Thoughts on a 1998 Pathfinder?: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Nov. 7, 2011 1:12 p.m. 914Driver SuperDork

My son brought the 1994 4-Runner in for its annual inspection, now that it's his and not mine, I can't bring it to "my guy". Bad news, it needs rotors, pads, calipers.

No problem, safety first, go ahead and fix it.

The garage guy said it would take a coupla hours. Nah, I'll pick it up tomorrow. Ian showed up the next day and it was still up in the air, two big guys banging on it.

"We ain't never seen anything this rusty".

Anyway, they're going to do it for the agree upon price, but I'll bet they're not making any money on that thing.

Yesterday a friend tells me he is going to be selling a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder for his elderly recently widowed neighbor. V-6 automatic, low miles, champagne color. Probably cheap.

He hasn't put up a price yet, but if it's near Challenge money I'm going to buy it if you guys have nice things to say about it.

Do you have anything to say about it, any experiences? There's no way it's as rusty as the 4-Runner.

Dan
Nov. 7, 2011 1:15 p.m. Otto Maddox Dork

In reply to 914Driver:

I had a '98 Pathfinder. It was very reliable for me. It was kind of slow but not as slow as a '94 4Runner.
Nov. 7, 2011 1:33 p.m. MadScientistMatt SuperDork

My wife used to have one. One thing we learned is that the rear control arm bushings are pretty fragile - it has a 4 link that's about as bad a design as the Fox body Mustang, and they tried to make up for this with bushings that have deep groves cut into them. The groved part can rip, and if it does, the truck can get into a pitching motion that feels like a giant hand has grabbed the tail end and is shaking it. One of the scariest suspension wear problems I've driven, but luckily, there's aftermarket poly bushings that can fix this.
Nov. 7, 2011 2:13 p.m. Strizzo SuperDork

market for that year, if its 4x4 is around 3500, less than that and should be a decent deal. if its 2wd, it should be dirt cheap. not the most powerful or efficient engine, and macstrut front suspension/unibody construction mean its more minivan than SUV.
Nov. 8, 2011 10:48 a.m. Otto Maddox Dork

Another thing, I got about 16-17 mpg in mixed driving in mine.
Nov. 8, 2011 11:15 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

1998 4WD 4 door SE model, 159,000 miles, V-6 automatic.

Woman said I can have it for $1950.; if I decline she'll put it up for $2250.

Dan
Nov. 8, 2011 11:19 a.m. Otto Maddox Dork

In reply to 914Driver:

That sounds fair enough if it is in decent mechanical shape.