Need Buying Help Please!!!

[Bigstr8edgeRed]

Alright its getting close to the wire and I have to make a decision soon. I am actively looking at an 2004 V6 Sport Edition there is not much room for options up here in Massachusetts there is only one option pkg left and its opt. pkg. 1. with the sun room and rear spoiler. There are only 2 other cars i am interested in 1. 2004 Nissan Pathfinder LE Platinum Edition and 2. Infiniti G35x(all wheel drive). All hovering around the same price but alot less working room with the infiniti. I need some info from you guys what do you think? I know this is like asking the home team to root for the bad guys but i figured it was worth a shot. The only real hang up that I have with the 2 SUV's is the gas mileage, but i know that the infiniti g35x isnt that great on gas either due to reports. Also the winters up here in mass are a bitch. A 3ft snow storm this past year has scared me away from cars again, after digging out my ford escort for 3hrs. Help me out here!!! PLEASE. I know some of you will say it depends on my driving style and all that junk but I just want something dependable which all of them are and something great in the snow. HELP!!!

 

[GatorGreg]

Get the T4R and I'll send you a free gold color T4R.ORG sticker - I haven't sold a single damn one but I swear they look nice

Nissan/Infiniti

 

[Mark86]

I know what bad winters are like because I live in NJ. Get the 4Runner because it handled amazing in the snow. We had many major snow storms this past winter and I got through huge amounts of snow with this truck. The G35 has AWD, but will not be able to get through large amounts of snow. The Pathfinder is just old. They need to be redesigned! :thumb:

 

[EXTEX]

Decisions, Decisions

Mark is right - you buy into that dated [sheetmetal] pathfinder, I hope it's a color you love, cuz you're gonna be looking @ it for a loooong time. It's gonna get killed on residual value when their new PF hits in late '05. Resale's not all that great on Nissan in general, compared to Toyota. Combine resale consideration with a brand new design [4th Gen 4R], besides purely subjective looks, how could one actually compare the dated PF w/ a 4R? Mechanics, resale, size & performance all weigh heavily to the 4R.

A harder choice is the G 35x. I have two friends with them [no Xs], & they love 'em. My only observation is that they are SMALL!. I originally thought they were to compete with the 3 seies BMW - no way, they are much smaller. It really boils down to your call : car or truck. If it ends up truck, make sure you don't buy the wrong one.

 

[peter78]

Pros & Cons

1.) Consumer reports says the V6 4Runner is much worse than average in reliabilty. Consumer Reports says the Pathfinder is much better than average in reliabilty.

2.) Pathfinder is in its last year. It has no frame, which is not so hot for towing. Great engine though.

3.) GatorGreg is going to give you a free sticker if you buy the 4Runner.

It is a done deal, get the 4Runner.

 

[slyangel9]

I think you can get the pathfinder SE for about $26k which is significantly cheaper than a 4runner. I went with the V8 Sport 4x4 cuz of the full time AWD.

 

[boston_kevin]

same choices

I went through the same decision about 2 months ago. I get a discount on Nissans (less than dealer invoice) and the large rebate, but the Pathy is outdated (drums in the rear) and small compared to the T4R. If this was the first year of the T4R and Nissan was not redesigning the Pathy, it would be a more difficult decision.

Gas Mileage is better in the T4R and you have a center locking diff for really tough stuff. The road manners of the T4R are better (especially the sport model), and the interior room is much larger than the Pathy (your backseat passengers will appreciate this).

I am getting a 2005 T4R V8 Sport because I wanted side air curtains and none in Mass have them (unless you want the limited).

For me to pass up getting a Pathy LE for ~25k and get a T4R for ~31k is proof enough that the T4R is the better choice.

The G35 is a different story... It is smaller, will easily do laps around the T4R, but... can't go off road.... Hates those NE potholes!!! And those Xenon headlights are a prized commodity now in Boston... If you go anywhere in the G35, don't take more than a pair of shoes... nothing else will fit

Go for the T4R... Goes where ever you want it to. The sport will handle much better than any other SUV on the road.

 

[the_josh]

Re: same choices

I went through the same decision about 2 months ago. I get a discount on Nissans (less than dealer invoice) and the large rebate, but the Pathy is outdated (drums in the rear) and small compared to the T4R. If this was the first year of the T4R and Nissan was not redesigning the Pathy, it would be a more difficult decision.

Gas Mileage is better in the T4R and you have a center locking diff for really tough stuff. The road manners of the T4R are better (especially the sport model), and the interior room is much larger than the Pathy (your backseat passengers will appreciate this).

I am getting a 2005 T4R V8 Sport because I wanted side air curtains and none in Mass have them (unless you want the limited).

For me to pass up getting a Pathy LE for ~25k and get a T4R for ~31k is proof enough that the T4R is the better choice.

The G35 is a different story... It is smaller, will easily do laps around the T4R, but... can't go off road.... Hates those NE potholes!!! And those Xenon headlights are a prized commodity now in Boston... If you go anywhere in the G35, don't take more than a pair of shoes... nothing else will fit

Go for the T4R... Goes where ever you want it to. The sport will handle much better than any other SUV on the road.

have you heard anything about the new 2005 4runner yet???

 

[Mark86]

Re: Re: same choices

have you heard anything about the new 2005 4runner yet???

I heard from a Lexus salesman that in 2005, they are bumping the horsepower in the GX470 to 270hp. He said that will be the same in the 4Runner. The salesman was not sure how true it was though. How much can you believe a salesman anyway? :jester:

 

[ToolmanJohn]

I almost went with the G35

I have a 2003 V6 Limited and have had no problems at all witht he engine. My truck was built after the recall for the fuel rail. Consumer Reports reliability rating is almost ENTIRELY based on the recall because it affected many 4runners. Cars recalled, cars fixed, no more problems.
I would have loved a G35 AWD, but you can't tow with it, and to put a hitch on it and a bike rack didn't seem right. I had to have my hitch mounted rack. I am happy with my decision. The Pathfinder only wins on cost. Nice rebates for the PF. Look for the long term. If you want a nicer carlike ride, get a Highlander. A little less money and still has 4WD available. And cargo space. ANd decent mileage.
OR wait for the hybrid Highlander, more power and better mileage!!

 

[boston_kevin]

Nothing new on the '05 4Runner

Nothing new on the '05 4Runner front... I did get a small confirmation from one of the mechanics here in Acton that the 4Runner will not receive the new Lexus V8 until 2006 at the earliest (they are starting to receive their documentation updates - so I take it very little has changed)