scott65
- Jul 26, 2007 9:52 am
(#3 Total: 22)
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Agreed on the Pathfinder Karl. However I find the new Frontier to be quite a capable truck.
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L.A. CA United States of America |
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I glanced briefly at the dial on the dash that controls the drivetrain, and confirmed it was in "2 High" when I pulled out of the garage (no need to waste expensive gas on my PCH commute home by having it anywhere else). I also remember seeing several other notches, and if there's a "high" designation there must be a "low."
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flicmod
- Jul 26, 2007 10:13 am
(#5 Total: 22)
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I find the Pathfinder to be appealing both mechanically and aesthetically. I could care less about how it handled or felt on the road. Going into a purchase like that, I wouldn't expect it to have above average on-road attributes. It's a truck to begin with. If it felt good on-road, well, that's just an added bonus.
Plus, I love the new styling they gave it. I think it looks better than previous stylings.
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I guess Nissan figures it can give its trucks trucky styling now that it has a line of good looking crossovers. But I think the XTerra crowds the Pathfinder.
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iskch
- Jul 26, 2007 11:48 am
(#7 Total: 22)
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Agree, Karl. The Pathfinder lost its way changing back to the truck platform. Now is competing with the Xterra. Looks kinda of bland.
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rick8365
- Jul 26, 2007 12:09 pm
(#8 Total: 22)
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I like the new styling as well - I think it ties in better with the original Hardbody Pathfinder, which was a pretty butch design. But, I don't think it needed the 8 from the Titan when the 270 HP VQ has plenty of punch for this size truck.
We had a '03 V8 4Runner - the 4.7 made about 235 HP and was a good match for the vehicle and sounded good too. However, the driving dynamics left a little to be desired - not horrible, but slow reacting / sloppy / spongy brakes. I have an '06 Frontier KC Nismo with the VQ and a 6spd....a big of difference between how it drives compared to the 4Runner and I would guess the current V6 Pathfinder isn't too much off of my Frontier. I don't think I'd make out too well autocrossing with it but its handling is tight and controlled. And, though it's not perfect, it is built like a brick poop house - I can say after extensive comparisons with other midsized trucks that the Frontier is in its own league. Ford's Explorer and Explorer based SportTrac are light weights IMO - very car like, more like crossovers than true SUV and truck. There is nothing wrong with that for many buyers I'm sure, but I think if you want a capable truck based SUV or a solid midsize PU, these Nissans are hard to beat.
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I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Murano as Nissan's "nice" SUV - that's probably why they butched up the Pathfinder. It's like Toyota with the Highlander and 4Runner: Rounded, smooth styling for the crossover; blockier, more macho styling for the off-roader.
Though the previous model had a lightness and subtlety to its styling, the current exterior of the Pathfinder is fine. It's the interiors of the Nissan trucks that need a little help!
Isn't the Explorer going to be on a unibody platform in its next iteration as well? (doesn't make sense since they have the Taurus X, Edge and upcoming Flex as 5-8 passenger car-based crossovers...but that's another post entirely!)
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Yeah I'd also take an Explorer over the Pathfinder unless I was going offroad, the Explorer looks better inside and out to me. But if it was between Jeep GC, 4 Runner and Pathfinder, then Pathfinder all the way. The Trailblazer doesn't even compete in this segment anymore, sadly. I think the Hummer H3 is meant to be GM representative in this class until a new Trailblazer and Envoy come out.
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alpha01
- Jul 26, 2007 1:21 pm
(#11 Total: 22)
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Cincinnati OH
Central NJ/New Brunswick Area NJ (originally) |
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Wait, why doesn't the Trailblazer compete in this segment? And I believe the 4Runner V8 is thankfully now more competitive, at 260 horses and 300+ lb.ft.
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The Trailblazer can't even begin to hope to compete (although it is in the same "class") with it's outdated looks and outdated interior along with poor driving dynamics. Although I am a GM fan, I don't think I would go with a Trailblazer over a Pathfinder. For that matter I have never really liked the Pathfinder either. Once the Xterra came into play, I always wondered what the Pathfinder's role was and especially now that the Murano is also in Nissan's line up...
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Although I don't like the interior (rumor has it that the 08 will be demonstrably better), the Jeep GC is the best package.
Yes the V6 is a little crude and the transmission is nothing fancy, but the size, handling and styling hit the spot. The new 4.7 V8 is supposed to be near 300 horses in 08 and have better MPG than the current V6.
I know that it is not necessarily reliable. But it is the best looking and the most user friendly size. (And I don't need a third row seat with our minivan)
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alpha,
They did bump up the HP from the 4.7 a couple of years in - I drove a Tundra with it and it was quick..
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aspade
- Jul 26, 2007 4:09 pm
(#15 Total: 22)
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The upright, blocky styling gives a lot of room inside. Of course they largely wasted it by putting in 3 increasingly cramped rows instead of two roomy ones, but it'd be even worse if they rounded the corners in 6" besides.
I like the Pathfinder, some trucks should stay trucks.
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The thing that i hate is that the exterior is almost the same with the Xterra and Xterras are everywhere. I'm still hoping that Nissan will build the Patrol in the US.
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I can't comment about the driving dynamics but I do like the styling and the idea that it is a real truck!
nikond80, I fully agree with you! I don't know why Nissan are not building the Patrol in the US. I prefer it far more to the ugly Armada!
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Albemarle County, VA United States of America |
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I dunno; why have both the Pathfinder AND the Xterra, when the two aren't really all that different (same platform, same dashboard, etc.). That reverse C-pillar on the Pathfinder though should have been left behind with the 1958 model year!
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Why can't the Trailblazer compete?? Maybe because it is 5 years old, doesnt have a third row anymore, has a bad interior, and outdated looks? Is that enough alpha?
The Patrol would be really cool to have in the US, in the Middle East, the Pathinder, Armada and Patrol are all sold, but the Patrol sells the best.
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Ellicott City MD United States of America |
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210delray
The Pathfinder seats 7 (more or less...), while the Xterra seats 5.
Besides that, they're really aimed at different buyers. The Pathfinder is more family oriented and more comfortable, whereas the Xterra is much more basic, and aimed more at younger singles or couples.
Also the Pathfinder has a much more sophisticated IRS, whereas the Xterra has a much cheaper and harder riding leaf spring rear suspension.
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The 2008 V8 Pathfinder (a mid-size SUV) sure has awful gas mileage when compared to the full size Tahoe, Expedition, and even the Armada:
2008 EPA MPG Ratings (V8 / 2WD models):
Nissan Pathfinder 13/18
Chevy Trailblazer 14/20
Ford Explorer 13/20
Nissan Armada 12/18
Chevy Tahoe 14/20
Ford Expedition 12/18
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:-O...that's atrocious!
However, I found it suspicious that you omitted the V6 model's fuel economy, which is 15/22, leading the vehicles you listed. It is however, less powerful and heavier than the Trailblazer, hurting it's performance.
What I find interesting is that the full-sized SUVs in general don't have much greater fuel consumption. How does one explain that? Especially the city numbers...
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