Hey all,
I have a 95 Pathfinder that I had the pleasure of dropping over 2 grand in August to replace the transmission on.
I have now officially completed my SUV ‘phase’.
I would really like a Lexus SC300 but bottom line is that I would have to go back before 95 and probably wind up with one that has even higher mileage to afford.

The only other car I would like is a CL.
I have gone to see one and of course the salesman has been ringing my phone off the hook ever since then.
I don’t want a new one, a 97 or possibly a 98. Not only can I not afford a new one to be perfectly honest I don’t like the re-design.

When I go to the consumer reports type pages one would think the CL is the best car ever built !
But after going over this forum it seems that more than a few are on their 2nd, 3rd and in some cases 4th transmission. Some have said this is only with the 2nd generation but I have also seen some with a 97 or 98 that have had the same problems.
I also read where a new transmission is like $4800.00, quite a bit more than the major surgery for the Pathfinder.

I will never, ever get another car no matter what it is without an extended warranty again. Had I re-upped the warranty on the Pathfinder it would have been a little over $700 instead of the $2100 for the rebuilt transmission.

My question to all of you here is 1) if you had it to do all over again would you buy a CL, or another car ?
2) If your suggestion is to get a CL, what should I ask, look out for, or just in general know before I sign up for many more monthly payments?

I will probably go back in tomorrow ( Friday ) or Saturday and if not get one at least start the process.
I plan on telling the salesman I want White or Black, leather only, and preferably 5-speed which would hopefully get me out of the whole defective transmission ‘issue’.

Any and all info you guys can give would be much appreciated !

reb0101

 

i love my car... i'll do it all over again without a doubt...
i haven't heard much transmission problems with the 1st generations... mostly 2nd gens are having problems.

if it's possible.. drive both of the 2.2/2.3 and the 3.0 before you decide... (only 2.2/2.3 comes with manual transmission) i test drove the 3.0 and right away decided there's no way i'm getting a 2.2/2.3.

good luck

hg

 

Hey we bought my CL new and havent had any problems at all and it has a 184,000 miles on it. Havent really heard any problems w/the tranny on the 1st generation CL anyway. Def. would buy the car again if i had to do it over

 

Ditto; in all respects!

PS: Get one with the Premium package! It's worth the money!

 

My car has over 65,000 miles and the transmission sounds fine. I personally think it is one of the nicest cars on the road, and extremely reliable. By the way I have a 1997 3.0, I don't regret my purchase.

 

i have a 2nd generations, i love it, lots of attention. well i'm very happy with it.

 

Yes, definitely get it!
This is my 2nd one. I had a bad accident in the first one and totalled it. Even that, I still get myself another one simply because the car ROCKS!!!

3.0 if you like power and all the other options but in return it consume fuel a bit faster too.
But once you get to know the car (knowing when the VTEC kicks in), you can control the fuel consumption pretty good.

GO FOR IT!

 

The only thing I would do differently would be to get a 2.3 5 speed instead of the 3.0. Don't get me wrong I love the v6 but driving manual is so much funner and plus I could've saved a couple g's.

 

Exactly how I feel...........matter of fact I'm trading my 3.0 in for a 2.3 this summer.

 

I might do that too or try to get a brand new rsx.

 

Ditto on the 2.3 manual. Granted, sometimes I wish there was a bit more power, but it is still worth it to drive stick and I am working on that with a few mods. One of the best feelings is to down shift into VTEC, now that's a sound. (of course a CAI is required) Great car, classy, different, fun.

 

Is it wrong to love a car Ask my girlfriend and she will tell you yes. But what does she know, she doesn't drive a CL. You will not be sorry buying a 1st gen. Get one......get two, if you can