Pathfinder vs. 4 Runner

[judoant]

I am a previous 91 pathfinder owner and currently drive a honda. i'm selling the accord and considering path/qx4 or 4-runner. i have driven all but still cannot decide. i'm sure you all compared these vehicles before purchasing the pathy.

what were things you considered, liked, disliked, ect. that steared you toward purchasing the path?

thanks

[NISTECH]

What year pathfinder are we talking about. Or yr range.

[savage25_sc]

are you talking about "05s.

[KOOLWATER]

I like the 4 runners from the 2000 - 2001 body style era. I absolutely hate the way the 2005's look. I also hate the way the 2005 Pathfinder looks. I own a 2001 pathfinder LE 3.5 and my father in law has a 2000 4runner limited. These models are the loaded versions of each car from the perspective years so I will do an abreviated comparison of both vehicles:

Pathfinder - better interior in my opinion, looks more luxurious, has more power than the 4 runner. Has the 6 Disk in dash changer, 4 runner does not. Also comes equipped with steering wheel controls for the the changer. Pathfinder has more cargo room when rear seats are up.

4runner - better exterior look in my opinion, interior looks like a truck's cabin instead of an suv. Interior has more rear area room than the pathy. Tires and wheels go to the 4 runner. I like the look of the stock rims. Also the tires look more rugged and off-roadish, I like that. (the pathfinder improved its rims on the 2002 model.) 4runner is equipped with rear window controls.

Both - handle well, rear seats fold down very similarly, quite sporty suv's for off roading and city driving.

Bottom line - Because these suv's are competitors, they have very similar qualities and attributes. I've also discovered that where one lacks the other prevails, so its hard to select a clear winner across the board. If you like nissans you would love the pathy, if you like toyota you will love the 4runner.

[94q45t]

You didn;t say whta year you're looking at, but we have had 4Runners, Pathfinders, Supras, Z's, Celicas, LS400's and Q45's (I'm alos older than most of the member, I imagine). Over the years, we've come to prefer Nissan products. Especially during the 90's, the Toyotas always required more maintenance, and it was hader to find decent parts prices. Stay away from any Toyota 95 or older with the 2.2L 4 or the 3L 6. Both engines had oil galley problems which caused sludge build up and engine failure unless the owner changed oil every 3K without exception.

The Toyotas seem nicer when new, but after 50,000 miles, there is no comparison to how well the Nissans hold up, the exception being Z's and Supras. These typically are driven so hard, it's all a matter of previous ownership.

If handling is an issue, go with Nissan, period. The one exception is off road. If you're a serious 4 wheeler, the 95 4Runner, despite being cautious about engines, is an animal in the outback.