About to embark on a new(er) car for the family...

Anyone have any experiences with Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Passport and/or Toyota 4Runner? More specifically around the 2002 model years. A little online research has the passport not so well compared with the other two and the Pathfinder being a pretty nice option.

Just wondering if there are any personal experiences on here as I have none with either listed.

Thanks, in advance.

The Passport was a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo- Not sure how available parts are anymore, heard rumors of some things being NLA. Pathfinders of that era seem to be pretty stout, as the 4runner, though you will pay for that Toyota badge.

The Pathfinder and Xterra of that era were very similar. That might open up another option for you.
Also keep an eye on the Infiniti QX4. It was a rebadged Pathfinder and though it had a higher retail, it has a much larger depreciation. Prices can even be less than comparable Pathfinders

JohnRW1621 wrote: Also keep an eye on the Infiniti QX4. It was a rebadged Pathfinder and though it had a higher retail, it has a much larger depreciation. Prices can even be less than comparable Pathfinders

I'd also keep an eye open for a QX4. Not so much because I like them, but it's one of those cars that can be overlooked, mainly because they have a forgettable name. You may find a private seller who has been sitting on his Craigslist ad for a few weeks with no response. You might be able to swoop in with a lowball offer.

I often wonder how many people who want a used Chevy truck forget to look for GMCs.

Ive driven and worked on QX4s and i like them just fine. They drive well. Its basically a fancy pathfinder. They still look pretty good even with 10+ y/o styling, too.

I would honestly stay away from passports. Ive had and worked on early rodeos and liked them but it seems like most of the later ones ive seen have fallen apart. YMMV.

I'd go with the Pathfinder/QX4/Xterra. Nissan V6s are bombproof, Passports and Rodeos have parts availability problems, and Toyota's 3.0/3.4 V6 has a reputation for puking head gaskets.

Thanks for all the replies. This just starts helping solidify my decision as a lot of review sites (Edmunds, MSNAuto, cargurus, etc.) have pretty much gave the Passport about a 5 or 6 on a 10 scale and the Pathfinder at almost a 9.

I did find that the Infinity version is basically a Pathfinder with all the options so I'd do well with the Pathfinder with those options to keep the price down. I will look at the QX4s for sure, though.

Again, thanks! And keep the replies coming, please.

Well as mentioned you're just as likely to find a QX4 for less than a pathfinder due to the name recognition issue. There a lot of people who at first glance would balk at the possible parts/prices issue of a 12 year old 'luxury' suv if they didnt already know it was a pathfinder. You can benefit from that.

I would look for an original owner Infiniti. Infiniti always got really high marks for service department experiences by owners. In that theory and along with what would typically be the higher income of the person who buys an Infiniti new, you should be more likely to end up with a properly maintained vehicle.

The Pathfinders of that generation are great vehicles, and I would assume much of the same applies to the Infiniti version. Great motor, solid transmissions (both the auto and manual), and they're great on the highway, as well. My friend had one and pull 180K on it in about 5 years, and it was bulletproof for him.

Pathfinder/QX4 and 4runner of that age are both good and fairly similar vehicles. Haven't owned either one myself though.

My wife owned a slightly older Pathfinder. Look out for torn rear control arm bushings - they can make it feel like a giant hand has grabbed the rear axle and started shaking it. Luckily, there's polyurethane aftermarket replacements out there, and it's not a difficult thing to swap out.