2008 Pathfinder 5.6 V8

[TeryT]

I hate to say it, but had THAT Pathfinder been available (with that 5.6L V8) when I was looking to buy the 4Runner back in '05, I probably would have been all over it. The interior of that new one is a HUGE step up from the horrendously cheap looking plastic interior that was on the '05s at the time I was looking.

I wouldn't really question the mechanical reliability of the Nissans, it was just the interior and other fit and finish issues I had with it. For that price tag and that kind of power, that's quite a good deal.

The 4Runner no longer has the edge on towing ability with that thing putting out nearly 400ft/lbs of torque.

Ricky

What Pathfinder are you talking about!? The only things that come with the Nissan V8 are the Armada & the Titan. I know they originally called the Armada the "Pathfinder Armada," but have since dropped that distinction (too confusing). Therefore the Pathfinder only comes with the V6, which has significantly less torque that the Toyota V8.

FYI: The Nissan 5.6L puts out 385 foot lbs., but the 4.7's torque is less, it actually has it nearly equaled per cubic displacement, and has a better/longer/flat power curve. The Nissan V6 beats them all (including Toyota's V6) in torque per displacement, but is still too small to adequately tow my stuff.

 

[RickyCRX]

What Pathfinder are you talking about!? The only things that come with the Nissan V8 are the Armada & the Titan. I know they originally called the Armada the "Pathfinder Armada," but have since dropped that distinction (too confusing). Therefore the Pathfinder only comes with the V6, which has significantly less torque that the Toyota V8.

FYI: The Nissan 5.6L puts out 385 foot lbs., but the 4.7's torque is less, it actually has it nearly equaled per cubic displacement, and has a better/longer/flat power curve. The Nissan V6 beats them all (including Toyota's V6) in torque per displacement, but is still too small to adequately tow my stuff.

Umm.... RTFA: http://www.nissannews.com/nissan/2008vehicles/pathfinder/index.shtml

And I agree with you... With the crap I haul around, there's NO way I'd ever consider a V6 for the job at this point. That was the reason I bought the 4Runner in the first place. It's done quite well so far, but there have been a few times I've wanted just that little extra power/torque for climbing hills at highway speeds without having to downshift.

Oh well... I'm not buying another vehicle; I'm on a mission to one day see 300k miles on the odometer of this 4Runner. Currently at 85k now, we'll see how long it takes to get there.

Ricky

 

[RonMAIDEN]

TeryT,you did buy the first year generation change so a few bugs are to be expected and can be an issue since Toyota usually fixes those by the 2nd year models.

 

[TeryT]

TeryT,you did buy the first year generation change so a few bugs are to be expected and can be an issue since Toyota usually fixes those by the 2nd year models.

Yeah, everyone said "not to worry - it's a Toyota! It won't have 1st year issues!" I think the level of electronic sophistication, combined with the Arizona desert heat & perhaps experiencing heavy towing, proved that assumption wrong.

To reiterate, thankfully a good factory extended warranty (at a great price) covereth said iniquities!

 

[silverSEV8]

Being a new 4runner owner (05, V8 Sport) that has very deep roots with Nissans, I have to say it was a tough choice going away from the pathfinder. I had a '98 SE 4x4 that had good quality inside and out. The car probably had one of the most underpowered engines of all time for the size of the car, but it was bulletproof. Nissans these days are not what they were before. I sadly compare Nissan to the Chrysler of the import world because they now put out attractive designs that are not all there with the quality items. It is not hard to see that Nissan / Infiniti's cars always come with a good exterior design and a crap interior design for the first 1-2 years and then they bring the interior up to par just before the model is about to change so that some extra sales can be made. Examples of this incluse but are not limited to the pathfinder, altima, Z, titan, G35. I will say the new interior on the '08 pathfinder is VERY nice, but it is a case of too little too late for me. I am not a reader, but I bought and read this book

http://www.amazon.com/Turnaround-Ca...1717639?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186833134&sr=1-3

and it painted a good picture of why nissan changed. It is also a good book for understanding the beliefs behind Japanese car makers.

 

[jwa898]

The write-up implies that the color screen and backup camera is standard on all models except the base S-V6, which would be a good thing for those of us in Hawaii who can't get a Navigation system on the 4Runner.

Just out of curiosity why can't you get a navigation system on the 4Runner in Hawaii?

 

[TeryT]

Just out of curiosity why can't you get a navigation system on the 4Runner in Hawaii?

LOLOLOL! This is a joke - right? Because how lost can you get lost on a small island! :headslap: Too funny!

 

[Butter_Runner]

for me it was either the pathfinder or the 4runner and the decision was easy once i drove the pathfinder, the materials inside were so cheap looking that i couldn't bring myself to spend any money on it...too bad because i like the exterior design.

from the pics though, it looks like the 08 has stepped it up inside a bit...

 

[EEtM33t]

for me it was either the pathfinder or the 4runner and the decision was easy once i drove the pathfinder, the materials inside were so cheap looking that i couldn't bring myself to spend any money on it...too bad because i like the exterior design.

from the pics though, it looks like the 08 has stepped it up inside a bit...

Same here as to comparing the Pathfinder to the 4Runner.
I owned a Pathfinder before purchasing my 4Runner and was not too interested in getting another Pathfinder but I thought the prudent thing to do would be to conduct all relevant research so that I would be happier with my purchase in the end. I am very happy that I did not purchase the Pathfinder.

 

[jwa898]

Does a stock4th Gen. 4Runner have more ground clearance than a stock Pathfinder?

 

[Falls]

I guess I dont know which one's you are comparing to the 4R then.

I guess since know one ever compared anything there is no common ground between the 2 vehicles. Also the Xterra was brought out to compete with the 4R originally , I still think it competes with the 4R , but geared to the youngster crowd.

 

[leftyrb]

I drove an 08 Pathfinder last week, the LE model with the 5.6 litre engine. I had two Pathfinders in the past and now two 4Runners.

They Pathfinder had some standard features such as memory seats, mirrors, bacj up camera, heated steering wheel, etc. standard. It is less money than a Ltd 4Runner, but I expected better towing ability, due to the same engine as the Titan and Armada. It has a 2 inch receiver, but only a 4 pin trailer connector, and no apparent engine oil or transmission oil cooler. It also has the same tow capacity as the 4.7 Toyota, with a WD hitch, being 7,000 lbs.

It was snappy to drive, and I like the ability to select 2wd, unlike the V8 Runner. I would not buy one due to no improvement in the towing capacity, plus my Limited has rear air suspension.

Rick

 

[Camprunner]

I expect that the rear diff on the new pathfinder will be the weak link just like in the Titan truck. I had a friend chew up a rear diff on a Titan and he drove it like a baby.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Does a stock4th Gen. 4Runner have more ground clearance than a stock Pathfinder?

I saw a road test of the Pathfinder on TV and they said it just fine at finding paths if the paths were paved and flat.
It's definelty given up alot of it's off road heritage to the 4Runners period. It'll be interesting to see where Toyota takes the 5th gen.

 

[Baba Booey]

It is less money than a Ltd 4Runner, but I expected better towing ability, due to the same engine as the Titan and Armada. It has a 2 inch receiver, but only a 4 pin trailer connector, and no apparent engine oil or transmission oil cooler. It also has the same tow capacity as the 4.7 Toyota, with a WD hitch, being 7,000 lbs.

It was snappy to drive, and I like the ability to select 2wd, unlike the V8 Runner. I would not buy one due to no improvement in the towing capacity, plus my Limited has rear air suspension.

Rick

7,000 lbs. is a very respectable tow rating for a vehicle the size of the Pathfinder, or 4Runner for that matter. I'm sure the 5.6L engine and tranny could handle more, but the relatively short wheel-base, brakes, etc. play into the ratings as well.

If I needed to tow more than 7,000 lbs., I wouldn't be looking at either a Pathfinder or a 4Runner.

 

[RickyCRX]

7,000 lbs. is a very respectable tow rating for a vehicle the size of the Pathfinder, or 4Runner for that matter. I'm sure the 5.6L engine and tranny could handle more, but the relatively short wheel-base, brakes, etc. play into the ratings as well.

If I needed to tow more than 7,000 lbs., I wouldn't be looking at either a Pathfinder or a 4Runner.

Just knowing that you CAN tow more in a pinch is a nice thing, though. I have towed 8,800lbs with my 4Runner before (although it was only for about 3-4 miles). It would have been nice having a vehicle with the suspension and running gear to handle that on a regular basis, knowing you have it in the event you need it.

The new Sequoia has a towing capacity of 10k lbs, despite its wheelbase being shorter than the Tundra.

Ricky

 

[TeryT]

Just knowing that you CAN tow more in a pinch is a nice thing,
The new Sequoia has a towing capacity of 10k lbs, despite its wheelbase being shorter than the Tundra.

Ricky

Wow! That makes the Sequoia a (if not "the")top rated SUV tow machine! I think that would surpass the Expedition or the Tahoe.

 

[RickyCRX]

Yep, check the toyota.com website... Sequoia 4x2 with the 5.7L V8 is rated to 10,000lbs max towing capacity.

VERY impressive, IMO.

Ricky

 

[leftyrb]

If I needed to tow more than 7,000 lbs., I wouldn't be looking at either a Pathfinder or a 4Runner.

+++++++++++++

I have a travel trailer with a GVWR of 7,500 lbs and we tow with the Chev Avalanche. I thought a Pathfinder may allow us to replace the Chev with something the size of my 4Runner, which fits inside my garage.

I am aware of the wheelbase issue, but it appears we may go for a Tundra or equivalent as the Sequoia is said to be expensive here in Canada

 

[brian13]

I've driven the V8 Pathfinder LE and V8 4Runner Ltd multiple times (at least 4 times each) over the last few weeks as I'm in the market for a new SUV. My choice is the 4Runner even though that the Pathfinder has some really nice features such as: heated steering wheel, DVD player (can't get this in CDN 4Runner's), Nav with 9GB Music Box, Intelligent Key, Bluetooth, 3 rows seating (can't get this in CDN 4Runner's), nicer interior layout IMHO, adjustable pedals with memory, rear view camera, TPMS that displays the tire pressure, 2WD/AUTO/4HI/4LO selector and 7" screen that displays audio/HVAC/mileage/TPMS etc...

So why am I choosing the 4Runner? Well for one it's a Toyota and I know I wouldn't be disappointed with my choice. It also seemed to have a better build quality inside and out. I noticed some rather large gaps in the extrior trim of the Pathfinder and the quality of materials inside weren't very impressive. The T4R has the height adjustable rear end which is useful as I tow a trailer. Even though the Pathfinder has way more engine HP and torque, the T4R puts down more torque to the rear wheels in 4th gear than the Pathfinder does in 4th gear. The reason? The rear diff of the Pathfinder LE is 2.937:1 as apposed to the T4R's of 3.73:1. The rear diff ratio on the other trim levels of Pathfinder is 3.357:1 and I really don't know why they made this change just for the LE. Also, the T4R drives nicer and handles way better than the Pathfinder.

Bottom line was the Pathfinder had a lot of bells and whistles that weren't essential for me. The T4R had the build quality, expected reliabilty, driveabilty and key features that were important to me.

By the way, I owned a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder for 7.5 years and was "relatively" pleased with it.