nurey:


Haba Bros, I have never been biased when giving advice to someone. Besides the pathfinder /Infiniti qx4 are very reliable cars which everyone knows.
I have also used a Nissan before, so sensor ain't an issue when you have a scanner and a professional at hand

Itulah:
It is very difficult to say when the boundary that separated four-wheel drives and passenger cars was broached, but one thing is clear, Nissan’s Pathfinder was one of the first vehicles to do it. It wasn’t the first, but the R50 Pathfinder was in the first wave of a new generation of off-roaders that were civilised enough to be at home in town.

Before the new Pathfinder, and others like Toyota’s RAV4, arrived in the mid-1990s four-wheel drives were rugged vehicles that were heavy, noisy, thirsty, with handling more in keeping with the Queen Mary than a family four-door.

Cars on the other hand were fast, agile, quiet and comfortable. The R50 Pathfinder was closer to the car end of the scale than the old style four-wheel drives, but still had the ability to dive deep into the bush.

MODEL WATCH
The earlier Pathfinder was something of a trail blazer in that it was a compact four-wheel drive wagon that was more adept at handling city traffic than the larger, more ponderous four-wheel drive wagons like the Patrol and ’Cruiser, but it was the R50 that really lived up to its name.

Before the R50 arrived in 1995, four-wheel drives were mostly built on tough, strong chassis, the body bolted on top in a separate unit with rubber bushes for isolation.

The separate chassis construction was tough enough to survive the harsh conditions in which the big four-wheel drives were often used. But while it made a tough vehicle, it also made a rather clumsy, and less safe one.

Nissan broke the mould with the R50 Pathfinder by using the unitary body chassis construction that was once reserved purely for passenger cars. By using a single body/chassis unit, Nissan was able to create a strong, stiff, vehicle that was a perfect base for a modern vehicle with the characteristics normally associated with cars.

There are a number of benefits of the unitary construction that makes it a much better method of construction than having separate chassis and bodies.

In the case of the R50 Pathfinder, the torsional stiffness went up by a massive 130 per cent over its predecessor, the bending rigidity by an even more miraculous 190 per cent. That means a much stiffer base on which to build an agile, responsive handling package, and that means increased primary safety.

Unitary construction also affords engineers the possibility to design in crumple zones, ones that deform in a crash and absorb the energy released instead of passing it on to the occupants. More points for the Nissan’s safety package.

It’s also possible to make a lighter vehicle, the R50’s body was 50 kg lighter than its predecessor’s.

By comparison to previous four-wheel drives, the Pathfinder also brought more style to the class. Designers were able to bring more car type styling to the 4WD wagon than they had been able to with the older style, which was inhibited by its construction and rugged end use.

The Pathfinder was a sharp looking wagon, with clean lines, toughened up with some aggressive wheel arch flares on the luxury Ti model.

Under the skin lay MacPherson Strut front suspension, with a five-link live axle at the rear. Steering was by power assisted rack and pinion, and brakes were disc front and drum rear, with ABS for added safety on the Ti.

Generous ground clearance, and steep approach and departure angles meant the Pathfinder wouldn’t easily be grounded in the heavy going.

For power the Pathfinder relied on a 3.3-litre single overhead camshaft V6 with two valves per cylinder. Power peaked at 125 kW at 4800 revs, torque was tops at 266 Nm at 2800 revs, nice and low for offroad use.

Unusually for a four-wheel drive wagon, Nissan offered the Pathfinder with a four-speed auto trans only. Shock, horror, there was no manual gearbox available!

If the lack of a manual ’box sent a signal that the Pathfinder was not a serious offroader, a scan of the drive choices was enough to get another massage. In addition to the regular two-wheel drive high range, and high and low range four-wheel drive, there was the choice of an auto mode which did it all for you.

Two models were available at launch, the RX and the Ti. The RX kicked off the Pathfinder range, and came equipped with air-conditioning, power mirrors, central locking, cloth trim, radio/cassette sound, carpets, map lights, cup holders, and a split-fold rear seat. In 1997 it also got power windows.

The Ti was the one with the lot. On top of the RX’s array of features, the Ti had chrome wheels, colour coded bumpers and mirrors, roof rack, side steps, wheel arch flares, remote central locking, chrome grille, CD player, ABS, velour trim, and dual airbags.

ON THE LOT
For the entry level RX pay $19,000 to $26,000, for the Ti pay $20,000 to $35,000.

IN THE SHOP
The first thing to do with any offroader is to check for signs of offroad use. Look for things like bumps on the bumpers, scratches down the sides from brushing up against branches and other things overhanging bush tracks, and scrapes under the front and rear bumpers where it might have been caught up on banks and other obstacles.

Having gone over the body, get down and take a look underneath. Take particular notice of scars on the underbody, brackets, fuel and brake lines, exhaust, and suspension components.

Also look carefully for any splits or cracks in rubber seals and boots, particularly in the drive line that might have let water into vital drive line joints.

Finally, open the doors and tail gate and look for dust in locks, hinges, and other hard to clean points. It’s hard to get rid of dust once it gets in, and it’s always a good indicator of off road use. If you like you could also lift the carpets and check for dust.

Going off road is not necessarily a problem, but any vehicle that is used off road regularly should be serviced more thoroughly than one that is confined to the black top.

Most Pathfinders spend their days doing duty in town, so there’s not much damage to speak of. These are the vehicles to seek out.

Nissan service specialist Jerry Newman reports no major problems with the Pathfinder. The engine, gearbox, diffs are all virtually indestructible, he says.

It is important that the cam belt be replaced at the recommended 100,000 km, he says.

The only downside is that the VG33 engine is heavy on fuel.

IN A CRASH
According to the recent used car safety ratings issued by the Monash University Accident Research Centre, the R50 Pathfinder has average crashworthiness and is on the average in terms of impact on others.

Generally it rates better than the traditional big four-wheel drives, and on a par with a large family sedan.

The RX missed out on airbags, but the Ti was fitted with frontal airbags for the driver and front seat passenger.

OWNERS SAY
George Nastevski rates his Ti Pathfinder an inexpensive, quality built mid-sized 4WD that has almost all the creature comforts you’d want in a 4WD. It is a fun car to drive, looks great, and the V6 is a sound performer, but he says it does tend to drink a bit.

LOOK FOR
• attractive wagon styling

• responsive handling

• good build quality

• capable on or off road

• plenty of standard features

• thirsty V6

RIVALS
• Holden Jackaroo – 1998-2001 – $25,000-$32,000

• Jeep Grand Cherokee – 1996-1999 – $19,000-$30,000

• Toyota Prado – 1996-2003 – $22,000-$41,000

THE BOTTOM LINE
A well equipped, comfortable modern mid-sized four-wheel drive wagon that copes well on or off road.

RATING
65/100

diportivo:
Nothing wey I no go read for nl

amala sensor

Nobody should use a Nissan again on this planet sef

Op,since u av set ur mind on the 4runner,let me drive around this thread with my ever reliable VG33 xterra

It has its issues,but so does all oda cars

Itulah:
In a nut share, go for Nissan VQ35DE Engine, with the following to play with
Displacement
160 kW (217 HP) at 5,600 rpm
170 kW (231 HP) at 5,600 rpm
172 kW (234 HP) at 6,000 rpm
176 kW (240 HP) at 6,000 rpm
179 kW (243 HP) at 5,800 rpm
187 kW (255 HP) at 5,800 rpm
191 kW (260 HP) at 6,000 rpm
197 kW (268 HP) at 6,000 rpm
208 kW (283 HP) at 6,200 rpm
214 kW (291 HP) at 6,200 rpm
219 kW (298 HP) at 6,400 rpm
223 kW (304 HP) at 6,400 rpm
225 kW (306 HP) at 6,800 rpm
230 kW (313 HP) at 6,800 rpm

Torque output
314 Nm (232 lb·ft) at 3,500 rpm
333 Nm (245 lb·ft) at 2,800 rpm
318 Nm (235 lb·ft) at 3,600 rpm
330 Nm (243 lb·ft) at 4,200 rpm
328 Nm (242 lb·ft) at 4,400 rpm
333 Nm (245 lb·ft) at 4,400 rpm
352 Nm (260 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm
345 Nm (254 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm
366 Nm (270 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm
371 Nm (274 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm
365 Nm (269 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm
353 Nm (260 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm
363 Nm (268 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm
363 Nm (268 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm

Itulah:
In a nut share, go for Nissan VQ35DE Engine, with the following to play with
Displacement
160 kW (217 HP) at 5,600 rpm
170 kW (231 HP) at 5,600 rpm
172 kW (234 HP) at 6,000 rpm
176 kW (240 HP) at 6,000 rpm
179 kW (243 HP) at 5,800 rpm
187 kW (255 HP) at 5,800 rpm
191 kW (260 HP) at 6,000 rpm
197 kW (268 HP) at 6,000 rpm
208 kW (283 HP) at 6,200 rpm
214 kW (291 HP) at 6,200 rpm
219 kW (298 HP) at 6,400 rpm
223 kW (304 HP) at 6,400 rpm
225 kW (306 HP) at 6,800 rpm
230 kW (313 HP) at 6,800 rpm

Torque output
314 Nm (232 lb·ft) at 3,500 rpm
333 Nm (245 lb·ft) at 2,800 rpm
318 Nm (235 lb·ft) at 3,600 rpm
330 Nm (243 lb·ft) at 4,200 rpm
328 Nm (242 lb·ft) at 4,400 rpm
333 Nm (245 lb·ft) at 4,400 rpm
352 Nm (260 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm
345 Nm (254 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm
366 Nm (270 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm
371 Nm (274 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm
365 Nm (269 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm
353 Nm (260 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm
363 Nm (268 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm
363 Nm (268 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm

boldx:
Nissan Pathfinder is a no no for me. Don't mind Nurey, he is using a Toyota and he is advising you to buy a Nissan. I will buy a Ford Escape instead of a Nissan Pathfinder. Nissan engine sensors are made of amala.

nurey:


Well then you have selected your option, the pathfinder wins, consider it more than the Toyota. Better build quality, more powerful, good resale value, more luxurious.

Even better if you buy the Infiniti Qx4 as they are both the same but Infiniti gives you a flashy appeal.

GAZZUZZ:
Rust is an issue on the pathfinder

searchng4love:


Yet you chose to use a Toyota? ..... love your neighbor as ur self.....unfair

nurey:


I don't know why some people choose to be mischievous in their doing. What as the product am using got anything to do with what op asked?

So it's a crime for me to vet another product because am using a particular product.

I will let your rant slide as you don't even know nothing about the products been debated

searchng4love:
the Op asked specifically about Toyota 4runner and Nissan Pathfinder.....that is where the mischief lies

nurey:


I don't understand your basis of argument / disagreement with me.

What has the brand am using got to do with what's on ground?

Give the op the reasons to pick 4runner over the pathfinder and move on.

I have not discredit any car model I have only given pros and cons of both.

Besides you keep reiterating the VQ35DE engine is crap and I wonder why for every one 4runner and 1997-2000 pathfinder that I come across, I have already seen ten 01-04 pathfinder. Seems those using it needs a brain checkup.

For your information I use a first generation Toyota sienna and the op is not interested in a bus. Neither does the sienna share parts with the 4runner

searchng4love:
just tell us why you advised him to go for the pathfinder instead of the 4runner... that's all.

nurey:


Chai you are very funny indeed. If you follow the thread from the start instead of jumping in half way, you would have come across my reasons.

Ciao

GAZZUZZ:
Don't do it bro.

Any of these will serve same purpose.

Tucson
Sportage
Rav4
Crv

searchng4love:
lare lare lare explain urself

nurey:


Nawa oooo, you Sha want to find trouble Sha. OK let's go there

The 4runner is a reliable work horse there is no doubt about its reliability. Now you want to know the advantage the pathfinder has over the 4runner.

1. The 97-04 pathfinder has a beautiful outward appeal than the 97-03 4runner. Even the limited edition is no match.

2. Real leather seats with wooden formica trim in the pathfinder, the 4runner leather is not it at all.

3. Pathfinder has More horse power and torque

4. Chain driven 01-04 engine against belt driven of the 97-00 pathfinder and 4runner

5. The special edition 03 and 04 pathfinder is a killer at 12x to 1 dollar it was sold for 1.6 upwards as tokunbo it has roof DVD screen confirma leather the Infiniti model is a jaw breaker, the 4runner limited edition has no jaw breaking advancement to offer.

Both vehicles are ok, but wouldn't you rather buy something more intriguing yet reliable?