Getting a 2005 Pathfinder...should I?

[sanjose]

Hi All, New to this forum. Looking at buying a 2005 Pathfinder with about 78k miles. Read through the reviews on Edmunds and see nothing but negative reviews in the last 2 years. This car had the radiator checked at the dealer a year back and there was no leak at that point. Could take some preventaive measures there...bypass. But besides that is the 2005 really have that many issues?
Appreciate your input!
Thanks!

[mtbpath]

you did not say how much you are buying the Pathfinder for?
I'm sure the cost is a decision making factor.

[Baedarlboo]

I haven't had any issues with my 05 4x4....It's a great truck. I have however bypassed my rad cooler just for precautionary measures.
One thing you have to understand is that people are not going to post things about a car they never have issues with. Add to that, every car manufacture make and model is going to have issues. It's just laws of manufacturing.
What I would do is look up all the common issues and see if that car is showing symptoms.

[bwareheim]

i love my 05 havent had a problem yet

[deermjd]

I have an 05 that has had some problems. You can see the issues I've had below in my signature. I have bypassed the trans cooler in the radiator as a precaution. Despite these problems I still like my Pathfinder and don't regret getting one.

Will I be replacing this with another Pathfinder? Probably not, but I won't be getting rid of this one anytime soon.

What's the asking price? If it's great deal go ahead and get it and keep back a little $ for any repairs you might need. If it's just an ok price you might want to look for a later model instead.

[kelleyo]

I had an 05 for 1 year and traded it back in for an 07.

Fan clutch went out
rear heater core rusted out and leaked so they had to lift the body off the frame to replace.

Mucho $$$

Fortunatly I had an extended warranty with Carmax that covered this and they let me trade it on my 07 (no problems except the timing berlt and tensioner replaced under powertrain warranty)

[sanjose]

Thanks guys! Thats helpful. The asking price is 14100...how does that sound?

[skinny2]

Thanks guys! Thats helpful. The asking price is 14100...how does that sound?

What model? I've had no reliability issues with my '08 SE now with a lil over 60k miles. Seems like most of the problems you see around here are with '05-'06 models...but they are older and have more miles. I would think for a little more coin you could get into a newer model but obviously I don't know your budget. Not many ultra-reliable low mileage SUV's available sub-$15k. Go price a 4Runner

[deermjd]

Don't know where you're located but that price seems a little high. I bought my 05 two years ago for $16k. It had 40k miles.

[deermjd]

Don't know where you're located but that price seems a little high. I bought my 05 two years ago for $16k. It had 40k miles.

[sanjose]

Its a 4wd, SE off road. 2005 with 68k miles for 14100

[hfrez]

Too much. You should not pay more then $13000 for it If it is from a dealer and $11000 if private.

[skinny2]

I would agree...unless it's mint and/or has a lot of extras the price is a tad high. Is this the starting price or did you negotiate for it?

[selliott]

Ive had my 05 LE for 5yrs and I paid 18K for it when I bought it so id say the price is a bit high just like everyone else said, but mine has been great I have 176K on mine and it doesnt leak or burn anything and I have not been nice to it. As long as you do the regular maintenance it should be a wonderful vehicle for ya.

[sanjose]

Thanks guys! This was the offered price. he is holding firm on it.
I am thiking, if I get it, I bypass the cooler. Hopefully that was the main issue with this.?