma whether to go for QX4 or the Pathfinder. The best deal I got on a QX4 was $2300 more than PF. After the decision is made, I feel really happy now.
Can't wait to take the car for a long drive!!
1. CD changer would not eject cd's (It would not play them as well)--dealer replaced the whole stereo. I have seen numerous cd systems with 10-12 disc cd changers for a lot less then $350.
2. AC does not blow cold air. The dealer auth. mechanic stated there may be a leak in the system. Overall I think the AC system itself is very weak compared to American cars. I'll have to drive 150 miles to the closest dealer to get that fixed.
3. The driver seat move slightly during turns. I had it fixed once already, but it still moves a little.
4. Outside temp. gauge does not read correct temp---dealer stated it reads fine during their test
5. Still getting the vibrations of the steering wheel while applying brakes at 60 to 70 mph. The rotors may be warped due to a lot of mountain driving.
You won't have even the faintest chance of getting any vehicle in from Mexico and get it registered. None will meet any of the US emissions or safety criteria.
Canadian vehicles do meet all regulations, but Nissan (like most other manufacturers) now won't allow the dealers to sell new to US customers.
-Jon
The CD changer works fine. It is the original changer and I have never had any problems with it. In the past, I've heard people say that it wouldn't play burned cd's/CD-Rs/CD-RWs. It plays them fine on mine.
The A/C is ice cold. We have had oppressive humidity levels here in Boston for the past week and the A/C performed flawlessly. The A/C and overall the ATC system works great and is very accurate --more so than on my BMW 7-series.
The front bumper and wheel well moldings are fine. No unusual marks or blemishes. The only thing I have noticed is that the body side moldings are slightly discolored.
Also, the front passenger side door is hard to close (recent problem). I had the stealer lube the hinge at my last visit but that didn't fix it. I have to take a look at it because I think the weatherstripping could be loose or somehow getting in the way of closing the door.
I have no doubt that my PF will last 200k miles and then some. I just hope that I can keep it that long --I'm tempted to get the new Titan Crew Cab when it's available.
Never use a Scotchbrite scrubber on your paint, especially not the scrubby side.
Steve, Host
Ever since, the pedal has been firm, as soon as I touch it feels like I am pressed much more than I am, but I can still press it further, just its hard.
It slows down by itself now - not that much, but enough that it feels that the rear drum(s) are sticking or something.
The steering is also heavy at all times since this.
Besides going to the dealer, which I will, does anyone have any suggestions or theories as to what is wrong?
6/32nds on the inside. Seems 28lbs was a good pressure but I am going down to 26lbs to see if the wear evens out. The left rear tire showed slightly more wear, possibly due to the weight of the driver plus the fuel tank all on one side. Total miles on tires sofar 14000 miles.
After visiting the dealer 4 times with this issue, I finally drove with a mechanic and recreated the problem after 15 minutes of driving.
Just to recap: When merging onto the highway, under heavy acceleration (30 to 65mph), the pathfinder loses power, and refuses to accelerate. Just last Monday I was stuck for 2 minutes going 30mph (Engine runs rough) on I-90, while cars were zipping by..
Well the mechanic said that the problem was the "Main Air Flow Sensor", but was surprised that the *Check Engine* light did not illuminate.
He had not seen this problem on PF's, but had seen this numerous times on the 01 MAXIMA. (which makes sense, since they're the same
Engine) Why didn't they think of this before? (I don't know..)
Thank god I found it to, as I have 35600 miles on it, and was worried that they ask for money once out of warranty.
Other than this issue.. I've been very happy with my PF.. Not so happy with the dealer..
All you need is a screwdriver and 15-20 minutes.
Mine did not come with one so I had to use a razor knife to make the slot as my dealer said he had no way of "retrofitting" for the filter.
There are several on-line stores where you can buy the filter(2).
Also, I a month from the basic warranty expiring and I am considering getting one of Nissan's extended warranties. I would appreciate a recommendation for a plan to consider. I have a local dealer willing to sell me the gold preferred for 5yr/100K miles for under $1K. Is this a good plan or would you recommend looking elsewhere?
Thanks. I really like my Pathfinder and think it was the best bet for a used SUV in this class size.
-PNC