2002 Pathfinder

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Yeah the 3.3's are VERY reliable engines with less to go wrong than the 3.5's

They do call for a timing belt every 105k and are more thirsty than the 3.5's while making 72 less horse power. The Exhaust manifolds crack on every 3.3 out there prior to 03/04 models.

I didn't see the mileage for the 3.3 ,but I think the 3.5 you showed us is worth the premium over the 99 3.3 .
 
Originally Posted By: Anthony
Yeah the 3.3's are VERY reliable engines with less to go wrong than the 3.5's

They do call for a timing belt every 105k and are more thirsty than the 3.5's while making 72 less horse power. The Exhaust manifolds crack on every 3.3 out there prior to 03/04 models.

I didn't see the mileage for the 3.3 ,but I think the 3.5 you showed us is worth the premium over the 99 3.3 .


+1

The 3.3, while reliable is underpowered (especially for a heavy car) and it is less fuel efficient than the 3.5. Not to mention it's based on technology from the 80s.

edit: In case it matters, Nissan recommends (more like requires) premium in the early 3.5. The 3.3 can use regular, although I think it pings like crazy in the summer with regular.
 
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Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: zloveraz
Originally Posted By: Miller88
I don't think the new car-based, CVT equipped patfinders are going to do so well.


Hmm that must be your opinion because it's not fact...

I think he was speaking from a reliability perspective. Would you feel as confident buying an 11-year old Pathfinder with CVT and 172K on the clock as this one that buster located?


Yeah I don't think that's what he was trying to convey but I maybe wrong....

I wouldn't recommend this 2002 Pathy, no service record history equals no sale in my world.
 
Originally Posted By: zloveraz
Originally Posted By: Miller88
I don't think the new car-based, CVT equipped patfinders are going to do so well.


Hmm that must be your opinion because it's not fact...

Quote:
Nissan Pathfinder sales were up 214.7 percent to 6,473, setting a new April record and marking the sixth consecutive month it posted an increase in deliveries of at least 145 percent. Pathfinder sales are up 180.9 percent in 2013.


Reliability, not sales. The car based SUVs are much nicer riding, handling, interior than the older truck based ones.

I don't think they'll last that long.
 
I love that truck.. Always loved that body style.. With manual... Awesome! Would not worry me in the least. I had 2 2002 3.5's and they were both rock solid reliable.

The MPG would be [censored] poor at best but it's a great vehicle.
 
Originally Posted By: zloveraz
Originally Posted By: zloveraz
Originally Posted By: buster
I just drove it and it rides/drives great. Timing chains were an issue?

It's a manual transmission. I looked underneath and didn't see anything that looked unusual.


Yes the guides wear out. How many miles on this Pathy?


I checked the mileage which is 172K, I would run the VIN number over to a Nissan dealer and check to see if it has a service history.


Unless that Pathfinder was serviced exclusively at the dealer that buster visits, there will not be any history. I don't believe Nissan keeps a national database for customer-pay repair/maint work.

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: zloveraz
Originally Posted By: Miller88
I don't think the new car-based, CVT equipped patfinders are going to do so well.


Hmm that must be your opinion because it's not fact...

I think he was speaking from a reliability perspective. Would you feel as confident buying an 11-year old Pathfinder with CVT and 172K on the clock as this one that buster located?


Absolutely. I have no concerns whatsoever with the Nissan/Jatco CVTs. Nissan is fully committed to the technology in their line-up and I see no reason why it cannot last the same amount of time as a conventional automatic.
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Quote:

I think he was speaking from a reliability perspective. Would you feel as confident buying an 11-year old Pathfinder with CVT and 172K on the clock as this one that buster located?


Absolutely. I have no concerns whatsoever with the Nissan/Jatco CVTs. Nissan is fully committed to the technology in their line-up and I see no reason why it cannot last the same amount of time as a conventional automatic.

The one buster located is manual.
 
Thing is, the 99 has a lot less miles. I'm going to check it out some time this week. It's also cheaper.

The engine bay was kind of beat up on the 2002, but it looked fine. No leaks. However, the previous owner put a K&N Air Filter system on it. I wonder how much extra wear occurred from the K&N letting so much dirt through?
grin.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Originally Posted By: zloveraz
Originally Posted By: Miller88
I don't think the new car-based, CVT equipped patfinders are going to do so well.


Hmm that must be your opinion because it's not fact...

Quote:
Nissan Pathfinder sales were up 214.7 percent to 6,473, setting a new April record and marking the sixth consecutive month it posted an increase in deliveries of at least 145 percent. Pathfinder sales are up 180.9 percent in 2013.


Reliability, not sales. The car based SUVs are much nicer riding, handling, interior than the older truck based ones.

I don't think they'll last that long.

X2.

I still see people beating the heck out of Hardbody Pathfinders and they haven't been made for 18 years. I don't think the Maxifinder will do 20 years of hard use.

I think the CVT in the Murano is something like $5K+.

Hopefully the 4Runner can soldier on a while longer. It's the only new SUV I'd want to own.
 
I think the Xterra has taken the place of the Pathfinder, while it moved to become a family hauler like the Explorer, Traverse, Highlander, Pilot, etc.
 
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