Home› Main Category› Clubhouse
I got a new(er) set of wheels!
About a month ago, I bought a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder SE. I've been wanting a new rig for camping and other trips in the mountains and I've been a Nissan fan for a long time so this was a natural fit. This one has the 3.5 V6 with 240 hp, manual transmission, limited slip rear diff. I think I got it for a steal at $3200! Since buying it, I've spent a few hundred dollars replacing every fluid in it as well as plugs and filters. I also had a set of Hankook Dynapro ATM tires in 245/75R-16, I really like the tires and this size fits the pathfinder perfectly. Next steps are a full set of skid plates, a small Old Man Emu lift, and rock sliders. It's not going to get heavy offroading but I want the vitals protected from those hidden rocks that jump out of knowhere.
We've taken one road trip down to Albequerque for the hot air balloon fiesta and it did great. I still have my Frontier but that is getting retired from road duty and will be used mostly for firewood and other hauling.
[IMG][/img]
We've taken one road trip down to Albequerque for the hot air balloon fiesta and it did great. I still have my Frontier but that is getting retired from road duty and will be used mostly for firewood and other hauling.
[IMG][/img]
Replies
Dad 5-31-13
The manual was an absolute must for both me and Ana. She's just as fond of the new rig as I am.
Smart to do some preventive maintenance on it, some care will give you many more years from it.
Words of wisdom from Big Chief: Flush twice, it's a long way to the Mess Hall
I'd rather have my sister work in a whorehouse than own another Taurus!
I hear ya - same here with my wife and myself. Its getting harder to get a car with a manual - even when one is supposedly "available".
Actually, they switched to unibody in 1996 with the R50 model which ran until 2005 when the R51 was released. These SUVs were quite overbuilt in a lot of ways. The Pathfinder benefitted from being built to a higher standard than it otherwise would have been since it was the platform for the Infinity QX4 luxury SUV. The motor is the VQ35DE which is the same motor as in the 350Z, just tuned for truck use. The rear axle is stronger than a Ford 9 inch and coil spring suspension front and rear makes for a much better ride than the previous generation which used torsion bars. One of my favorite design features is the fuel pump access panel under the back seat. No need to remove the fuel tank to change a pump or sending unit.
Have to have a grey suv to live in CO;)
(had this conversation with MHS)
Should be a good vehicle on and off the road.
It took me a good while to find this one. My must haves were a manual transmission and that it was any color BUT black. My Frontier is black and my previous Pathfinder was as well, they are both miserable in the CO sun! I was hoping to find a Pathfinder in white but this one surfaced and I jumped on it. I will be having the front windows tinted to match the rear glass. My Frontier has very dark tint, 20% I think. It really helps.
James Dean figured that one out....... once. :yikes:
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
"Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, and speed is the economy of motion" - Scott Jedlinski
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
"Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, and speed is the economy of motion" - Scott Jedlinski
I agree completely! 2005 seems to be when things started going downhill in general build quality.
My brother had a 2005 Tacoma double cab that we installed an OME kit on. It was well engineered and pretty easy to install. The suspension rode really well, especially on washboard roads. We also installed an ARB bumper and Warn winch at the same time, that was a slick truck. That whole experience sold me on their products, especially with the ability to spec the spring rate you want for your truck. I plan on running the 1.75" medium duty lift springs since I will be adding some weight to the truck and will be towing a camper from time to time. I will probably go with KYB shocks, though. They perform really well and cost about half the price of the OME shocks.
I had a dark grey 1989 Toyota Camry wagon back in the late 90s. The front end of it got crunched driving through Boston by a guy who never say me. That was a great car, it too was a 5 speed and had the 2.0 liter motor from the Celica GTS. It was a great highway cruise missile.
THIS^^^^ 20 degrees outside and the sun still bakes you inside. I don't understand how people drive without tint here, even then when the sun is blaring down it gets uncomfortably hot. Nothing like running the AC in the car when its 12 degrees outside lol
I've skied at Vail in 15 degrees while wearing a t shirt. A mile plus less atmosphere between you and the sun makes more of a difference than one might think.