Looking at a PF - Need Opinions

[Crashoveride]

Hey All

 

Well this is my first post here and hopefully not my last

 

I have been looking at getting an SUV for a daily driver and something more practial for me and the wife but I come from a Sport Compact Car Tuning background and new to the SUV/Truck world.

 

Anyhow we have found a couple that are local to us but one in particular has caught our eye and I want to get an expert opinion from some of the members of this community as you guys would no doubt know better than anyone what I should be looking for and if this looks to be a sturdy rig.

 

Here is the info and pics ...................

 

1998, automatic, 4X4, Cruise tilt, pwr Windows, Locks, ABS

Black in color.

160 000 kms (In Canada)

New 31 tires ( Jan 06), have stock 265's also but 85% worn.

Just had new timing belt and all accessory belts replaced along with 2 cam seals and an oil change

 

 

 

 

 

 

So whats everyones thoughts and opinions, not taking price into consideration as its going for somewhat of a good deal how does it look for the age of the vehicle?

Should I or Shouldnt I?

 

Thanks Everyone.

 

Crash

[headpeace]

Well I'm not an R50 owner but I love my WD21. That thing looks nice and clean and sounds like its been well taken care of; I'm sure some of the R50 peeps will chime in soon. Oh yeah if I remember correctly that chilkoot edition had some kinda special somethin for offroading, surely someone will correct me

Edited June 7, 2006 by headpeace

[nycxice13]

Well, it looks good. JUst a little rust underneath. Uhh, how does it sound when it runs? any tings dings, shifts good?

 

Now that I look again, I dont think theres an area underneath that isnt rusty. Good news its never been offroad, can tell that by the splash guard still being there. Like mine.

Edited June 7, 2006 by nycxice13

[vengeful]

Whoever told you that has never been off-road is either a liar or mistaken. That is not the factory splash guard, but a steel skid plate up front. That dent in it scares me. The plastic splash guard wouldn't have rust around the edges where the paint/powdercoating came off. Looks like the AC skidplate.

 

Looking at the interior pics, and reading your intro, I can see what caught your eye...it was the "carbon fiber" dash trim, right?

[nycxice13]

Yea Venge is right, that isnt factory, I just took a fast glance.

 

The rust all around is what mainly cares me. I have a 98 with 122,000 miles in the Northeast without nearly the rust the amount of that thing has.

[SC88Pathy]

Hi crash I'm zerocool

 

I agree with everyone else, the rust on the undercarraige is really bad for a 98. I'd suggest looking for something a bit more well taken care of...

[vengeful]

You're right Andrew...you're about as cool as the letter zero.

[Casey.T]

It appears to be a clean rig... based on the under side I would most likely be talking less of a sale price.

 

Climb under and poke and prod a little see how bad it really is, 8 years old.

[rmd0311]

That is a lot of RUST... Just a noob's thoughts though....

[nycxice13]

It appears to be a clean rig... based on the under side I would most likely be talking less of a sale price.

 

Climb under and poke and prod a little see how bad it really is, 8 years old.

HEY, mine is 8, and in pristine condition. Don't be picking on age groups here. -argue-

[vengeful]

It appears to be mostly surface rust. If that's the case, it's not of too much concern to me. How long do you plan on keeping this vehicle?

[Casey.T]

Well the only location we have is "Canada"... East? West? Middle? Quebec is still part of Canada isnt it???

 

Wasnt there an option of undercoating on the R50's Factory or otherwise?

 

Obviously this one was not. But from the pic's IMO it really does not look that bad. Like I said, id use it to get a better price, if all i could find was surface rust...

[fordsho90]

well like said rust is an issue but try to look under where you right foot would sit when driving and see if u got rust there....and from the look of the undercariage he is in the salt belt

[Pezzy]

Plates are New Brunswick, so east coast...

 

yeah those tire say either offroad, or overkill for groceries too... crawl under there and see if there are other dents or scratches on the cross members or the gas tank skidplate....

 

well, could you take it to a dealer or mechanic to have a once over and give you a second opinion? It does seem pretty rusty underneath, compared to mine (mine's muddy tho!)

 

as per above, how does it drive? any noises?? R50's are known for the struts to go... when I bought mine they had to replace them.

 

If you want an idea of pricing, look up the model & year on www.autotrader.ca and look up the average price... also, look at others with similar km's on them.

 

Chillkoot does have a few extra toys over the XE, although I dont know what they are offhand... there is a thread in the R50 section on the differences.

[Trainman]

Chillkoot does have a few extra toys over the XE, although I dont know what they are offhand... there is a thread in the R50 section on the differences.

Where? I was never able to find it as I wanted to know the differences as well

 

 

If you look at the picture with the skid plate and look at the very top, you can see rust on the vertical supports in front of the rad. The amount and location of the rust may be an issue, should be looked at by a pro.

 

I am very happy with my 02 (same R50 body, larger motor, redesigned front and dash but basically the same).

 

Areas to be careful of:

Auto trannie: any history of it being serviced (for the 02, should be done every 40,000 km, do not know about the 98)

As Pezzy mentioned, struts

Add in all the suspension bushings

 

Otherwise a good, reliable truck overall. Good thing the tbelt is done.

 

 

Used review is here

[Crashoveride]

Hey guys,

 

Wow i really appreciate all the feedback from everyone.

 

I knew the pictures of the underside would concern everyone because it concerns me as well.

The problem is the truck is a few hours away and I havent been able to get to it to test drive and have a closer inspection, but I had the guy take those pics lastnight to see if its worth the drive to look at it.

 

I am not sure the whole history of the truck, i know it was purchased by this guy from the dealer on Sept. 05 and hes owened it since then so I am assuming it was traded in for a newer one.

 

I am told there are "usual" rust area on these things in the rear quarters and fenders, as well as the chrome bumpers if they have them. This looks to be ok on the outside from the pics but I am not sure if the underside is just surface rust or if its more than that but its obviously not been undercoated.

 

I am BTW on the East Coast in Canada and well they love the salt on the road's in the winter, lol.

 

I have compared what he is asking for the going rate of them in this area and its about average if not a bit below average. we are looking to use this as a daily driver and plan on keeping it for a few years to drive as its more practial than my show car and winter beater, lol.

 

The other option I have is a 96 SE and it has been undercoated so the body is in good condition but it has more miles on it as well as I know its been off road and its got quite afew rattles and squeeks plus its very dirty and is getting the rockers replaced right now so I am not sure if I would like that one or this one for the same price.

 

vengeful - The Carbon Fiber did catch my eyes and well it will match my other cars hood and trunk very well,

 

 

Well thanks again everyone for the input I think if I can get to see it this weekend and take some better pics and let you know what its like, but if its not too bad I think I might get it and have it undercoated and whatnot.

 

Thanks Again

 

Crash

[nycxice13]

I dunno about the fenders or chrome bumpers rusting, never heard of it really. Mine are in perfect condition, same year.

[John Boy]

Rust adds character! Seriously the tranny and motor is going to go before any of that rusts through.

[Trainman]

The R50's are not known to rust the same as the pre-96's, I think that rust reference is maybe for them, not R50's.

 

For the same $$$, I would take this one over the 96 as you have described them.

 

They make nice daily drivers but are TRUCKS so bit hard on gas compared to cars. Just be prepared for that.

 

Would like to know why the current owner is getting rid of the truck after only 9-10 months ownership.

 

Again, good luck and let us know how it turns out. :type:

[Pezzy]

Where? I was never able to find it as I wanted to know the differences as well

You were a big part of that thread.... let me do a search... I recall SOMEONE refering to my path as the bitchy edition in that thread, so I should be able to find it pretty quick...

[Pezzy]

http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=6574&hl=bitchy

[94extreme]

the rust is somewhat concerning but i am not surprised at all for where it comes from. if you do make the trip definitely crawl under and play doctor..

 

i'd go check it out depending on how far away it is of course. i am guessing the value at maybe $6k?

[Trainman]

You were a big part of that thread.... let me do a search... I recall SOMEONE refering to my path as the bitchy edition in that thread, so I should be able to find it pretty quick...

Thanks, my memory is not good in my old age.

 

But it does not really tell what was in a Chilkoot vs the XE. That was never finalized. I should check with the dealer.

[Mr. Pickles]

Definately crawl under if you're serious, preferably with something to poke with (sharp) and something to scrape with, even a flathead screwdriver if you have to. Poke every suspect area plus some. Some rust now generally means much more down the road- its not like its just going to magically stop rusting one night. So even things that are marginally ok now will get worse, and things that are issues now will be PROBLEMS down the road. That considered, you're probably not looking for a show truck, and these things generally will go a long ways even with reasonable crusty stuff. I'd also 2nd the suggestion of getting a mechanical inspection, just in case.

[navygz19]

WHOA that thing's been around the block! Looks good though. Like everyones already said, it has rust Def. get a poker like Pickles said, get underneath it and poke around at the most oxidated spots. If you go through, time to get a second opinion. Bushings are probably shot. And that front skid/splash guard...is it even metal?!? Kind of just looks like a piece of rubber. Even so...Blackpanther skids will go perfectly on that Paint looks nice and glossy, any accidents w/ it? Your definately going to want to do all the routine maint. if/when you get it...plugs/seafoam (if you can get it) diff. fluids (sounds like they've been neglected) tranny fluid (something high mileage) Let us know how it goes!