Used 2003 Nissan Pathfinder Consumer Reviews
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2003 LE 4x4 Pathfinder
I love the interior compared to the other SUVS I looked at- Every extra Accesory is on this SUV. I love the interior, the drive, the Color(crystal Blue Metallic) The Stereo is awesome, the heated seats are wonderful. I love the stereo knobs on the steering wheel! Its peppy and drives like a car- Its easy to get into and out of. I also like the reclining back seats.
95% Manufactured in Japan...
My first SUV.Had Legends b4 this, but I need the space since I tow offroad. It was Pathy OR 4runner, Toyota didn't move on price SO got Pathy for $7000 off MSRP. Overall a good SUV, SUV body roll what you would expect. 240HP engine is powerful, it's geared and tuned low for towing..fine with me. 3500mi so far..Major reason I was looking at Pathy/4runner: they are still manufactured IN JAPAN. So no problems...like my Legends! The Bridgestone Duellers are Terrible! These are the worst tires I have EVER ridden...Marginally good in the dry and bald-like in rain and snow. Get the tires traded in b4 you leave dealer so you don't slide out of the showroom.
- LE 4dr SUVMSRP: $2,58835 mi away
- SE 4dr SUVMSRP: $4,700608 mi away
- LE 4dr SUVMSRP: $4,988631 mi away
Roof Rack Whistles
The roof rack whistles at around 30-40 miles per hour and apparently there is no cure for it.
Great family car for a great price.
We looked at _all_ of the SUVs. Compared looks, features, MPG, size, price, maneuverability and availability. Pathfinder beat out Envoy, Explorer, Grand Cherokee, Durango and Pilot as it had best mix of all of our criteria. Now that we've driven the truck for a week, we are not disappointed.
Very Creaky
This is my third Pathfinder in a row. I have taken it to the dealership 8 times and they can not fix a creaking noise that I hear above my head. Did not have this problem before.
great value
This is my first suv,and this truck is very well rounded.It has a good solid ride,and it handles well.The build quality is very good,and it has lots of comfort.the cloth is very high quality and even though the driver seat is not power,it has a lot of adjustment options.Stereo/cd sounds good ,but could use a subwoofer.Heater is a little weak on floor setting.
Pathfinder SE 4WD 2003
has the best combination of luxury & sport for the price. there is no comparison with my prior 2 ford explorers.
Not the Best Family Vehicle
Shoulda done more homework: We were taken by the performance, responsiveness, and sporty look of the Pathfinder, but quickly came to realize that the back seat and cargo areas are skimpy, and the ride is...well...jumpy? The V6 is fun, but combine that with some mediocre rubber and no Traction Control, and pulling out into a wet intersection during heavy traffic can get dicey...
An excellent choice!
I totally disagree with the review written by the other customer on this page. I found the dealer to be very responsible and accommodating... the quality of the Nissan Pathfinder (and a previously owned Nissan Maxima) is what makes me coming back for more! I love the interior quality, performance, reliability, style and more. My next vehicle will be either a Pathfinder or a Maxima!
Pathfinder
This is a great truck. Its offroad abilities are very good and performance is also very good. The comfort and styling is also great. No problems with this truck at all.
needs traction control
This SUV needs traction control.Spun tires an intersections with the front half of the vehicle in the way of oncoming traffic many times. Also doesn't handle well on wet roads. Was very fast but almost too fast for what it was (a light rear wheel drive truck) Used the 4WD in the rain. Enjoyed the truck at times and thought it was fun and sporty to drive but didn't feel secure in it. Didn't hold the road well. Also not roomy enough for our small family of 3 plus dog. Gas mileage wasn't great either for such a small truck. Just got rid of it after 7 months and moved on to an '02 Explorer. Much different ride. Won't miss the Pathfinder.
More room in a car
We bought our Pathfinder only 9 months ago and traded it in for a regular car!! There isn't that much room in the Pathfinder for two adults and two kids with car seats. Never had a problem with it. When the kids get bigger - might consider buying another. They would have to do something about the gas mileage though!!
I love it all but the gas milage
I love it all but the gas milage
Not Bad!!
This SUV has it all and is great for anyone looking for a midsize vehicle. Alot of thought went into this SUV. This was the first vehicle that I bought in a long time that had no defects of any kind. While I don't drive it everyday, it is fun when I do drive it. The only gripe is that the running boards are not wide enough. Thank You, John
Nissan's Rock
I only buy Nissans I have owned 8 of them, this is my second pathfinder. I love the absolute instant power that you get by stepping on the accelerator. The interior fit and finish is great. The only downfall was that My dealer stunk...Still waiting on him to call me for my free pin stripes it has been 8 months. Stay away from Suntrup Nissan in St Louis
Need Better fuel and more Rear Room
Great Ride, except that it needs better fuel economy and more rear room. But for the amount of power you're getting the fuel is i guess OK. But definitely more room in the back.
Best SUV Value
Best combination of power, handling, ride, and comfort of anything in this class. Combined with an excellent lease promo from Nissan and above average residual value makes the Pathfinder a great value.
Don't believe the bad safety review!
I don't understand why this car got such bad safety ratings. I was just in a high speed crash in my brand new Pathfinder thanks to some jerk in a Mercedes who didn't yield. Well, bad ratings aside I walked away with nothing more than a headache and a fat lip from the airbag. He rode off in the ambulance. Needless to say I'll purchasing another Pathfinder when the insurance check comes through.
A Solid Choice
My 2003 Nissan Pathfinder LE was an excellent buy, and I recommend it for anyone in the market for a slightly more luxurious, mid-size SUV. The excitement is still there every day I get in it for the daily commute, and the styling gives me confidence that it will hold it's appeal for years to come. It is the perfect mix of power, size, luxury, and ruggedness that can handle anything I ask of it. The LE's aggressive, yet sophisticated demeanor melds well with the Texas landscape. Oh, and a note about the gas mileage; it's a RWD 240HP V6 SUV, so come to terms with it's gas guzzling tendencies BEFORE you buy and it will all be OK!
Overall a Good SUV
A lot of the traction problems are from sub-par tires. Changed the tires to Yokohama Geolanders and most of the traction problems went away. Rear cargo space may be a little small and the rear seats are a little difficult to put down, but overall a great value.
Not as good as expected
Driving is acceptable, but the brakes had a problem with the pedal going lower than the gas. Dealer had to go over it several times, but this was a safety hazard. The A/C developed a leak, and the Service Engine light cost $900 to get a leak fixed. The shield under the engine fell down due to a corroded fastener breaking.
Solid Truck!
No major complaints, this is a very solid truck, superior build quality for its class and even for luxury SUV'S. Excellent power...was looking into a V8 Explorer or a V8 Grand Cherokee, but went with the Pathfinder because it felt just as powerful. I wish I boought the LE.
FABULOUS
This vehicle is by far the best I've ever owned... and I've owned about 15 cars so far. The interior is very plush and luxurious and the amenities are free flowing. The vehicle handles marvelously for an S.U.V. The ONLY complaint is gas mileage. But then again, it is an S.U.V.
nissan se pathfinder
reliability, performance, a new powerful engine and a mid sized suv that can't be beat.
good all around vehicle
purchased the pathfinder after owning a maxima, power is excellent, needs better standard tires, fuel mileage is very low, heat can use some improvements, takes a good 20 minutes to warm up, by this time i am already at work. Stereo is excellent, agree that cd player skips in cold, needs more storage space, no place to put loose change. Braking is good, traction good is 4X4, however rear tires like to slide on wet pavement. Roof rack can be changed, can never get the snow off of it. All around, much better then my parents blazer and explorer, tops the cherokee..
AwesomeSUV
This SUV rocks. I recently got a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder with black exterior and a charcoal leather interior. I really didn't want an SUV as i had always driven a car, but after driving this for a couple weeks i love it. I have a fully loaded one and the leather interior is amazing as well as the chrome colored outlining. This is the SUV to get.
2002 Pathfinder LE
The pathfinder is well built and fun to drive. I like the attention to detail including self adjusting seats and automatic headlights. The pathfinder replaced a 2000 Ford Explorer... no comparison, the Pathfinder is a far superior vehicle.
Great purchase
Ok, so the gas mileage isn't the best. It's an SUV, what are you gonna do? I still think that out of all the SUVs out there, this one has some of the best mileage I've seen. I'm averaging 20city/24hwy. The comfort of the ride is extremely smooth and it's got great get up and go. I'm very glad I bought this car. It has been reliable comfortable car.
So far pretty good
This is vehicle steeped in its own tradition, one that has ebbed and flowed stylistically and mechanically with the various SUV trends. Simply put, it is a very well-built, reliable vehicle that has had a few sputters along the way - in 03-04 it was a bit of an identity crisis, with two main flaws: poor fuel economy and bad rear seating. However, it makes up for it with excellence in other areas. Recently I passed a semi-truck on a snowy road at 120km/hr, something I just wouldn't do with every vehicle - it's got plenty of zip, traction, overall quality. Just think twice about how much that back-seat is used by adult passengers, and be willing to pay 20% more for gas than a car.
I LOVE IT!!
I am actually in love with my pathfinder. It's reliability and style are second to none.
best in class
I bought this car used (a year old) with 25k on it and have not been disappointed at all. Great power, easy handling, and abundant interior comfort make this a great mid-size SUV. Great site-lines as well as an excellent stereo system make driving both easy and enjoyable. The mpg (about 16- 18/gal) could be better but is pretty standard for this class.
KING
Excellent SUV. Beats competition hands down.
A Fun-To-Drive SUV
My 2003 PF LE drives and handles much like a sports sedan. The steering is crisp and holds the line nicely. The ride quality is good for a suv and it doesn't feel tippsy in the curves.
Pathfinder
I have seen the up and coming models and if there like this then you should start including them i have had 3 models in my onwership and i want to say i have never had any problems with this suv i will buy the armada when it is released i am sure it will be the one all that beats all just like the 2003 pathfinders so watch out . this pathfind i have pre ordered for my company so do your homework and see the truth
Great Vehicle
This is a great vehicle that is hampered by some annoying flaws. It's powerful engine and rugged off road capability make it fun to drive. Highway driving is decent and the gas mileage is about as good as one would expect. The exterior styling of this model is perfect and it's a shame that the newer models changed this. The interior is spacious and relatively comfortable. My two main complaints are the stock tires and the in-dash stereo. The tires offer terrible traction particularly in poor weather conditions and need to be replaced. The CD player is useless and was obviously made with a cheap laser which constantly skips.
FUN
LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT.
Best Value in Class
We tested the X5 (gorgeous machine for those with lots of cash and tiny suitcases), Envoy SLT & Trailblazer LTZ (when will American cars dispose of flimsy plastic class-less interiors), Honda Pilot(mini-van in wolf-attire, but a very nice car for 30G's - but no XM, no heated seats?, no moonroof? available), Anyway, we got a loaded LE with XM, brush gaurds front and rear, and every option save for the entertainment system, and only paid 32g's. Over $4,000 off of sticker. Great value and great car. Fast too.
Excellent Ride
The only complaint I have is about the gas mileage.
THIS is my 2nd Pathfinder. AWESOME!!!
I have a 2001 Pathfinder. We just bought our 2nd , a 2003 SE loaded with options. These are the best quality SUv's on the market, U can;'t beat it.
awesome pathfinder
tested many suv's in this class but Pathfinder diffinetly won out. It has titlt rear seats, great power, nice lines. Only wish it had 4 wheel disc's all the way around. Nissan also discounted a full package that was quite acceptable along with a great loan. My other vechile by the way is a 2001 Maxima. Neither has given any trbl. to date.
Almost 1 year and 7500 miles later...
I'm still enjoying my ride like I did when I purchased it. Leather interior is great. Real wood would be great but the plastic wood still warms up the interior. Put some quality floor mats in and a cargo mat, you're ready to go. I put on the front brush and rear taillight guards and it LOOKS a bit more rugged. I wouldn't count on them for protection. The new 17" rims are a good improvement but are really easy to scratch on the curb. People complain about the rear seat, but I'm driving so I don't care, and my passengers never complain. I also like the styling inside and out, even if it is a bit dated on the outside. Still a good-looking vehicle.
Drives like a car.
This SUV drives just like my Honda Civic or even better. You don't feel the road as much. It's a best buy!!
if your 5'9" or taller, dont buy it
this suv is way to small, im 5 8 and its to small for me, forget about the back seats, your lucky if you get 2 small adults back there, and cargo space,,,,what cargo space????
So happy brought another one
This is smooth riding vehicle - I bought it for the dogs, and they love it :) We travel around the county to shows and this vehicle is everything and more - WAY more power than the Tahoe we tested at the same time.
2003 Nissan Pathfinder SE SUV
We searched around for 2 years looking for the right vehicle for a family who has children that participate in traveling sports (softball, bowling, volleyball, etc). This vehicle fits like a glove for us in roominess, comfort and overall comfort. We had a great test drive and had a good experience with the Nissan dealer in Salem. We liked the styling and color (light blue) of the vehicle. Very good vehicle for the traveling family :)
Good choice of mid-SUV
This is a solid vehicle, that looks better, performs better, and holds more stuff than many of its peers. I looked at nearly a dozen comparable SUVs and felt that this was the best across the board value, and I still feel that way 2+ years later. I owned a Mustang GT but needed an SUV, wanted a Pathfinder but couldn't afford it, bought the wrong one and finally got a Pathfinder 2 years later. It was worth the wait. Acceleration, braking and handling are all very good. The styling, especially in the interior is pleasing to your eyes without being dominant and eye- distracting. There are enough cubbies and cupholders to meet your needs, and the seats are quite comfortable. Really good vehicle.
25th month impression
Terrible gas mileage - runs better and more efficiently on high test (uggh!); terrible in snow with or without 4WD engaged; little cargo room in back; seat areas are cramped - particularly in cockpit; still nicer appearance, fit & finish than '06 model; great overall build, but will never purchase another - price tag and costs of ownership (gas, insurance) just aren't worth it - - I can drive a GM or FORD for less (and better MPG) and still be quite pleased
I JUST LOVE MY PATHFINDER!
I love everything about this SUV. EVERYTHING! It is the right size, very quiet, looks great (Merlot), VERY smooth drive, stereo sounds great, leather seats are wonderful and comfy, interior looks great (black leather). I can't imagine what Jamey's issues are with Nissan or the Pathfinder. Maybe the dealer was really bad, because this is one great SUV. I just love it. I can't wait to get in it and go for a ride! Just drove it over 1,000 miles on vacation and it was such a pleasure! I swear we got just under 20 MPG. Not bad for an SUV today.
Nice
2nd one....drives like a car
good car...
best car on the market