Driving The Nissan Pathfinder From The Original Nissan Ads Was Not What We Expected.

[@98durangopack]

RIP Nissan. You folks ran the company in the ground. The consumer does not need 5+ Crossover Cars you call SUVs. You killed off the Xterra, took the frame out of the Pathfinder, put a awful CVT in the Pathy, killed the manual in the Frontier, ran the Titan in the ground, which I owned 3. I can keep going. As a huge Nissan fan, and a old Nissan Master Tech it just upsets me what you all did to this company over 15-20 years.

[@rickreese5794]

Bingo PAL 😢

[@rickreese5794]

Remember the SD engine ? 😊

[@palebeachbum]

You do realize everything you just criticized Nissan for doing ALL mainstream manufacturers have been doing, right? Honda and Toyota use CVTs. All have multiple crossovers. Less than 10% of the popular buy manuals, which has been the case for like 2 decades, so it wouldn't make sense for them to offer more manuals. These companies are simply making what sells best.

[@Fred_Durst1]

yes all mfg are doing this BUT don't forget that quality at Nissan is absolutely abysmal now. RIP Nissan fr

[@khonjur]

@98durangopack - Amen!

[@thegreenskeep1]

An iconic vehicle back an the era when Nissan didn't make junk.

[@DaleWilly]

UMM THEY DON'T MAKE JUNK, TROLL

[@richards8872]

@@DaleWillyNissan makes trash now and has been since 2010

[@pigatt1]

This is the best of all of the Pathfinder’s.

[@zythr9999]

Rust thinks so as well.

[@damilolaakanni]

I disagree. I think it's the late 2nd generation (2001-2004). Not too old that you can no longer find parts for it, not so new that there's a lot of tech to go wrong, adequate power and torque (for a V6 powered SUV), pretty comfortable interior and drives quite well on road (which is where you're going to spend most of the time driving it even if you take it offroad every other week).

[@slowspecv69]

@@zythr9999same as every single Toyota that rolled off the assembly line from its inception up until the new gen of turbo hybrid crap that they’re rolling out today

[@mononeo]

@@damilolaakanni By your own standard the Infiniti QX4 is actually the best Pathfinder ever as it was that era with a better 4x4 system.

[@mononeo]

If they could make a modern one that was similar size and shape it would sell like crazy.

[@bubbabiker5653]

Brings back memories. I had a 1986 Hardbody Kingcab 4x4 SE-V6 with the 5spd. Dang good truck.

[@off-roadingcars]

Love it that you guys found this Pathfinder and drove it. I have always loved the Pathfinder. Such a cool car. So is the Xterra

[@cesarconh895]

I have two of them, one is a 1993 SE model and the other is a 88 SE with no title 😢. All of these first generation Pathfinders were all made in JAPAN and both four door and two door were built on the same chassis.

[@J.Wick.]

Now THIS is what I'm talking about. Love these trucks.

[@shoveI]

It's bizarre how whenever somebody is talking about a sports car or motorcycle the word "practical" never comes up you can shop for as many Miatas and Corvettes as you want, but the instant a vehicle has 2 doors and 4 wheel drive suddenly it's "impractical". People are so weird.

[@nathanholtzclaw]

I’ve developed such an appreciation for first gen pathfinders recently. Love them. Some friends and I got a ‘93 with the v6 and the manual for $900 back in May and we took it to the Gambler 500. Best on it the whole time and it was nothing but reliable even with 300K miles on it

[@cmiles97x38]

If they made those today with a few updates in the $20k range, they couldn't keep up with demand.

[@ShaunHensley]

The Hardbody has always been my favorite Nissan truck

[@doug6191]

When I hear people refer to the Rogue or Traverse or RX350 as SUVs, I cringe because *this* is what an SUV is.

[@thehardnesschannel1605]

Jeep XJ enters from the woods, what am I to you?

[@dannyrbailey]

I mean those are crossovers, but I do feel like most new “suvs” are mostly family haulers nowadays with some having a different off-road trim. Maybe a small lift or cheap looking badges. Mostly to get you off the path, not for anything serious. Most suvs nowadays are people no longer buying cars that buy a vehicle with more room and they do the same activities they’d do in a car, making the suv pointless

[@doug6191]

@@dannyrbailey That's why the "crossovers" should just be called wagons, which is how they're used.

[@dannyrbailey]

I wish wagons were more popular, love the body lines. I’m a sedan person myself, it’s a shame sedans to some degree and wagons to a larger extent are basically killed off in the states

[@Cloud30000]

It’s like calling a Ridgeline or Maverick a truck. I had a WRX Wagon that was a phenomenal vehicle, with confident winter driving performance and plenty of room for transporting things. You could even sleep in the back with the seats folded down.

[@OzarksWildman]

I remember my uncle Phil having one when I was a kid. He bought it for the power and snow. Merry Christmas Phil! 👋

[@backwoodstherapy]

Uncle Phil? Tell aunt Viv the internet says hi and we miss their show!

[@aged7968]

I had the same 1987 2-door Pathfinder. It was awesome especially for a college kid doing desert camping and trips deep down into Baja California. It was reliable, easy to fix, looked great and those wheels were the coolest back then. Unfortunately it was stolen off the street and trashed. Replaced with a 1991 4-runner which was a bit less boxy and tougher. Super fun flash back!

[@palebeachbum]

My sister owned one just like it, but hers was gray. Still ran smoothly with 200k miles. This was back when Nissan made great Japanese cars not influenced by the French. Sorry, my fellow French people.

[@emidyl24]

so nice, I owned a 1990 red 5door manual, except mine was grey interior. That era of Japanese vehicles had soo much maroon velour. Absolutely loved it, and waited for snow to donut in the streets/parking lot with my Buddy who owned an Isuzu Trooper. What a time!

[@rgbigdog]

Good luck on trying to find a Pathfinder from the late 80's.

[@klnicool8885]

i just got a 89 2 door for 3000 from virginia its mint.

[@Green_Leaf]

I had an 86.5 Hardbody 4x4 with a 5-speed and 4-cylinder. Wish I still had it. 1 thing I would change immediately are the automatic locking hubs to manual hubs.

[@Offshore1977]

We had a 1995 Pathfinder SE. I am waiting for Nissan to bring this back using the Frontier Hardbody wheels and body on frame design.

[@mononeo]

Nissan killing off the REAL Pathfinder and Xterra will go down as one of the worst blunders in automotive history. You exchanged automotive and off road enthusiasts with credit criminals in Altimas and Versas. Way to go, guys!

[@Genno1012]

My first vehicle was a 90 Nissan pathfinder with a manual, 4 doors, blue plush interior it was great, just really slow and hard on gas to deliver pizzas haha

[@John-q5p9m]

The two door with the triangle widow was always cool.

[@danielsherrill7085]

My brother had a black one exactly like this one, except it didnt have the roof rack, and it had a gray interior. I remember riding around in it, and how much i liked it.

[@Rafegaret]

So, not exactly like this one then?

[@stephenbarabas6286]

That's not "exactly like it" then 🙄

[@richards8872]

I was given a 1992 Pathfinder SE 2wd 3.0 V6 a few years ago. It has a 140,000 miles on it right now and it’s in even better shape than that one. The a/c even still works so does every window and other than a rotted fuel line it’s almost perfect

[@stog9821]

I put over 250,000 miles on a 2003 Pathfinder. Drove that thing everywhere. The dog loved it. The 2004 was the last reasonable year before Nissan turned it into a Pacifica.

[@dvader3263]

Well if the dog loved it, it must have been a great vehicle.

[@blurglide]

I wanted one of these SO bad! These were considered pretty premium at the time. Nissan had the best lineup from the late 80's through the early 2000's. Now they're garbage except maybe the Z

[@getlosttoday4045]

Back when Nissan cared

[@jakubstrumillo]

In Europe sold as Terrano. Nice car, especially with amazing TD27 Diesel engine.

[@jefferysmith3930]

I haven’t seen on of these in decades…and I live in the south! Ultra cool though. Definitely the best looking of all the Pathfinders and I’d say best looking among its contemporaries

[@WoodLox]

The Nissan was okay but no match for the 22R 4Runner twin stick convertible suv/pick up. Versatility reigns supreme

[@garypiont6114]

High iq. No ball caps. No accents , made my morning.

[@The1stZ3NN]

I miss my pathfinder so much. I had a 90 SE, 94 XE, and a rust free 95 SE. All manual. The 94 and 95 I sold and lost track of but my old 90 is still on the road in New Mexico with a xterra motor in it now. Sadly my 90 was a rust bucket originally from South Dakota so im glad its still driving in New Mexico.

[@2151abell]

Enjoyed the trip back in Time Guys... Thank you TFL, as always !

[@chrisdemas8246]

These and the Hardbody were great.

[@Offshore1977]

Both Nissan and Toyota offered 31’s in their SUV’s and Pickups back in the day.

[@HotSneks]

Yup, he's definitely right about the later models of this particular generation. When I went to Indonesia 2 years ago I was picked up and driven in one of these, they're called the Nissan Terrano Spirit over there. Very cool SUVs.

[@thekiltedgunsmith1776]

I had 94 pathfinder that was absolute beast. It 200k on it when I got and didn't have a kind life and then I got it and did a ton of off road driving. When I got rid of it, it was still running and had 785k miles on it most of which being off road miles. I've since bought another one and it's just reliable as my old one.

[@Owen_Earl]

This is a beautiful ride

[@kazumakoga3066]

I had a Hardbody 4x4 extended cab. Loved the way it drove and very comfortable. Only downside was 15mpg.

[@xziang]

Loved the old nissan pathfinder. Unfortunstely I know more than a few that were traded in and destroyed when the 'cash for clunkers' campaign occured usually due to them rusting out. Nissan hardbody trucks and toyotas trucks back then had a great following with both offroaders and yes even low riders too!

[@84imreplica]

I bought a new Pathfinder in 1993 and loved that vehicle. It ended up being one of the most reliable vehicles I've ever owned. The only reason I sold it is I wanted a pickup truck.

[@CraigSteiber]

Cool Pathfinder, from back in the day when Nissan was still good!

[@suedehead00]

Wow love this! Brings back old memories... I had an 88 SE-V6 same exterior color, but the interior was charcoal gray. I kinda like the red interior. Out of all the 15 cars I've owned, this is my second favorite of all time. Only one that beats it is the one I have now and have been driving for the last 20 years, my 2005 Toyota Tacoma.

[@bradleypollack5658]

My grandmother had a 1987 just like that. She bought it brand new back in the day.

[@sebastianvazquez9015]

I love these types of vehicle. Frankly, I had enough of the modern car BS, shopped around and finally found a very nice condition 96’ XJ country edition. Has 134,000 miles but runs so well . Love my XJ and would love to have a pathfinder one day!

[@BCK1970]

I thought all Pathfinders had composite headlights, not sealed beams. Great trucks, I had an 86 1/2 Hardbody King Cab 4x4. Loved it.

[@dant.6364]

Bronco II is living inside their heads.

[@toolshed7652]

Now that is a pathfinder...

[@Pennychaser1]

Hope nissan turn things around. They made solid cars until renault merger. Still own 300zx Twin Turbo here

[@jacob50384]

Nissans legacy fleet is worth more than all their new cars

[@brantschenkrealtor]

I had an 88 blue one just like that, that baby was tough!

[@renypayne11]

My stepfather bought one for my mom in 2006. It was only driven three times in the 4 years, we had it. It wasn't as refined as our XJ cherokee and she preferred the train.

[@scootermann83]

The triangular hub cap blows my mind 😂

[@JamesMargolis79]

Let's just say the hell with emissions and bring these back! New cars suck. As a young lad, my dream truck was the Nissan Desert Runner in that red white and blue color.

[@stepheng5843]

Love love love this pathy! Wish I could find one to match my 92 Nissan D21 I have. Would be the perfect combo.

[@Loyalwhiteknight]

They were and still are a great vehicle. Perfect for camping or a little trail exploring

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

That is such a pimp SUV. I would love to have that with a mild lift and lockers.

[@daniyaldanish8996]

Thanks Guys !! Most awaited review

[@unhandleme]

Still a great-looking ride. I had a 94 four-door in the early aughts. Yes, it was that same color. Had some good times in that truck.

[@SurlyriderBilly]

I’m glad you got to check this one out, kept seeing it in the Datsun truck video

[@alanhinkel420]

My GF in High School’s dad had a 1990 Pathfinder. I think it was a 2 door. I remember it feeling very cheap on the inside. It had plastic everywhere.

[@terrencejones9817]

My best friend had one of these. They were very capable and fairly reliable.

[@rmp5s]

I love these things...same VG30E engine that's in the Z31 300ZX, Maxima of the time and about a million other things. GREAT engine. This thing will probably go another 177k miles.

[@charlesnickell7257]

I own a black 2 door 88 modle year 5 speed manual and over 350,000 miles on it and still running strong bought it in Washington state and drove it to new York to south GA back to Washington state

[@subroc22]

I looked at buying one of these in 1988 and took one for a test drive one day. Every time I got in the vehicle, I would bang my knee on the bottom of the dashboard. I could predict that I would come to hate that, so I opted out and in 1990 bought an XJ Cherokee that I kept for 11 years.

[@coalmahn891]

Nice clean ride! Great video!

[@rightlanehog3151]

TFL, If the chicken tax 2:00 applies to 2 door SUVs, is Land Rover adding 25% to the price of the 2 door Defender?

[@TFLcar]

yup That’s what I’ve heard!

[@rightlanehog3151]

@@TFLcar Interesting, I cannot find a reference to it.

[@hoosierdude7102]

That is awesome! As a man-of-a-certain-age, I find the young men’s belittling of the non grey or black interior uncalled for.

[@rollingedges9469]

That's freaking rare, I had an 89 4Runner 2door originally shipped to Canada! Lol

[@christopherbeatty3390]

Any 80’s Nissan built in Japan are flawless.

[@kevinblock2307]

That’s an awesome pathfinder

[@Kristian_Saile]

I am old enough to remember pathfinder’s in the 80’s being cooler than 4Runners at the time. They looked noticeably tougher too. Then for the second gen they switched to unibody which basically killed the appeal no matter how many African bush/safari type of ad/promotions they did. When they introduced the XTerra it was such a huge hit. Kind of like the original pathfinder, it was based on the truck (this time the frontier), it was relatively spartan and basic but had nice styling with its Land Rover like raised roof over the second row and it was very affordable in the market at the time. It blows my mind that Nissan doesn’t reintroduce the XTerra right now and follow that same formula, truck based, tough, nice looking, relatively simple, and priced aggressively. Make it a more utility style offroad focused SUV with…. Wait for it…. A V6. They would sell a ton of them.

[@DANNYN224]

Nice vehicle only issue the 3.0 v6 has fuel pump issues I had a 96 white one xe 4 door but I junked it

[@tubatodd]

This was my favorite generation of Pathfinder.

[@rafiahnaf4024]

in Indonesia, Nissan called it the Nissan Terrano, however it lack some features than the real Pathfinder. Nissan Indonesia sold the Terrano from 1996 until 2006 with 3 different trims.

[@rose415]

commitment to triangles 😆

[@killerb5726]

I had one but the 4 door version. Loved it.

[@sergeyveda3203]

A true Pathfinder! Common Nissan let's bring this back!

[@craigpatterson8551]

I had one, wish I still did. Fantastic mountain vehicle!

[@lifeisgood12341]

My first car was a 98 Pathfinder and it was so awesome

[@randalsweeting661]

The transmission shifts so good because it's the same one used in the 300xz.

[@DerekL2005]

I had one of these. The frame was so rusted it looked like swiss cheese

[@blurglide]

I'm suprised it only made 160 hp. The 1990 2.4L 4 cyl made 134 hp, which was considered a pretty powerful four banger at the time.

[@stevekam5243]

Love this review. You can still find these out there in somewhat good shape.

[@dleblanc3592]

Beautiful truck Brilliant color V6 stick 4x4 cant get any better than that drivetrain

[@OldThomMerton]

I saw this in the parade of cars in a previous Classics video from Tenn., was hoping you cover this! - Those early 4 cyl Hardbody motors were bullet proof; my nephew bought on VERY used and drove that thing until it died 15 years later. That motor would be anemic in a Pathfinder, but I'll be quite a few are still running nearly forty years later.

[@stevemehes9152]

most of these suv were body on frame from a truck like the d21 ranger the s10

[@mattg7952]

Yeah go buy one on their recommendation. Make sure it’s had a timing belt done, don’t buy an automatic, make sure all the rear link bushings aren’t shot, be ready for multiple vacuum leaks at any given time. The first gen’s are 30+ years old now and parts aren’t exactly easy to get for your “cheap” under 10k 30 year old 4x4

[@fatalsupremacy]

my mother had this car, until the engine blew back in the early 90s. so much nostalgia..

[@christianobrien4465]

My aspirational 4x4 when I was young and STILL is. Is that the Ultimate test?… I think so.

[@texandy89]

I owned a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4x4 it had the 3.5 liter V6 I got it pre-owned or i think used it had at the time when I got 76,000 miles on it this was my first vehicle I got when I started driving. I don't have it anymore. But I do miss the vehicle though it had a ten disc CD changer with bose audio system. The downside was the sunroof which failed.

[@aaronstanley4110]

Aw, memories of when Nissan had an identity.😢 Cool rig!

[@AKB_48]

Had a 2012 LE Silver,it was a great truck !

[@garretlewis4103]

Classic, small SUVs. There is someone up the street from me that has a red S15 Jimmy that I eyeball every time I ride buy.

[@pleinairbarnettoutdoors]

'90s original parts cost for a newish vehicule then, was one of the highest on the market

[@dgreen3135]

I always liked the early 2000s pathfinders

[@10cpaul]

When real engineers designed a vehicle and not AI!!

[@horseathalt7308]

This. It's also not a design by committee vehicle either which was starting to occur back then.

[@aaronscott2278]

The ford probe had a really dark red exterior and interior this reminds me of the red on red one I had

[@R777-RLM]

I'd give anything for soft colored velour seats like that, today. It's BS that velour doesn't wear well; and it looks better than shiny cracked leather, or just shiny vinyl.

[@williamparker7823]

I had a 95 pathfinder V6 5 speed. It grenaded the gearbox at 120k from a design fault. I really liked the rest of it, but couldn't justify more than I bought it for to replace the gearbox.