Specifically 1996-2004. Which MODEL YEAR would you recommend for rough riding our beautiful Nigerian roads. In terms of reliability, maintenance costs...in terms of parts costs and availability including frequency of replacements.

Thank you.
Also what are the things to watch out for when procuring one?

Cc
Nurey
Diportivo
Nissparts
Princetom1
Autopartz

If it would help. I am basically trying to compare the 3.3 V6 engine with the 3.5 engine

i would pick the 2001 to 2004 nissan pathfinder with 3.5L engine the mpg with the 3.0L and 3.3L is virtual same, but the ojukokoro that accompanies it is what i fall/fell in love with. The 2003 and 2004 special edition are very very expensive in Nigeria.

also the 3.5L has timing chain, which i prefer than timing belt. If you dont know the difference just by a Infiniti QX4 from 2000 upwards.

nurey:
i would pick the 2001 to 2004 nissan pathfinder with 3.5L engine the mpg with the 3.0L and 3.3L is virtual same, but the ojukokoro that accompanies it is what i fall/fell in love with. The 2003 and 2004 special edition are very very expensive in Nigeria.

also the 3.5L has timing chain, which i prefer than timing belt. If you dont know the difference just by a Infiniti QX4 from 2000 upwards.

But the belts are easier to replace than the chains?
Also I read that the 3.5 engine has a lot of unresolved issues

SmartchoicesNG:

But the belts are easier to replace than the chains?
Also I read that the 3.5 engine has a lot of unresolved issues

i have driven a timing chain before from Nissan, i have never known the 3.5L engine to have any issue, even the 3.4L of the 4runner cannot stand near it. Look around you the 3.5L has more presence than its predecessors its no brainer.

timing chain is better than belt, remember if a chain has stretched, it will give you known issues that can be easily known and the change interval is more, the only issue is wrong oil engine oil will reduce its life time, as for belt, if its non interference engine, you just hustle belt or use rope manage to nearest garage when it gives way, if its interference engine, you know you are in hot soup when it gives way.

nurey:


i have driven a timing chain before from Nissan, i have never known the 3.5L engine to have any issue, even the 3.4L of the 4runner cannot stand near it. Look around you the 3.5L has more presence than its predecessors its no brainer.

timing chain is better than belt, remember if a chain has stretched, it will give you known issues that can be easily known and the change interval is more, the only issue is wrong oil engine oil will reduce its life time, as for belt, if its non interference engine, you just hustle belt or use rope manage to nearest garage when it gives way, if its interference engine, you know you are in hot soup when it gives way.

Thanks. But from 2001-2004 which one would you recommend?

SmartchoicesNG:

Thanks. But from 2001-2004 which one would you recommend?

2004 special edition/platinum if you can find one and is within your budget

nurey:


2004 special edition/platinum if you can find one and is within your budget

Thanks.

nurey:


i have driven a timing chain before from Nissan, i have never known the 3.5L engine to have any issue, even the 3.4L of the 4runner cannot stand near it. Look around you the 3.5L has more presence than its predecessors its no brainer.

timing chain is better than belt, remember if a chain has stretched, it will give you known issues that can be easily known and the change interval is more, the only issue is wrong oil engine oil will reduce its life time, as for belt, if its non interference engine, you just hustle belt or use rope manage to nearest garage when it gives way, if its interference engine, you know you are in hot soup when it gives way.

Nope!! The 3.4L on the 3rd generation 4runner will kill Nissan's 3.5L V6 anytime, anyday, anywhere.

Kufie:


Nope!! The 3.4L on the 3rd generation 4runner will kill Nissan's 3.5L V6 anytime, anyday, anywhere.

The 3.5 engine is prone to overheating destruction

Bros don't buy 3.5 buy 3.0 and 2002, 2003 is my chose for u. Pls learn from my mistakes with nissan

princemillla:
Bros don't buy 3.5 buy 3.0 and 2002, 2003 is my chose for u. Pls learn from my mistakes with nissan

which one be 3.0 for 2002 model

na 1995 model dey get the 3.0

btw,theres absolutely nothing wrong with the 3.5l engine....

diportivo:



which one be 3.0 for 2002 model

na 1995 model dey get the 3.0

btw,theres absolutely nothing wrong with the 3.5l engine....

Thanks for the correction.... My inherited hatred for nissan this hen, the pathfinder 3.5 is still OK but don't try 4.0 my take

princemillla:


Thanks for the correction.... My inherited hatred for nissan this hen, the pathfinder 3.5 is still OK but don't try 4.0 my take

the 4.0L engine is as reliable as can be whether its V6 or V8, no shaking. I know for a fact the 2006 pathfinder is a very strong car engine or whatever.

whats with over heating damaging car, i dont get, most cars from 2000 upwards have aluminium engine no more steel, so i dont get what people mean by over heating oyinbo use am for 15years, why should it be any different down here

nurey:


the 4.0L engine is as reliable as can be whether its V6 or V8, no shaking. I know for a fact the 2006 pathfinder is a very strong car engine or whatever.

whats with over heating damaging car, i dont get, most cars from 2000 upwards have aluminium engine no more steel, so i dont get what people mean by over heating oyinbo use am for 15years, why should it be any different down here

the 4.0l v6, is a shitty engine. Camshaft sensor problem infested engine, timing chain rail guide problem, timing chain idlers and tension problem, radiator coolant mixing with atf problem. A whole lot is wrong with VQ40DE.

princemillla:


Thanks for the correction.... My inherited hatred for nissan this hen, the pathfinder 3.5 is still OK but don't try 4.0 my take

you're right bro. The VQ35DE is the best engine produced by Nissan till date IMHO.

kingreign:


the 4.0l v6, is a shitty engine. Camshaft sensor problem infested engine, timing chain rail guide problem, timing chain idlers and tension problem, radiator coolant mixing with atf problem. A whole lot is wrong with VQ40DE.

the bolded was the only major problem i know about the engine but the by pass worked wonders for the engine and it was only for a particular year 05 to 06 model or so. Still doesnt mean the truck isnt reliable

nurey:


the bolded was the only major problem i know about the engine but the by pass worked wonders for the engine and it was only for a particular year 05 to 06 model or so. Still doesnt mean the truck isnt reliable

believe me, there were alot wrong. Read up problems of VQ40DE.

kingreign:


the 4.0l v6, is a shitty engine. Camshaft sensor problem infested engine, timing chain rail guide problem, timing chain idlers and tension problem, radiator coolant mixing with atf problem. A whole lot is wrong with VQ40DE.

Nurey is this what you were comparing with Audi?
Now take this..

Nissan Pathfinder 1999 model with 3.3 litre engine is a wonderful car & hardly gives issues. It uses the same engine with Nissan Xterra 2002 & 2003 model. The only issue is the fuel consumption which is expected of a V6 Engine. Another common problem I noticed in the 3.3 litres engine is the timing belt which doesn't last very very long before it cuts. Also the ignition can fail without notice thereby leaving u stranded. These issues were also confirmed by some mechanics as well as some other users of the 3.3 litres Engine.
But apart from the above, they are Good to Go.

ray48:
Nissan Pathfinder 1999 model with 3.3 litre engine is a wonderful car & hardly gives issues. It uses the same engine with Nissan Xterra 2002 & 2003 model. The only issue is the fuel consumption which is expected of a V6 Engine. Another common problem I noticed in the 3.3 litres engine is the timing belt which doesn't last very very long before it cuts. Also the ignition can fail without notice thereby leaving u stranded. These issues were also confirmed by some mechanics as well as some other users of the 3.3 litres Engine.
But apart from the above, they are Good to Go.

Timing belt does it spend up to 6 months?
What components fail in the ignition?

SmartchoicesNG:


Timing belt does it spend up to 6 months?
What components fail in the ignition?

The timing belt from my own experience lasts for an average of two years or so.
The ignition that fails is is the round black component in the engine where all the plug wires meet. I guess it's called the ignition cos that's what the mechanics made me to believe it is.

Distribution coil

ray48:


The timing belt from my own experience lasts for an average of two years or so.
The ignition that fails is is the round black component in the engine where all the plug wires meet. I guess it's called the ignition cos that's what the mechanics made me to believe it is.

kingreign:
Distribution coil

I am beginning to like this truck.

ray48:


The timing belt from my own experience lasts for an average of two years or so.
The ignition that fails is is the round black component in the engine where all the plug wires meet. I guess it's called the ignition cos that's what the mechanics made me to believe it is.

Then car is pretty reliable.

SmartchoicesNG:

Nurey is this what you were comparing with Audi?
Now take this..

Did a Striker just fall on him?

EgunMogaji:


Did Striker just fall on him?

Copyrighted by thee sir

kingreign:
Distribution coil

Kingreign what do you have against the 99/2000 pathy?

SmartchoicesNG:

Kingreign what do you have against the 99/2000 pathy?

am in your shoe sir base on decision

i just moved to a new area with absolute bad road.. am looking for something rugged though tight budget....

currently using a golf 3 but wont stand that road. let me know when u make a decision sir

twinskenny:


am in your shoe sir base on decision

i just moved to a new area with absolute bad road.. am looking for something rugged though tight budget....

currently using a golf 3 but wont stand that road. let me know when u make a decision sir

Xterra pathy or 4runner
Cc
Egunmogaji
Nurey
Diportivo
Come and enlighten us more. For me I stand with the 99/2000 pathy or at worst an xterra. Roads in my zone are becoming like a hunting trail day by day

SmartchoicesNG:

Xterra pathy or 4runner
Cc
Egunmogaji
Nurey
Diportivo
Come and enlighten us more. For me I stand with the 99/2000 pathy or at worst an xterra. Roads in my zone are becoming like a hunting trail day by day

I enjoy navigating the roads to my site. I pay $25 dollars per day to enjoy such a road here in the USA

Anyways, my choice was a MY02 Toyota 4Runner 4WD. The only option was the model year.

Please how much does this pathfinder cost ?