Site Search
Print Page Setup Profile Login
You have 4 items in your shopping cart
Section Image

Pathfinder?

Submitted: Thursday, Aug 03, 2006 at 21:21

neilmartin

Hello
Im considering buying a Nissan Pathfinder, automatic turbo diesel to tow a 20ft caravan. Could somebody give me some feedback. thanks
Advertisement
ThreadID: 36425 Replies: 5
Views: 637 FollowUps: 11
This Thread has been Archived
Thread Summary
Thread Watch Back To Forum Alert Moderator FAQ
AnswerID: 187003   Submitted: Thursday, Aug 03, 2006 at 21:46

marq replied:

2.5L DT will sruggle with the load compared to larger diesels - particularly up hills

I believe a recent mag (overlander) compared a number of 4x4 and the new pathfinder slowed down alot compared to a number of others in it's class..

Reply 1 of 5
FollowupID: 444146   Submitted: Thursday, Aug 03, 2006 at 22:06

disco1942 posted:

Not so Marq - I travel with a friend who has one. It tows better than his older Patrol but does not climb hills as well as his gas 4.8 Patrol. It is a European styled vehicle so the motor performs than the Jap ones. My 2001 Disco with a 2.5L motor pulled better than his 3.0L Patrol. People reckon they are too light to control a heavy van - they are not they are nearly as heavy as a Patrol. Nissans ratings are superior to the Patrol - particularly for the auto.

The European inspired auto box is a much better than the Jap one.

PeterD
FollowUp 1 of 4
FollowupID: 444148   Submitted: Thursday, Aug 03, 2006 at 22:14

Member - Andrew W (VIC) posted:

I have to agree with Peter. i have the Navara 2.5 TD manual and tow a 2300 kg Scenic. Previous vehicle was a Jack petrol (2003), and previous to that a Patrol 4.2 Diesel. The Navara leaves them all for dead with the same van.
Its pulling power will amaze you. I drove from Melbourne to Sydeny on the Hume a couple of months ago and did most of the journey in 6th gear, with only the occasional need for 5th. - and all that at 17 l/100kms.
waddo
FollowUp 2 of 4
FollowupID: 444251   Submitted: Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 13:50

Julian posted:

Andrew W

Was that 17 litres per 100kms? That seems high. My Defender consistently does 10litres/110kms and it goes up to 11.5 with a float full of alpacas.

Cheers
FollowUp 3 of 4
FollowupID: 444281   Submitted: Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 15:12

marq posted:

OL mag:

Basically the Pathfinder 2.5L TD and Patrol 3L TD did about 60km/h up hill. Most others were 80km/h + (ie. Jeep GC 3L TD, Landcuiser TD, Pajero TD, etc) and the time taken from 0 - 100km/h is 8+ seconds slower than others.

I have see other articles where the Pathfinder 2.5L TD is slower than Pajero TD with 0-100km/h time testing etc.

But hey - what the hell do I know - I just referencing the mags.
FollowUp 4 of 4
AnswerID: 187004   Submitted: Thursday, Aug 03, 2006 at 21:55

Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators replied:

Hi Neil,

There is also talk around about the rear bearings failing as well as the Turbo overheating when towing a big van.

Do some more homework.

There is a chance of a new Prado V6 Turbo Diesel soon.

Regards Derek.
ABR - SIDEWINDERABR - SIDEWINDER
Business Member: My Profile
Reply 2 of 5
FollowupID: 444147   Submitted: Thursday, Aug 03, 2006 at 22:13

Muddy doe (SA) posted:

Wow Derek,

First I have heard of a V6 TD in the Prado being even mentioned!

Latest news is that Prado update to replace the venerable 1KZ-TE Turbo Diesel (I am happy with mine!) is a slightly upgraded version of the 4 cylinder D4D currently seen in Australia in the new Hilux.

What's the goss?

Muddy

Click Image to Enlarge
Playdoe GXL TD Manual with lots of MUD
FollowUp 1 of 7
FollowupID: 444151   Submitted: Thursday, Aug 03, 2006 at 22:19

Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators posted:

Don't know too much about it.

We sell a lot of dual battery kits to new Prado owners and they are the ones that have given me this feedback. I asume from sales staff ? or web searches ?

The Prado has dropped in price so they may be making way for something.

Fuel costs will be pushing this and the new V6 TD Jeep is biting into the market.

ABR - SIDEWINDERABR - SIDEWINDER
Business Member: My Profile
FollowUp 2 of 7
FollowupID: 444152   Submitted: Thursday, Aug 03, 2006 at 22:24

Member - Andrew W (VIC) posted:

Here we go again!!! Another rumour monger spreading the gospel - but this time someone in the business who really should know better than to pubicly show his ignorance and thus demean his reputation.
The Navara and i presume the Pathfinder have been recalled for a potential risk to the rear bearing due to incorrect fitting. There is not one case of it ever happening with Australian models (relaeased Nov 05), but something Nissan found out after they had been released 12 months earlier in Europe.
I also challenge Derek to name one case of Turbo problems 'when towing a big van' in Australia.
Having done 30,000 k in my 2.5 TD 10,000 towing a 2.5 tonne van I speak from experience, not rumour!!
waddo
FollowUp 3 of 7
FollowupID: 444153   Submitted: Thursday, Aug 03, 2006 at 22:24

Muddy doe (SA) posted:

Update due in Oct Nov this year so are starting to do deals on older ones. The current turbo diesel motor has been pretty much unchanged since 1996 save for introduction of Electronic Throttle control when they went from old shape (90 series) to new shape (120 series) in March 2003.

As you also point out, fuel prices are not doing the sales of 4WD's any favours!

Muddy

Click Image to Enlarge
Playdoe GXL TD Manual with lots of MUD
FollowUp 4 of 7
FollowupID: 444175   Submitted: Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 06:24

Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators posted:

Just answering a question.

The 'Rumour' is from guys just like you Waddo and many of these old guys are on the road all year.

They have nothing to gain by telling me nonsense.

ABR - SIDEWINDERABR - SIDEWINDER
Business Member: My Profile
FollowUp 5 of 7
FollowupID: 444238   Submitted: Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 13:22

donks1 posted:

don't worry about andrew, derek. he just seems to be one of these people with barely enough technical knowledge to fill the tank on his own. people like us who are in the trade with first hand experience aparrantly know nothing compared to him. Andrew, if you don't want to know the answer, don't ask the f#ing question
FollowUp 6 of 7
FollowupID: 444271   Submitted: Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 14:49

Member - Andrew W (VIC) posted:

Donks - sorry if i upset you but i thought having owned one for 30,000 kms would qualify as first hand experience!
Problem on here is it seems to be OK to knock a vehicle (whatever the make) but if you then support that vehicle you are classed as being an idiot - even more so if you own one of them!!
As regards not wanting to know the answer i have read my post a dozen times and can't see the f#ing question you are referring to.
Anyway - each to his own - i am happy with mine so i suppose at the end of the day that is all that counts.
waddo
FollowUp 7 of 7
AnswerID: 187012   Submitted: Thursday, Aug 03, 2006 at 23:01

nisso replied:

Have to agree with Waddo my 2.5 auto pathy handles our 19 foot van better then my 4.2 petrol patrol.The Navara's were called back for rear wheel bearings.The Pathfinders were recalled for a stearing rack bolt.( In Aus ) I'm very happy with mine Neil.Only has a little rattle from front passenger seat which i have to get looked at.
Reply 3 of 5
AnswerID: 187047   Submitted: Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 09:41

Gronk replied:

Nearly bought a Pathy diesel, but got a crdi Terracan. In a word- terrific! Don't believe any knockers of a terracan unless they have driven one.

But back to your Pathy, 403nm of torque is better than most of the opposition so towing 2ton will be a breeze!

Only thing didn't like was engine noise & lack of a limited slip diff in the rear.

Have you test driven the " others ". Always good to think you made the best choice after comparing apples with apples.
Reply 4 of 5
Activities Index
Sydney Eco Whale Watching Sydney Eco Whale Watching
Sydney - NSW
Experience seeing the majestic humpback whales up close as they pass Sydney's coastline.
Deluxe Safari 2- Bloomfield 4WD Safari Deluxe Safari 2- Bloomfield 4WD Safari
Cairns and Tropical North QLD - QLD
Departing daily from Port Douglas we explore one of the last true remaining rainforest wilderness ar
1 Hour Panorama Tour 1 Hour Panorama Tour
Gold Coast - QLD
The ultimate riding experience, from the sand to the hinterland, treat yourself to a genuine Harley
See Sydney and Beyond Attraction Pass 7 days See Sydney and Beyond Attraction Pass 7 days
Sydney - NSW
Attraction pass for Sydney. Over $900 worth of admission fees.
Book Now - Things To Do
AnswerID: 187061   Submitted: Friday, Aug 04, 2006 at 10:37

old mate replied:

Try the Pathfinder owners club website at www.pcoa.org.au.

There are plenty of R51 owners over there and they can give you the goods on what you need to know.
Reply 5 of 5