Just test drove a Pathfinder

[gorcorps]

I really liked it. I currently have a 2011 Rogue which I've liked enough except for how narrow it is, but they're calling me about buying it from me used so I'm looking at my options. Despite many others I've always liked the CVT so I'm glad to see it here. I have no need for a 3rd row seat most of the time, but it folds flat and seems to give me as much storage space as my Rogue with the rear seats down.

The whole thing just felt so much better put together compared to other things I've driven lately. I liked the interior a lot, especially the dash layouts.

Anybody regret getting a 2013 pathfinder at all?

 

[LTC8K6]

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2013-nissan-pathfinder-first-drive-review

 

[gorcorps]

Yeah I saw that before. Their complaints are things I either don't mind or actually like (like the cvt). Sounds perfect

 

[ND40oz]

As long as you debadge the Path and replace it with Mall, go for it.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I found the xterra to be much more offroader friendly with better angles .. especially the off road edition that is why I own two

 

[gorcorps]

As long as you debadge the Path and replace it with Mall, go for it.

I found the xterra to be much more offroader friendly with better angles .. especially the off road edition that is why I own two

I don't really off-road much though, which is why the change to a more family friendly car vs. older Pathfinders didn't bother me (remember, I currently have a Rogue so I'm already far away from off road stuff). This would be a daily commuter but I could use the extra space, at least the extra width. For a larger vehicle the fuel economy is pretty good. Really my only question is reliability, which is hard to gauge when it's brand new.

 

[LTC8K6]

A hybrid version is on the way, which will have much better city mileage.

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2014-nissan-pathfinder-hybrid-photos-and-info-news

 

[ViviTheMage]

I daily with my X ... I have a buddy who has a older pathfinder, he loves the X ... big selling point for me was the 6 speed manual.

I dislike the newer pathfinder, looks so bubbly/plasticy

 

[NutBucket]

Do you really need a DD that big?

 

[gorcorps]

Do you really need a DD that big?

I generally don't "need" that size, but I can't really afford multiple cars so this one has to be able to work for me. Now that I'm new to home ownership I'm buying more, bigger crap for landscaping which doesn't fit in a car. I also hunt and the space would be used for that equipment as well. So the extra space would be wasted going to work every day, but I do enough outside of work.

 

[Doppel]

A hybrid version is on the way, which will have much better city mileage.

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2014-nissan-pathfinder-hybrid-photos-and-info-news

I bet it will be hella pricey. That article says $3k more, but is that over a base Pathfinder? If you've seen the highlander hybrid it's a worthless vehicle. Great MPG and tech, but super absurd stupid time expensive.

The new path, or mallfinder looks ok and it gets good MPG and is a decent vehicle from what I can tell. I looked at one and went with a minivan because it was substantially larger.

 

[LTC8K6]

I bet it will be hella pricey. That article says $3k more, but is that over a base Pathfinder? If you've seen the highlander hybrid it's a worthless vehicle. Great MPG and tech, but super absurd stupid time expensive.

The new path, or mallfinder looks ok and it gets good MPG and is a decent vehicle from what I can tell. I looked at one and went with a minivan because it was substantially larger.

It would be above the base price of the three models, I guess. Not available on the base S model. Looks like a hybrid SV would be about $36K, which doesn't sound bad.

The hybrid gear is available as a powertrain option on three of the standard Pathfinder’s four trim levels—SV, SL, and Platinum—and buyers have the choice of front- or all-wheel drive.

 

[BudAshes]

I miss my old pathfinder. It was the toughest car I've ever had and back then the lousy gas mileage didn't matter because gas was cheap. It was a champ in the snow, off road and it drove pretty nice. Yeah it had no power but it could rev real high and it was bullet proof so it was worth it.

Not sure how these new pathfinders fit in. This is clearly more minivan than off road vehicle.

 

[rommelrommel]

They gave up on it being a off road vehicle clearly... it's no more off road capable than an Acadia or MDX.

 

[gorcorps]

They gave up on it being a off road vehicle clearly... it's no more off road capable than an Acadia or MDX.

Which is why so many people hate it right off the bat. They took the pathfinder name but didn't stick with the pathfinder spirit, so it seems like a BS attempt to grab sales when they really should have just introduced it as a new vehicle... but it's hard to make sales on an unknown model.

I don't care about such things. I don't need it to be bulletproof or a off-road capable. I'll never even need the measly 5000lb towing capacity it has, but it's there. The big thing is space for people and/or stuff, a comfortable ride, and reasonable fuel economy is a bonus. It's just so damn expensive though.

My Rogue came back as a wash, so there wouldn't be any downpayment on a new Pathfinder which would end up costing $100 more a month than I'm paying now. He also came back with this "deal" of an 18,000 mile a year lease which would make the payments the same as what I'm paying. While the thought of getting new cars does sound good (I haven't yet been one to drive cars into the ground like others) I just don't like the idea of basically long term renting a car.

 

[NutBucket]

Those buyback "deals" are always a gimmick...or at least almost always.

 

[rommelrommel]

If you need a SUV of that size most of the options are obvious. GM Lambda SUV's are dated as hell. Durango is an option. Explorer although it's also very expensive IMO. MDX/Pilot. Whatever the Kia/Hyundai mega sized SUV is. Mazda CX9. That's about it I think.

Of course, I'm surprised that no one has said minivan yet... if you have no real tow/off road needs they're the practical choice.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Wife and I are considering the 2013 pathfinder as well, though i seems we have a "need" for it more than you do (we'll be hauling 3 adults and 2 kids in car seats quite
frequently).

I've recently test driven all the non-luxury passenger SUV's, and my thoughts on the pathfinder are as follows:

The good:
1. Best interior by far
2. Good technology for the money
3. Really good gas mileage for the size
4. Most third row seat room and best third row access by far (especially if you have kids)
5. At the platinum trim level, its basically an Infinity JX.

Cons:
6. Par to sub par resale value (as compared to honda or toyota). This is an issue with Nissan in general. Not sure why, as our Murano has been an awesome vehicle.
7. Pricing on par with Honda or Toyota (higher tier pricing relative to Mazda, Kia, Hyundai)
8. Seem to be quite a bit of "kinks" that need to be worked out - there is a recall on the passenger airbag sensor, and the rear liftgate, and numerous owners are reporting issues with the CVT
9. 5000lb towing capacity with a CVT seems high. Not sure I would test it.

Other thoughts:

The pathfinder is definitely the "minivan" of 7 passenger SUVs. The whole car has been designed for minivan like comfort, without the minivan niceties like second row captains chairs. This may be a plus or a miinus for you.

Relative to the Honda Pilot, Toyoto Highlander, and Mazda CX 9, I rank the pathfinder as follows:

1. Best in overall comfort and interior finish
2. Best in mileage
3. Best in third row seat useability
4. 4th in reliability (primarily to due CVT and recall issues)
5. Second in driveability (behind the CX9)
6. 3rd in utility (behind honda and toyota)

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

I'd just get a mini van. I've taken those as many places as the old Pathfinders. Though you do have to know how to drive them, and the older minivans were better at off roading(90's dodge).

 

[gorcorps]

I don't want a minivan because they're even longer, which I don't need. I don't even need (or necessarily want) the length of the pathfinder, but I can't seem to get the width without getting the whole vehicle big so I have to deal with that. Plus I'm looking for AWD or 4x4 which I'm unsure if any vans actually offer.

I hear they're making the 2014 Rogue a bit wider on the interior, so I'll most likely just wait and see if it's wide enough for my needs.

 

[rommelrommel]

Sienna has AWD.

 

[ND40oz]

I don't want a minivan because they're even longer, which I don't need. I don't even need (or necessarily want) the length of the pathfinder, but I can't seem to get the width without getting the whole vehicle big so I have to deal with that. Plus I'm looking for AWD or 4x4 which I'm unsure if any vans actually offer.

I hear they're making the 2014 Rogue a bit wider on the interior, so I'll most likely just wait and see if it's wide enough for my needs.

How wide are you looking for, does it need to carry something of a certain size in the rear or are you looking for a certain amount of front seat space?

 

[NutBucket]

Uh, Pathfinder is 197" long. Most minivans are within 6" of that or so.

 

[vi edit]

N/M read that wrong. Sorry.

 

[gorcorps]

How wide are you looking for, does it need to carry something of a certain size in the rear or are you looking for a certain amount of front seat space?

Front seat space is nice, but basically I want to fit 4 people with 4 full length rifle/shotgun cases in the back. They're about the length of a full golf bag.