What would NC4X4 Do?

Which Vehicle?

  • 2004 Nissan Pathfinder

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • 2003 Toyota 4Runner

    Votes: 10 100.0%

  • 2003 Toyota 4Runner LTD

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    10

andrewlail76

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2006
Location
Hickory, NC
Hello all!
I haven't been here in forever, and I wanted to step back in to get some opinions. So, when I was last here, I had a 1992 Mazda B2600i 4x4. It has long since been gone. Man I miss that truck.

Anyway, I am now in the market for a daily driver that would also be a 4x4. This is where I'm coming to you guys for advice. I have researched both to death, and I think I know all of the ins and outs of both.

So my 2 vehicles that I am looking at getting:

#1 - 2004 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4x4 - 131,600 miles and bone stock

#2 - 2003 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V8 4x4 - 245,000 miles. It has Toyotech coilover lift kit in the front. It does sit level, so none of that "dog dragging its @ss" look. It's currently riding on some terrible 20" wheels. They have the stock wheels that they will put back on it. I've also told them they can keep the subwoofer and amp.

I am intentionally not listing the price of either one just because that's a portion that keeps blurring my judgement as well. Keep in mind that I am not planning on going trail riding. I want to have it as a daily driver and occasionally pull our boat (16' Astroglass). I want to have a comfortable ride on the road. I had thought about getting another Honda Pilot or Acura MDX, but I really want a vehicle that I can actually shift into and out of 4x4 mode.

Help me out guys!
WWNC4X4D?
 
Have you considered a slightly newer Pathy to get into the 3rd gen? Wife has an '08 LE w/ nearly 200k miles and it has been great. The difference in space between it and the older gen is night and day, and the HP of the 4.0 is better than the old 3.6, and I can't imagine there would be much of a price difference.

That said, if it's between those two I'd go w/ the 4runner, its a lot more "truck" for your money with better aftermarket support, DIY videos, community etc for any problems.
 
I looked at a 2009 Xterra and it just was a rough ride. Also, the fear of the strawberry milkshake of death with those things. I really like the idea of a low miles vehicle too. I know those v8s will go a million miles (I had an 04 Tundra 4-door, but was 2wd), but the motor and transmission in that Pathfinder is also super solid from everything I've read. Again, I'm looking for it as a daily driver, and not looking to "trail ride" in it. I want a smooth ride. I'm getting too old I guess.
 
andrewlail76 said:
I looked at a 2009 Xterra and it just was a rough ride. Also, the fear of the strawberry milkshake of death with those things. I really like the idea of a low miles vehicle too. I know those v8s will go a million miles (I had an 04 Tundra 4-door, but was 2wd), but the motor and transmission in that Pathfinder is also super solid from everything I've read. Again, I'm looking for it as a daily driver, and not looking to "trail ride" in it. I want a smooth ride. I'm getting too old I guess.
Click to expand...
The strawberry milkshake thing is overblown by now IMO. It was a problem with select radiators, and you can easily tell if the one you are looking at is a liability or not by looking at the serial number on it right on the top.
It was an issue with some models for a few years made... 10-15 years ago. All the ones that were gonna fail have failed already and been replaced.
Our Pathfinder rides more like a car than a truck. IFS and IRS.
 
Not much to add, but I made a nice spreadsheet that might be somewhat helpful in an old thread:
And I recall the 05+ 4runners being superior for some reason when we were looking. Also, a 4.0v6 4runner drives sportier than the 4.7v8, and they have comparable power output, so don't limit yourself to v8 4runners.
 
andrewlail76 said:
I want a smooth ride. I'm getting too old I guess.
Click to expand...

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1994 Cadillac Fleetwood 66k Miles One Family Owned Garage Kept Fully Loaded | eBay

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LT1 V8

Smooth riding Caddy.jpg



I voted 4Runner though.

I seriously do want one a 1993-1996 Fleetwood though.
 
Last edited:
i have an 99 Nissan truck and have had an 03. that said i got them because i couldnt justify the extra cost of a extremely similar toyota. but the toyotas will hold their value alot better, and like others have said you can pretty much rebuild a whole toyota from watching you tube.

also every mechanic friend i know hates nissans even though both my trucks have been fairly easy for even stupid me to work on.
 
I really thought the mileage on the Pathfinder would sway opinion...
Am I wrong about the # of miles being a deciding factor along with price?

So the Pathfinder, asking prince is $5900 and the 4Runner, the firm price is $7500.
I did find another 4Runner, V8, Limited, with 261K, with an asking price of $6200 and it is all stock.
 
In my opinion, at the age of vehicles you are looking at, the condition of the vehicle is more important than the mileage. 15-20 year old vehicles have reached the point where the rubber and plastic stuff starts to crack/break/dryrot, and mechanical failures can occur due to lack of usage just as much as excess mileage.
 
andrewlail76 said:
I really thought the mileage on the Pathfinder would sway opinion...
Am I wrong about the # of miles being a deciding factor along with price?

So the Pathfinder, asking prince is $5900 and the 4Runner, the firm price is $7500.
I did find another 4Runner, V8, Limited, with 261K, with an asking price of $6200 and it is all stock.
Click to expand...

I would be tempted to go for the stock 4Runner because terrible 20" wheels, an amp and sub scream 'not properly maintained' to me.
 
I had the exact same thoughts. I was told it's been in their family since new...however...the last driver would have been a high school kid.

Most likely leaning to the one with 261K (timing belt was changed at 187K) or the Pathfinder

Everyone here has me leaning to the 4Runner while I was thinking the Pathfinder probably would be more "comfy" and less 4x4-like
 
jeepinmatt said:
In my opinion, at the age of vehicles you are looking at, the condition of the vehicle is more important than the mileage. 15-20 year old vehicles have reached the point where the rubber and plastic stuff starts to crack/break/dryrot, and mechanical failures can occur due to lack of usage just as much as excess mileage.
Click to expand...
I agree.
The Pathfinder looks like a vehicle with 131K...
The 4Runners look like vehicles with over 240K.

In saying that...I mean the Pathfinder looks to be in better shape, but the devil will be in the details of looking in it, under it, and through it.
 
andrewlail76 said:
I had the exact same thoughts. I was told it's been in their family since new...however...the last driver would have been a high school kid.

Most likely leaning to the one with 261K (timing belt was changed at 187K) or the Pathfinder

Everyone here has me leaning to the 4Runner while I was thinking the Pathfinder probably would be more "comfy" and less 4x4-like
Click to expand...
Have you priced vehicle newer by a few years?

There's a point at which price kind of flatlines, in most vehicles its around 10 years. There are around or past that.
Like I said we only paid $5k for an '08 Pathfinder 4 years ago. I know prices are high right now, and inflation is a thing but if it's a DD and mileage bothers you, why not look.
If you're not concerned with a specific feature or model or something, I'm not sure why you would want an older vehicle.
 
Go with the 4runner because even with 412k miles on em they are worth $7k :eek:
greenville.craigslist.org

2006 Toyota 4Runner "SR5" - cars & trucks - by dealer - vehicle...

CHERRY MOTORS HAS A VERY VERY NICE 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 'SR5'. 4X4. 'SPORT EDITION'. THIS 4RUNNER IS AS GOOD AS THEY COME. DRIVES AND HANDLES LIKE ITS NEW. KEYLESS ENTRY, POWER WINDOWS AND DOOR...
greenville.craigslist.org
 
I had actually seen this one...

How often do you guys change your timing belt? The one I'm leaning to had the timing belt done at a Toyota dealership at 187K. It's at 261k now.
 
Just an FYI update...
The Pathfinder and the 4Runner...both were pretty rough. Granted, I'm not looking for a "showroom" vehicle with what I want to spend, but there are some things that should be reasonable looking. These 2...they weren't
 
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