Buying a used Pathfinder

[Pianodemon]

I'm taking my '98 with 195K miles in this weekend to have my mechanic look at the front end. If the cost of the work is more than the truck is worth, I'm going to sell it and start looking for another used Pathfinder.

I'm seeing some good deals on low-mileage used 99.5s and up.

Is there anything I should be aware of (common problems) or look for when I'm doing my research?

I'd like to get it outfitted like my current ride (LE, fully loaded - leather, sunroof, power everything, etc).

[Empty V]

I'm taking my '98 with 195K miles in this weekend to have my mechanic look at the front end. If the cost of the work is more than the truck is worth, I'm going to sell it and start looking for another used Pathfinder.

I'm seeing some good deals on low-mileage used 99.5s and up.

Is there anything I should be aware of (common problems) or look for when I'm doing my research?

I'd like to get it outfitted like my current ride (LE, fully loaded - leather, sunroof, power everything, etc).

Definitely 100% go for an 01+. You'll notice a big difference in power between the 3.3L and the 3.5L.

Billy

[Pianodemon]

Definitely 100% go for an 01+. You'll notice a big difference in power between the 3.3L and the 3.5L.

Billy

Thanks, Billy. What about known mechanical issues for '01s and up?

Power doesn't really bother me, since I use it primarily as a weekend driver and to haul my band equipment when I have gigs and my mountain bikes when I go riding.

I saw this and while the price seems high for the year, it looks to be in fantastic shape:

http://tinyurl.com/yeoshjs

[Empty V]

Thanks, Billy. What about known mechanical issues for '01s and up?

Power doesn't really bother me, since I use it primarily as a weekend driver and to haul my band equipment when I have gigs and my mountain bikes when I go riding.

I saw this and while the price seems high for the year, it looks to be in fantastic shape:

http://tinyurl.com/yeoshjs

It does look clean but that's a lot for a 12 year old car. I'd look out for a consistent idle because if it drops you've probably got to replace ignition coils or maybe just the plugs. Obviously you want to watch for the check engine light and O2 sensors are prone to go bad but AFAIK the only way to tell would be a thrown code. Overall they're amazing vehicles and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another with 100K miles as long as it's clean and runs like it should.

Billy

[Pianodemon]

Yeah, the price is a bit high. A buddy in the industry sent me the info on what a "fair" price would be for the age and year. His price came in at $8875.

I'll see what my mechanic says on Saturday and then I'll make the decision.

Gotta remember that I should look for QX4s as well.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

I have to agree with Billy on this one, I think you should make some concessions and opt for less options to get a newer 3.5L Pathfinder. Since you just use it to haul stuff or to go biking you really don't need leather, right? Also, you'll probably end up just replacing the Bose system with an aftermarket one, right (plus, the Bose system requires more work than the standard system to convert to aftermarket)? I think what you really just need is Auto HVAC and a sunroof and you're good. This way you can get a newer Pathfinder.

[Pianodemon]

True. I've just been driving with leather so long that I'm used to it. Plus I dig the heated seats in the winter.

I'll pull the trigger after this weekend.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Plus I dig the heated seats in the winter.

I'm not gonna lie, that is a great thing to have in Jersey winters.

[Pianodemon]

Yeah, plus I drive to VT often, so that's another boon.

I'm trying to determine how far I want to drive in order to pick up a used car.

I bought my '98 at a place in PA called CarSense. Drove 121 miles one way to get it.

Biggest thing I can think of is if something goes wrong, I don't want to drive too far to get it repaired under warranty or such.

[nissanjdm]

Hey I've got a 2000 SE that I might be selling. Let me know if you're interested. Not an LE, but has power everything. Cloth seats (doesn't get cold in the winters) 63k on the odometer and I'm the original owner.


Modified by nissanjdm at 8:31 PM 3/9/2010

[naladude911]

^ where did you get those chrome tail surrounds.

[nissanjdm]

I got them from Japan. They're OEM accessories. I have matching side glass vents too. (not shown in pic).

I actually have a brand new set for sale. PM me if interested.

[Pianodemon]

Hmm...love the color on this one. Price seems high for the age/mileage, tho.

http://tinyurl.com/y93ov3s

It seems increasingly difficult to find Pathfinders without the Bose stereo. I'd rather put in an aftermarket one that has an aux jack for my iPod.

Did the Pathfinders with cloth seats ever come with power seats or were those only on the models with leather?

[Pianodemon]

Also, power antennas seem rare on used Pathfinders.

Hmm...love the color on this one. Price seems high for the age/mileage, tho.

http://tinyurl.com/y93ov3s

It seems increasingly difficult to find Pathfinders without the Bose stereo. I'd rather put in an aftermarket one that has an aux jack for my iPod.

Did the Pathfinders with cloth seats ever come with power seats or were those only on the models with leather?

[JonathanPrem]

Those pathfinder in Nj are expensive. Here in Ontario those thing sell next to nothing cause of the fuel economy. The blue R50 looks nice but at 12400usd is kinda pricey. I would try to lower it down to 10-11k range.

found one in here-Same year,162km and service done,black on black LE for 10.5k which you can probably bring down to 9-10k.

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-car...37939

Goodluck with purchase

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Those pathfinder in Nj are expensive. Here in Ontario those thing sell next to nothing cause of the fuel economy. The blue R50 looks nice but at 12400usd is kinda pricey. I would try to lower it down to 10-11k range.

found one in here-Same year,162km and service done,black on black LE for 10.5k which you can probably bring down to 9-10k.

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-car...37939

Goodluck with purchase

That Pathfinder has sweet roof rack crossbars. Just thought I'd point that out.

[JonathanPrem]

That Pathfinder has sweet roof rack crossbars. Just thought I'd point that out.

I've got the exact one but it came on my SE. Anyone know where i can get bolts for it as one of them are missing.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

I've got the exact one but it came on my SE. Anyone know where i can get bolts for it as one of them are missing.

Are you sure? The ones on the black Pathfinder look aftermarket. Are you sure you don't have the same ones as the blue Pathfinder in the following pic?

[Pianodemon]

Actually, the crossbars on that top Pathfinder seem to be exactly what are installed on my '98 LE.

This blue one might be no good for me. If you notice, the rear windows appear to be heavily tinted, as is the rear tailgate glass. In NJ, they've got pretty strict tinting laws.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Actually, the crossbars on that top Pathfinder seem to be exactly what are installed on my '98 LE.

This blue one might be no good for me. If you notice, the rear windows appear to be heavily tinted, as is the rear tailgate glass. In NJ, they've got pretty strict tinting laws.

That's the standard factory tint which I have on my '03, it's still legal. The NJ tint laws simply state that you cannot tint the front windows or have any non-factory tint on the front windshield. You can have any tint on the remaining windows.

[Pianodemon]

The appointment with my mechanic is scheduled for Friday. If things don't work out and I end up selling/trading in my '98 Pathfinder and getting this blue one, I'm going to have to buy you a beer for all the helpful advice, Pwnin.

That's the standard factory tint which I have on my '03, it's still legal. The NJ tint laws simply state that you cannot tint the front windows or have any non-factory tint on the front windshield. You can have any tint on the remaining windows.

[nbf6165]

Price still seems high on the blue one. I bought my '03 LE, loaded, leather, etc. for $9500. Plus it was from an individual, no taxes.

Edit: The blue one is 4WD however.

[Pianodemon]

How many miles were on your '03 when you bought it? Private sales are usually less than dealer sales.

My buddy in the industry said a fair price to start at was around 11K and negotiate up. He did say no more than $11,900.

Price still seems high on the blue one. I bought my '03 LE, loaded, leather, etc. for $9500. Plus it was from an individual, no taxes.

Edit: The blue one is 4WD however.

[nbf6165]

Mileage was a bit high at 85K when I purchased it 8 months ago, but the vehicle was spotless and I had it inspected prior to purchasing.

After my last motorcycle purchase, I vowed to NEVER buy from a dealer again. Be patient and save on taxes.

[Pianodemon]

As far as I know, I'd still have to pay the taxes at the DMV when I register the vehicle, so there's really no difference.

[Empty V]

How many miles were on your '03 when you bought it? Private sales are usually less than dealer sales.

My buddy in the industry said a fair price to start at was around 11K and negotiate up. He did say no more than $11,900.

You're buddy is wrong, $11,900 is way too high. I'd say stop taking his advice and buy privately.

[Pianodemon]

EmptyV:

Where would be a good place to start looking privately? I've been going through AutoTrader so far.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

EmptyV:

Where would be a good place to start looking privately? I've been going through AutoTrader so far.

Craigslist is your friend...

(Only 35,000 miles!) http://newjersey.craigslist.or....html

[Pwnin O'Brien]

(Only 59,000 miles!) http://newjersey.craigslist.or....html

[Pianodemon]

The black one is nice, but that's through a dealer. :-)

Second one isn't bad. I'll do some digging on Craigslist and see what's out there.