Xterra or Pathfinder?

[4Rescue]

As far as I know, the Pathy uses the same ladder frame that the Fronty and X use. I drive an 05 X 4wd and my wife as an 06 Pathy 2wd. If your just looking for a road truck and family vehicle, I would recommend the Pathy. The ride is so much better and the extra 9 inches in the trunk area is very nice, especially if you carry strollers. With the seats up to seat 7, the trunk area is pretty useless though. I also like the Pathy for a family vehicle as alot of them have rear heat/air. If you have any questions about either truck, just let me know.

Pathy's have been unibody for quite some time I belive, am I correct in this statement anyone??? Maybe the PAthy Armade (SO UGLY!!!) uses a ladder frame, but the standard Pathy has been unibody for awhile...

I have on ocassion driven my buddies 1st gen Xterra with the S/C and while it's fun to punch it and feel the S/C push you along, I vastly prefer my old 4Runner in nearly EVERY aspect espescialy when we get off-road... Oh and when I see them parked next to one another all poking aside the X is a pretty nerat platform and if you're really sold on Nissans then the 2nd Gen X is great.

BUT... if it's between the Pathy and the X, I'd say X every time w/o question.

Cheers

Dave

Cherrs

Dave

 

[mcm4090]

Pathy's have been unibody for quite some time I belive, am I correct in this statement anyone???

The WD21 Pathfinders (89 to 95) is a body on frame.

The R50 Pathfinders (96 to 2004) was a unibody.

The R51 Pathfinders (2005-up) is a body on frame.

 

[4Rescue]

The WD21 Pathfinders (89 to 95) is a body on frame.

The R50 Pathfinders (96 to 2004) was a unibody.

The R51 Pathfinders (2005-up) is a body on frame.

Well sir I stand corrected. That's REALLY interesting, most companies, even my beloved Toyota, are moving away from Lader frames (thankfuly not entirely but...) and I'm suprised that Nissan went BACK to one considering the intended market for the Pathy versus the Xterra. I'm guessing it's so they could build more rigs off of fewer primary chassis'??? THat's good to know though and makes the Pathy more attractive, well not from the outside IMO (I can't stand the Titan/Armada "Cab Bubble" look) but knowing it has a frame now is nice.

I think though that the new Quad cab fronty would get my money if I were going to buy a Nissan 4wd, or the Suzi Equator because I lie the front fascia better. As much as I LOVE my rem ovable top and large interior volume I think a quad cab pick-up would be just as good and I find myself lusting after Aussie SFA Deisel powered 4 Door Hillux's...

That thread on the guy's Navara in Indo has made me kind of fond of the New Nissans though, they look GOOD with a mild lift and some tall skinny tires (kind of hard for those things to make a truck look bad though eh ) I dare say I like the LOOKs of the Navara/Fronty and espescialy the Equator ever so much more than the new Tacoma's... Blasphemy I know, but hey, tey're good looking trucks and I here the 6 cylinder is a great motor that really scoots, something my truck with a 22re has never been accused of doing...

Cheers

Dave

 

[lexwoody]

The WD21 Pathfinders (89 to 95) is a body on frame.

The R50 Pathfinders (96 to 2004) was a unibody.

The R51 Pathfinders (2005-up) is a body on frame.

The current model Pathy is a Body-on-frame, IFS and IRS. Land Rover Range Rover is the only off roader with a unibody, IFS, IRS, air suspension and it is strong.

 

[Maddmatt]

Here's my 2 cents:

I drive a '96 4 runner (3rd gen). Love it. Lots of creature comforts, rear locker, and typical Toyota maintenance issues (read: none - 197k and still my daily driver). I haven't found the IFS to be a problem, my off-highway driving is more expeditionary than challenge based - more often than not I'm surprised by what it will do (the rear locker helps) than I am frustrated by what it won't. YMMV.

Only drawback is gas mileage. 16-17 around town is pretty normal, have had it as high as 21.8, but that's my all time record. I'm typically overloaded, stuff on the roof, cruise control set at 82 when on long trips. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with a 3rd gen. 4runner. I personally think the newer ones got too large.

However, I am considering a newer Xterra. I have a good friend who bought an Xterra new in 2002 - after 100,000+ problem free miles, he was tired of the poor gas mileage and lack of power, so he looked at everything. He ended up with a 2008 Xterra with the Offroad package, and loves it. Much more power, more refined than his earlier one and better mileage as well. I've spent a couple hours in both the front passenger and rear seat of his new one (6', about 200 lbs), both were quite comfortable although I am spoiled by the heated leather in my 4runner. The only downside I saw is that you have to really watch yourself getting into the backseat, Xterra has always had the rear doors cuts right into the wheel arches. If there is a lot of mud/ice/slush built up you can ruin a pair of pants pretty quickly.

So, short story: I think the Xterra and the 3rd gen runner are great choices. The 4runner can bring a few more creature comforts (I have the "Limited" package) but Toyotas bring a bit higher cost. Fun problem to have.
-Matt

 

[lexwoody]

Independed suspension is only a problem because the sway bar wont let it flex as it wants to. Xterra's is a good choice because of it solid axle off road. But, a true driver can work with what he got and make it work. lol.....

 

[ExpoScout]

Here's my 2 cents:

I drive a '96 4 runner (3rd gen). Love it. Lots of creature comforts, rear locker, and typical Toyota maintenance issues (read: none - 197k and still my daily driver). I haven't found the IFS to be a problem, my off-highway driving is more expeditionary than challenge based - more often than not I'm surprised by what it will do (the rear locker helps) than I am frustrated by what it won't. YMMV.

Only drawback is gas mileage. 16-17 around town is pretty normal, have had it as high as 21.8, but that's my all time record. I'm typically overloaded, stuff on the roof, cruise control set at 82 when on long trips. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with a 3rd gen. 4runner. I personally think the newer ones got too large.

However, I am considering a newer Xterra. I have a good friend who bought an Xterra new in 2002 - after 100,000+ problem free miles, he was tired of the poor gas mileage and lack of power, so he looked at everything. He ended up with a 2008 Xterra with the Offroad package, and loves it. Much more power, more refined than his earlier one and better mileage as well. I've spent a couple hours in both the front passenger and rear seat of his new one (6', about 200 lbs), both were quite comfortable although I am spoiled by the heated leather in my 4runner. The only downside I saw is that you have to really watch yourself getting into the backseat, Xterra has always had the rear doors cuts right into the wheel arches. If there is a lot of mud/ice/slush built up you can ruin a pair of pants pretty quickly.

So, short story: I think the Xterra and the 3rd gen runner are great choices. The 4runner can bring a few more creature comforts (I have the "Limited" package) but Toyotas bring a bit higher cost. Fun problem to have.
-Matt

Good stuff matt, thanks a ton.

Comparatively, I have found 05 Xterras with really low mileage for the same prices as 00 4Runners with higher mileage!

When it comes to looking at it like that, the Xterra seems like the logical choice. I need to go test drive one I guess.

And is the off road package necessary? If I happen to run across a killer deal and its not an off road model, would it be a terrible thing?

 

[Rev]

Just drive it, you will like it.

I bought an SE. I wish I had bought an offroad. Buy and offroad dude. No regrets.

 

[ExpoScout]

All the Off-Road models Im finding are automatics

But I guess it wouldnt be so bad...

 

[mcm4090]

This is my first truck with automatic and I don't think I could go back to a manual. To be honest I did want an automatic with this truck since I live in Northern Virginia where the traffic can be unbearable.
On the trails I have found that having automatic is a blessing.

 

[IZVERG]

X! X! X!

 

[Maddmatt]

Good stuff matt, thanks a ton.

Comparatively, I have found 05 Xterras with really low mileage for the same prices as 00 4Runners with higher mileage!

When it comes to looking at it like that, the Xterra seems like the logical choice. I need to go test drive one I guess.

And is the off road package necessary? If I happen to run across a killer deal and its not an off road model, would it be a terrible thing?

All I can tell you is that my buddy shopped around for the Off-Road package and is happy he did.

I love to shift, my wife laughs because my hand subconsciously taps the gear shift even when I'm driving automatics, but I have to say that I have not minded the auto in my 4runner one bit. Easier in traffic, awesome on trails and nice on long interstate stretches. They've gotten so good, while I'll always miss shifting, I don't really see a reason to hold out for a manual.
-Matt

 

[ExpoScout]

Thanks Matt

Ive been looking around and Ive found a few off-road Xterras around, none of which are manual. And the more I think about it, it would be nice (and I wouldnt have to do another clutch replacement ).

Actually Ive found some really good prices (or so I think)....Ive found a couple with around 40-50k miles in the $12500 range....so its possible Ill be pulling the trigger on one soon.

 

[Kjell Sullivan]

-For those of you with automatic transmission late model nissan trucks/suvs, do you regret getting the automatic? And any other opinions on the transmission debate here would be great.


I had to think very hard on on this transmission issue with my frontier... whether to get a less expensive SE Frontier with the 6spd, or a NISMO with the Automatic...as those were the choices set before me at the dealership. I test drove both twice, before I came to a decision.
My problem was that I've always been a purist when it comes to transmissions and thus I feel much more comfortable with a manual transmission. However, I opted for the Auto NISMO because of the locking Diff.
The fun factor of the 6spd made the auto feel sleepy by comparison...not slow, but less driver input = less manipulation of the powerband= less smiles.
That being said, I have not once felt like I made the wrong choice between the two...but if they had a 6spd NISMO at the time I would have chosen the 6spd of course. All in all if you are more fond of manuals stick with a manual
Hope that doesn't muddy things up too much

 

[ExpoScout]

Kjell, I think that I will feel the same way as you if I decide to go with the automatic off-road version, as opposed to a non-offroad version with a 6 spd.

Ill still have my diesel scout traveler thats a manual, so an automatic will be a nice change. And with the traveler, Ill always have it as an alternate. Both will end up being overland type vehicles (one being more refined than the other).