1987 Nissan Pathfinder SE from North America - Comments

Defective 2nd gear (when new)

Clutch master cylinder leaked (1st year)

Both problems resolved quickly by dealership.

Material on driver's door armrest deteriorated withing first couple of years.

Other than that, the vehicle had no problems in the 13 years that I owned it.

I purchased my Pathfinder SE 2 door equipped with the Sport/Power package in April of 1987. This was the very first model year for the Pathfinder.

This was the first Japanese vehicle I had ever purchased, as up to that point

I had only owned American and German vehicles.

At the time, I was a young man just out of college and I was working at an Automobile dealership that sold many SUV models: Jeeps, Nissans and Isuzus.

I chose the Pathfinder over the other models because of its styling, level of refinement, build quality, cargo capacity, and the fact that it had a very comfortable ride.

The Isuzu trooper was much too spartan

and only came in a 4 cylinder model back then. The Jeep Wrangler too small. The Cherokee was not quite as refined, nor did it have as much cargo capacity.

The Wagoneer was too big and too old a design.

My Pathfinder was equipped with a 5 speed transmission and the 3 liter V6.

The Pathfinder had a very comfortable and quiet ride. It had excellent traction in snow. (Never got stuck, it could climb through snowbanks.) However the Pathfinder had a very high center of gravity so you had to drive with extreme care in slippery conditions.

It exhibited very twitchy handing in these conditions and the rear brakes tended to quicky lock up causing the vehicle to slide on snow or ice, even when traveling a low speeds.

You could change the ride quality:sport (firmer) or touring (softer) via a switch in the cockpit.

The blue velour upholstery was not only very attractive, but also very comfortable. It was a very comfortable and quiet highway tourer.

Another positive was that the factory stereo had a very good sound quality.

A negative is that the Pathfinder was a bit underpowered. At about 4,000 lbs. and with the 140hp V6, the Pathfinder was rather slow to accelerate and required frequent downshifts on grades.

Gas mileage generally fell in the 15-17mpg range.

The vehicle was extremely reliable and other than a grind when shifting into second gear (resolved at the first service when second gear was replaced)

and a leak in the clutch master cylinder

(also replaced), the vehicle was virtually trouble-free for the 13 years that I owned it.

I liked the styling of the vehicle, with the exception of the alloy wheels, which resembled man hole covers (very ugly).

The Pathfinder had a very roomy interior, and large cargo area. At the time, Pathfinders were only available in 2 door models, so access to the backseat

and cargo area (when back seat was folded) was a bit difficult.

I was amazed at how much cargo I could fit into the vehicle though.

Overall I would say that the Pathfinder was a well-built, comfortable and very reliable SUV. It was not an especially exciting vehicle, nor was it dull.

I believe that Nissan did a very good job in its first attempt in entering the SUV market.

The fact that so many older Pathfinders are still on the road speaks volumes about its reliability and build quality.

Over the years I've owned other SUV's and I must say that the Lexus RX300 is the only one I've found to match the Pathfinder's ride quality. The Lexus does get more power out of it's 3 liter V6 however.