I am thinking about buying a late model (year 2000 or newer) Pathfinder. I have two friends with them and they seem like solid vehicles even at the
50,000 to 100,000 mile range. What can you all tell me about my contemplated purchase?
Get a 2001 or newer. Prior to that, the engine was rather anemic.
I had no reservations about buying a 2001 Pathfinder SE with 99,000 miles for half the price of a new one (no different than 2004 model). The interior and seats are very similar to my 95 Maxima SE which has taken competition abuse (Solo II and high speed autocross) since May 94 (still owned).
I could have bought my boss' Mercury Mountaineer for much less money, but its thirsty V8 had less horsepower and it rode like a buckboard.
2000 and earlier Pathfinders have less horsepower than 2001 and later models. I don't know what typical fuel consumption is, but my 2001 does 17 mpg or better in suburban driving, 20 mpg highway, and is rated to tow a 5000 lb trailer.
How did you get it to give 20 mpg on the highway? The most we have ever gotten out of the '02 LE 4x2 is 17, city or highway, all the same.
I got 17 mpg for my first few tanks, then 19 on one trip to WI and 20 Elgin, IL to Elkhart Lake, WI and back (over 300 miles with 3 stops). Maybe it was one of those mild days when I did not have to use the A/C much. It is a 2001 SE 4x4 Auto that just turned over 100k miles. For the same trip my 95 Maxima SE 5-spd typically gets 28 mpg. Both use premium fuel.
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