2008 Nissan Pathfinder review from Australia and New Zealand

Not a bad 4WD really. After a year of ownership I only find a few minor dislikes.

The big disadvantage (only if you would need it) is the limited range one 80 litre fuel tank gives you. With the rear seats and the spare wheel tucked away very nicely underneath, there's just no spare room for another tank - despite what some Nissan salesmen may tell you.

Now here's a problem - Can you believe that Nissan put alloy wheels on the Pathfinder, but:

THE SPARE WHEEL IS A NON MATCHING STEEL WHEEL WITHOUT EVEN A DUST CAP.

So whenever you get a puncture and put on the spare, it looks total crap and you then have to swap it back when the puncture's fixed.

And... when you rotate the tyres, if you want to rotate five tyres as we've always done so as to get max use out of our tyre set, you have to remove the tyres from two wheels and swap them over each time.

Nissan have even changed their manuals to now show a four wheel tyre rotation instead of the old five wheel rotation.

I can't believe Nissan would deceive their customers in this way, just because the spare wheel is out of sight underneath. All to save a measly few dollars.

There's a simple answer:

When you buy your vehicle, SPECIFY A SPARE WHEEL TO MATCH THE OTHER FOUR, or if they won't wear that, then after you've agreed your price:

DEDUCT A FURTHER $500 TO COMPENSATE YOU FOR THE ADDED EXPENSE OF SWAPPING TYRES ALL THE TIME.

Here's another issue.

Think carefully before you accept Nissan's 'Vehicle protection Plan' - It's grossly overpriced, and my experience the gunk they spray over the inside paint surfaces is a total pain. It leaves a sticky surface which attracts dust and never looks clean, and I suspect it damages the paintwork, as my paintwork now scratches and flakes at the slightest touch.

flebus41@yahoo.com