Used Nissan Pathfinder question...

[72Twenty]

Sooooo, my inlaws are giving us their old (but in good shape) pop-up camp trailer. My brother-in-law is going to drive it from SLC out here to Laramie next month and drop it off.

My problem - I own a Subaru Impreza Sedan and a Subaru Justy go kart.

The trailer isn't big at all, but we are looking into buying an old pickup or SUV to mainly pull this thing up into the mountains, etc. I'm looking mostly at the Toyota/Nissan option. Not looking to spend alot.

So anyway - driving around town this mornign I came accross a used Pathfinder with a trailer hitch on it. Here's what it is:

1988 Nissan Pathfinder SE-V6 2 Door
5 Speed manual, good tires, couple small dents and dings, but body in good shape. Cracked windshield (nothing new living in Wyoming).

Here's the owie: 203,000 miles.

Sign on the window says starts everytime and runs great, needs some front-end work (looks like needs new shocks.).

Asking $1500.

It would be perfect for what I want it for, but I'm worried about the miles. High miles is normal in Wyoming (mostly highway miles, I'm sure) but even so, that is really high. Althought my '95 Impreza has 160K on it, but it's a Subie and I've owned it since new.

I haven't driven it yet, but wanted some opinions before (and if I decide to) contacting the owner about a test drive, etc.

Any tips?

[lemon boy]

how many miles you plannnig on putting on it?

dollars to doughnuts the impreza'd pull it faster

unless you were not putting many miles on it I'd shy away from a gasser with 203k.

[DaveTV]

http://www.nissanforums.com/
They will tell you more than you ever want to know..

[Hutch]

I have an 88 2 door V6 with 185k. This truck is a tractor, and it sounds like one! It is very reliable and still has enough power to cruise up Parley's summit at 80 mph (in 4th.) I think its still on the original clutch.

[Pinner]

I drive a 1993 SE V6 pickup. It sounds like a tractor also, because like 99% of all these trucks it was built with faulty bolts in the exhaust manifolds, so both manifolds leak. That said, The Goat has around 260,000 miles, is still on it's stock clutch and though it needs a few repairs, still runs strong. Would I tow with it? Even if my trailer hitch wasn't twisted from being rear-ended 8 years ago, no probably not.

If I were buying a beater truck, I'd look at Murkin ones too. Course if it was me, I'd sell the camper and buy a QP.

[Superstar Punani]

I have an 88 2 door V6 with 185k. This truck is a tractor, and it sounds like one! It is very reliable and still has enough power to cruise up Parley's summit at 80 mph (in 4th.) I think its still on the original clutch.

Didn't your predecessor's Ford Escort GL go for $5m?
http://www.bookofjoe.com/2005/05/pope_john_paul_.html

[72Twenty]

Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to give the owner a call and atleast check it out a little more. I was thinking that if I want it, I'd give him a low offer and see if I can snag it even cheaper.

It has Casper, Wyo (county 1) plates on it, which worries me a little as far as what it might have gone through in it's life (you have to know Casper to know what I mean...).

I'm worried that it might have the orig. clutch and that wouldn't be ideal for towing even a small trailer.

As far as putting miles on it, we would probably be driving it to spots mostly in the Laramie Valley (i.e. the Snowy Range, the various area lakes and Vedauwoo) but the occasional jaunt to other spots in the state or to Northern Co and possibly once or twice to Utah.

[warthog]

Used to own one. Things to look out for:

1. Rotten frame (probably not an issue in WY)
2. Was the timing belt and pumps changed ever? This is about a $900 job that needs to be done about every 100k
3. Manifold leak- does it have it?
4. Clutch- orig. is bad, aftermarket is worse. If they replaced it w/ stock Nissan, then it is good.
5. 4 wd- was it used a lot? If so, that is good. You need to check that the CV boots are not cracked. They crack when 4wd is not used, and sometimes they just crack or tear. If torn or cracked, you can bet the whole half-shaft needs replacing. $$ if you can't do it yourself.


They are great trucks, and I have heard of many going way past 206,000, but it requires maintenance. Are you sure this guy took care of it?

Go HERE for a bunch of good info. These guys basically helped me keep mine running for very little $$.

[72Twenty]

I'll see if I can get a closer look at it and take it for a spin and report my findings in the next few days or so....

Is there anything else I should check other than what warthog suggested above in my "test drive"?

[fez]

Is there anything else I should check other than what warthog suggested above in my "test drive"?

if you arent very mechanically apt, take it to a trusted mechanic for a checkup. they will check the stuff warthog mentioned plus things like compression checks for usually not a whole ton of money (50 - 100 if its your mechanic).

[FNG]

Towing something is very stressfull on a vehicle. I'd say to either hook the Suburu up or spend $2500 on something in the 100k range. Risk reward my friend.

[72Twenty]

I think I'm going to pass on this particular vehicle. I though it might be a good one for the price and my intended use, but after closer looks I've decided I'll wait for the next one to come along.

I did find a couple others in town that are in FAR better shape, but a little out of my price range at this point: (these are all at a used car lot here in town - this guy has a lot here and one in Ft. Collins, CO so he rotates his stock occasionally between the two...)

'95 Toyota 4Runner, 117,000 miles, asking $6,400. (5spd, 4WD)

'97 Nissan Pathfinder, 135,000 miles, asking $6,300. (5spd, 4WD)

'94 Honda Pasport, 130,000 miles, asking $4,500. (5spd, 4WD)

'97 Ford Explorer (V8), 80,000 miles, asking $6,500. (auto trans & AWD)

There is also like a '92 Jeep Cherokee 2 door with like 110,000 miles and a 5 speed, for only like $2,000, but I've heard BAD things about Cherokees at that age/mileage...

I might look into some of these and see if I can deal (and decide if I want to sepnd that much for alot worse gas mileage than I am used to...)

[Idris]

Put a hitch on the Justy and pretend you are in Europe. On the roads of europe you see many a small car towing caravans that they could easily park inside of! Your Impreza would be more than capable if you think the go-kart isn't up to it.