Topic: Help decide whether to buy this 99 Pathfinder

[john.ddd]

Hi,

I am talking with a guy about buying his 99 Pathfinder, 4x4. It has 177,000Kms. He says there are no leaks or accidents, well kept overall. He's done a bit of amateur work on the rust above the wheels.

The Pathfinder looks good overall and he says I won't have trouble with it for some years. He says he just put $1000 into it for front axil and struts plus a wheel alignment.

Overall I want a second opinion, I hope some of you can help...

Here are some pictures too, 3 of 4 tires look good. The headlights look a little faded, dunno. I'm not a car guy. Also, I tried to get some pictures of underneath the pathfinder, I'd really like to hear about if you think the body is very rusty underneath. Thanks

The price would be 2800 as is, and probably 3100 to 3500 with safety. He is willing to safety.

[HeliDriver]

Rust doesn't look too bad, but hard to tell from pics.

If you want a second opinion, pay a few bucks to have a mechanic put it up on a hoist for a proper inspection.

[Fobroader]

Frame doesn't look to bad, but, that era of Pathfinders were notorious rust buckets, go get it inspected on a hoist.

[JohnnyMac]

I'll agree with the last two posts.  You should pay the extra couple of bucks to get it up on a lift and have a mechanic give it a proper inspection.  That being said it looks like it's in great shape from the pictures and the rust shown isn't anything too bad. 

That generation of Pathfinder is the best in my opinion, and they seem to run for a very long time indeed.  If everything passes with the inspection and you choose to buy it I'd highly recommend getting it undercoated from Crown.

[ArticSteve]

What province is this in 

The price would be 2800 as is, and probably 3100 to 3500 with safety. He is willing to safety.

Under no circumstances receive this vehicle with out the "Safety" in hand.

[Fobroader]

What province is this in 

The price would be 2800 as is, and probably 3100 to 3500 with safety. He is willing to safety.

Under no circumstances receive this vehicle with out the "Safety" in hand.

This x1000.....even if its a shoddy, under the table one. I would still get this inspected by a trusted mechanic on my own though.

[johngenx]

Even in stupidly expensive Alberta a PPI is only about $100 or so.  Worth every penny to find out it's not a stitch job or other terrible thing.

$2500-2800 with the safety done is a very fair price.

[john.ddd]

UPDATE:

Thanks everyone for the tips - although some of it was contradictory lol....one guy says this 1999 generation of pathfinders are "notorious rust buckets" while the next guy says they are the "best" generation of pathfinders. But I'm glad you all seem to agree the rust isn't that bad - but I will get it inspected as you guys rightly suggested, see below:

Right now the deal will either be $2800 as is, but with a bumper to bumper inspection at the local Nissan first, paid for by me...$69 plus tax. If it gets good grades I'll buy it. I want to ask the mechanic about the timing belt and rust situation specifically. Anything else I should ask about?

The seller hasn't agreed to this arrangement yet but hopefully he will. I think it works out well for everyone. Option 2 is he certifies himself and we make the deal at $3000, although I think he'll want $3500....but I don't have anymore cash!

And someone mentioned getting undercoating, the Nissan guy says its between $800 and $900!! Anybody know where I could get it cheaper. I'm in Southern Ontario, not GTA.

Thanks

[mrthompson]

UPDATE:

Thanks everyone for the tips - although some of it was contradictory lol....one guy says this 1999 generation of pathfinders are "notorious rust buckets" while the next guy says they are the "best" generation of pathfinders. But I'm glad you all seem to agree the rust isn't that bad - but I will get it inspected as you guys rightly suggested, see below:

Right now the deal will either be $2800 as is, but with a bumper to bumper inspection at the local Nissan first, paid for by me...$69 plus tax. If it gets good grades I'll buy it. I want to ask the mechanic about the timing belt and rust situation specifically. Anything else I should ask about?

The seller hasn't agreed to this arrangement yet but hopefully he will. I think it works out well for everyone. Option 2 is he certifies himself and we make the deal at $3000, although I think he'll want $3500....but I don't have anymore cash!

And someone mentioned getting undercoating, the Nissan guy says its between $800 and $900!! Anybody know where I could get it cheaper. I'm in Southern Ontario, not GTA.

Thanks

Don't forget that you'll have to pay 13% tax on the purchase price (or wholesale price).  $119 + tax at Krown for rust protection package, IIRC.

[CanuckS2K]

Not sure where you are located, but as a reference point, this is the 2002 Pathfinder that I purchased last year for $2900.


http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php?topic=88659.msg1016412#msg1016412

[john.ddd]

Someone said...
"Don't forget that you'll have to pay 13% tax on the purchase price (or wholesale price)"

But I'm paying cash privately. Do they collect the tax at Service Ontario?

[wing]

Yes

[EV Dan]

The seller will need to give you this:
http://www.ontario.ca/page/used-vehicle-information-package
I suppose it's up to him or her what number is put as "sold price". The ministry will count tax off that or black book value, whichever is higher, if I'm not mistaken.

[Firm]

The seller will need to give you this:
http://www.ontario.ca/page/used-vehicle-information-package
I suppose it's up to him or her what number is put as "sold price". The ministry will count tax off that or black book value, whichever is higher, if I'm not mistaken.

The wholesale value will be shown on that package (front page I think). Then just make sure you fill out the back page with a value less than the wholesale price. You'll get dinged for taxes based on the wholesale price, which for that truck should be more than $2000.

As far as undercoating goes, all you want it an oil based rust proof spray. "Krown" is the best known provider, they have outlets everywhere and it's usually $100-150. With this vehicle it's a must...the rust doesn't look too bad now, but if left unprotected this Pathfinder will be swiss cheese in a year or two, especially after going through another winter.

[john.ddd]

Thanks!

[john.ddd]

if i rust proof every fall, how many years do you think the body/frame will last in a good shape? (and based on the current rust in the pictures)

[rrocket]

Please re-read reply #4

[Snowman]

Please re-read reply #4

This! these things are prone to frame and under-body rust. Have it checked out properly.