is 2008 more reliable than the horrible 2005-2006 years?

Any topics related to 2005-2012 R51

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cabinpath
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is 2008 more reliable than the horrible 2005-2006 years?

Postby cabinpath » Fri Oct 18, 2013 9:43 am

I know that when the new generation came out in 2005 they were highly unreliable (SMOD among other things). I believe Nissan corrected those issues (maybe I am wrong?) and that at some point they started making decent ones... I thought that was the 2008 ?

I wanted to get the older 2004 model which is bulletproof and highly reliable but I want a newer car... I am trying to figure out what year am I safest to go with that is also not too new = more expensive.

Any suggestions?


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akley88
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Postby akley88 » Fri Oct 18, 2013 9:59 am

ive had no issues with my 08 and i abuse it hard. unforunately the trans/radiator failures still occur but that can be fixed with either the bypass or a replacement radiator. the only issues i have are from living in the salt belt. i have a few rusted nuts and bolts but thats normal.

skinny2
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Postby skinny2 » Fri Oct 18, 2013 11:39 am

Same here. I'm off-road for work often and generally running the snot out of it. Over 100k miles with no real issues. I replaced the radiator as a precaution and there are a few weird things that bug me like the HVAC temp fluctuates and the headlights aren't the greatest. But reliability wise no issues.

cabinpath
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Postby cabinpath » Fri Oct 18, 2013 1:41 pm

Thanks for the input!

I thought I read the 2008+ are significantly more reliable and don't have the smod issue anymore.. Maybe someone will chime in.

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disallow
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Postby disallow » Fri Oct 18, 2013 2:14 pm

what the heck is an smod?

I have an 05, and can say it hasn't been any less reliable than any vehicle I've ever owned. I've had other nissans, hondas, toyotas, and GMs.

220000kms and going strong.

DanJetta
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Postby DanJetta » Fri Oct 18, 2013 7:27 pm

I don't think the pre-refresh models are necessarily any less reliable. I have a couple of buddies with '05 Pathfinders and my '08 has about the same amount/types of issues. Nothing crazy, just constant nickel-and-dime stuff. I do think there were some issues fixed for the '10 and up model years.

In general, I try to avoid buying the first 4 years of a model run for any manufacturer.

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iheartmypathy
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Postby iheartmypathy » Mon Oct 21, 2013 5:42 pm

disallow wrote:what the heck is an smod?
strawberry milkshake of death... aka tranny fluid/coolant mix color :)

1 Cookie Pea
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Postby 1 Cookie Pea » Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:10 pm

hmmm? my 2005 has just about 140k miles on it as of tonight. I've replaced the battery, tires and shocks. that's about it. the tpms light randomly comes on for no reason, and the power driver seat slowly creeps forward. other than that it's been freakin bullet proof. I did bypass the trans "cooler :roll:" in the radiator just in case

slavabon
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Location: Northern New England

Postby slavabon » Sat Oct 26, 2013 7:37 pm

I had 2006 and now I'm in 2010 - they a really a same thing aside from the stereo screen in my case. My 06 needed new u-joints fairly early and that was it. My 2010 needed some new body mount bushings up front, and the engine on it is louder - I hear a bit of piston slap first minute during cold weather. Adjustable height pedal assembly rattles on highway potholes. Also, 2010 has different tranny software - it shifts up quicker for fuel, while 06 gear shifting was more delayed, making it more fun to drive. Both have to be bypassed. At this point, I kinda wish I kept my 06 instead of trading up. It felt more solid.

Werminator
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Postby Werminator » Mon Nov 04, 2013 7:38 pm

I was driving a 2006 Jetta 2.5 and it was nearing 150k miles. That in and of itself did not worry me as I have put far more miles on a couple other cars, but the transmission slipping so badly I couldn't merge into traffic meant it was time for something new. I looked high and low for a truck but couldn't find a bargain and there were just certain things I can do in a large SUV I can't with a truck (locking my bike up in the back without taking off the wheels for instance). I looked at the 4runner, Explorer, Tahoe, etc etc etc and I just liked the looks of the PF. I didn't need all the bells and whistles, infact, I didn't want them. I came accross an S trim 2012 for 5.5k under book value and it was test drive time. Am I worried about the SMOD? Heck yeah, but I love the darn thing... Its just burly enough while at the same time damn handsome.
Image

Eagle1*
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Location: Ohio

Postby Eagle1* » Tue Dec 17, 2013 7:23 am

I had an 08 that had 61,000 miles on it when I traded towards the 2012 SV I have now. That 08 was crazy fast and never gave me a bit of problems. Hell, I even crashed into the back of someone and crushed the front end to the point that the head lights were facing down towards the street about 5 feet in front of the bumper and it made it home over 60 miles.

State trooper thought I was nuts but let me drive it away. These trucks are VERY tough...


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