1998 Nissan Pathfinder LE 3.3 gas from North America
Summary:
Best bang for the buck so far
Faults:
Rear track bar bushings (all).
Stabilizer bar end links (all).
Steering rack bushings and boots.
Frozen drum brake adjuster (rear).
New battery.
Front brake pads.
Timing belt and camshaft seals.
Spark plugs.
Front strut.
Tightened steering rack (front shimmy) (TSB).
Fixed leaking cooling system.
Transmission flush and replaced fluid.
Added manual locking hubs.
Replaced front tires.
Front end alignment.
General Comments:
This was a distressed $300 truck that supposedly had bad head gaskets. It turns out the cooling system was leaking.
It was poorly maintained by a smoker who needed nicotine more than a functional vehicle.
All the repairs were normal wear and tear items for this vehicle.
It has been off-roaded by me and has performed well so far. It has the optional LSD.
Could use the 5-speed.
It drives near-new now.
There are no leaks.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 4th January, 2017
3rd Sep 2005, 20:30
Just want to update. At about 180000km mileage, the transmission blew up completely. The warranty people were disgustingly incompetent and cheap. They wanted us to get a used transmission of equal mileage, instead we got a rebuild kit, but had to pay the difference. The tranny shop we had to send it to were completely incompetent, and were so rude my mom got mad at one of the workers.
Interestingly, about a week after we got it back, the vehicle died while on the highway. We obviously thought it was the tranny and had it sent back to the shop. Turns out the computer somehow got loose and was melted on the engine. How does the computer get loose??? No, I don't think so. It's obvious that they either moved it by accident or that one employee did it on purpose. Either way it cost thousands to get it replaced, and we had to pay for it. The transmission has never been the same. It doesn't feel right and it makes odd noises. I don't trust it anymore and it will replaced ASAP.