Worth a look at this pathfinder?

[sbmotoracer]

I've been looking at this one....

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/winn ... nFlag=true

The fender is rusted through, as well as the window moulding...

Seller seems to want $4500 but says they are willing to negotiate.

Thanks.

[Leo1998]

Personally, I think you can find better...I tend to stay away from rigs with "some RUST" especially if you live in an area where they salt the roads. I searched for 2 months before I settled on my '98 Pathfinder. I used this website to read the owners reviews, they give good information. http://www.edmunds.com/nissan/pathfinde ... pod-anchor

[Buzzman]

Have to agree with Leo.
13 year old pathfinder, being in Winnipeg, with almost 200K on it, and some rust showing on the outside.
This usually means there's more rust where you can't see it.
I'd be very concerned about the strut tower rust issue. Has it had the recall done on it?
Even if it has, there's a good chance it will rust through again in a year or two, and then you'll be driving a write-off.
Keep looking.

[sbmotoracer]

Thanks for the tips guys.

I ended up looking at it and you guys were right it was rusted through...

While looking through the other pathfinders in Winnipeg I ended up finding 2 that seem to be pretty good but I can't decide between them...

One's a 2004 plat with 185 000 kms and the other 2003 SE with 147 000 km.

Between the 2 years was there major changes? Such as the rust issue on the window moldings,etc. Do you guys think 200 km is too much to look at for a 2004. I've only ever owned a 2001 back in the day and that one ended up getting into an accident before I could learn much about it.

As well thanks for helping me out with this it's the first one I'm buying one my own and I want to get it right :-)

[Leo1998]

I have a 1998 Pathfinder currently with 185,000 km (115,000 miles) on it and stuff is starting to need replacing, so there's that to think about. Could you post the ads or pictures of the ones you are looking at? Hopefully people with those years of rigs can chime in and let you know what's up.

[sbmotoracer]

Let me know what you think

2004: http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/winn ... nFlag=true

2003: http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/winn ... nFlag=true

[Buzzman]

As far as the drivetrain/running gear, there's no difference from 2003-2004.
The differences are all in the cosmetics.

As far as the window trim rusting, that's not anything to worry about.
I had the same problem, and ordered new trim from courtesyparts.com in the States, and had them shipped here (I'm in Ottawa).
The trim pieces are easy to replace. The good news is, it's only the trim that rusts. The doors were 100%.

As for making a choice between the two, that's tough.
Make sure you check underneath, and be sure to ask about the strut recall.
See if you can get any kind of service history.
If these trucks are properly maintained, they'll run forever.

I like the 2004 model, only because it's fully loaded with every possible option. I like the leather interior and power heated seats.
The 2003 has cloth seats, and they are most likely not heated. Check to be sure.
I also like the 2004 rims better, but that's just me.
Let us know what you decide.

[sbmotoracer]

both my wife and I can't decide between the two.

I like the 04 she likes the 03(because of the leather seats in the summer).

All things equal would 38000 km really make a difference do you think?

Edit - Nice link, I definitively keep that one in mind. I usually order stuff off of ebay, since most places don't ship to Canada.

[Buzzman]

All things equal would 38000 km really make a difference do you think?

38,000 Kms shouldn't maker much of a difference, IF the previous owners kept up the regular maintenance.
That's why I mentioned getting the service histories, if possible.

I have 285,000 Kms on my '02, and I maintain it and fix things as needed.
It has run great so far, and does not use any oil (I use Mobil 1 full synthetic).
I have started to have a few niggly problems over the past 6 months, but nothing that can't be fixed.

As for the leather seats, I assume your wife is worried that they will be too hot in the summer?
Again, I wouldn't let that impede the sale.
I have leather seats in my Pathy and my Altima, and it has not been a problem.
I tinted the windows in both vehicles BTW, and it helps a lot.
The heated seat option for the winter out weighs any concerns about a hot butt in the summer.

[robbykennedy]

Personally I would go for the lower miles.

I was in the same situation when I bought mine, 2003 vs 2004, SE vs LE options, 86K miles vs 130K miles. I ended up going for the lower miles, I couldn't be happier.

The biggest concern I had was the screws in the power valves. My 2003 was manufactured in Japan, VIN starts with J. After reading so much about the issue with the screws in the power valves I ended up removing the intake manifold to take a look. I have to say that there is no way those screws were going to come lose with just vibration. First of all, they were pretty tight, I had to apply a certain amount of force to remove each, then after the first turn I had to apply a certain amount of force to turn them lose. After removing each screw I sealed them with thread locker. I am now getting a good sleep at night.

Not that it matters but check the VIN numbers of each vehicle.

[sbmotoracer]

Ended up getting neither of them....

The 03 had rust all over the place.... While the dealer offered to repair it, they would only do so I didn't haggle the price with them...
The shape the truck was in, etc wasn't worth $7,900.00.

As for the 04 I called them and asked if it had rust on it. The guy on the other line refused to tell me until I pushed him... and even then he said it in such a low voice I couldn't understand him... Too bad I was really considering that one.... The leather seats and all... But after experience I wont be buying vehicles from them.

Anyone know anyone selling any good pathfinders in winnipeg thats not online?

[Buzzman]

Ended up getting neither of them....

The 03 had rust all over the place....
As for the 04 I called them and asked if it had rust on it. The guy on the other line refused to tell me until I pushed him... and even then he said it in such a low voice I couldn't understand him...

It's not easy finding a rust free R50 Pathfinder or QX4 when you live in a snow zone.
I'm in Ottawa, and I've been looking around for a while for a lower mileage 2002-2004 truck.
Haven't found a decent one yet.
Looked at an '03 LE last week with low miles....and "some" rust.
It was bad. The roof line at the top of the windshield was rusting out, there was rust on the doors around where the outside mirrors are,
and you could see rust coming through the fenders, above the plastic wheel well trim pieces. Undercarriage didn't look much better.
Low miles means nothing in a city that uses road salt in the winters.
Looked at another one today, same story, same rust areas.
Frustrating to say the least.

[sbmotoracer]

I wouldn't even mind some rust(as long as its in one area such as a single fender), as long as the rust wasn't everywhere... At least then I could replace the door,etc.

Btw you wouldn't happen to know where I could get a list of different options each trim has? I can't seem to find anything on what chinook/chilkool actually has vs le/se/xe.

Only thing I can find is this "Chilkoot lacks the LE's skid and traction control technology, side-curtain and seat-mounted air bags, and power seats and other luxuries. But it comes with limited slip differential, a six-CD, 150-watt audio system, and, with the automatic transmission, the all-mode four-wheel-drive. (Manuals get a part-time, shift-on-the-fly system.)"

Source: http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php?topic=60970.0

Just wonder if it lacks or has anything else vs the other trims.

[Buzzman]

The Chilkoot/Chinook models are Canadian only, and are pretty much just equivalent to an SE.
The LE is pretty much a fully optioned model.
I've done quite a few cosmetic upgrades to my Chilkoot, to make it more of an LE type.
Most of my upgrade parts came from junkers.
I added fog lights, tinted windows, wood trim interior bits, over head console with the temp gauge/compass, clear corners,
leather heated seats (although I haven't hooked up the heaters yet). Stuff like that.
Samples:

[sbmotoracer]

Nice :P Wish I had your skills to do something like that.

This might seem like an odd question but from what I've read the Chilkoot/Chinook don't come with side airbags. Think it would be possible to add them to a Chilkoot/Chinook model?

P.S. Thinking of selling that pathfinder?

Edit - Did you end up rewiring the system or was the wiring already in place? Can't imagine they would wire everything up and then just leave it unplugged...

[Buzzman]

Ha ha...not for sale, yet.
As for wiring, I'll start with the fog lamps: Wiring is already there in the front fender.
The lamps just plug in. What you need though is a signal stalk with the fog lamp switch on it, and a fog lamp relay.

The overhead console was a bit harder. The harness is not there for the compass and stuff.
I ripped the harness out of the donor car in the junkyard.
The harness goes down the passenger side front window pillar, to a connector that's buried behind the heater fan.
It was a pain to find and get to that connector, but it's there.
I also had to buy and install the outside temperature sensor (it's located in front of the radiator).
At least the temp sensor harness/plug is there.
There was a thread on here (a year or two ago) on doing the overhead console upgrade. I'm not the only one here that's done it.

The leather heated seats are another challenge.
I installed them last fall, but winter hit before I had a chance to wire them up.
The harness for the seat heaters is not present under the front carpets or under my seats (I was hoping they were there).
So, I also ripped out the harnesses for that from the donor vehicle. I have them in my garage.
The good news is that the wiring and connectors for the heater switches in the front (centre) console are already there. They are tucked away behind the trim panel.
I just took the two switches from the junker and plugged them in. They light up and everything. I just don't have a warm butt yet. LOL

Lastly: the Chilkoot does not have side airbags.
I think it would be a major task to put them in though. It's not just installing the airbags.
It's also all of the electronics, sensors, wiring and stuff that would be required.
I also suspect that the ECM would have to be reprogrammed (that's just a guess on my part).
I won't be doing that mod.

Hope this all helps.

Cheers. Go Sens (well, next year anyway).