Older Pathfinders good?

[NA_VersionFC3S]

Hey everyone, this is my first post on this forum. I am 18 and I used to drive a 1987 RX7 up until a few days ago. I am now looking into buying a 1995 and below Nissan Pathfinder for a few reasons.

1. It can hold 5 people instead of just 2 and has 4 doors.and2. It is 4WD, so I can drive it in the snow w/o chains.

I was just wondering if they have any major reoccuring problems. I know with the rx7's they have some electrical problems like the warning lights and the wiper switches. Does the pathfinder have anything that I should look out for? Or is there a tech section or an archive section.

Would this be a good car to own?

I appreciate any imput, thanks.

Tim

[PalmerWMD]

Tim,

Welcome to NICO!As for the early 90's Pathfinders:

-VG30 engines in the pathy's are very durable.-Traditional truck based SUV so dont expect it to handle like your RX but definetly solid.-No unusual weaknesses known to me

Thats about the extent of my knowledge about them, I'll let others fill in the rest. Fred..

[SmithSR]

Hey welcome aboard, Tim!

I've seen & worked on a great deal of older Pathfinders, and besides the usual wear items, including brakes, suspension, bushings... most of these vehicles can be run into the ground and keep on goin. Not that you should trash the thing, it's just that most end up that way, because it seems nothing major ever fails, so a slow decline in vehicle condition begins. Keep up with maintenance, and you should be trouble free for many miles. With that in mind, check out a list of TSB/recall info. http://www.alldata.com/TSB/42/95421230.html

Again, welcome to NICO!!

PHIL:)

[NISTECH]

only concerns that come to mind is the V-6 exhuast manifold problems with breaking certain studs off. relitivly easy repair for an experianced tech on that problem to do. As Phil said they are very rugged and are on a frame verses a unibody as the 96 and up are. There are some serious mods you can do to them including a straight axle in front for serious off roading(if your into that) in addition to all the typical mods for the VG series engines. This aint no sports car like Fred said so dont expect much performance as far as fast driving goes, its more of a work horse.

If you get one and find the exhuast is leaking hit me up here before you have the work done and I'll let you in on a trick for preventing it from becoming reoccuring.

[NA_VersionFC3S]

Thanks for the replies you guys.

Yeah I know it will not handle like my rx7 did. Thats actually one of the reasons I am getting a bigger car, so I won't get into trouble. I just want something that can can be comfortable and reliable and also handle the snow conditions.

BTW, what kind of gas miliage do these earlier (ie 1995 and down) get? I'm guessing that they take the 87 octaine.

Tim

PS: I only crashed my daily driver non-turbo rx7 the other day. I still have my rx7 turbo project car for the fun driving.

[NA_VersionFC3S]

Oh yeah, these things do come with manual transmissions right? And do they all have the same V6 engine. I know some do come only 2WD and some 4WD, I am keeping an eye out for that.

Tim

[NISTECH]

most of them come with a V-6 but some of the earlier ones 87 to 90 or 92 came with 4 cyl option(very limited amount of those still on the road though). by the way the first couple years pathfinder were 2 doors.