Used 2005 Nissan Pathfinder Consumer Reviews
Pathfinder LE 2 WD drive
Car handles well, more like a car than a truck. Appointments are luxurious. Even the basic LE model has all the bells and whistles except navigation and DVD systems. A standard 1st aid kit is nice. No available rear window deflector is a turn off. Two glove boxes is different. This is a new version of the old pathfinder. It has 3rd row fold down seats. Because it is newly redesigned it might be hard to get a good deal (no specials). Bose speaker system, multi-control AC and memory system for drivers seat, mirror and pedal height are all nice touchs. There is a big difference, appointment/accesory-wise between LE and other models (SE, etc..). We had a 2002 LE. Not much interior storage space.
Excellent for Families
This SUV is really a godsend, I updated my 1999.5 Pathfinder to the 2005 and I have never been happier. The third row seat is excellent for carrying more passagers, and the design of the SUV allows for maximum comfort on long drives. The DVD player is awesome, mostly because I have gotten my readio back. The handling is great. The ride is quiet and it drives well. The engine is amazing. I really like that this vehicle is not a gas guzzler like my brothers Ford Expedition.
- SE 4dr SUVMSRP: $3,999286 mi away
- SE 4dr SUVMSRP: $7,536295 mi away
- LE 4dr SUVMSRP: $4,995319 mi away
not a good start
powerful if noisy engine. transmission is silky smooth. drives like a car, no binding, or scrubbing in tight corners. full of rattles, squeaks, vibrations. rear quarter window rattles. lots of plastic shakes over rough roads. i have owned 5 new Nissans in 14 years. never had trouble before.
If you THINK you want it - get it!
Wife's lovin it. First-time Nissan owner - but Pathfinder's great history. Strong resale, LOTS of power, great ride/handling, smooth/quiet. Have an 18ft I/O boat, so needed a family vehicle to tow WITH EASE while not being cumbersome hard-to-park the rest of year and contrary to others I think the mileage is just fine for this type vehicle (ave. 20 mpg on last hiway trip - my best hiway Dodge Club Ram ave.15) You do NOT "require" premium gas - perfect on 87 octane. Much roomier than the Pilot. Use the internet to purchase - fight for invoice pricing!!!
Best Pathfinder Yet
Coming off previous model as well as two Grand Cherokees, this is by far the best mid sized SUV value out there. The stroked VQ engine is awesome, power at all RPM ranges and noticeably more torque than its predecesor. Ride is firmer but the truck is quieter and although a bit choppier still a great pleasure to drive. Added heft is definitely a plus on slippery roads and this combined with addition of the AUTO mode make truck more surefooted. Build quality is, as with all Nissans, incredible as this is a real truck that doesn't really know it. Not one shake rattle or roll from this baby, rock solid. Kudos to Nissan for upgrading and improving an already great vehicle.
Back to Basics
First, some background. I had a '94 Pathfinder SE 4wd that I got rid of a few years back. Loved that truck because it was the original, reliable, Nissan hardbody SUV. Didn't care for the '96 - '04 design and the compromises in capability due to the unibody structure. The '05 Pathfinder gets this truck back on track. The power is superb and further reinforces that Nissan builds some of the best V6 engines. The engine's responsiveness is superior vs. the similar Toyota V6. The off-road capability is excellent and it does very well in deep snow/off road. The stiff structure makes it quiet and very assured both on and off road. Top it all off with actual 18/24 mileage.
Timing ch./tensioner
1) Master switch out at 30k. 2) piece from roof rack blew away. 3) tensioner causing timing cha. to make engine noises. Warranty covered this at 59k because I bought extra warranty. It took Team Nissan 1, and 1/2 to complete job. Does this mean that I will have the same proble at 100k miles? 4) noisy sun roof at speeds over 70 miles/hr
They Don't Make 'em Like They Used To!
I bought this truck 4 years ago new with all the options. Interior/exterior is good and the engine is surprisingly fast (60,000 miles). I passed on the MBZ ML back in '05 and wish I hadn't. The engine light has come on serveral times, each time costing me around $300-$400. The driver's side window consistently pops out of the slide and leaves the truck unprotected. The rear windows stopped rolling up/down and the truck randomly locks when the keys are inside. There has been a rattle in the dash from the start, and the rear shocks went out at 50,000 miles. Worst of all, the dealer just told me the timing chain tension is bad and needs replacement. Cost? $4,000. Huh, time to sell.
Transmissions
Same problem radiator fluid leaked into the transmission. This is my second Nissan I love my 92 Nissan SE, and I still have it, so it is why I brought the second Nissan Pathfinder 2005 SE 6CL 4WD, but I will never buy another Nissan again. Not only that the electrical modular that controls the car went, it shuts down the car down completely, which cost a pretty penny to fix. Now I see they have a recall on that starting in December 2010. They need to do the right thing and recall these particular Makes and Models fix their issues and any revert of those issues. Come now Nissan do the right thing and keep loyal customers. Oh heat shields rattle like mad. Same problem on 1992 model too.
Careful of the Pathfinder
Leased after much research, beautiful black on black. Very disappointed this is the first "foreign" vehicle I owned. Replaced under warranty, rad, ac condenser, transfer case, various fluid seals multiple times. Replaced out of warranty- ABS sensor, fuel delivery system(fuel pump), belt tensioner, heat shield clamp etc All this with leass than 60,000 miles. Dealer now chasing to lease another....... I am tempted but need to look at all of the other options out there