Member Since: 27 Jun 2007
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 11
whats a pathfinder like?
In answer to the question ....different!
Comparing my TDv6 se auto to the 2.5tdi Sport manual, the D3 wins with smoother and quieter ride, engine noise in particular. Interior wise pathfinder is reasonable enough for a car costing 10k less and does hve a bigger 'boot' when 7 seats in use, but the back seats are not as comfortable as the D3 but are at least a reasonable size if not quite adult size. Towing a abbey vogue 650 twin axle the D3 is easier/more relaxing which given the similar weight and bhp I am guessing that the D3's higher roofline punches a bigger hole in the air for the caravan and hence reduces the effect of airflow on caravan stability. Off road the pathfinder appears pretty capable and whilst no doubt the D3 wins with its off road settings the Pathfinder hasnt got stuck yet. Final comment on a regular long run from the Midland to Edinburgh the pathfinder left me feeling that I had driven 400 miles where as the D3 didnt!!!
Oh but the Pathfinder does have one big advantage.....no annoying intermittent faults......20000 miles no faults other than an annoying squeak!.....D3 ho hum 1200 miles since last service.....rea parking sensors playing up after ( not during) rain...again!! 3rd time! oh and switching on when cold gives a HDC error.....oh and of course intermittent suspension fault again !!!Im sorry...did I break your concentration?
4th Feb 2009 4:12 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
Sorry chap but why would we want to know what a Pathfinders like 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
4th Feb 2009 4:20 pm
flinty99
Member Since: 17 Mar 2008
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 2558
This has been moved from the "Welcome to DISCO3.CO.UK - Say hello here! " thread.
I would guess by the opening sentance that the question was asked in the above thread and cloudcatcher posted this reply. Now its been moved the responce now makes little sence.For details on the next Kielder Safari click visit the Kielder Safari website
Sold: HSE-G4, Tangiers Orange. (one of your 5 Discoverys a day)
Member of CFT
4th Feb 2009 4:25 pm
flinty99
Member Since: 17 Mar 2008
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 2558
Just browsing through the welcome thread and DiscoDunc asked what the Pathfinder was like and this is the reply.For details on the next Kielder Safari click visit the Kielder Safari website
Sold: HSE-G4, Tangiers Orange. (one of your 5 Discoverys a day)
Member of CFT
4th Feb 2009 4:30 pm
tanters
Member Since: 24 Oct 2007
Location: Oireland
Posts: 4284
Pathfinders are usually the smallest of the bunch, with great stamina and excellent eyesight
Seriously, I test drove a second hand one from a Land Rover garage because I thought it looked better than the D3 ( I know, I know! Sorry ) and have to say it was terrible. From the tinny sound when you closed the door to the awful sound from the engine and general feeling of cheapness/ plastic, I hated it.
Got back to garage and saleman said ' sure try one of these yokes' pointing at a D3......and the rest is history A happy childhood ... is the worst possible preparation for life.
Last edited by tanters on 4th Feb 2009 6:00 pm. Edited 1 time in total
4th Feb 2009 4:48 pm
SJR
Member Since: 09 Aug 2006
Location: East Manchester
Posts: 4030
If you mean the Nissan one
I tried one when looking for a new car in 2006, the contenders were
- XC90 (dismissed because local Volvo dealer had been complete tossers over an issue with the S40 i had at the time)
Pathfinder - Engine sounded like an old Sherpa diesel van, and interior felt cheap. The Nissan dealer said the engine would sound better when it was 'run in'
Was the cheapest of the 3 i looked at, and for good reason, it was to much like a Navarra with 7 seats!
I could have lived with the XC90 (dealer aside) but the D3 was the complete package and i got a good deal. I have not once regretted the decision to buy it
4th Feb 2009 5:23 pm
Russell
Member Since: 24 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
There has also been alot in the press about early engine failures on the pathfinders/navara's, main or big ends failing MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
4th Feb 2009 5:27 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
flinty99 wrote:
This has been moved from the "Welcome to DISCO3.CO.UK - Say hello here! " thread.
Ah ! I see Nothing against Pathfinders ...I think they are fairly good looking, value for money and reliable. Just thought it a strange post 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
4th Feb 2009 5:33 pm
bigcarpchaser
Member Since: 13 Oct 2007
Location: Camberley
Posts: 2270
I had two Xtrails following a self inflicted disaster with a Freelander, so when looking for a new bigger wagon I did consider a Pathfinder as I never had any issues with Nissan, finding them reliable and reasonable to drive etc etc.
Anyway, test drove a Pathfinder and to be frank, it was horrible. (Looks ok though)
Big bouncy plastic lump of lard. The auto box was vague, the steering was vague and the suspension was vague.
Add to that the excruciating depreciation, the idea got canned within 5 mins of handing the keys back to dealer.
They weren't particularly interested in doing a deal either and initial cost I thought was rather high.
THEN, I drove a D3. Better in every way for not a lot more money, the depreciation (at the time!) was a lot less, the dealer gave me a blinding deal on a new SE so that started my D3 ownership off.
Now I get a phone call/letter twice a month asking me to buy another Nissan....no way!
Was funny though, when I told the Nissan peeps I was going to test drive a D3 they all slagged off Land Rover.
Particularly the reliability, build quality and apparently, the Pathfinder won loads of 4X4 group tests!
Not in any article I read!!
Best way to ultimately drive each model yourself and decide then.
IMHO, they don't even come close to each other.Welcome "Lola"
4th Feb 2009 5:53 pm
davesimmons
Member Since: 11 Feb 2006
Location: Alberta
Posts: 733
we tested the Pathfinder, and similar to bigcarpchaser told the nissan dealership that we were going to drive the D3 next....they just said you'll buy the Disco not wrong there on another note my mate is looking at buying the navara for work, they told him that they are comparable to the FFRR in off road comfort and ability funny bunch of lads there always ready to have a laugh
I too have heard about the nissan engines blowing up, is there any truths to it, don't want my mate literally blowing his hard earned cash Welcome to the Global Warming Corner.
4th Feb 2009 6:04 pm
bigcarpchaser
Member Since: 13 Oct 2007
Location: Camberley
Posts: 2270
Have heard rumours of engines biting the dust too, aren't they made in partnership with Renault?
Might explain things Welcome "Lola"
4th Feb 2009 6:11 pm
Tom W
Member Since: 23 Dec 2008
Location: peterborough
Posts: 208
Have had 2 navaras as works vehicles,1st blew at about 35k, second managed 40ish. Ride like a sack of as well
4th Feb 2009 6:39 pm
davesimmons
Member Since: 11 Feb 2006
Location: Alberta
Posts: 733
what reg were they Welcome to the Global Warming Corner.
4th Feb 2009 6:42 pm
the kergan
Member Since: 01 Dec 2008
Location: Swindon Wiltshire
Posts: 535
Test drove all sorts of 4x4's and the pathfinder was one of them.
Lacked a lot of the luxury and comfort the D3 has. And was quite noisy as well. I felt it was a bit like a Builders motor, could see it with bags of cement and a shovel in the back sort of motor.
I thought long and hard about the difference in specs, the looks and the price and came to a conclusion.
That was if I had bought a pathfinder then every time I seen a D3 on the road my heart would sink a little and I would wish I paid a little more and purchased the D3.
I wonder how many pathfinder owners feel that way I have something to say! It's better to burn out... than to fade away!
4th Feb 2009 7:13 pm
CY
Member Since: 16 Aug 2005
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 4502
bigcarpchaser wrote:
Have heard rumours of engines biting the dust too, aren't they made in partnership with Renault?
Might explain things
Oi
It's true though, they joint-produced some of the engines including the big 3.0 diesels.2007 Porsche Boxster (987) 2.7
2008 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE G4 Challenge (1 of 68)
2023 Defender 90 D250 X-Dynamic HSE
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Sorry chap but why would we want to know what a Pathfinders like 
because I thought it looked better than the D3 ( I know, I know! Sorry 
) and have to say it was terrible. From the tinny sound when you closed the door to the awful sound from the engine and general feeling of cheapness/ plastic, I hated it.
Ride like a sack of 
as well 
