Used 1997 Nissan Pathfinder SUV Consumer Reviews
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arob0505, 06/16/2014
1997 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4dr SUV
16 of 16 people found this review helpful
My father bought a 1997 Pathfinder LE loaded off the showroom in 1997. He was a traveling sales rep and he sold me the car in 2004 with 265k. I drove it until it had 310k and gave it to my little brother in law for his 16th birthday present. He drove it for another year and a half and traded it in on a new Scion. I absolutely loved how smooth the tranny shifted, how quiet the engine was and how roomy the interior was. I loved it so much that I am buying another 1997 SE in 2 days! I think it is one of the best and most underrated SUV's ever made. It eats the snow and dirt and never dies. GET ONE!!
great suv
bk, 10/14/2009
1997 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4dr SUV 4WD
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
I have owned 3 pathfinders along the way. First was a 1996 se, then went to a 2001 with the 3.5l and now I am back in a 1997. They all have been absolutely great vehicles! Never left me stranded anywhere, go through snow up to the bumpers, repairs are rare and they hold their value. The only complaint I had was going from my 1996 with 150,000 miles to the 2001 with 80,000 miles, I expected the same fuel mileage and was disappointed. A year later and I was back in the 1997 and regained some of the fuel mileage back again. This is a cant miss suv. Why pay thousands more for a 4 runner?
So far so good. Nice SUV with gas mileage like a car.
adspof, 04/08/2012
1997 Nissan Pathfinder XE 4dr SUV
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
Just bought it after selling my 1996 Ford Bronco which I loved but at 11 mpg was beginning to feel the pinch. So thought a stickshift 2 wheel drive Pathfinder would do the same as I don't 4x4 ever really. I like the lite but sturdy feel and I just feel like I am saving gas as I coast everywhere in nuetral 1/2 the time and use the gas the other 1/2 it seems. Only issues have been general maintenance stuff I guess, as never had to deal with on the Bronco. I have already had to to the front struts, carrier bearing at center of driveshaft, right side exhaust manifold (cracked), charcoal cannister, trailing arm bushings to stop "pathfinder death wobble". If paid a shop $2,000 so did on own.
Fairly Lucky Too!
Jim, 10/09/2008
1997 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4dr SUV 4WD
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
244,535 miles and she's still hummin'! I bought my 97 LE 4WD in 2001 with 71K on it; yes, I was concerned with that amt of mileage, but that was over 5 yrs (previous owner bought it new in 11/06). Whether I was climbing fire roads in GW forest or backroading from NoVA to P-burgh to see family, this vehicle was always up to the task. It moved me twice and the roof has held more than the rec 250lbs - not smart, worked in a pinch. My repair bills have been horrific, at times, but normal considering the miles I've put on it. I've done front brakes twice/rear once, pipe & muffler from the conv. back, rt-manifld, alt., belts- twice, 2nd batt, frt tires=3 sets, back=2, rear tail-lt and headlights way too often.
97 Nissan Pathfinder
grasshopper, 04/24/2002
1997 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4dr SUV 4WD
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
It's been a good vehicle. The only nits are mileage - but I knew about that going in - and cup holders. Oh, it has two cup holders in the front but one is basically useless. Other than that, it still looks good and the Bose CD is incredible. It also has a great, throaty roar that belies the fact that it is far from a race car.
Even more reliable than I am.
Cee.PerezGo, 05/22/2009
1997 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4dr SUV 4WD
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
This car has gotten me through thick and thin. I have been careless at times not changing the oil regularly but even so... it's still charging forward. I love to give her all she's got especially in parking lots, I feel like I'm flying a plane. I've had to replace the exhaust a couple of times as it rusts through as well as the runners. I have an oil leak in the engine but it's still going strong. A check engine light showed up about a week ago but my mechanic said it's nothing just a sensor near the fuel system. It's nothing important just related to the emissions. Otherwise a magnificent vehicle. Very comfortable as people always tend to fall asleep when they're driving with me.
Been a Great Car
Michelle Francis, 07/11/2004
1997 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4dr SUV 4WD
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I've owned a 1997 Pathfinder since 1997 and as a busy Realtor, I've put over 133,000 miles on it. The only major repair that has been done is a new timing chain put in back in 2003. GREAT VEHICLE -- my only hangup is how Nissan designs their cars to where only the dealership can fix it.
Great first car!
Ams, 10/25/2016
1997 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4dr SUV 4WD
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I honestly can't say enough great things about this car. I bought it when it only had 130,00 miles and I've put another 14,000 on it. It's sturdy, reliable and probably saved my life the other day after I hit some ice and went spinning across the highway and hit both sides of the guard rail. I honestly believe if I had been in anything smaller I would probably be sitting in a hospital right now. Even after hitting the guard rails there is no real damage to the vehicle expect for the lights, grill and bumper. I absolutely love this vehicle! I already dread having to get rid if it. If you want a safe, sturdy, reliable car a nissan pathfinder is the way to go 100%. The makers of this car did an amazing job designing it! Although the one downfall to the car is gas mileage, but for being as old as it is It does pretty good. A full tank of gas will last me about 260 miles.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Never Disappointed me
Mary516, 09/09/2004
1997 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4dr SUV 4WD
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Bought new, still going real strong 7 years & 130,000 miles later. Normal maintenance is all this Pathfinder has ever needed. Rides well, holds a lot. Gas mileage is consistent with if not better than other SUVs. Love the full size spare tire. Will drive this car till it dies, whenever that might be. Holds road really well in heavy rain or snow. Sometimes keeps 4WD engaged even after you don't want it, but it eventually goes back to normal by itself.
Japanese Quality???
maherjp, 04/18/2004
1997 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4dr SUV 4WD
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I had the thing in 3 times under warranty fixing o2 sensors. What do you know when it came out of warranty I was back in. Now I have to fix the throttle body. the mechanic says he has never seen it in 15 years...I guess I will be the only one complaining about that, but it stinks to be me. I know its old, but I have sunk well over $1,000 already and have an estimate for another $1,500. I won't ever buy an Nissan again and I think the maximas are awesome.
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