Maxima or Pathfinder? Opinions pls..

[Jusepi97sx]

I need a winter car ASAP! so after doing research and wanting to stay within nissan.. i've cut it down to either a 93-98 Maxima or 90-96 Pathfinder (budget isn't that great and i'm not looking to keep this car too long). As of now there are 2 cars i have mind.

97 maxima 97k - $380092 pathfinder 107k $3600

Obviously i know the 4x4 on the pathfinder would be best for snow drivinga and what not, but from what i've heard old 4x4's can run into expensive problems and the pathfinder also isn't too gentle on gas consumption. I dunno, i'm still not sold on either.. need some opinions, experiences from you guys to see what would be a better buy..

i appreciate the

[Rex]

With only the info you've provided, I'd be all over the Max. Find out if the timing belt's been done, IIRC it's due before 97 and if it's hasn't been done, you're buying a time bomb (inteference motor).

Is the Max a 5spd, by chance?

[Jusepi97sx]

Its a GXE automatic... VIN is JN1CA21DXVT802152 if anyone can run that..

IIRC..? u kinda lost me w/ that.

yea., the price seems reletively low, but i still haven't seen it in person to see what might be wrong w/ it.

[Drift Machine]

IIRC = If I Remember Correctly

[MidwayParts]

PATHY!!!!!PATHY!!!!PATHY!!!

Can you tell Im a pathfinder owner?

[Jusepi97sx]

from the research i just did.. dont 4th generation maximas have timing chains?.. is that correct?!?

i might go see this car tonite.. what else should i look for besides from the general/obvious.

[gniknave]

I'd go with the Max. The low price is probably the result of high miles.

[maxhopper]

The 97 Maxima has a timing chain, not a belt. That's an extremely great price on the Max as well. I have a 97 with 142k miles, still going strong.

[574-240sx]

I vote for the maxima.5 speed>auto

[Jesda]

How is that Maxima so cheap? Hope its not a salvaged vehicle.

[Rex]

My bad, I saw 93-98 and thought the 93's have t-belts. Didn't seperate that thought from my post, sorry .

[MinisterofDOOM]

I've driven both a lot, and both in the snow. The Pathy is good, but I have to say go for the Max. I drive a Max, and my father drives one, and after driving them both, I don't think I'll ever buy anything else again.

I'd say go get a low-to-medium milage third or fouth gen Maxima. Either will last you a while and be fun to drive as well.

[jdmfreak]

MAAAAXIMAAAAAAA!!!!!!

[yelnatsch517]

Get the max. Gas is too expensive nowadays. Well it is here at least.

[USDM240]

Maxima. that shouold have been the easy choice.

[SILVER97LE]

My brother is selling his '93 SE 4x4 Pathfinder for $2500 with ~120,000 miles. All options includnig leather/sunroof. It is a 5-spd. It is a southern car (no salt) located in SC. Let me know if you're interested....

[Bubba1]

Both sound like good vehicles. Yes the pathy will get a little worse gas mileage than the Maxima, And AWD is better in snow, But NJ is not normally a frozen tundra during the winter, so I'm not sure having AWD is that huge an advantage.

It really comes down to what you want from your vehicle. My recommendation is to have a different type of vehicle if you intend to have more than one. If you're summer vehicle is a sports car, then the winter vehicle could something more practical. I can tell you that trucks come in very handy when you have a lot to haul. Doesn't have to be just for winter.But if you have a long commute or frequently have multiple passengers, the Max might be better fit. You're the one who best knows what you need.

Personally, I think the older pathfinders are a little too small, but I have friends who swear by them.Enjoy.