2002-2004 pathfinder any good?
 

hey guys ! im new to the forum and im looking at picking up a pathfinder. anyone know what common issues are? or anything i should watch out for?

thanks !

Watch out for rust in the tower by the steering column. Nissan issued a recall for all 2nd gen's for this.

Rust.

Pull up the rear seat bench and pull back the carpet. You'll be able to see it.

i would pass personally.

i've had a bunch of 4runners then recently picked up an 01 QX4 (glorified pathfinder) with the 3.5L 280 horse v6
loved it so far, the motor is excellent… I think they have problems with O2 sensors, and the rear control arm bushings.. if you drive one and it sways on the highway when you decelerate, then the bushings are probably toast.
(mine are)
all depends what you want to do with it… go for a qx4, they have more options

:badpokerface:

:okay:

too late...

:yuno:

:troll:

theres not too much to go wrong with them mechanically iirc.

checking for rust and suspension sag would be at the top of my list for that year of pathfinder.

there are some electrical issues that can easily be sorted out. with a truck that old i'd probably go about swapping the bushings and shocks which will make it drive like new again.

if is has a moon roof i'd hose it down and check for leaks.

do you plan on driving it stock or lifting and modding it?

It all depends on how well it was kept too.ive seen pathfinders/qx4s with 0 rust and immaculate condition. Just get it inspected before you buy it.

thanks for all the input guys !

im thinking of just getting taller tires and maybe wider offset or spacers and thats it. no real off roading but just like gravel trails for camping etc. or driving up sylvester rd and stave lake if anyone knows what that is.

Some people claim the 01-03 3.5 V6 is notorious for burning oil, but so far my 01 QX4 is not burning oil though I only have 155K km's on it.
Rust is a big issue for the car. Like what Lomac said, there is a TSB for some undercoating.
Since I have the QX, my truck also has the fender flares and the front 2 fenders are starting to bubble where the plastic fender flares are.
Besides that and refilling the AC, the truck has been maintenance free.
Of course, the only other thing is that it is a pig on gas.

if there is rust is there a fix for it ? and how bad is it on gas? how much does it cost to fill and how many km per tank on average. im coming from a 2010 acura tl awd. i hope it doesnt use more gas than that. also ive been reading some people says the pathfinder uses premium and some says regular. does anyone know what the manual calls for?

Mileage is fairly bad. My dad would get about 400km/65L going to Surrey-Richmond commute via HWY 91. I've been able to stretch it to 500+km on the highway. At today's prices, that would be almost $100.

Another thing to lookout for is the power coils going bad. I think it was close to $1000 at the stealership for parts and labour. There might have been a diagnostic fee thrown in there because he didn't get the work done right away.

I can confirm the terrible gas mileage. However, with 240hp on tap it moves pretty fast off the line.
The coil packs are an easy diy project if they ever go bad are even easier to diagnose.
I have an 01 LE and the all mode 4wd is a nice feature to have. I drive up to the mountains for snowboarding during the worst snow storms and never get stuck. It helps to have a set of snow tires and chains as backup.
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regular or premium gas? 400km/65L sounds pretty bad hahaha.

but main concern is rust and reliability. planning to keep it for awhile

400km/65l is bad compared to what....... Youre buying an suv. Bigger heavier roomier and more powerful then a civic lx. Its not far off from most suv's of similar size etc

I get around 380-400 km's on a tank, so around 17 L/100 km's.
Wintertime it goes up to 19-20L/100 km's.
Most of the rust issue in the front is with trucks from the east coast where they use a lot more salt.
I never looked into why my front fenders are starting to bubble. That is a project that I've been meaning to start on.

Yes, the Path and QX require premium gas so when completely empty, I can go to $100 and the tank is not completely full yet.

The hi-lo 4wd is grrrrreat. I live on SFU and for the most part with good snow tires, can get around when we had that freak snow storm and "OMG call in the national guards" 2 inches of snow.

I use regular fuel and its just over 90 to fill. I only use premium when I tow stuff.
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Fuel efficiency isn't really something you should be looking at in a Pathfinder/Xterra/4Runner and up sized 4x4. However, the practicality of having the vehicle should somewhat offset the fact that it would cost you 40 dollars just to drive from Vancouver to Chilliwack and back.

Fuel Economy Comparisons

thanks for all the input guys !

im set on grabbing a pathfinder as soon as i get rid of my car.

i dont mind the fuel premium if it gives me ability to haul stuff around and explore the great outdoors

i get 550-560 a tank. according to toyota i have an 80L tank. strangely i've only been able to put 65L in it from empty to full.

computer says i get 13L/100km

what do you have? a 4runner?

prolly 15L in reserve. total 80L tank