There is a day coming – if not already here – wherein the vehicles you buy will have an incredibly short lifespan. They will not be intended to be handed down to later generations, despite the fact that they don’t consume oil at alarming rates and aren’t equipped with carburetors that need constant adjustment. However, they will lack that abstract quality of being overbuilt, and thus, no one will save them for the 16-year-old driver or as the dump-run vehicle. This 1992 Nissan Pathfinder listed here on eBay is an example of an overbuilt vehicle you’d keep in the driveway for the next licensed member of your household; you can’t say that about the modern-day Pathfinder.
This is yet another find from my favorite car donation lot on eBay. While this Pathfinder looks like it has seen better days, there are some reasons for hope as you dig deeper into its profile. First of all, this was the first-generation Pathfinder, a true body-on-frame SUV that came equipped with impressive off-road chops right out of the gate. From what I recall, Car & Driver magazine loved this thing, ranking it above models like the Isuzu Trooper that could climb like a billy goat but was lacking any sort of creature comforts or reduction of noise, vibration, and harshness. The Pathfinder combined go-anywhere abilities with things like sound deadening and thick carpeting, two rarities in the early SUV world.
Now, we’re not talking Rolls Royce-thick carpeting, but you get the idea. The Pathfinder showed you can have your cake and eat it too by combining a rough-and-tumble-ready frame with a interior full of convenience features like power windows and locks. The seller notes it also comes with cruise control, and the dash pad suggests a previous owner somewhere down the line wanted to keep the dash from cracking. The Pathfinder didn’t change much in these early years, apart from offering the SUV as both a four- and two-door, the latter of which was a natural fit for anyone who had an active lifestyle but didn’t yet have kids.
Powered by a gutsy 3.0L V6, the Pathfinder quickly worked its way into mainstream American life, with subsequent generations carrying the torch. Some things I always treat as clues to the previous owner’s level of care is how clean the interior is, particularly the cargo area, as this is where the big stains often happen. With blemish-free carpets out back and what looks like an OEM toll roll kit living in the truck, I would ignore things like the flat tire and occasional dent and focus on how easily this early SUV will clean up once it returns to a committed owner. Did any of you drive or own a first-generation Pathfinder back in the day?
So far, with the current high bid of $265, it’s worth someone looking for an inexpensive off-road beater or parts car to take a shot.
Me and a couple of friends would occasionally buy cars from a local charity in the late-90’s when 1960’s cars would occasionally turn up. As long as you have realistic expectations it was possible to find some good deals and probably still is.
Steve R
Run, Forrest, run,,,see the thing here is, whatever this truck needs is INCREDIBLY expensive. It’s why it’s where it’s at. With hourly repair rates topping $160/hr.!!! I know, I was shocked, and that is a private guy, dealer probably more, it just doesn’t pay to pad these guys pockets. Oh, they’d love to see you bring this in,$$$$,,,
,anyway, I always liked how they integrated the rear doors, looking like a 2 door, and like all these Asian vehicles, outstanding when new, but the Asians aren’t stupid. They know how to engineer the vehicle with a prescribed due date. US does the same thing. I’m telling ya’, folks just won’t be able to drive anymore, I’m pretty close right now. I say a prayer everytime I start the Jeep,,.
That’s one point of view Howard. Most of the shops I deal with don’t want anything to do with this type of work, especially on a first year product. As you said, parts are expensive. Perhaps the local shade tree mechanic would take a swing at this one. “Planned obsolescence”, as you stated is real. I’ll pass on this for any more than across the scale price.
A local private mechanic, who I thought did good work, no longer does anything related to drivetrain. No motors, no transmissions, strictly wiper blades and brakes. His lot was inundated with vehicles just like this, he’d run up a bill, and the people bailed, so he stopped doing those repairs. I hear it all the time, folks boasting about the accolades of their cars, only to be blindsided when a repair comes up. That’s why I like my Jeep, it’s about the simplest vehicle I can own today. The electronics are limited to the seat belt buzzer,,,
Jeff, you should really read the descriptions before fantasizing about cars and trucks. 270,000 miles, engine does not start or run, etc.
Nobody’s going to buy this and start off- roading in comfort.
Had several of this trucks, although always the diesel version.
Best trucks ever, in my opinion.
Diesel engine is called “bullet proof” round here.
The ones I owned had 200’000 to 300’000 miles on them.
Never had an issue.
These have great brakes, suspension and steering. I feel that the engine lacks torque. Driving my ex- father-in-law’s, was getting tiresome climbing mountains pulling his little row/fishing boat until the timing belt snapped at approximately 4,000 rpm. This is an interference engine. So chances are if it doesn’t run, you are in for a major top end rebuild at the least. NO THANKS!
Sold on 3/29/2025 for a high bid of $465.
Steve R