Explorer or Pathfinder....Which would you choose?

[Skrilla]

I have narrowed my decision down to 2 rigs...Both cost exactly the same, here is my dilemma..Which would you choose? All i want it for is to mess around in the trails, camping fishing etc..Which is the better weekend warrior??

1995 Pathfinder 3.0L 5 Speed 205,000kms

Pros:

-New Timing Belt
-Its a Pathfinder :clap:
-Minimal rust
-Engine runs like a champ

Cons:

-I think the release bearing is going (clutch whines)
-Clunk when taking off (Possible Trailing arms?? Bushings??)
-Needs about a hundred bucks to pass a safety
-Manifold Leaks (not really a con to me but noted)

1996 Ford Explorer 4.0L Auto 230,000kms


Pros:

-Very Very clean inside and out
-Needs nothing for safety
-No Rust/Dings etc.
-Runs great

Cons:

-Its an Exploder
-The transmissions scare the S**T outta me
-Not as off road capable IMO as the Pathfinder

[WrongWheelDrive]

If you're just trying to choose between those two, I would go with the Pathy...

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

I would take the Pathfinder.

[Deetz]

Don't buy an Exploder

It is not just about spec's, the Ford constantly has parts going on it, more so than the Pathfinder

[Gorilla]

Pathfinder For Sure

[CapnCrunch]

Originally posted by Gorilla
Pathfinder For Sure

Hmmmm, a neglected Pathfinder or a higher mileage Explorer. I'd go with neither, honestly.

Find a lower mileage Explorer or a better taken care of Pathfinder.

[Skrilla]

Originally posted by CapnCrunch


Hmmmm, a neglected Pathfinder or a higher mileage Explorer. I'd go with neither, honestly.

Find a lower mileage Explorer or a better taken care of Pathfinder.

True....However find me a Pathfinder or Explorer with low mileage for $1000....Doubtful

[arian_ma]

You found those cars for $1k? What can $2-3K buy you in terms of a pathfinder??

[ee2k]

Originally posted by Skrilla


True....However find me a Pathfinder or Explorer with low mileage for $1000....Doubtful

You just wasted > $1000 of people's time trying to buy a $1000 vehicle :) Seriously though, if you are only spending that much, it's quite irrelevant as chances are, you will be spending more on keeping it alive. Personal preference is also for a Pathfinder, even the clunky ones look good.

[WrongWheelDrive]

Why did you rule out a Jeep? Just curious...

[freshprince1]

If you're going for something that old, might as well be the explorer. You will be doing frequent repairs on both, and so, the Explorer will be cheaper for parts and labour if needed.

My brother had that same year Pathfinder and had nothing but problems with it...and this was back in 2002.

The pathfinder looks better, but the Explorer will be cheaper in the long run IMO.

If you were buying newer, my vote would be the Pathfinder.

[SR240SX]

Pathfinder for reliability for sure.

I have owned my 2002 for a little over 3 years now, 185,000KM and still runs like new, All I have had to change was an 02 sensor. I want camping in maclean last weekend with it and went on some trails and it was super fun..Got stuck once...with stock tires and all..

[Khalil.e]

Pathfinder for sure..


I've owned a few of those gen pathfinders - and if you keep up regular maintenance that thing will take anything you throw at it.....or anything you throw it off of.

You'll almost definitely have an annoying sound coming from the exhaust manifold, and you'll have frame rust to some degree, and you'll probably have bumpers with a bit of rust..

But aside from that its a very solid suv!

[T-Dubbs]

explorers are pieces of junk
stay away from them!!!

[ExtraSlow]

Originally posted by freshprince1
If you're going for something that old, might as well be the explorer. You will be doing frequent repairs on both, and so, the Explorer will be cheaper for parts and labour if needed.
. . . . . .
If you were buying newer, my vote would be the Pathfinder.

[CapnCrunch]

Originally posted by Skrilla


True....However find me a Pathfinder or Explorer with low mileage for $1000....Doubtful

It sounds like the Pathfinder is already going to cost you more than that in the short term.

Sounds like the Exploder is well taken care of and the Pathfinder has been neglected. If they were both in good shape, i'd pick the pathfinder. But it sounds like the explorer was treated well.

[Skrilla]

Originally posted by CapnCrunch


It sounds like the Pathfinder is already going to cost you more than that in the short term.

Sounds like the Exploder is well taken care of and the Pathfinder has been neglected. If they were both in good shape, i'd pick the pathfinder. But it sounds like the explorer was treated well.

I agree 100%, the only thing that bothers me is the fact of how unreliable the transmissions are in them....I had a 96 Limited which I bought from the original owner who happened to be a family member of mine. It was absolutely babied and looked like new...it had a tad over 190kms on it, and one day out of nowhere the tranny died....3 transmissions later I gave up.

[911fever]

Pathfinder easily, I had two Infiniti QX4's, both were super reliable. The >97's were GUTLESS though haha

[Masked Bandit]

If these are only $1000 buy the one that doesn't need anything right now.