Best year Pathfinder?

[coastalhermit]

I have a '96 and it has been good. I am going to get a newer one but anything after 2004 seems fraught with problems. To be fair, my '96 had issues with the alarm system til I tore it out. But basically I like the vehicle. What was the best year for reliability, power and size? I am inclined to the 2003/4. I live off the grid. Logging roads. Carry lots of stuff. Will modify a bit for that this time. Like, I have very heavy ply tires - need them a lot. But lift is not needed. Any suggestions? Priority, AFTER tires......?

[biggie]

I had no issues with my '02 SE 4x4. Sold it to a friend in '06 and he just finally sold it last year with very few problems.

I'm not sure those models were the best off road. The 4x4 with transfer case was good, but that chassis is more car than truck.

I would guess the '05 until they changed it to a minivan with regular doors would be good for offroad, and I would like the 4.0L, but I'm unsure of the problems with them.

[coastalhermit]

The problem with the post '04 is that in '05 they had coolant leak into the transmission. "Course some guys fixed it and eventually Nissan must have but what if you get one that has had a coolant leak but just NOT failed yet? Too risky. But I do like the full-frame they did like in the old days. Just don't know. I really figured this question would stir up a lot of answers. Only you, Biggie. Thanks

[Buzzman]

You got it right.
The last year or two of the R50's was, in my opinion, the best of the pathfinders ('03-04).
If you can find a rust free unit, jump on it.

[coastalhermit]

I think so too but I am going on gut feel. Any reasons for that feeling? Any stats or data? Why do you think so?

[2001PathfinderLE]

My 2001 LE has 275,000 miles and has been virtually maintenance free during that entire time. I just had the ECM refurbed by an eBay seller and had the coil packs replaced prior to that but that's it! Tires and oil are about all I do to the old girl and I keep saying, "these are probably the last tires I buy for this car!" Then 30,000 miles later...

So I have to concur with the others, in my opinion the 2001-2004 are the best looking, longest lasting Pathys out there. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one with 180,000 miles on it if it were in good condition.

[Kompresshun]

I am partial to the R51 like I have, but an 02-03 R50 with a manual is a damn good setup too if you can find one that hasn't already been used up.

The off-road package on the R51 is pretty damn good though and the aftermarket support is a whole lot better too because it shares a lot of parts with the Frontier and the Xterra. Oh and the VQ40 is a much better motor IMHO. The power difference is very noticeable over our old 02 Infiniti QX4.

Yeah they had radiator issues on the 05-11 but that's an easy fix. Just make sure to do the bypass right away after buying it.

I've put 20k miles on my R51 in a year with absolutely no issues. Mine has the off-road package with hill descent control, larger tires, skid plates, and limited slip diffs. I've had it on the trails twice since I've owned it and it hasn't let me down a single time. I daily drive it too though and it's honestly the best driving SUV I've owned in a very long time. It has no lack of power on the highway and pulls strong whenever you need to pass someone.

Anyways, I don't think the 01-04 would be a bad choice, but from what you described you're looking for I would take a look at the R51 with the off-road package too.

[coastalhermit]

So, if the transmission is NOT trashed, it can be saved by bypassing immediately? If that is so, that helps because the only drawback I have about the R50 is that it just ain't big enough for all the crap I carry.

[Kompresshun]

Yep. That's pretty much the case for the Pathfinder, Xterra, and Frontier.

Some say if the radiator was replaced prior to purchase it is safe too but considering it costs less than $20 and 15-20min of time to do the bypass, I don't think it's worth the risk. I did the bypass a week after buying mine and I've put 20k miles on it since with zero problems. I've towed trailers, been off-roading, and on a few trips without fail.

There are other little quirks about the R51 but I feel like they're well worth the trade off for what you get. Mine has 127k miles on it now and you would never know it by looking at it or driving it.

[benzguy95]

If you can find a platinum edition pathfinder you're in for a treat, the interior uses leftover parts off the infiniti QX4 and in the 4wd models uses the same setup as the QX4 as well. and if you look really hard you might be able to find an 03 or 04 model with traction control and tire pressure monitoring. 04 Platinum editions also have side curtain airbags standard