thinking on buying a 4wd /awd

[silverrat]

It's a crossover based on the minivan platform. Sisters with the Aztek.



Originally Posted By: ram_man
Originally Posted By: supton
My first thought is, it's probably load with problematic options. I guess it comes down to condition at this age, don't know, never was interested in one.

What is your timeframe for buying? I know when I decide to pull the trigger I have to have it right now. Nothing wrong in asking about various options, but this vehicle shopping seems to be all over the place (SUV to minivan back to SUV).

Not that I've ever had such eclectic shopping...


well I personally would prefer an suv but seems like most of them are junk. Rendezvous is a crossover isnt it? I havent ventured to far off lol.

 

[eljefino]

Rendesvous will be a fancy Silhouette van. (Fancier rear suspension). Same 3.4 /4 speed auto we gab about so long on here.

Look for the intake gaskets having been done, and check the auto trans for warm slam.

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: ram_man
Originally Posted By: supton
My first thought is, it's probably load with problematic options. I guess it comes down to condition at this age, don't know, never was interested in one.

What is your timeframe for buying? I know when I decide to pull the trigger I have to have it right now. Nothing wrong in asking about various options, but this vehicle shopping seems to be all over the place (SUV to minivan back to SUV).

Not that I've ever had such eclectic shopping...


well I personally would prefer an suv but seems like most of them are junk. Rendezvous is a crossover isnt it? I havent ventured to far off lol.

For $5k its a bit of khrap shoot. You are probably better off buying on condition than model anyways.
If you had to have 4wd and a manual, $5k buys a very nice Tracker/Vitara. The later ones are better 02-05. I wouldn't get a 4cyl for a long interstate commute but for rural roads its fine for us anyways. Its a bit small for 4 and camping gear though. The XL7 version has loads of space though, but its pretty rare in general, let alone with a manual.

 

[ram_man]

Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Originally Posted By: ram_man
Originally Posted By: supton
My first thought is, it's probably load with problematic options. I guess it comes down to condition at this age, don't know, never was interested in one.

What is your timeframe for buying? I know when I decide to pull the trigger I have to have it right now. Nothing wrong in asking about various options, but this vehicle shopping seems to be all over the place (SUV to minivan back to SUV).

Not that I've ever had such eclectic shopping...


well I personally would prefer an suv but seems like most of them are junk. Rendezvous is a crossover isnt it? I havent ventured to far off lol.

For $5k its a bit of khrap shoot. You are probably better off buying on condition than model anyways.
If you had to have 4wd and a manual, $5k buys a very nice Tracker/Vitara. The later ones are better 02-05. I wouldn't get a 4cyl for a long interstate commute but for rural roads its fine for us anyways. Its a bit small for 4 and camping gear though. The XL7 version has loads of space though, but its pretty rare in general, let alone with a manual.


ive kind of figured out that a manual and family hauler dont go together lol.

 

[ram_man]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Rendesvous will be a fancy Silhouette van. (Fancier rear suspension). Same 3.4 /4 speed auto we gab about so long on here.

Look for the intake gaskets having been done, and check the auto trans for warm slam.


is the combo not very good?

 

[ram_man]

Any knowledge about an 01 pathfinder with the 3.5 l ?

 

[Hokiefyd]

Pathfinder with the 3.5L V-6 should be good. That's the reliable VQ35DE engine found in many Nissans. As with any vehicle that's 13 years old, look for rust/rot on the frame and in the wheel wheels and look for signs of maintenance having been done. But it's a solid platform.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Rendesvous will be a fancy Silhouette van. (Fancier rear suspension). Same 3.4 /4 speed auto we gab about so long on here.

Look for the intake gaskets having been done, and check the auto trans for warm slam.


Rendezvous is a Buick Aztek.

Slightly less visually offensive than an Aztek. But only slightly.

 

[hypervish]

Originally Posted By: ram_man
Any knowledge about an 01 pathfinder with the 3.5 l ?


The radiator in those pathfinders tend to leak internally and take the transmission out. So look for that.

Ask me how I know.

Actually don't.

 

[strat81]

Originally Posted By: ram_man
What do you guys think of an 04 buick rendezvous? 3.4 engine front whee
Drive


Co-worker had one, toasted the AWD unit during a snow storm. When she took it in, her mechanic apparently made a comment about "Wow, another one of these??" He apparently had quite a few of them in for the same thing.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: hypervish
Originally Posted By: ram_man
Any knowledge about an 01 pathfinder with the 3.5 l ?


The radiator in those pathfinders tend to leak internally and take the transmission out. So look for that.


This is a very easy fix. $150 for a new radiator completely mitigates the risk. If a Pathfinder is found that is in good shape and fits the needs of the family well, an extra 150 bucks to replace the radiator for peace of mind is easy to justify, at least in my opinion.

 

[FutureDoc]

Yeah, any vehicle that integrated a tranny cooler into the radiator will have that potential issue, thus radiator maintenance and perhaps replacement is important.

Those 3.5 were good.

 

[hypervish]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: hypervish
Originally Posted By: ram_man
Any knowledge about an 01 pathfinder with the 3.5 l ?


The radiator in those pathfinders tend to leak internally and take the transmission out. So look for that.


This is a very easy fix. $150 for a new radiator completely mitigates the risk. If a Pathfinder is found that is in good shape and fits the needs of the family well, an extra 150 bucks to replace the radiator for peace of mind is easy to justify, at least in my opinion.


I agree it should be replaced, my point was that it could already be too late.

 

[ram_man]

I found a clean 01 forester with the 2.5 the owner hasn't den head gaskets but isn't sure if the previous owner had it done. Is there any way to tell should I be leary?

 

[LoneRanger]

'01 is squarely in the range of model years for the EJ engine that exhibited hg failures, but I know of no certain way to determine if the repair has been performed other than if it was recent maybe the bolt hex heads and etc will appear newer/cleaner than the rest of the hardware. I am by no means a guru on this. If the hg has not been done then figure on the odds favoring that you will need to replace it.