We are more partial to Toyota than Nissan, but we have a chance to get a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder, S, AWD, 132k miles for $6500. We're in Colorado. Cars seems in very good to excellent condition. No CVT. 2 sets of tires. But saw issues reported online with tranny fluid coolant leaks into radiator and vice versa. "Strawberry milkshake". I thought if we got it first thing would be to disconnect the tranny cooler lines and tie into a new separate tranny cooler. GOod idea? Otherwise, is it a reliable long driving vehicle like a toyota? Is it even worth buying? thanks for your help ....
They aren't bad cars, they aren't particularly good ones.
Those older Pathfinders are infamous for cooling leaking into the radiator and the transmission being ruined, so if you do decide to buy it have a mechanic check it out.
For $6500 you could get a nice Highlander or even a 4Runner if you look around.
It could be a decent car but make sure you have a mechanic check It out as well. I would maybe see if I could get it for a bit cheaper.
No, it is not a reliable long driving vehicle by far.
Generally speaking, here are the pros and cons related to cost:
Pros: Doesn't have the CVT (they have tons of problem)
Has AWD (handles well in snow)
Cons: Costly, due to:
- Being an SUV (it's the trend right now so they cost significantly more than regular cars in base price)
- Being an SUV (bigger, heavier, worse aerodynamics result in higher gas consumption, which means higher cost long term)
- Being AWD (this system is quite heavy and will result in higher gas consuption)
- Being AWD (sends power to all wheels at all time, which results in higher gas consumption)
- Being AWD (reliability concern, don't know if these ones have problems, but generally speaking the more complex, the more potential things can break)
To consider:
-Nissan is not known for reliability, but at least this one doesn't have a CVT, so depending on where it was built it could be okay (not great, but not the absolute worst either). But a toyota will typically outlast them.
-You say you're buying it for your grandson, I assume it's his first car or he's not a very experienced driver yet. If it were me, I'd stick for a toyota and also a car instead of a big SUV.
-With that mileage it's either problems to come or standing on it's last leg, depending on how it was maintained. Final thoughts would be stick with toyota, you like toyota so that's great you won't be deceived.
