Deal or not??????

[audible]

Hey guys. I'm new here. My dad's boss just offered me a free 1987 Pathfinder. He says it runs, no rust, dash cracked out. All original at 294,000 miles. I figure if the most I have to do is rebuild the engine...good deal. I wanted a Wrangler, but they are way toooo high priced and I've seen these Nissans keep up with the Jeep boys on mild to moderate trails. I want to do this project to have a toy for my 3yr old son and I to trail blaze with.

Suggestions?

[audible]

Also, it has been sitting for 6-7 years in his garage. He says they just stopped using it. I trust him because I not paying anything for it. I was thinking new oil/plugs/fresh gas/turn engine by hand with plugs out to lubricate...all before even attempting to fire it?? Comments????

[flyguy123]

I say deal, hell if it runs it should be worth $600 or better. Was it ever started during the 6 years it sat?

[audible]

He said he started it 4 or 5 times and it always started right up.

[delacyelectric]

I think you will spend his college tuition before he ever drives that pathfinder. considering cost. even if you do it your self. new engine $1000. New trans $1000. on a trail you'll need at least newer used (less milage gears) $200-500. While your rebuilding your engine you should atleast get new plugs wires water pump ect. think about it. 600 now seems ok. But you'll easily spend $3000 getting that trail ready. save up for either a different nissan or get a jeep. you can get a 92 or better with less than 130,000 miles on it for around $3000. it'll be a 4 cyl. but who cares. wish ya luck kid. Also just wait 3 yr old. Your gona spend all your money on clothes and food. thats when they start to grow.

[flyguy123]

Originally Posted by delacyelectric

I think you will spend his college tuition before he ever drives that pathfinder. considering cost. even if you do it your self. new engine $1000. New trans $1000. on a trail you'll need at least newer used (less milage gears) $200-500. While your rebuilding your engine you should atleast get new plugs wires water pump ect. think about it. 600 now seems ok. But you'll easily spend $3000 getting that trail ready. save up for either a different nissan or get a jeep. you can get a 92 or better with less than 130,000 miles on it for around $3000. it'll be a 4 cyl. but who cares. wish ya luck kid. Also just wait 3 yr old. Your gona spend all your money on clothes and food. thats when they start to grow.

Yea why would you take the free pathy when you could go out and spend 3k or more on a jeep? I had so many people tell me the same story when I rebuilt my 94 pathfinder, they would try to convince me that I was better off buying a newer vehicle.
I say deal, hell it runs, has a solid body, and best of all its free. I wish I would find something like that.

[XJ99]

I had 2 87 Pathfinders 1 was a base model with the 4 banger and rusted out and the other was a se with the v6 and no rust they are great vehicles and will last you forever when it comes to Nissan I dont care about miles per both were well over 150k when I bought them. GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!

[denisb]

Originally Posted by delacyelectric

even if you do it your self. new engine $1000. New trans $1000. on a trail you'll need at least newer used (less milage gears) $200-500. While your rebuilding your engine you should atleast get new plugs wires water pump ect.

Did you not say he started it 4-5 times while it was parked?!?!?! Why all of a sudden a motor rebuild and tranny rebuild......It's not a Jeep it's a Nissan!

Take it, you have nothing to loose. Change the fluids before you go to far(including tranny fluid if it's an auto). Test it out to see if it works good. If it does replace the T-Belt and install a tranny cooler. The only other issues Pathys have is rust.

I bet (I would litteraly put money on it) you follow or even tow Jeeps that is equiped with same lift/tire setup as your Pathy on any trail.

Denis

[mmcpeck]

Dude are you kidding me, if you you don't take it, give me his number and I'll go get it.

What engine does it have in it?

I agree about the question of and engine tranny rebuild. Why would you even consider it until you see how it runs. My Pathy has the VG33E with 155K on it and I've never done a major repair and and runs as tight as when it was new, and 155K is pretty new to me, and the VG30 is a great engine also, if that's what it's got.

Take the thing, run it, do whatever it needs to get it out and running, but don't worry about any rebuilds until it actually needs it. Nissan's are tough as nails.

I know a guy with a 97, the VG33E, never did a thing and barely does regular maintenance, I had to plead with him to do a T belt at like 180K and he's pushing 250K now, runs great.

If you take it out and blow it up, then junk it and move on. free is always a deal.