1988 Nissan Pathfinder SE from North America - Comments

Frankly, not much. Obviously we bought it with a ton of miles on it. But we were able to meet the prior owner. He had all the service and repair records. He could account for every lube, oil and oil change, plus all the standard, scheduled manufacturer service requirements. Lube, oil and filter service occurred on the average every 4,500 miles. When something needed to be fixed, he did it. So the vehicle is in very good condition. It does not need oil added between schedule oil servicing. So we find it without any minor or major problems!

Due to the above mentioned meticulous maintenance of this particular vehicle, it runs as new. It is very reliable and solid. All transfer operations (4 wheel drive and 5 speed transmission) work flawlessly. We are very thankful for this vehicle.

NISSAN PATHFINDER = the best SUV ever made.

When I was 4 years old, my dad went out and bought a brand new 1988 nissan pathfinder SE. when I first saw the truck, I fell in love. Then he told me, "this will be yours one day." After 160k and 12 years later, it was mine. As a 16-year-old-hormone-full-crazy "I don't care attitude," I literally put that thing to every test imaginable. I would launch the truck 8-10ft in the air, drive it through 3ft deep water, "try to get it stuck" in snow, mud, etc and it had never failed me (0ccationally I was successful in getting it stuck). It really impressed me when I was launching the truck over a 4ft hill and I was not aware that there was a sewer pipe sticking straight out of the ground. I was traveling 40mph, jump the truck, then in mid-air, the rear axle caught the pipe and we came to a dead stop. I thought she was done, but NOPE! I just had a buddy tow me off of it and we kept off-roading! it never burnt oil, or leaked fluids. the only problem was that the A/C compressor went out on us. If I could afford the gas prices, I would greatly consider another '88 pathfinder. it was the meanest looking truck with the brush guard and rear-spare tire cage; especially with some meaty tires on it. sold it because the exhaust system literally rusted and broke off, at the header, where they bend. cheapest parts= $800.00. so I sold it in 1 day at the grocery parking lot for 1,000. ps: a slight drawback from the old pathfinders-- they are rust buckets.

My parents recently purchased a '06 LE pathfinder. WOW is all I have to say. it is VERY powerful. I can't wait to see the '08 pathfinders. there will be an optional v8 (from the armada/titan) ; not that it needs it at all.

However, if I could give nissan a few tips:

1. bring back the 2dr pathfinder or make it a 2dr xterra. nissan needs to bring it back to the basics with a shorter wheel base truck that can better rival the wranglers.

2. the hardbody style was the most classic/timeless/tough pathfinder appearance; they need to get more aggressive with the styling. (i know they have the xterra for that now-a-days, but lets make the SE off-road ed. a little more "beefy."

3. get rid of the 3rd. its too small and that is what the armada is for.

4. GIVE ME A DIESEL!!! (with a turbo)