Pathfinder R51

[brougham]

The missus needs a new car as her Territory AWD is 5yrs old and starting to get long in the tooth. Been an awesome family car, but it needs a freshen up now.

Been looking at moving into a 7-seated and maybe a 4x4 for her (in case my D2a plays up...), but she doesn't like the big size of Prado/Pajero/etc

The Pathfinders seem quite good value for money at the moment. True 4x4, 7 seats, 3T towing, nice Diesel engine. Lots of aftermarket and ARB goodies for them too.

There's a new model coming out later this year but its becoming just an SUV and not a 4x4 anymore.

Anyone got opinions/reviews of them? It's mainly to be a family car with some camper trailer towing and light 4x4 work (beach).

[newlandyowner]

I know they arent a 4x4, but have you looked at the Santa Fe diesel?

We have the 2007 V6 petrol and its perfect for the Mrs, decent size and is packed with more safety features and gadgets than Klugers, Territories etc. It has something like 11 air bags!

Its on 18 inch rims (factory standard ) so it sits nice and high, easy to get in and out of, leather seats, electronic seats, cooler box etc.

If your only after a car for the Mrs I'd be checking them out.

[brougham]

Nah want a 4x4 as I'm contemplating selling the D2a

[BigJon]

Been looking at moving into a 7-seated and maybe a 4x4 for her (in case my D2a plays up...), but she doesn't like the big size of Prado/Pajero/etc



How is a Pathfinder any smaller than a Prado, Pajero, etc? Just did a quick search, the Pathfinder is 100mm longer than the Pajero or Prado.

[Corgie Carrier]

I read a review on one about 12 months ago and they said it was a good 4x4 but when you hooked up a trailer it was scary. Apparently they are not very stable with a load behind them and they only had about 2T. I would hate to try 3T.

What is wrong with a defender or another disco 3/4?

Neale

[gromit]

I run a diesel SZ Territory and the wife has my old SY petrol.
We need a 7-seater with child restraints in the 3rd row and there isn't anything out there unless you go to a people carrier.
The SY is over 5 years old and I'm changing suspension bushes, diff bushes etc. so I can understand why you want to move on....

A mate switched from a Terri to a Pathfinder (old version) and he said it was like driving a work ute. Clunky and none of the nice features of the Territory. The old Pathfinder had the 3rd row restraints but they dissapeared in the new version.

The Terri has no ground clearance so not much use off-road or on the beach. The Terri diesel (TDV6) is a great motor and in the AWD the tow capacity is 2.7 tonnes. There are a few issues but overall a great on-road/gravel-road vehicle.

Best of luck finding something.


Colin

[Rohan]

My mum & dad have one, and they both love it. Just got back from towing a jayco penguin (?) anti-clockwise up the middle, around the west & back to Melbourne. No drama towing at all, although the van wasn't very heavy. I think they averaged under 11l/100km, diesel + manual.
Mum loves driving it (she's 70) and has no problems with the size.
Would be pretty good off road I think but they're not that keen to venture too far these days.
Cheers.
Rohan.

[brougham]

The territory is nice but crap at anything except gravel roads and even then it'll rattle and squeak like a nightmare.

The missus doesn't want a LR for her car as we've always had reliability issue and thus I won't buy an old D3 and the budget doesn't stretch to a D4. Don't even start on a Defender. Not a chance with the missus.

The Pathfinder feels smaller than a Prado or Pajero and def easier to park in carparks which is a big thing for the wife as she's in them a lot.

I've got a Ghia AWD and drove a new Pathy and I reckon the drive is just as good. The Territory is slightly more car like but the Pathy is still a good ride. Much nicer than the Prado/Pajero ride.

I've towed with the Territory and its been okay, but the AWD kills it. Plus the cost of the new Titaniums is stupid IMO.

[Landover]

We went through the same thing when updating the Holden frontera. The Pathfinder was a similar size but really did not impress us. We like the D3 but at the time was out of our budget for a car out of warranty. We ended up with a new NT Pajero Diesel with 10 year warranty. It drives like a smaller car with great fuel economy as well. The misses loves driving it. It tows anything I throw as it with ease and don't even know the Van or boat is on the back.

[ramblingboy42]

yeah, I'd say go the Pajero, I drive all the 4wd's in my job mostly as tow vehicles fully loaded to all up weight with a ton or more of ewp behind on tandem trailer and the Pajero is definitely the better of the crop of 4wd's to do it with.....that 2.8 turbo diesel seems to have more guts than the v8 cruiser and is more economical by far. Unfortunately I havent done the same job in a Land Rover because no one out here will use them. I wonder why?

[brougham]

I think you all missed the fact that my missus doesn't want a prado/Pajero sized car, rather something a bit smaller, thus the interest in the Pathfinder.

[ramblingboy42]

Pathfinder isnt smaller.................

[brougham]

It is slightly (checked specs), but its also the feel and drive of it as well.

[Landover]

It is slightly (checked specs), but its also the feel and drive of it as well.

Sounds like you have answer your own question. If she likes it and doesn't want other options then go for it. Got to keep her happy after all. Happy wife Happy life.

Does not hurt to test drive a few options though.

[bully130]

have a look at he Mitsubishi Challenger
Just bought one for the wife to tow her horse float
we looked at the pathfinder and found it did not comperer as it was dearer and did not have the features
Two of the main buy points for us was the 10/5 years waranty and the room for the passengers as it was easier to get in and out of the rear seat as my eldest girl is 6'
we got one with all the fruit and sill cost less than the base model pathfinder
cheers
Ian

[minibloodhound]

My mums had one for the last 6-7 years and loves it. She is in her 60s and has towed her campo magic camper through the centre a few times and up to the Kimberley with not a single thing having gone wrong with the car.
I haven't driven the 550nm one, but hers gets along fairly well.

[brougham]

have a look at he Mitsubishi Challenger

Cheers, will do. Similar sized to the Pathy so might be worth a look.