Anyone regretting buying a 4Runner with the new Pathfinder out now?

[ssingh]

I know my neighbour is! She's had a 97 Pathfinder and did a trade-in and bought a 04 Limited v6 in October and now with the new redesigned Pathfinder availble, she's having second thoughts on her purchase. She also had to pay for 3rd row seating where as the PAthfinder has it as a standard option.

I'm about to purchase either one in Jan next year and am torn between the two. The things that I don't like about the Pathfinder is its resale value and the new untested transmission. I currently have a 2000 Toyota Prerunner with 85k miles on it and had no probs whatsoever. Apart from these factors, I like the Pathfinder better in most categories, especially with the new "armada-style' chrome grills, perforated leather seats and the fact it's about $3k less than a 4Runner.

Anyone else having a similar dilema?

Peace

 

[mr_rua]

Not me

Perfectly happy with my V8 4Runner. I bought the '04 4Runner b/c of the V8 motor configuration and big low end torque numbers to tow my trailer and bikes. The Pathfinder only offers a V6 4.0 with obviously lower torque numbers.

I'm Happy!

 

[TranceKrayz]

did you see the back of the pathfinder? i don't like the minivan design. looks like a nissan quest to me. i don't think it compares to the armada.....that thing is a beast. the pathfinder is like a puppy compared to it. the only thing i wish i have is the new 5spd that comes with the v6.

 

[Sac State]

Absolutely not.

I don't even consider Nissan in the same class.

Nissan uses Kia grade interior plastics.

 

[olliebear]

Go over the Nissan very carefully.

Nissan's interiors are tinny, tacky, and not nearly as well made or put together as Toyotas. Check out the thinness of the fabric and plastic parts. Slam the door. My 4Runner closes with the "thunk" similar to a Mercedes Benz's famous door slam "thunk".

I would not order the third row. Only fits squirrels and anorexic kids. Third row also takes all your rear luggage space. Third rows are now the fad of the 2004 just as the number of cup holders was the fad of the 1996+ SUVs.

Resale goes to Toyota.

Where are the new Pathfinders made? If they're US made, they may be problems. NIssan has had huge quality control issues with the Armada and Titan that may still be haunting them.

COmpare V6-V6...but there is no comparison from Toy's V8 to Nissan's V6.

 

[sharp4runr]

The Pathfinder is nice and if she needed 3 rows it would be a better deal. Plus the Pathfinder's 3rd row folds flat into the truck, while the 4Runners kind of flips up to the side still taking up space.

My coworker has one and we carpool (Sometimes he drives his Path, and sometimes I drive the 4Runner). The second row seems more crammed on the Pathfinder than it does on my 2k4 4runner. I think its the way the seat is mounted to the body because my foot seems to keep hitting the plastic mount.

3rd row is cramped but so would the 4Runner. I don't have the 3rd row, but I don't need it.

His has leather and mine has cloth but I think the other interior materials are nicer on mine but I am a bit biased. His radio can play MP3s, mine can't

I'm pretty sure the 4Runners offroad capabilities are better though

July

 

[JoeV]

Well I just got my very first 4runner. Believe me I did a lot of research before buying this SUV. My first initial list was huge, but in the end I narrowed my list to the following with my price limit being about 45K.

1) 04 or 05 4Runner
2) 05 Pathfinder
3) Touareg
4) Pilot
5) MDX

I made my decision and will stick by it. I love my 4runner. My only advice is this...research them both carefully, consider your needs and test drive them both. I'm sure you'll come up with a decision you can live with. Besides...you are in a 4Runner board...I'm sure all of us here are unbiased. :

 

[Sac State]

If you need a bigger vehicle than the Runner, try the Sequoia. It has the same powertrain as the V8 Runner.

You could probably pick up a '04 Sequoia at an aggressive price right now.

It is all subjective to the person buying and driving the vehicle. So, in the end buy what will allow you to sleep at night.

I agree, the door thunk of my Runner is tighter than the CLK 320 sitting next to it. When I close a Nissan door, the windows shake.

 

[Northof49]

Why would I trade a perfectly nice 4Runner for a POS Nissan with:

- No V8
- Cheap plastiky/tinny/cheap standard issue Nissan interior
- Looks of an ugly van
- Less sophisticated driveline
- Lesser off road capabilities
- Relatively very poor resale value

?

If I wanted to save some $'s, I'd still rather buy a used 03 or 04 Runner.......Hell, I'd rather find a nice 3rd gen and S/C it before I bought a new Pathfinder

 

[RLJSlick]

I really use to love the Pathfinder, it was a good looking truck, but now it's a beast! The Pathfinder isn't even in the same league with the 4 Runner, Nissian makes great vehical but don't even come close to a toyota as far as reliability.

 

[olliebear]

and another thing.....

--The 4Runner is good enough to sell under the Lexus line as the GX470 with same engine and tranny and driveline.

--Shares the engine--though I dunno about the driveline or tranny, as the Landcruiser. Proven worldwide as one of hte best V8 in the world.

--Nissan's precipitous drop in QC as reflected in JD Power ratings.

--Love that "thunk" when I close the door. No rattles, the window does not shake and clatter, and the door does not sound like it was made from recycled tin cans. Close the door on a Sentra nad it feels like it was made of Reynolds Wrap alum foil.

--When I went over Nissan's Xterra and Pathfinder just a few years ago in the auto show, the buttons were crap, the switches and dials were flimsy and felt they were about to fall off or break. Perhaps Nissan has fixed these things but Toyota pays attention to detail. Buttons and switches don't feel they they will spin off or pull out of the dash. Switches like the power door lock goes off and on with a gentle "click-click"..not the "thwack-thwack" like my Tahoe. When you open/close the door, the interior light gently turns on a rheostat control...not Full On--Full Off. Just a nice dimming on/off that creates an aura of quality and attention.

Those are the little things that while not critical add to the enjoyment of a quality car.

 

[slowginjoe]

i won't go into a long story, but after owning a 2000 maxima and the experience i had with nissan north america on problems with the car, i finally wrote a letter to them vowing i'd never buy another nissan again and i won't. there's a reason why toyota and honda are a notch above in class, in sales, and in just about every category over nissan.

 

[02SE]

I agree about the lower quality materials used in Nissans.

But for me, having worked as a mechanic in the past, the bigger concern is the inferior design of the Nissan drivelines.

Just an example, Nissan uses a slip-yoke on their driveshafts. The bushing in the transfer case wears pretty fast, then you have a driveline vibration until you replace the output bushing in the T-case. Of course the fix only lasts as long as the original.

The slip-joints that Toyota uses, are much more durable.

And there are many other examples of inferior design on Nissan vehicles.

Knowing how they are built, I would never spend my money on a Nissan. Their trucks in particular.

I saw a new Pathfinder the other day, I don't care for Nissans styling anyway, but the back of the Pathfinder was particularly ugly.

 

[navyaircrew]

???

What's a pathfinder? When i looked up tough trucks in Webster's... Pathfinder wasn't a option... nuf said...:goinposta :goinposta

 

[Mark86]

For myself, I got my 4Runner in 2003 so the 2005 Pathfinder's weren't out. I wasn't considering a 2003 Pathfinder at all because I thought the 4Runner was a much better looking vehicle outside, it was more reliable, and was better in the snow(Neighbor has a 2003 Pathfinder and I saw it get stuck in the snow. It couldn't get out for anything!!!). Inside, I thought they were both the same. When I first saw the 2005 Pathfinder's (front), I thought they were nice. When I saw the back, ewwww! It was like driving an ugly minivan. The interior didn't impress me either. I don't think I would regret getting a 4Runner over an 05 Pathfinder.

Here is a good example. My parents are on the market for a new SUV and they are considering the 05 4Runner Limited, 05 GX470, and a few others. I asked them if they saw the new Pathfinder and they said no. So I showed them a picture and they said they are not even going to consider it because it is so ugly.

 

[GRIMACE]

As I live up here in BC, Canada, the Pathfinder is a strong contender in in my books. I am a 4runner loyalist, but it is priced so damn much more than a comparably optioned Pathfinder. The difference is about $7500 before negotiations on a preimum LE and Limited V6. This is due to the Toyoyta One Price Policy in BC. IT REALLY SUCKS! See my previous thread ONE PRICE POLICY

If money is a problem then the pathmfinder maybe a better value.

As well the resale value maybe lower on the Pathfinder, but if you don't plan on rotating your vehicle every so often then it shouldn't matter. FYI , the Toyota STEALERs in BC will only give me $8500CDN for my 97 4runner on trade .

My in-laws have had 4 Nissans (2 Pathfinders, 1Xterra and 1Maxima) in the famly. No problems. My family has had 6 Toyotas. No problems there either. So I don't think reliablility is an issue. I would look at the dealership itself, that you plan on bringing your truck to for servicing.From my past experience, if you have a shitty service dealership it doesn't matter what brand you buy.

As you can tell my issue is not with the 4runner itself but with the STEALERS. I want a runner really bad, but can't afford or am willing to pay such an outragous price.
:bash:

Sorry for going off topic....... I had to vent my frustrations with the local STEALERS here. Do we have an anger managment forum here?

 

[Sac State]

As I live up here in BC, Canada, the Pathfinder is a strong contender in in my books. I am a 4runner loyalist, but it is priced so damn much more than a comparably optioned Pathfinder. [/URL]

Perfect example of you get what you pay for.

I am not aware of pricing games in Canada, I think the biggest hurdle for Toyota in North America is not the reliabilty or marketability of the vehicle, but the dealers and how the vehicles are sold.

Why aren't all Runners sold in this country equipped with side air bags?

That is just plain dumb to not equip each vehicle with that option.

 

[Mark86]

As I live up here in BC, Canada, the Pathfinder is a strong contender in in my books. I am a 4runner loyalist, but it is priced so damn much more than a comparably optioned Pathfinder. [/URL]

Perfect example of you get what you pay for.

I am not aware of pricing games in Canada, I think the biggest hurdle for Toyota in North America is not the reliabilty or marketability of the vehicle, but the dealers and how the vehicles are sold.

Why aren't all Runners sold in this country equipped with side air bags?

That is just plain dumb to not equip each vehicle with that option.

Good point brought up there. That is the one thing that really makes me mad with Toyota. I wanted either an SR5 or Sport with the JBL radio and side airbags but those are not available in my region. I ended up getting the standard radio and no side curtain airbags on my Sport. For my parents on the other hand, they get their vehicles fully loaded so that is not a problem for them.

 

[BHL]

I checked out both and preferred Toyota because of a couple reasons...

1. Toyota is make in Japan, Pathfinder is in US.
2. 05 Pathfinder is new design. I feel better buying a 07 or 08 after they fixed all the bugs.
2. Interior wise I think the 4runner is better, tbut he controls can be a bit confusing.
4. The most important one, I test drove a 05 pathfinder SE-off road, it feels heavy and doesn't give me the tight and confident feeling while I'm in the 4runner SE.

My biggest complaint about 4runner is I can't get side airbag in the sport edition.

 

[T133]

I am a Nissan fan and was thinking of waiting for 05 Pathfinder but needed second car before Sept.

Bought 04 Runner SE because really liked my wifes Corolla's quality (much better than Altima I used to have) and new Runners body style and increase in width.

After seeing the new Boxy Pathfinder any slight regret I had are gone completely.