I now have a 99 Zu Rodeo, currently in the shop (no small wonder)...now I really like this truck, but, I have had to replace an engine (with a salvaged one) and now the timing belt slipped 4 teeth and the valves are damaged, another 2 grand!
A friend is selling his 95 pathy and I am wondering if I would be any better off with it?
What are your thoughts?? What are the major problems I can expect with a pathfinder and is it as high maintenance as the Zu Rodeo, in your opinion/s?
Just curious for some feedback from Pathy owners.
My friend (unfortunately) has not owned his 95 Pathy for very long and bought it from a used car lot, so it's history is anybody's guess, just like the history of the truck I now own.
I currently have 10k (or will when I bail her out) in this Zu Rodeo, and she is only worth about 5k. Should I take the chance on an older vehicle or keep the one I have and try to redeem some of the investment?
Curious
Jan.

Pathys are definately lower maintenance than the Rodeos. The highest problem areas.

-Replace original tranny cooler if it's an automatic.

-If it sways a little on the highway as you accelerate/decelerate you need to replace the rear control arm bushings.

-Rust is a bit of a factor. Check frame (From the rear axle on). Drivers side floor just above the Y pipe connection (I've had mine almost catch fire) and the rearfloor under the seats.

-Manifold leak is another common issue. If the manifold studs need to be replaced, a lot of people recomend using the 300 ZX studs due to the fact that they are a little beefier.

-Having your friends who own Rodeos calling you up in the middle of the night for tow calls:naughty:

I've got 250K miles on mine and it's still running. I've seen some with over 400. They are pretty solid.

thanks denish :)
My buddy says the pathfinder he is selling may have a transmission going out, at least it is slipping or working too hard to shift (in his opinion)...I haven't driven the truck at all, he's only asking $3800 which is under blue book.
I just had to order replacement bolts for the rodeo, for the heads and they were $208.oo for 2 bolts! The mechanic thinks this truck (Isuzu) is too pricey for parts and too tricky to work on, he is urging me to sell her.
I am kind of bummed, I really like driving this truck, but I may not be able to afford to.
what to do, what to do...I appreciate your thoughts!!
got some thinking to do
jan.

Any idea what a new tranny would run in a 95 pathfinder?
It has 180,000 by the way, I just found out
it is 4WD, fully loaded, no rust except on a nerf bar? Only minor cosmetic isues other than the transmission thing, which he says that it revs up to 4000 rpm before shifting out of first, unless it is babied into 2nd.
Any thoughts now?
I have tried to call the import place to check on a price and no one answsers.
thanks for your feedback!!
Jan.

Tranny will probably run you about 2Gs. Assuming it's an auto tranny there are some things you can try first. I dropped the oil and cleaned the filter screen in mine after it completely failed on me (no forward or reverse) and it's been working perfect ever since (aprox 20K on tranny since). This is a $100 cost, equivalent to a tow call. It might be worth a try. Specially since the tranny is still working.

The hard shift could also be due to a tranny computer going bad. Try reseting it.Unplug the battery cable and touch the brakes for a couple of seconds then reconnect and try again.

Good luck,

Denis