Considering a 2008 - 2011 Pathfinder
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 4:09 am
Hi All:
Thanks in advance for taking the time to read my post. I currently own a 2011 VW Jetta Sportwagen which will be bought back by VW in a couple of months due to the TDI diesel scandal (Dieselgate). I love my TDI and I just paid it off but it is time to move on back into an SUV, especially given the fact that VW is giving me $18k for a car that I bought for $25k and put 100k miles on.
As far as a replacement, I've always had jeeps and originally had my sights set on a 2014 Grand Cherokee Limited , but the more I think about it, I really don't want another car payment. I know jeeps well enough that I don't want to own one out of warranty. The 2014+ Grand Cherokee's can be bought used with a unlimited mileage lifetime warranty through fiat chrysler for $2600. But since I don't want another car payment for the next 6 years, I'm looking at other used SUVs. I originally started looking at Toyota 4Runners but found them to be way overpriced and usually with over 100k+ miles. I then found the Nissan Xterra. I drove an Xterra but at 6'4" I was too tall to fit comfortably. I loved the engine in the Xterra so I'm turning my attention to a used Pathfinder. I've done my fair share of reading on the forum and think I know enough about the SMOD issues to be careful. I've also read about the airlift recommendation and luckily I still have my airbags and compressor from the airlift kit I put in my old explorer (love that kit).
I'm looking to spend less than $12k on this next vehicle (so I can put $6k in the bank as a safety fund) but would prefer to buy a vehicle under 100k miles. Also I drive about 25k miles a year commuting in and out of Boston and out to clients from Maine/Vermont down to Philadelphia. My wife and I also go to the beach almost every weekend during the summer and have an oversand pass to some private beaches so 4wd and good ground clearance is a must. I can turn a wrench enough to tackle light projects (i.e. brakes, starters, alternators, spark plugs) but would prefer to not take on another project (I already have a wife and two young kids - which is another reason why I'm not touching an older jeep).
Given all of this information, is the Pathfinder the right vehicle for me? Any considerations I should make? Major maintenance items that I should be aware of?
Thanks in advance for taking the time to read my post. I currently own a 2011 VW Jetta Sportwagen which will be bought back by VW in a couple of months due to the TDI diesel scandal (Dieselgate). I love my TDI and I just paid it off but it is time to move on back into an SUV, especially given the fact that VW is giving me $18k for a car that I bought for $25k and put 100k miles on.
As far as a replacement, I've always had jeeps and originally had my sights set on a 2014 Grand Cherokee Limited , but the more I think about it, I really don't want another car payment. I know jeeps well enough that I don't want to own one out of warranty. The 2014+ Grand Cherokee's can be bought used with a unlimited mileage lifetime warranty through fiat chrysler for $2600. But since I don't want another car payment for the next 6 years, I'm looking at other used SUVs. I originally started looking at Toyota 4Runners but found them to be way overpriced and usually with over 100k+ miles. I then found the Nissan Xterra. I drove an Xterra but at 6'4" I was too tall to fit comfortably. I loved the engine in the Xterra so I'm turning my attention to a used Pathfinder. I've done my fair share of reading on the forum and think I know enough about the SMOD issues to be careful. I've also read about the airlift recommendation and luckily I still have my airbags and compressor from the airlift kit I put in my old explorer (love that kit).
I'm looking to spend less than $12k on this next vehicle (so I can put $6k in the bank as a safety fund) but would prefer to buy a vehicle under 100k miles. Also I drive about 25k miles a year commuting in and out of Boston and out to clients from Maine/Vermont down to Philadelphia. My wife and I also go to the beach almost every weekend during the summer and have an oversand pass to some private beaches so 4wd and good ground clearance is a must. I can turn a wrench enough to tackle light projects (i.e. brakes, starters, alternators, spark plugs) but would prefer to not take on another project (I already have a wife and two young kids - which is another reason why I'm not touching an older jeep).
Given all of this information, is the Pathfinder the right vehicle for me? Any considerations I should make? Major maintenance items that I should be aware of?