Author Topic: 02 Pathfinder? (Read 4030 times)

wannabe4x4ing · « **on:** January 24, 2006, 09:28:57 pm »

I have the opportunity to trade in my pos Grand Am SE (for a whopping $7000) and purchase a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder LE for $21, 500. It's got black leather interior, power sunroof, and a 6-pack CD player. It's got 105 000km and although it has a few stains on the carpet (that I, the mighty detailer, may be able to remove) and a hole in the middle of the back seat (about the size of a dime) and several paint scratches it does seem to be well looked after. It's a 4x4 and I took it out for a test drive and found it to handle nicely and be able to handle some pretty mild off roading with ease.

Does anyone have any experience with these, good or bad? I WILL NOT make the same stupid mistakes I made when I bought my Grand Am (for $14 000!!! Yikes!) three months ago so I need some major help! I've read reviews that say the gas mileage is the shats, but that's to be expected (15mpg in town) and nothing surprising. Potention problems, and notoriety claims would be appreciated. You guys have been a huge help in the past, and I'd like this to be my LAST vehicle purchase for a few years (this will be the fourth in less than a year - sold my truck in April, bought a 1985 LeBaron. Engine went in LeBaron in August, bought a 1989 Eagle Premier. Tire broke off of Premier three weeks later, desperately bought my Grand Am and now the GA has crapped out..). Thanks, guys and gals!

ovr50 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 24, 2006, 10:09:05 pm »

Hi, Wanna, Trainman has a Pathy close to that one. I'm sure he'll see this thread and be along. Isn't $21,500 a touch pricey (but I'm no Pathy expert)?

mdxtasy · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2006, 12:03:54 am »

There are so many used Pathfinders in Alberta:
http://www.canadatrader.com/result/result.aspx?searchtype=adv&kw=&dp=&age=&kfr=1&kto=2000000&category=4100&mk=NISSAN&md=PATHFINDER&yfr=2001&yto=2003&pfr=0&pto=9999999&postal=&distance=&city=&pro=AB&dm=1&type=province

A hole in the leather? 105km? For that price, you can get a much lower mileage car....probably newer too.

Calgary and Edmonton have no shortage of these things. But I've heard Pathy's are very reliable. Hold their value well (not as good as a 4Runner) and are pretty decent off road.

A friend of mine has a 2004 Chilkoot Pathfinder. They love it. It's more reliable than his 2001 3 series.

Bought the Grand Am for $14K and 3 months later dump it for $7K? That means that this Pathfinder will cost you $28K.

Craig · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2006, 12:16:52 am »

Sounds like you got taken on the original Grand Am deal, but maybe you can salvage a little more out of it by selling privately.

I like that generation of Pathy, but it doesn't sound like you found a gem or anything. I agree with the others. Keep looking.

Snowman · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2006, 06:34:22 am »

My mother has a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder and it has been a great vehicle for her. The only thing she complains about is the harsh ride, seating position, and fuel economy. The Pathfinder is a “real” SUV and too much for her. If you do not need all the SUV capabilities I would look for a 2001 or 2002 Highlander in that price range.

105k is not too bad for mileage as it is 10k more than the average. I would keep looking.

mrthompson · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2006, 08:15:17 am »

For that price, could you get into something like a CR-V (with lower kms)? Fuel prices are only going to keep going up (no shat), so I would be leery of buying something that has poor fuel economy.

Also, for that price, you could get into something new....

Trainman · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2006, 10:00:09 am »

As an owner of a 2002 Pathfinder, I can offer the following insights.

I am a forestry consultant in BC and need a capable off-road vehicle that can double as a family hauler as well, so a SUV was the way to go for me. Bought the Pathy used in December 2004 with 62,000 km, now has 90,000 km. Only repair so far is an O2 sensor. All reports I have read indicate better than average reliability.

From my perspective, here are the pros and cons:

Pro
Good ride and handling for the type of truck it is
Off road ability
Fit and finish
Driving position and layout of controls
Cargo carrying capacity
Drive train. The combination of the motor, transmission, transfer case and final drive ratios are well suited to this vehicle.
Fuel economy (for the use it gets and the type of vehicle it is). I can consistently get 25 mpg on the highway, if I keep my foot out of it and do not try to drive like I’m in the Indy 500.

Con
Poor access to rear seats
Very sensitive throttle when first pushing down on it
Fuel economy (ha, it is in both). If you are not prepared for it, it will be a shock.

Issues
There are three known issues with this generation of Pathfinders (actually the first 2 are on all Pathys):

Auto transmission failure. This is a result of overheating. If you buy a AT Pathfinder. First thing to do is get the AT serviced, then install a trannie cooler, preferably a high flow plate style. The issue is that the factory cooler in the rad becomes blocked easily so needs to be bypassed. Also use the overdrive sparingly.

Rear suspension bushings. The rear suspension is very complex for a truck and the bushings will have to be replaced at some time. Mostly an issue if you off-road hard.

Bose 6CD changer. Garbage. Check this forum for an idea of how bad this unit is. Mostly affects 01 but some 02 as well. http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/4/137782.html

Pricing.
Your profile does not say were you are from so can only offer this:
Did a search of the Buy and Sell in BC. Prices range from $18,000 to $28,000 for 02’s. Here is a link to the results (not sure how long this will be valid for, may need to do a new search). http://www.buysell.com/search/resultsvr2.aspx?vt=8&mnf=16&yrfrom=2002&yrto=2002&mk=Nissan&mdl=Pathfinder&qu=&more=&less=&pshcat=vehicles&searchType=v&vehicle=SEARCH%21

I would expect that prices in eastern Canada will be quite a bit lower than BC. You need to do your homework here.

OnLine resources

Here are some good online resources:

Nissan Pathfinder Off-Road Association. Do not allow the “off-road” part fool you, this is the best Pathfinder forum on the net. http://npora.ipbhost.com/

Used 01-03 review: http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jc/01-03pathfinder.htm

mrthompson · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2006, 10:05:19 am »

We knew we could depend on you, Trainman.

Trainman · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2006, 11:07:45 am »

Forgot another link, oops!

Here are the Canadian specs for the 02 Pathfinder, all four models:

http://www.auto123.com/en/new/carinfo/specs.spy?used=1&make=Nissan&model=Pathfinder&year=2002&lng=en

Scroll down to see the info.

My Pathy has met or exceeded all my expectations for what I wanted but this type of vehicle is not for everybody. It costs me about $0.48 per kilometer to operate

(but this includes two way radio license, first aid kit, fire fighting tools, business insurance, 10 ply LT rated tires and other business related costs that other would not have).

Trainman · « **Reply #9 on:** January 26, 2006, 11:22:49 am »

Quote from: ovr50 on January 24, 2006, 10:09:05 pm

Isn't $21,500 a touch pricey (but I'm no Pathy expert)?

The 02 LE listed new at $44,500 but now seem to go for about the 22-24 range (at least in BC).

From Canada Black Book, the trade in value is:

Based on the kilometers entered
and the options selected, your vehicle's classification
is appraised as: Below Average.

Depending on your vehicle's condition, the value may be appraised within the High and Low range. * less Reconditioning Costs

Low: $18,328.00 High: $19,828.00

So the retail of 21,500 looks in the ball park.

initial_D · « **Reply #10 on:** January 27, 2006, 12:15:26 pm »

My brother had a 87 Pathy, the low end SE model, with auto, factory air and CD, no power options, and traded it in for a new Element last September, got $8,000 for it, plus $500 off. That Pathy had 180,000 Km, and it is flawless, mechanically speaking. Drank gas like a fish in a bowl, but it was an awesome vehicle.

From the Pathy experience, the wife and I did try to get its upper scale cousin, the Infiniti QX4, looks better (IMO) , and better all-mode 4WD system, much better interior. I think the QX4 depreciates a bit more than a regular Joe Pathy, in terms of percentage.

mrthompson · « **Reply #11 on:** January 27, 2006, 12:18:02 pm »

An 87 Pathy? He got 8 grand as a trade in?

That's insane!

Trainman · « **Reply #12 on:** January 27, 2006, 12:22:27 pm »

Quote from: mrthompson on January 27, 2006, 12:18:02 pm

An 87 Pathy? He got 8 grand as a trade in? That's insane!

When did he trade it in, 1993?

Or is it a typo and you meant 1997?

Or did he pay like 10 grand over MSRP on what he traded in for?

mrthompson · « **Reply #13 on:** January 27, 2006, 12:29:38 pm »

Must be a type-o.

I got a $2500 trade-in allowance for my 94 Cherokee (with 266k) last March.

initial_D · « **Reply #14 on:** January 27, 2006, 02:05:50 pm »

Oooops, 1997 Pathy SE, 180K, traded-in with Red Deer Honda, $8,000, plus $500 off MSRP on a 2005 top of the line Element, paid full PDI and Admin fee. Doesn't sound too bad of a deal for me.

Sticky keys on laptops. $:-\$

mrthompson · « **Reply #15 on:** January 27, 2006, 02:16:40 pm »

initial_D · « **Reply #16 on:** January 27, 2006, 02:23:15 pm »

Tickets to see the Stones?

Fork me, stick my fingers into anything for that!

mrthompson · « **Reply #17 on:** January 27, 2006, 02:45:47 pm »

Really?

initial_D · « **Reply #18 on:** January 27, 2006, 03:15:47 pm »

Not really,

but Really Really.

mrthompson · « **Reply #19 on:** January 27, 2006, 03:19:41 pm »

For comparison, in the local rag, there's a 2001 Pathy LE for sale privately.
"2001 nissan Pathfinder LE, fully loaded, 4x4,
leather interior, new exhaust, new front brakes,
131,000 km, $15,900"

Author Topic: 02 Pathfinder? (Read 4030 times)

mdxtasy