I bought for my wife to level the playing field with all the other SUV's where we live due to a couple of accidents in her Sentra that wasn't her fault. Plus she always wanted a Pathfinder.

We needed a vehicle that could carry our product without damage over our s'house roads.

1. had to be 4wd...as above.
2. diesel for longevity and economy.
3. comfortable on long trips.
4. considerably cheaper than the alternative offerings.

We carry up to 700kg in the Pathy.....rarely have the second row seats up ...and I've forgotten how to get to the third row

IanGB wrote:We needed a vehicle that could carry our product without damage over our s'house roads.

1. had to be 4wd...as above.
2. diesel for longevity and economy.
3. comfortable on long trips.
4. considerably cheaper than the alternative offerings.

We carry up to 700kg in the Pathy.....rarely have the second row seats up ...and I've forgotten how to get to the third row

Welcome to the forum Ian, not may Euro build PF's here but maybe we can help with other. Wish I could have purchased a Nissan PF diesel. Cheers.

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Before buying my '07 Pathfinder, I had owned:

• 1999 Isuzu Rodeo LS 4WD
• 2004 Toyota Highlander
• 2005 Honda Pilot LE/Leather

The Rodeo was roomy and very good off-road but I grew tired of it's harsh ride. In the end, parts were expensive and hard to find and things were breaking too frequently. The Highlander was also roomy, but I didn't like the flimsy front seats, poor acceleration or tippy feeling going around turns, and it was no off-road vehicle, so I wasn't upset to give it up to my ex-wife during our divorce. I loved the spaciousness and comfort of the Pilot, and the ride and acceleration were great, but this was really a minivan with all wheel drive, not an off-road capable. Still, I was sorry to see it go at the end of its lease, and even sorrier that Honda wouldn't offer a good deal on another.

When I couldn't make a deal for another Honda Pilot I was looking at the Explorer, Trailblazer, 4Runner, Jeep Laredo and Pathfinder. I wanted:

• V6 engine with good power and decent fuel economy;
• Real off-road capability. Not rock-crawling or hard-core mud, but able to handle some moderate conditions and deep snow;
• Comfortable seating, (I'm 6'1" and 300 lbs of not-all muscle:)) and ride;
• Third-row seating and decent cargo capacity;
• Towing capability at least 5,000 pounds;
• Affordable (for me);
• Long-term reliability was not a factor, as I was going to lease again, but I didn't want to the truck in the shop every month for warranty repairs, either.

I could have got a good deal on a Trailblazer, but it was too cramped. Likewise, the Jeep was snug and the roof was a bit low for a 6-footer, and it had no 3rd-row seats. I loved the Explorer, but my experience with Ford products wasn't positive and I couldn't get a good price. I had never owned a Nissan or driven a Pathfinder, but I stopped by a local dealer during a sale and actually got high-pressured into buying my Pathfinder SE. I never got to the Toyota dealer.

I've always felt bad about falling for the high-pressure tactics at Open Road Nissan. I definitely did not get a good deal, or anywhere near the deal that I wanted, or even the options I wanted. But, upon reflection, I got what I think is the best match for my lifestyle. I like the power and ride, the fuel economy is good for its class, it is off-road capable and I can tow 6,000 lbs. On the downside, I wish it was more comfortable and had more rear-seat legroom, and had more of the convenience/safety features I grew used to with Toyota and Honda. I probably would have been happier with a Pathfinder LE, or at least more upgrades in the SE.

Will I keep this Pathfinder or get another one? I honestly don't know. I can't think of a better overall SUV in this price and size category. I might trade-up to an LE, but then again, by then my kids will all have their own cars and I might go with something a little smaller and more off-road capable. I'll have to see where my mid-life crisis takes me!

So why did I by a Pathfinder? The honest answer is I succumbed to a high-pressure sales strategy. But I don't think I could have found another model in that category that would have been better than the Pathfinder.

I was down to three 2008 options, V8 Pathy, V8 Explorer and H3 Alpha.

Had to let the H3 go because it just didn't have the cargo space I wanted and absolutly no bells or whistles when compared to the other two.

The Explorer had a bit more cargo room and better towing but the drivetrain wasn't nearly as explosive as the V8 Pathy. I also loved that the Pathy has the 2WD and full-time AWD options as well as 4 Hi and Low. Both had interior issues I didn't like but could live with. The Explorer carpeting is cheap and the Pathy's plastic scratches way too easy. So for me they were both neck and neck to the finish line. If I had gotten the Exploder it would have been my third one. In the end it was simple, I just wanted something different. I could not be happier with my choice! The Pathfinder has met and exceeded all my expectations.

Originally we were looking at an '05 Honda Pilot to replace the craptastic '06 Ford Freestar. The gf and I were tired of driving a minivan... The Pathfinder was a much better choice than the Pilot for many reasons:

1. Much more affordable and much lower miles than many of the Pilots we looked at (30k on avg less miles and about $3-4k less).
2. True 4wd capability.
3. Large tow capacity.
4. 7 passenger seating (gf has 3 girls).
5. Looks much nicer than the Pilot.
6. It's a truck!
7. Fold flat seats, both 2nd and 3rd rows. Folds flatter than the Pilot.
8. We both missed our old Nissans. She had an '03 Xterra, and I had a '90 Hardbody.

I love this truck!

Here in the middle east you goota have a 4wd to begin with..Well i wanted something
1. With ture off road capability.
2. Good interior.
3. Towing capacity.

Over here you got a variety of choices,but i mainly looked into 3 vehicles, im sure yu guys have not heard of this model but its called the toyota prado, known in the US as the lexus GX470. It doesnt come with the v8 but gets a 4.0l v6 over here but not as luxurious, the other vehcile was the pajero 3.8l. All three vehicles were good off roaders had seating for 7 had were very reliable.
Had to let the pajero go first cos it just didnt have a responsive engine the other two had, and the prado was just too much money for too little and it too was short on power compared to the pathy.
In the end, twas a no brainer..And i love the pathy!! Got the 08 SE, with the DVD entertainment sys. rear view monitor, sunroof and the other usual stuff. Didnt want to get the GPS since roads over here keep changing and was pointless any ways..

We don't even have ours yet. It's being shipped from Dallas' Manheim.

We got an '05 SE Off Road 2WD w/premium pkg (wanted an LE, but this came up at auction w/a better price although I don't understand an OR pkg w/2WD).

We had an '07 Element and liked it for many reasons, but were frustrated with:
1) suicide doors (2 daughters that can't shut the front passenger door and my wife can't reach it from the driver's seat)
2) seats 4 (we do local church/mission stuff and often my wife needs to drive families somewhere and the 4 seater kept her from doing what she loves - helping others)
3) can't tow over 1,500 lbs (we're looking for a pop-up or boat and wanted to have as many options as possible)

We'll miss the interior, but our daughters are older now and don't make the messes they use to, so carpet will be fine.

Looking forward to delivery!!!

I got the Path earlier this week. So far I'm very happy. I've replaced the rear washer nozzle and programmed the Homelink, but that's about it (although I did buy a "custom" sunshade).

I'm looking forward to getting to know the Path better in the coming weeks. I'm likely going to get a new set of Revos as the original tires look a little worn and cracked. Overall the truck is in great shape.

3 posts in a row! Is that legal for a noob like me?

Just got Bridgestone Dueler Revos. Initial impression is great.

I got mine because I didn't want a GM, Dodge or Ford. I wanted more power and room than my old 99 supercharged Toyota 4Runner. That left the new Toyota 4Runner, Nissan Pathfinder and Honda Pilot. No comparison there. Especially, after I found out that the 08 would be available with the 5.6 V8. I totally love it so far. I just need bigger tires for use on the sand. Those stock 265s are way too small for a 5000 lb truck.

cause it was cheap,
25k for 08 SE v6 bose

dunsho wrote:cause it was cheap,
25k for 08 SE v6 bose

was that new at that price??

looks great, nice interior, plenty of power, features, Nissan reputation, rides great,comfy, did not want nothing else. NISSAN Rocks!!

always wanted one, just could not justify getting one. when my son was born. i sold my beloved 1995 240sx to get one. a minivan was out of the question. it's perfect for a growing family . love the exhaust note, but hate the gas consumption to hear the beautiful note. love the power and when compared to other suv's in the same class, it has more power and it most cases better or the same mpg. since i work for honda i compared it to the honda pilot.