Just curious: Did we lose our moderator?

[Buzzman]

Hey folks,
I've noticed we haven't seen any posts from Towncivilian in a while.
Did we lose our moderator?
Bummer if we did.

[greengumby]

Nope :

last seen was: Last visited: Mon Sep 01, 2014 11:29 am

[greengumby]

More like How many Members are still around (active) I have only been here a short time and i can almost count the usual members that post on two hands maybe...

[Buzzman]

More like How many Members are still around (active) I have only been here a short time and i can almost count the usual members that post on two hands maybe...

I've been around on this site since 2007, and I can tell you that pretty much every member that was active when I joined has disappeared.
Too bad really, 'cause there were some guys with a wealth of knowledge that used to contribute to this forum.
I suppose it has something to do with the R50 platform getting older, and that more than a few guys that had one got rid of it.
There is not much activity from people with newer Pathfinders either.
This is mostly an R50 forum more than anything.
In my case, my truck has been giving me problems in the past year (after 11 years of trouble free ownership), and I am actively looking around for a new(ish) ride.
I'll probably run my truck for one more winter, and then that will be it.
Oh well, that's just the way it goes.
Cheers,
Gus (my real name)

[patqx4]

I've been here 4 years, and even in that time have seen a big decline in activity. I think you're right to a point buzzman, at least for owners in the rust belt like us, I think I'll get another 3 or 4 years before the rust does my qx4 in. However if I lived in a nice dry climate I think I could keep it many years longer. I'm amazed by the reliability I've seen from the R50, but like any car it's not immune to winter salt and slush.

[NismoPick]

Many (most) internet forum activity is declining as Facebook groups are growing in popularity. Since everyone is on FB, it's easier to communicate and stay updated on one site, rather than two. Forums are becoming the information-storage-warehouses to be referenced when people need "big" questions answered.

[QX4ME]

I am still here but not very active. Most of times I read not post.
I will be here as long as my 02 QX4 is still with me.

[4xq]

I'm in here off and on as time permits. I try to jump in on a few threads.

Nismopicks comments about Facebook was something I had not thought of. Don't do the Facebook thing myself.

Anyway, hope it keeps going!

[Buzzman]

However if I lived in a nice dry climate I think I could keep it many years longer. I'm amazed by the reliability I've seen from the R50, but like any car it's not immune to winter salt and slush.

Yea, the winter salt and crap is finally taking a hold of my truck, even with undercoating and oil spraying.
I have to replace my gas filler neck, as it has two holes in it from rust (gas pours out onto my rear tire when I fill up).
I've also got rust growing on my rear wheel wells, and getting worse.

Many (most) internet forum activity is declining as Facebook groups are growing in popularity. Since everyone is on FB, it's easier to communicate and stay updated on one site, rather than two. Forums are becoming the information-storage-warehouses to be referenced when people need "big" questions answered.

Never thought of the facebook thing either.
I don't do social media sites (FB, Twitter, etc.), so it never crossed my mind.

[RicerX]

Hey guys!

Contrary to how it may seem, forum traffic is actually pretty steady. We're finding lately that the bulk of conversation tends to migrate throughout the subsections, especially with General Chat lately. Most people have been hanging around there chatting it up, and it's definitely not immune to platform-specific questions. It has been one of our focal points here lately.

As far as forum moderators go, we have had some shuffling as of late as far as where people are popping in and such, and we've had some stuff going on behind the scenes that has been taking a lot of our free time, as well as some of our mods (and myself and other staff included) that have just had life creep up on us and rob us of time.

There are big things to come here at the ol' NICOClub, so don't worry - while we may not be chiming in as often at times, we still love you and we're still making sure this beast is being fed. Feel free to ping any of us Admins or Mods via PM if you have any questions or concerns about anything here - we are here for you guys!

[Chris.m]

I've noticed the decline here too.

When I first joined, there were constant DIY's/mods popping up, but not really anymore.

I think the decline has to do with the fact that these trucks aren't worth much anymore and most don't feel the need to do PM / Mods on $4k trucks....


I've moved on to my BMW, and will be putting my Pathfinder up for sale this month.

PS - The BMW forums, especially e38 and e39 are always packed

[oekundar]

Having come from the e39 forums (BFC.com) I was surprised to see the low levels of activity here, but happy to see the information that does reside here. These things happen in cycles and as long as a core group of people keep putting in solid information the forum should live on...for a bit.

[NismoPick]

^^^ Pretty sure there are more BMW enthusiasts than Pathfinder / QX4 enthusiasts... apples and oranges.

[GRNMACHINE]

Been around awhile, don't post as much. Definite decline on the boards and don't see many of the "older" posters. Age, rust, strut recall, etc as all others have said have taken out many of the R50's. My Path is no longer a daily driver but it is still going, thinking about a small lift.

And where is Towncivilian? Great moderator who took the place for Pwnin

[Buzzman]

Age, rust, strut recall, etc as all others have said have taken out many of the R50's.

Here in the Great White North (Ottawa, Canada), there is a noticeable decline in R50's on the road.
I used to see a lot of them a few years ago. Now I hardly see any. The ones I do see are not in great shape anymore.

I was back to the wreckers on the weekend and they had about 6 Pathfinders there.
I checked out every one of them, and they are all there due to rust.
Not one of them looked like it had been in an accident.
There was one 2000 SE that had a huge hole in the drivers side strut area. Biggest one I've ever seen.
The engine bay was clearly visible from outside.
The fender wells and rockers were also completely rotted away, plus a 6 inch rust hole in one of the back doors.
I can't believe Nissan would build such a vehicle that rusts as bad as these things have. Sad sad sad.

[ncalnissan]

Yup, seems like it's a natural decline due to the age of the R50. Personally, I've had my 2000 for about 8 years and just recently started doing more DIY. Rather than buying a new Frontier or Xterra, it's cheaper to just fix up what I have, and it's been a great learning opportunity. I happen to live in CA and have no rust in my strut towers at all, plus I recently had the valve covers off and they looked nice and clean, so I could see it lasting at least several more years. So I for one will continue to be around, searching the wealth of knowledge that people have discussed in the past. 158k miles and counting...

[spike753]

As I new member here after acquiring a 01 QX4, I can't say thank you enough for the help I have been given and hope that I will be able to pass it along. (any 2nd gen ram questions welcome). I have been a domestic guy my whole life but have taken a liking to this QX4.
(don't tell my girlfriend or she will always think she is right...i originally wanted to get her a jeep)

From the looks of things I am going to be around a while...Literary the next day after 4xq and buzzman helped me figure out my plastic melting in the fuse box this happened....



Girlfriend was driving and the car behind her (we think was texting) and hit the back end of her. It was like only the 3rd time she drove it. She was ok and the other driver was proven to be at fault. The insurance company made me an offer I couldn't refuse to keep the car. It still drives fine and upon inspection there does not appear to be frame damage.
The car in the past had spent most of it's life in New Mexico so luckily on the rust issue it is in good shape.

so i'll be around...

[Towncivilian]

I'm still around, but as with many others my worst enemy is time. I graduated with my bachelor's degree back in May and started working full time in June. My girlfriend and I also had to move ~75 miles north since my girlfriend got a job working for a neighboring county which she started a few days ago. Since the Pathfinder is a gas hog, I swapped with my father's 2007 Altima - I have a 100 mile a day commute now. We moved almost exactly a month ago and today has been the first time I've had some spare time to noodle around on the internets. I know there's a gigantic 6.5 page backlog of threads - I'll try to see what I can do during lunch breaks at work to help knock that out a little.

Regarding my Pathfinder, the starter was gradually dying. Just a click when starting it up, sometimes putting it in neutral helped for some odd reason, other times I sat trying the key a dozen or two times until it sprang to life. My father opted to get the starter replaced with a brand new replacement to the tune of $250-ish. I also suggested he get an oil change, fuel filter change, coolant flush, passenger side downstream O2 sensor replaced (I had already bought a direct-fit one and just hadn't had the time to swap it in - heater high voltage codes) as well, and he did. I don't think the Pathfinder will be going anywhere for a while. I sure do miss it, though!
The Altima is such a better ride on the highway though, and gets about 29 to 30 MPG on the highway, compared to a dismal 18.5-ish. It has 108k miles on it and also needs a downstream O2 sensor and probably a CVT fluid change, and by now an engine oil and cabin air filter change, so I have my work cut out for me. The girlfriend's Sentra also needs an oil change... can I buy more time?

@spike753: Lousy luck there, but I'm glad your girlfriend is alright. I had similar damage and ended up replacing my rear door and rear bumper. The area under your driver taillight looks identical to my damage. A few years ago I had Maaco fix that up, since it was preventing the replacement used door from closing properly.

[atraudes]

I had to trade in my '08 Titan in for an '07 Altima when I started an 80-mile commute too. Nothing funny about that day I got the QX4 after we moved and regained a more moderate commute. Man I wish I still had the Titan...

[greengumby]

Dont feel bad I came from a fully loaded to the teeth 04 tahoe down to an 02 pathfinder..... to me its nice to not spend $110 every two days....but those ÷#$$/$/€%@ cup holders need to go... im a 24 oz coffee drinker once wifey puts hers in im toast.... anywhoo.... I wanted to stay with the pathfinder family but I dont like the
new car pathfinders....looking now at the exterra model

[4xq]

Well, my Q got nailed by a pretty strong hail storm here in the Denver metro area last Monday. Peppered everything but the drivers side doors. Dents are not all that large - mostly nickel size hail, just very hard stuff. I'm at 98k, lots of life left in it.

Doesn't look very nice tho.

[greengumby]

Anyone asks just tell them you just came from NYC someone said you were a red socks fan.

[spike753]

Well, my Q got nailed by a pretty strong hail storm here in the Denver metro area last Monday. Peppered everything but the drivers side doors. Dents are not all that large - mostly nickel size hail, just very hard stuff. I'm at 98k, lots of life left in it.

Doesn't look very nice tho.

I live in ft Collins but ran into that same storm as well coming back home from denver. It is weird to see rain like that in the Denver area this time of year. It was like a Florida downpour. Just glad we didn't have a repeat of last years floods.

Luckily I was in my dodge ram and got it to cover before the hail did any damage

For me the qx4 mpg is great I am used to around 11 in my beast of dodge truck



Towncivilian- Thanks for the sentiment. We are buying it back from the insurance company today and the work will begin to get her back to lookin good!

[Qxxx4]

I still have my q but not much time for forums it was brought into nissan for sefond time for strut recall...there was a huge hole now and they patched it with fiberglass. I have a 2012 mustang too and use the q for short trips here n there and all winter. I still love it and aside from rusty front fenders (have one I just painted ready to install) its in decent shape. My interior and leather are mint. I wish I knrown rustproofed it every year it might have held up way longer. Its got 200k kms and no breakdowns. I have an etest coming up hopefully it passes so I can run it till a major breakdown. Id love a 2013+ grand cherokee as a replacement

I ended up doing a road trip across the usa in the mustang and met up with an old friend from here "AJRK" in california....it was really cool and his 2001 is stil showroom condition

[patqx4]

I love my Qx4 but the rust is setting into her for sure. It's very sad but a fact of life here in eastern Canada. I will keep her on daily driver duty for a few years longer while I save up for a 2012 Range rover supercharged, at which point the Qx4 will become a second vehicle.

[Randy K]

I'm still here and very thankful for all the info and tips that the site has. I live in the south and just turned 205k on mine. No rust at all only thing making me wonder about getting rid of it, is my seat is ripped on the side. I've seen several with this, so seems to be a common problem. Cheapest I can find one is somewhere north of $500. So I have gone and test drove a FX and a ML350. I would like to stay with Infiniti because this truck has been so dependable. Don't like the 60 and don't need the 80. I don't post much just because so much has already been covered here and I don't want to just rehash what someone else has already said. But I hope the mods know how much at least I appreciate the work you put into this site. It has been both a time and money saver for me.
So thank you for your time!

[Buzzman]

Keep looking around for a replacement seat. Check the junkyards and wreckers, and maybe post a request on Kijiji.
I picked up new (to me) leather heated seats from a junker for $50.00.
Also, check the prices on getting it re-covered. It may be cheaper doing that as well.

[Randy K]

Thanks I'll try that Buzzman. Dealer and aftermarket sites are unbelievably proud of this cover. I do have a guy that'll recover it, I just don't think he can match up the color so it doesn't look obvious.

[GRNMACHINE]

Good to hear from you Brian!