Looking at 2001 Infiniti QX4 4WD

[deryckj]

Can someone tell me some of the things I should look at and for? I am looking at a 2001 Infiniti QX4 with 96000 miles. Clean carfax.

Thanks,
Deryckj

[Pathfinder2002]

Are you located in area with tons of snow for winter?
Nissan/Infiniti has a huge recall for rust on the front right and left strut towers. If your QX4 has this problem run away.
The rust problem effects car where the roads are salted for clearing snow and ice.
Model years 1996-2004 both Nissan and Infiniti Pathfinder/QX4.
97-04-pathfinder-qx4-strut-housing-corr ... 34872.html

It's a huge headache having the car inspected and recall. They usually don't give you value of the car once they determine your car is effected. They have a company name Morleys negotiating all the buy backs and they are nasty people.

Also a lot of people move state and your QX4 can still be an east coast car and should check the strut towers anyways.

If the QX4 does have that problem then I would want the repair history. oil changes, part replacement, receipts, receipts, etc.

Also around 100k you'll need have a major service done.
4x4 all the gear, transmission, diff, auto transmission oil change: $800
Front struts usually go out about 100k that will need to be done soon.
Passenger electric seat usually don't work properly. Won't move forwards or backwards.
Check for oil leaks.
Also a big deal is Rear main seals go out around 100k-170k and that's a $1200 job.
Front disc usually wear down and can cause brake ped wobble on extreme braking.
Those need to be replaced.

So good luck on the QX4.

[vonscorpio]

Welcome to the forums, Deryckj!
First I must say I’m jealous of the low miles. My QX4 has twice that many miles!
I second everything Pathfinder2002 said (he beat me to it).
I would also add to push it a little during the test drive and watch for the transmission flare, which I understand has plagued that particular year of QX4, and to see if it has the death sway yet. (most recent thread on this topic: 1996-nissan-pathfinder-death-sway-question-t607455.html ) You will most likely need to reach freeway speeds to test this.

[saskapath]

Based on my experience buying a 2002 Pathfinder the following were items I missed seeing. Must have had my eyes closed on this one

-Front suspension, ball joints, stabilizer links, & struts
-Rear suspension, trailing arm bushings
-Oil consumption. check for any pending codes for cat converter efficiency, do a compression test. Drive if for a while. Whatever you can do to see how much oil it uses. Mine uses a lot!
-Takata inflator recall
-A/C compressor was shot
-CD player Bose unit had failed, not a straight forward replacement


That's all I can think of at the moment

[atraudes]

I would also verify that all of the power valve butterflies and screws are still in place. This can be done fairly easily by removing the throttle body and using a borescope.

One or two missing isn't necessarily a show-stopper (though folks who have unwittingly bought them this way may disagree), but it will likely mean the engine will likely burn oil, cause you extra maintenance, and shorten the engine's lifespan overall. Personally I'd walk away if I found this; there's too many fish in the sea. Even if they're all there, make sure you get the screws thread-locked after you buy it.

Regarding checking for transmission flare, test drive it cold. Doing so would have provided warning of the transmission rebuild I immediately faced.

For what it's worth, the strut recall and power valve issues are really the only issues specific to this vehicle. Everything else is common to all cars once they break 100k and should be looked for on any vehicle with its age and/or mileage.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[yeldogt]

You want to inspect for rust -- that's the most important item. My 02 is rust free -- but you want to inspect.

Do you have any maintenance records -- number of owners?

The cars are very reliable -- like anything else at 100k things can go wrong.

I have owned three 2002's and have never had any major issues -- one need a new alternator.

At that age and miles -- doing all the fluids is a good idea .. simple and straight forward. I put all new pads/rotors/drums/shoes/hardware/rear cylinders on mine a few months ago -- it's the first major work I have done on the brakes except front pads since new.

They are great vehicles -- They like gas.

[vonscorpio]

They like gas.

This... probably the biggest surprise of ownership I had!

[deryckj]

Are you located in area with tons of snow for winter?
Nissan/Infiniti has a huge recall for rust on the front right and left strut towers. If your QX4 has this problem run away.
The rust problem effects car where the roads are salted for clearing snow and ice.
Model years 1996-2004 both Nissan and Infiniti Pathfinder/QX4.
97-04-pathfinder-qx4-strut-housing-corr ... 34872.html

It's a huge headache having the car inspected and recall. They usually don't give you value of the car once they determine your car is effected. They have a company name Morleys negotiating all the buy backs and they are nasty people.

Also a lot of people move state and your QX4 can still be an east coast car and should check the strut towers anyways.

If the QX4 does have that problem then I would want the repair history. oil changes, part replacement, receipts, receipts, etc.

Also around 100k you'll need have a major service done.
4x4 all the gear, transmission, diff, auto transmission oil change: $800
Front struts usually go out about 100k that will need to be done soon.
Passenger electric seat usually don't work properly. Won't move forwards or backwards.
Check for oil leaks.
Also a big deal is Rear main seals go out around 100k-170k and that's a $1200 job.
Front disc usually wear down and can cause brake ped wobble on extreme braking.
Those need to be replaced.

So good luck on the QX4.

Thanks, I usually do maintenance myself. What is the deal with the death sway?

Thanks again for everyone's input and advice.

[yeldogt]

Well since you do your own work -- you can do all the fluids. Make sure you use the correct Nissan Dmatic for the trans and auto transfer case ... it not expensive and you are only going to do it once. Same with the Nissan coolant -- One gallon and another of distilled water is all you need. Don't use green coolant.

I had trouble with aftermarket belts -- the Nissan belts are actually cheaper to purchase if you get them online.

The rear suspension has a system of rods with bushing on each end -- when the busing fail the truth will sway at highway speeds. Mine are fine at 85k.

[atraudes]

I think it's named for that feeling you get when it happens. This link should give you everything you need on it.

[deryckj]

Well since you do your own work -- you can do all the fluids. Make sure you use the correct Nissan Dmatic for the trans and auto transfer case ... it not expensive and you are only going to do it once. Same with the Nissan coolant -- One gallon and another of distilled water is all you need. Don't use green coolant.

I had trouble with aftermarket belts -- the Nissan belts are actually cheaper to purchase if you get them online.

The rear suspension has a system of rods with bushing on each end -- when the busing fail the truth will sway at highway speeds. Mine are fine at 85k.

Thanks for all the input. Will make a decision in the next couple of days. Will try and follow up.

[deryckj]

Thanks for everyone's input. I have decided to pass on this car. I feel like it may have sat up at some point and I fear the issue that brings.

Thanks again