Well, as most of you i'm extremely disappointed with Nissans decision to make a soccer-mom mobile out of the Pathfinder, So i've been trying to decide what i should do, Keep my current truck until something better comes along from Nissan, OR go to the dark side (4runner) if they keep that a REAL SUV. Now i would insta upgrade to the 2012 Pathfinder, However financially i'm set to upgrade my truck in around 2017. I HATE owing money, so financing a 2012 now is borderline out of the question.

My question now is an 05 Pathy LE with around 120,000 KILOMETERS (around 70k miles) (yeah yeah i need to update my sig), if i average driving around 30,000 KM a year, with all proper maintenance done, be in relatively good condition at 270,000-300,000KM? I know it will RUN, but how will it be? Will it be a money pit, will it be hugely down on power (ie need a rebuild) etc ( i expect minor and semi-minor repairs)? OR, will I be better off with biting the bullet and getting some debt and a new truck? Basically, what's the long term reliability on the R51's going to be?

Thanks all

It seems the '05's have been the most problematic so you have to wonder if that will continue. I'm at 65k miles on my '08 and beyond some nagging little things, I don't have any problems. What if you split the difference and pick up a low mileage '09 or '10? I bought my '08 in January of '09 and it had 15k miles on the clock. Saved about $8k off a new one. Not sure what the spread is today but I historically always try to buy low mileage about two years old.

Good advice, Definetly an option i'm being forced to consider (Looking at YOU Nissan.)

I bought an 05 about 18months ago with 105k and im at 145k now with the only major repair being front control arms (my balljoints didnt pass safety).

I actually hope to keep it at least 5 years since I will have paid off my other car by then. Also im sure nobody wants two payments and im no exception. By then at my current rate it will have roughly 250-300k. Honestly with the help of the forum you can anticiapte some problems like the trans issue and mitigate costs on other issues by diagnosing it here and doing repairs yourself. So personally I dont see any issues.

My father has a 1999 Pathfinder (i know its pretty much completely different) and his has 360k. He still has original exhaust, rear drums, timing belt, trans fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid almost everything. Hes only changed a few things off the top of my head I think his cap/rotor and an O2 sensor. I tell him hes crazy for not doing regular maintenance on some of these things but the fact is hes saved thousands by simply driving it like an old man, well because he is, minimal towing and off roading (only a fwe times a year it sees dirt or trailer) and regular oil changes.

The fact is you can baby your car and do all the maintenance in the world or not and I honestly think that if shit is meant to go wrong it just will regardless.

original timing belt?

that is crazy, and it needs to be replaced. Unless he's scrapping the rig soon?

Timing belt? I'm pretty sure our trucks have timing chains which do not need to be replaced?

EDIT: Talking about the 99 pathy, nevermind me

Yup he has the original belt and has no intention of replacing it. Im pretty sure hes going to upgrade to a new Murano probably next fall as long as the Pathy keeps on trucking. By then he should have 400+km.

05Pathfinder wrote:Yup he has the original belt and has no intention of replacing it. Im pretty sure hes going to upgrade to a new Murano probably next fall as long as the Pathy keeps on trucking. By then he should have 400+km.

300+Km on a TIMING BELT? Amazing. I thought people who pushed past 100-110k on one was pushing it.

I will consider going with the last year R51 with a V8 to replace my 07.