Possibly purchasing a 1998 pathfinder SE tomorrow. Please he

[r81gsr95]

Hello everyone, i am looking to purchase a 1998 pathfinder SE tomorrow and i really want to be as prepared as i can be when going to look at this truck. It seems to be what i'm looking for, 2nd owner, sounds like a responsible older gentleman has taken care and maintained this suv. It has 170k miles, he said he bought it from a dealership in 2007 with about 90k miles on it. He said the dealership replaced the timing belt. He has service records showing he tuned it up recently, also put a new battery and new alternator. It is an automatic transmission.

The pathfinder looks very clean and while the mileage is a little bit high i'm hoping this thing has a lot of life left. I really wanted a nissan or toyota due to the reliability. From what i've read the v6 in this pathfinder is a good engine. my main concern is the timing belt being done. With 170k miles and the timing belt being done at 90 or 100k, i would think this car needs a new timing belt at around 200k miles. I'm okay doing it at 200k but would not like to do a mile sooner if i dont have to, i know it is an interference motor so if it snaps i'm screwed. I will be in college the next 4 years, i wont be doing much driving , but this engine has to get me through the next 4 years without mcuh other than regular service items. Nothing major i hope.

So i have looked through many threads, when i go look at this i'm going to shift through all the gears, check the transmission fluid, i've never owned an automatic , i'm a bit weary of them when they have high miles so i'm hoping this transmission shifts fast and smooth, and that the fluid is red and not burnt.

i'll check for rust but i'm not expecting any. i live in the pacific northwest and rust has never been a problem on previous cars, idk if the pathfinder is prone to rust, this being a 1998 but i will check.

Is there anything else i should check to make sure this engine is not going to go boom anytime soon? I will be driving whatever car i purchase from Seattle to Wyoming so whatever i buy has to be something that can get me from WA to WY

1998 pathfinder SE, 4wd automatic, 170k miles, 2nd owner, clean in and out, some service records, timing belt supposedly replaced at 90k miles, engine has been tuned up recently, wants 2795. What do you guys think? He said he purchased it in 2007 for 7 grand. This guy also owns 2 other pathfinders, he said he bought one for his son which is a 1995, and his daughter has one that is a 2001. He obviously likes pathfinders and that makes me feel better about looking at this car. Sounds like someone who took care of this pathfinder. I'm just nervous, especially getting right in whatever i buy and driving it to wyoming. If anyone has any comments or suggestions, that is what i'm here for and i'd really appreciate it!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[r81gsr95]

well the pathfinder turned out to be a pretty good SUV. I've reached a deal to purchase it for $2500. The car has had the rear end bushing replaced, on the freeway it felt tight and not any swaying or wobble. The "death wobble" was something that concerned me. The engine ran good and i didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. The transmission shifted great, i was very pleased with how it shifted. I wasn't able to see how it shifted when it's cold because he drove down 20 minutes to meet me but i have faith that the transmission is good. I plan on putting in new transmission fluid when i get it along with diff fluid or oil, same with the transfer case.

I'm very excited to be a pathfinder owner! I can't wait to start making some adjustments to the truck, it isn't exactly how i want it looking right now but for the price i can't complain.

It has some ugly pinstripes i want to remove, i wish i could do the same with the side moldings. The pathfinder looks clean with no stripes or moldings, looks good. Also this pathfinder has some silver reflective tint, is that stock?> I'd like to get that removed too.

Any suggestions on what i should do to it first? I need to rotate the tires so that will probably be number one but what would you guys do? I've heard that a transmission cooler or an in line filter is a great idea. I also wonder if a cold air intake will give me better gas mileage?

[Towncivilian]

Welcome to NICO, and congratulations on your purchase!

Has it been inspected for the strut housing corrosion recall? You can find information in the stickied thread at the top of this sub forum.

An auxiliary transmission cooler inline with the stock cooler and a Magnefine inline filter are great ideas and will prolong the transmission's life.

It is also a good idea to replace all drive line fluids as well as the brake fluid, engine coolant, and power steering fluid. I suggest reading through the general information thread linked in my signature, it describes the procedures for fluid services.

[Jsinn]

Welcome in.. I recently bought a 98 Pathy myself. Some things to check out at that mileage are, valve cover gaskets, knock sensor, evap canister, MAF sensor, trailing arms, shocks, sway bar bushings. First thing you should do is change ALL the fluids in it. Switch em over to full synth. Front and rear dist, transmission, transfer, engine. Those are the big ones. Pretty easy DIY too. Happy path finding!!