I recently posted a thread about how a friend of mine totalled her car, well now she is car shopping and I wanted to get some opinions.

Here are her requirements and what she is looking at:

- Around $20K
- Seats 5 and can carry 2 dogs
- AWD or 4WD drive preferable
- Reliable
- V6 or a powerful I4
- Used under 30K miles

Heres what I suggested and like:

- Last gen Nissan Pathfinder
- Last gen Toyota 4Runner

I really like the last generation of the above SUVs, they are reliable and relatively not that bad on gas. I can find many Pathfinders under $20K, but a comparable 4Runner usually exceeds that mark. I really like 4Runners and you can't beat Toyota's reliability. If Honda Pilots could be had around the same price, I would consider it. I have seen Mazda 6 wagons for around $18K with low low mileage. You don't get AWD or 4WD though. Anyone have experiences with either the Pathfinder/4Runner or have any other suggestions?

 

With the current incentives you can probably pick up a new Subie awd wagon for around your price. From my experience women much prefer these to trucks/suvees. Also will cost Much less for her to insure and drive-ins. gas, maintenance, etc..

 

We were shopping for similar size SUV's in 2001 (buying new) and were strongly considered the 4runner and the PF. We ended up getting the PF b/c of several things- one of which was the engine. They big-timed upped the engine in the PF for '01 and it went to 240 HP and 265lb/ft. The 'runner was miserable compared to it and was in the 180's for HP. There was a big time difference in the feel on the road as well.

Look at the interiors too- we did not like the 4runner's nearly as much as the PF.

Going into it, I would have probably told you that we were going to get the 4 b/c of (IMO) the better name of Toyota over Nissan. But we got a loaded PF for thousands less than the comparable 4. Plus we just plain liked the PF better.

77K later, we still really like the PF. It's been a very good truck for us. 17-18 MPG although we can pull almost 20 on a straight highway trip. The back seat is a little tight on legroom and the seats don't fold down as easily as other trucks. Those are just minor issues to me though. We often take friends out- 4 adults plus an infant or the three of us plus our yellow lab in the cargo bay with no problems. Reliability has been good...had to replace 2 air sensors at 37K and 42K (at 200/each). This is a known gremlin on the VQ series of engines and I'm hoping that I don't have to do them again before we replace the PF next year. We also just had to replace the radiator ($600) but the dealer swears that they're not sure that the hole in it did not come from road debris.

All in all....we've really liked the PF and I'd buy it again over the 4runner.

 

Mazda 6 wagon

 

Good suggestions, unfortunately she doesn't want a Subaru. Not that I had anything to gain, but I wanted her to somehow get a Forrester XT ( ).

killer - I can get her a deal on the Mazda 6 Wagon, so that maybe an option.

keg1997 - I agree with you about the Pathfinder, it is a much bigger bang for your buck than the 4runner. Plus I like the VQ alot.

I tell you what, with gas prices the way they are right now, it is very hard to not take it into consideration.

 

I would take a Toyota (4 runner or Sequoia) over a Nissian (Pathfinder, X terra) any day. The Pilot would be a good choice also. I myself am thinking about getting another Escalade. You can pick an 02-03 for in the $20's.

 

how about a new CR-V. can't go wrong with a new CR-V.

 

Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Kia Sportage.....

All can have under or little over $20K~

they've been very reliable too~

 

last gen Pathfinder > underpowered last gen 4Runner.

 

Something else to think about if you are serious about the PF...
Look hard at the Infiniti version, the QX4. It's the same truck just with nicer leather, some more luxury options, larger wheels and slightly different styling. You also get the bonus of the Infiniti dealership and not having to go to Nissan. That is a big point to me...used to have an Infiniti G20 and even with that, the Infiniti dealership treated me VERY well. I wish that I had gotten the QX4 instead of the PF just so I would not have to take it to Nissan. That was a advantage to me in getting the TSX instead of the Accord.

Good luck

 

yeah get the QX4 over a pathfinder

 

I'd take a 4Runner over a Pathfinder anyday. Toyota reliability and build quality are better than Nissan. If you take halfway decent care of a Toyota's interior it'll last a long time. My old Nissan's interior did not fare well. Nissan engine compartments suck! Although if you're talking 3rd Gen 4Runners their oil filter isn't in a fun spot either. Also, it's 190 HP not 180 like Keg stated for the 4Runners from 96-2002?. Or you can supercharge it for 255+ HP.

 

Wrong. The reliablity are about the same on both.

4Runner:
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/re...=ratings&tab=6

Pathfinder:
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/re...=ratings&tab=6

 

Wrong again, the last gen 4Runner's V6 only had 183HP.

 

Yeah, I had said in the 180's so I'm good there

Plus, as for reliability...Consumers Reports (insert your statement about them) has had the PF/QX as their most reliable mid-size SUV for a few years. I'm not sure if it still is, but I really think that you're not going to have a problem one way or the other with the PF or a Runner. They're both very good.

As for interior quality...that is very subjective but I certainly don't think that one is much better than the other. I do remember, however, at the time (in 2001) being underwhelmed by the interior layout and style on the Runner. The PF is nothing amazing but it is a nicely laid out and classy looking cabin.

Just my

 

Reliability is similar but the edge does go to the 4Runner at least according to Consumer Reports. . . (whatever that means). You could get the bigger engine sooner on the Pathfinder and they are cheaper. . .

 

What about the AWD version of the Toyota Matrix?

 

My bad I forgot about th extra muffling/routing the 4Runner had, the Tacomas have the same engine but have 190.

I didn't mean interior design, the 4Runner is a Toyota, so it's pretty plain. But, the way things fit together, the quality of the material etc., in my experience Toyota > Nissan. But I'm speaking from mid 90's experience so it may be dated. The four people I know who own/ed 90-96 Pathfinders like them but have said they would never buy another.

My buddy has a 98 or 99 Infiniti and its dash squeaks like mad. . . I know, it's a single case. . . just like some people's TSX's squeak and some don't. Just my .

 

This could be your most brilliant post ever.


Seriously, I paid $20,095 plus ttl for teh wifey's '05 CRV LX AWD. For that price you can't find a better car that has AWD, 5AT, SAB/SAC, ABS w/EBD, and VSA. Averages about 25mpg in mixed driving, just as fast 0-60 as a Pilot.

 

Like I said before they're both the same in reliability even the later Pathfinders have no dark spot like one for the 4Runner. So given the much more powerful engine in the ‘02+ Pathfinder and lower used market prices then the last gen 4Runner I’d easily pick the Pathfinder over the 4Runner. Actually for a little more then the 4Runner I would get a QX4, which has a much better interior then the 4Runner and a more car like ride, quieter, in cabin height adjustable xenon headlights, much better dealer service etc.

 

After GM's $6,000 rebate, a new Saab 9-2X Aero (aka Subaru WRX wagon) can be acquired for $20k. If no one believes me, just check edmunds.

 

[QUOTE=corbs]

I didn't mean interior design, the 4Runner is a Toyota, so it's pretty plain. But, the way things fit together, the quality of the material etc., in my experience Toyota > Nissan. But I'm speaking from mid 90's experience so it may be dated. The four people I know who own/ed 90-96 Pathfinders like them but have said they would never buy another.
QUOTE]

I gotcha on what you were talking about when discussing the interior. It is definitely subjective but I do think that the PF has changed since you've last seen Nissan. In fact, when I've seen many current Nissans (altima, armada especially), I'm glad that our PF is not similar in terms of interior quality and fit/finish. I also think that there has been major improvement in the PF since the 90-96 time frame.

Don't get me wrong, the '01-'04 PF is going to be a bit dated now compared to current models that are out now, but during that time frame, the PF was very well thought of in the automotive press. The knock was always the tight back seat but people typically seemed to praise the nice balance of ride and handling.
I'm going to get off of my soapbox now b/c I'm sounding like too much of a PF groupie, but it has been a very good truck for us and I would highly recommend it to others.

 

damn some good discussions in here. all very good suggestions.

hmmmm...i will have to stop by the saab dealer and checkout the 9-2x. I am assuming with the car I get SAAB's service with Subaru quality?

to tell you the truth i really like the pathfinder, but toyota's reliablity and reputation are hard to ignore. my dad had an old school toyota truck, early eighties, the thing was running strong after 250k of abuse.