new user, Pathfinder longevity question

[Pathfinder995]

Alright here's my schpeel...I've always been a Toyota guy and came from a Toyota family (although my dad did own a pretty nice Datsun 240 back in the day). My wife and I have an 02 Toyota Highlander and we were looking to get a new car just a short while ago to replace our other car which was a (well, that's not important). Anyway...I was going to be the main driver so I got to pick...was looking mainly at 4Runners in the 98-02 range. BUT, then I found it...

Guy was selling a 99.5 Pathfinder SE with a LOT of options. Growing up as a little kid (I'm 26 now) one of my favorite cars was the original Pathfinder with the triangle window, but I knew nothing about Nissan lately other than it's Japanese and that was sure to give it an advantage over some piece of junk from Detroit. The same day I almost bought a 99 4 Runner Limited I also test drove the Pathfinder (kinda just like "what the heck, can't hurt right?").

I immediately fell in love with the Pathfinder...it was quiet, it rode nice, it felt more sporty whereas the Toyota felt like a station wagon on stilts (my opinion). The good part was that the guy was asking $5500 for it and I got him down to $4100. The bad part was that it had 153k miles on it. He had all records on it - everything was done at the dealership AND it had a brand new set of Michelin Cross Terrains on it which I already have on the Highlander and LOVE. The car has been in one accident and that was when it was parked - somebody backed into the bumper or something but it's been fixed and the thing looks absolutely amazing. I LOVE this car and it's sold me on Nissans no doubt.

My question...I have the 3.3L V6 VG engine...I now have 156k miles on it. The thing starts up like it's new and purrs -- but should I be concerned about this high of mileage? I expect Toyotas to do 200k with relatively no maintenance...will this be the same? I love working on this car and have already done a ton of things on it (new plugs & wires, switched to Amsoil although the guy was running Castrol synthetic for the whole life of the car which is good, new rear shocks --KYB, he had cheap Monroes or something, some of the drive belts, hoses etc., PCV valve, air filter K&N, fuel filter) ...the engine is clean and like I said, the thing purrs. Should I feel safe taking this thing on a long road trip--are there any particular things I need to watch for on the VG engine? Are there any of you out there that have as many or more miles on your Pathfinders? Any help would be awesome!

-Jeff / newbie

[fueler]

the VG33 (V6 3.3, same platform as the non-turbo older 300ZX engine) pathfinder is even more reliable than a 4runner in my opinion. I've seen 4runners that have wiring and ground problems. there arent even any issues that you need to address. For spark plugs, only use NGK. Spark plugs 1-5 are easy, #6 is down deep but there is a special Nissan tool under your back seat that makes plug #6 easy. Thats all I can think of. you should be able to do 300k on a pathfinder with only basic maintenance. They say to change the timing belt every 105k but ive seen VG33 powered Pathfinders hit 300k with only oil changes. Its the 2001+ with the 3.5 V6 that has O2 sensor, coil, and MAF problems. I have 140k miles on mine and I would not hesitate to drive 1000 miles deep into desolate Baja today if I had to (actually I would love to)

Yours is only halfway used. Congrats on the smart purchase.

[KoukiS14]

Welcome to NICO!!!

Actually, I set out to buy a 98-02 4Runner. My requirement was a reliable SUV with a 4wd system I can use in mixed driving (part snow / part dry). 01 marks the beginning of Toyota's system, but the QX4 had a similar system since 97.

I come from a Nissan family, and I know Toyota gets very high marks, but I haven't seen anything less coming from any Nissan I've spent a good amount of time in. I've grown accustomed to driving without having to fix anything. The last two vehicles I've owned were a 92 240sx, and a 97 240sx, and both never had a single issue, other than routine maintenance. With that said, the R50 (96-04) Nissans were an incredible value so I ended up with what I have now, a 99.5 QX4. I've only got 77k miles on mine. I do have to admit I have a busted strut, but it drives perfectly fine, and the damage was likely my fault.

I'd be very happy with a 4Runner too. . love 'em. . I dig the extra ground clearance and the fact that it's built on a truck platform rather than unibody. But with that said, I get very very little body flex in my vehicle off pavement. I can still open and close all doors the same as if it were on flat ground.

[pixel41]

Welcome!I've owned 6 Nissans. My '87 Hardbody SE-V6 pickup had 187K when I traded it in for an '01 Pathfinder LE. I road tripped that truck coast to coast twice (over time), 4 wheeled most of it's life in the Rockies, jumped sand dunes in Moab, mudding in Tennessee, you name it. That truck never shuddered. Put my '84 pickup through h#ll as well. And my 01 Pathfinder LE was a road trip champ.

I'm here to tell you Nissans can hold their own with any other maker out there. And if they do have an issue, they are pretty easy to work on.

I wouldn't worry at all about getting a Nissan. Glad to hear a Toyota man is joining the Nissan forces! Good luck man.