2005 Nissan Pathfinder . . . does anyone own one?

[goudaman40]

Hello . . . hubby & I are looking at making a new purchase of the 2005 Pathfinder & are looking for any reviews from owners.

Also, about how far below MSRP were you able to purchase the vehicle for? This is our first new car purchase in 10 years (have bought used through Carmax the last two times & didn't have to haggle with the price).

Thanks in advance for any information!

 

[stinkerbelle]

The 05's a GORGEOUS! I'm jealous!

I have an 01...and if this is your first Nissan...lemme give you a bit of advice.

Get used to the "Service Engine Soon" light being on.

I bring it into the shop at LEAST twice a year to get some "sensor" replaced on my truck.
My dad went through this on his Maxima.
Co-Workers of mine deal with it too (one with a 03 Maxima, the other with a 05 Quest).

so just be aware of that...seems to be common with Nissans.

only 5 more payments and it's MINE! hehehe

 

[Trinity721]

I don't have a Pathfinder, although I would love one! We have two Nissan Altimas, an '01 and redesigned '02. I love them both, although the '02 is our baby. The '01 has the 'service engine soon' light on! My dad, a genius with cars, was not able to get it fixed. We could go to the dealer and get it fixed but I think it would cost around $400. Dad says as long as it seems to be working ok and the light doesn't start flashing, the car is fine. Just a sensor malfunction but it shouldn't affect anything at this point.

Our Nissans run like a dream. The '01 has over 100,000 miles on it and you would never know it. Dependable and efficient cars.

 

[goudaman40]

we currently own a 99 Altima SE (before the new body style) and have been extremely happy with it . . . no service engine soon light . . . the only light I have had come on was the bright light indicator to tell me that one of the headlights was out.

We are going between the 05 Pathfinder and the 05 Pilot (my first 2 cars were Honda's - a CRX and a Civic).

Just a little curious to see what peoples feelings are for this car since it cam out almost a year ago.

 

[Rhonda922]

We did have 2 Maximas until some guy hit me and totalled our '97. I still have my '03 Maxima and love it. And yes, we were very familiar with the engine light coming on with the '97 vehicle. That thing would always scare me. You never knew what you were in for. I would still recommend Nissans though. I don't much care for the look of '05 Maxima. Plus they're a little on the high-$ side.

 

[WeirdEyes]

I have a 2002 Maxima GLE and like it. Be careful with the "Service Engine Soon" light because I ignored mine and got stranded at Target with a dead battery. When I put a new battery in, the light went off. The only complaints I have with my car is the CD player is crap (CD's skip and stop/start on their own) and it has been replaced already. So, I've had two Bose CD players and both of them skip and stop/start. The 2nd complaint is the seats are NOT comfortable at all on your rear. The 3rd is the paint chips constantly.

 

[stinkerbelle]

The 2nd complaint is the seats are NOT comfortable at all on your rear.

really? Ya think?

My seats are heaven compared to my mom's 4Runner.

To the OP - I'd look into the Honda Pilot...better gas mileage on it I hear (and the new pathfinder - although BEAUTIFUL - *is* a beast...it's like a living room on wheels!)

heheh...The service engine soon light won't flash (trust me - I drove with it on for like 4 months once!) Sometimes it was a simple "reset"...other times it was a $900 bill! (the thing had like 80k on it at the time...it was due for some work!)

 

[elmo2wdw]

I got one in June and I love it!!!!! I got mine for $200 over the invoice price. I did my research and I got a good deal!

 

[LindaR]

To the OP........www.edmunds.com is full of very good info to help you know what to spend on a new vehicle. Being a former car salesperson, you also have to consider whether you are trading in a used car. That puts a whole different "spin" on the pricing.

 

[JennSaint]

Hello . . . hubby & I are looking at making a new purchase of the 2005 Pathfinder & are looking for any reviews from owners.

Also, about how far below MSRP were you able to purchase the vehicle for? This is our first new car purchase in 10 years (have bought used through Carmax the last two times & didn't have to haggle with the price).

Thanks in advance for any information!

Have you test drove one yet? I did and it's like driving a truck. If you are looking for rugged ride then it will be for you. I personally didn't like the way it drove. I ended up buying a Honda Pilot and it's so smooth compared to the Pathfinder. Make sure you test drive a few different SUV's before you choose.

 

[goudaman40]

I test drove one and loved the way it road . . . we will not be trading in . . . cash sell only. Also, we already own a Honda Passport & I feel that this vehicle has a very bumpy ride.

Thanks for the info about the $200 over invoice . . .

Also, one dealer is offering a $500 rebate and the other one isn't . . . can you pin the two dealears against each other saying "XYAZ offered me this . . . can you beat it?" or is that just too picky?

 

[liznboys]

My dh has one, he got it in February. I have no clue what he paid lol, but I can tell you he LOVES it! Maybe I can get him on here and he can tell you more... (I'll try! )

 

[Skatermom23]

I test drove one and loved the way it road . . . we will not be trading in . . . cash sell only. Also, we already own a Honda Passport & I feel that this vehicle has a very bumpy ride.

Thanks for the info about the $200 over invoice . . .

Also, one dealer is offering a $500 rebate and the other one isn't . . . can you pin the two dealears against each other saying "XYAZ offered me this . . . can you beat it?" or is that just too picky?

You most absolutely can get the two dealers going....just don't overdo.
Make sure you go to Edmunds.com (like another poster suggested) and it will tell you what people in your zip code are paying and it also tells you of all the available rebates.

As a side note, we just bought the Pilot and I love it!

 

[elmo2wdw]

You can most definitly try to get the deal between the two dealers. I always look for the best deal and then go to my local dealer and ask them to match it and they always do! I have bought 4 new vehicles in the last 8 years and I have always paid no more than invoice price or slightly more.

I think the Pathfinder drives great! Not like a truck at all!!!!!

I hope this helps!

 

[2BigKIdz]

I have a 2004, wish I would have waited another year, I really love the new body style! This is our 5th Pathfinder and we love them! Traded in a '96 on this one. Have had great luck with them mechanically, just routine maintenance. I like the way mine rides, don't think it feels "trucky" at all. The 4-wheel drive is the best, I feel completely comfortable driving in the snow. The sticker price on our new 1 was 32k and some change, we got it for 26k, brand new only had 3 miles on it. We also have a 2004 Nissan Titan and love that as well

 

[goudaman40]

well, it looks like we are playing two dealers against each other . . .

the local one offered $300 over invoice with 1500 cash back ($500 rebate & additional $1000 customer incentive).

The dealer 50 miles away has offered exactly invoice with the additional $1500 off.

So, now I am back to local dealer and saying that dealer XYZ is offering $300 less than what they offered & I am asking if they will beat it or I will go the dealer ABC 50 miles away to save the $300.

 

[Rhonda922]

We did have 2 Maximas until some guy hit me and totalled our '97. I still have my '03 Maxima and love it. And yes, we were very familiar with the engine light coming on with the '97 vehicle. That thing would always scare me. You never knew what you were in for. I would still recommend Nissans though. I don't much care for the look of '05 Maxima. Plus they're a little on the high-$ side.

Would you believe that I posted this on 8/10 and then on the way home from work on 8/11 my darn "Service Engine Soon" light comes on!!! What the hell.

 

[goudaman40]

guess I just bring out the "service light" in you.

Well, the dealer that is 50 miles away offered right at $500 below invoice, not including tax, tag, & License . . . so, tomorrow we are going to the local dealer with the offer from the other one & see if they can beat it.

Hey . . . $500 is $500 . . . if I can get it local for the same price or better, I would be saving a 100 mile round trip drive.

 

[DisneyGoddess]

Good Luck in your negotiations. I played 3 dealers against each other when I negotiated my lease in June. I have an '05 Pathfinder SE and love it! I had an '02 before this one and love it too, but the '05 is even better!

What color are you going to choose?

 

[goudaman40]

we are going between the Red Brawn, Graphite, Silver, or the Storm, I am shooting for the Silver, hubby want's Brawn.

Also, we are requesting that we get the one that just came on the truck, because I want to be the first person to put the first 20 miles on the vehicle. The one I test drove had 350 miles on it!