The Nissan Path

Looking to purchase my first R51 and I am curious as to the community's thoughts on my choices here. They aren't in any particular order and my wife and my two must haves are leather and 4x4. Is the Off Road package worth having it shipped to me?

1. 2006 SE Off Road
https://www.libertytoyotascion.com/used ... f5c85a.htm

2. 2008 LE
http://www.allright-autosales.com/2008- ... tails.aspx

3. 2008 SE
http://autosonlyinc.com/used-cars/carsu ... hfinder-SE

Thanks!

The Off-Road really doesn't add much that you can't add yourself. The '08 has some nice updates like the LCD screen, backup cam, BOSE, along with interior/exterior tweaks. Also, the '08+ are more reliable just due to them being around longer. Regardless, make sure you look closely at the radiators. There have been quite a few people show up here that just bought a Pathfinder and the transmission goes out soon after. If the prior owner had a radiator failure it likely damaged the transmission as well.

The Off-Road SE will give you more skid plates, Hill Assist and Hill Descent control, and Rancho shocks that aren't much better than the regular units. The LE model will give you leather, fake wood grain, and of most significance, a different transfer case; LE models have an "AUTO" mode transfer case, which is similar in function to GM's SmartTrak II system. It can sense and/or anticipated a slip and, using a wet clutch, transfer power to the front wheels for as long as needed. Non-LE models have the standard transfer case without that feature. For what it's worth, I get another 1-2 MPG from my 08 SE than I do with my 06 LE.

Thanks for the replies guys. I didn't think the Off Road offered too much special stuff in the grand scheme of things.

Skinny, I will definitely check our the radiator and probably bypass until I can replace (if it hasn't already).

Smj, do you think the MPG difference is the gearing change from 3.36 to the 3.13 or the transfer case? Whats your opinion on Nissan's auto mode?

I really can't say what the difference is that causes the gas mileage difference, but I would guess the gearing. As far as the transfer case, I prefer the AUTO mode. I leave it in AUTO pretty much all the time except when in deep snow when I switch it to 4WD HI. Both are really good in the snow.

i have the off road edition and have driven a normal 4x4 SE and can say the only thing that is useful is the hill assist and hill descent the skids it came with are not the best but i yet to change them out to aftermarket ones.
If off road is minor i would recommend the 2008 but the 2006 if its cheaper.

The factory skids are easy to add to a non SE-OR model and they aren't very expensive. I added them onto my LE model.

Smj999smj

where did buy the skids for your LE? How much were they?

I have the full set of stock skid plates in my garage, any one interested?
(Upgraded to steel a few years ago)

Go for the LE...it has plenty of creature comforts and is just as good as any of them off-road!

I got the skids and bolts through CourtesyParts.com.

The SE Off Road also came with 1†taller tires, P265/75R16 vs 70 on non OR. I wonder if there is any difference in the OR for the Speedo or not?

Swerve wrote:The SE Off Road also came with 1†taller tires, P265/75R16 vs 70 on non OR. I wonder if there is any difference in the OR for the Speedo or not?

The speedometer is the same, however, it is calibrated for the Off-road versions tire size (as all are), so it actually reads accurately.

smj999smj wrote:

Swerve wrote:The SE Off Road also came with 1†taller tires, P265/75R16 vs 70 on non OR. I wonder if there is any difference in the OR for the Speedo or not?

The speedometer is the same, however, it is calibrated for the Off-road versions tire size (as all are), so it actually reads accurately.

I’m stock 265/60r18 and thinking to step up to 65 mimicking the OR path. Can I calibrate my speedo? Or is that baked in at the factory?