Hi everyone. I need a vehicle to get around in as my previous is still on stands in the carport, needing repairs I am not physically capable of doing.
Looking at a Pathfinder. 2011 Model ST-L R51 Manual.4X4 MY10. Any information regarding reliability or known issues appreciated. My previous vehicle is a Toyota Surf which I have had for over twenty years, and I am seeking any assistance to try and avoid a lemon.
Thanks.
Think timing chain was more common in the earlier version when they went from si gle to double row.
That is the earlier version, but the later ones were problematic as well, I've done plenty on both.
Fair enough. I thought i recalled the 2010 pathfinder we had was 'safer' than the 2007 navara because the Pathie was later series engine.
@Euphemistic: 11+ was the later engine, but they still weren't double row chains anyway, but were meant to be better.
Had a 2010 pathfinder and 2007 Navara (basically same drivetrin) both pretty reliable for us. Found the pathfinder pretty comfortable and spacious. A lot better value than a prado. Put about 140k on it over the years and only replaced the battery and a bearing in the alternator as far as i can remember.
Both towed well. Used between 10-11l/100km on average better on highway. Put airbags in the pathie for towing as it got a saggy bum with a caravan on.
As above, they were both a bit smoky under load but otherwise ran pretty reliably. The later models got a dual row timing chain which significantly reduced the timing chain issues from earlier models. See a few with blown engines (usually head issues) on Facebook etc as they are hard to get engines for amd it's uneconomical to repair, but theres also heaps of the around still running.
Thanks for the replies. All good info. Does a double row chain kit make them better?
Doesn't fix the radiator, coolant pipes, head gasket or head, but it does make it better. I personally put a new genuine timing kit in mine. The price of the double row chains kit is about half the value of the car.
Any car that’s 13 years old will have unforeseen issues you can never plan for
Family member had major issue with transmission and dumped it at dealership as a trade in because repairs were $6K plus
See this US article to confirm (prices quoted are US$ but thats about same as ours was in AUD)
https://gtautomotive.com/most-common-nissan-pathfinder-probl….
Manual should avoid the transmission issue.
Wait wut?
If you can afford another car why don't you just pay someone to fix the old one?
Not with the prices a mechanic would charge.
Surely it's still cheaper than buying another car? What do you have now, and what's wrong with it?
A '92 Toyota Surf 2.4TD. Needs dash refitted including everything behind it. Air vents, heater, air con etc. Front end rebuild including CV shafts, brake rotors and pads, rebuild calipers, new wheel bearings, upper and lower ball joints, control arm bushes upper and lower and probably other things that I can't think of right now. I have most new parts here but It's too big a job for me. Also needs new 31 x 10.5 x 15 tyres. May just part it out and sell all the new parts I have. Body, engine, gearbox and diffs are all good.
nissan for the last 20 years has been crap, avoid
Thanks for all the replies. Looked a another couple of Pathfinders today. They were all a bit rough looking. Decided I don't need 4WD or something this size so bought a 2011 Gets instead. How's that for a complete change of mind.
Needs oil change, coolant flush and probably a timing belt, but I can do all that. Air con gets fixed tomorrow at no cost to me. Otherwise it's in top condition, with hardly a mark on it, internally and externally. Cost me about half what they wanted for a Pathfinder.
Ha ha. That is quite a shoft in direction. Getz will be nice and cheap to run.
Yeah, I need cheap. As far as I can see it should be really easy to work on. Timing belt kit is about $120 for a gates with water pump. Half the oil quantity of a bigger engine. Even has brand new alloy wheels and tyres.
Known for blowing head gaskets and warping heads at the slightest hint of an overheat. Generally pretty smokey. Also known for timing chain issues. I've owned an auto and a manual version a fair few years back, and worked on plenty of them.