1998 Nissan Pathfinder

Change

1998 Nissan Pathfinder

Kelley Blue Book Retail $1,650–$3,550  

Average Rating

4.3 out of 5
Review This Car
Comfort:4.0 out of 5
Performance:3.9 out of 5
Exterior Styling:4.2 out of 5
Interior Design:4.3 out of 5
Value for the Money:4.7 out of 5
Reliability:4.6 out of 5

8 out of 9 people would recommended this car to a friend

Consumer Reviews

Page 1 of 1

Most Reliable car I've owned

by Traveling Man
from Mississippi | December 13, 2012

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 4 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I purchased this vehicle used about 7 years ago and it now has 240,000 miles and ain't slowing down."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting


Did you find this review helpful?

Yes No

0 out of 0 found this review helpful

long haul pathfinder

by kms1990
from fort worth,tx | June 25, 2012

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"i had a 98 pathfinder from 2007-2010 it never gave me any issues and would still be on the road today had someone not totaled it the only thing on the outside i would have changed was the tailgate styling kinda bland but not a major thing interior was great engine felt slightly under powered but it was a 3.3l v6 trying to pull a 4500 pound suv and it got about 16-18mpg not bad for an suv built when gas was cheap great car buy it if you can afford gas bill but you shouldnt need much else for it just regualr scheduled maintainace"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Having fun


Did you find this review helpful?

Yes No

0 out of 0 found this review helpful

Rock Solid

by 98 Pathy SE
from Westchester, NY | April 5, 2012

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 4 out of 5
Performance: 3 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"This SUV is as solid a vehicle as you will find. The first SUV to use a uni-body frame, it was the design that modern crossovers are based upon. Handles and rides better than any of it's comtemporaries, and most importantly, the thing will run FOREVER. There will be minor repairs with age (rear trailing arm bushings need to be replaced every 60-80K), but mechanically, it is as bullet proof as can be. BTW, when people complain about the highway handling on this vehicle, it's the rear bushings. You can't see them so they go unnoticed by many. A couple hundred, and she will drive good as new. Anyone who knows these cars knows about this issue. Thiose that don't, complain that it doesn't handle well. They don't know enough to replace a simple part of the suspension. It is VERY easy to work on as well. Most problems can be easily fixed with a few turns of a wratchet. Always amazes me that at 150K, I have no rattles, squeaks, or major issues. Once, I accidently left the radiator empty while doing a fluid change and rushed out to do something. I ended up trying to drive 35 miles with an overheated engine late at night on the highway. Steam flying everywhere, just trying to get to the next Thruway exit. It was red hot, and for a long time. I would have bet money that the gasket was blown or even the block should have cracked. $80 radiator and some Prestone later, she was absolutely perfect. Amazing. It has lots of room for people and cargo, and is very versatile. Not a sports car, but comfy on long trips. Usually the car falls apart long before the drivetrain will give out on these things. With good care, you can easily get 300K out of it. Figure on a couple hundred dollars in repair every year or so. Small things like ball joints, belts, etc. And, it will serve you quite well for a very long time."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


Did you find this review helpful?

Yes No

1 out of 2 found this review helpful

Love it

by JDM kid
from CT | March 5, 2009

Rating from

(4)
Comfort: 4 out of 5
Performance: 3 out of 5
Handling: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"My girlfriend bought her 98 Pathfinder last year for her first car. She didn't feel it was girly enough so she doesn't drive it anymore and now she has a different car. Rather then selling it, I bought it off of her and I love it. I use it as my daily driver and enjoy the ride everyday. The only thing I don't like is the 4WD sometimes is hard to engage, and the muffler is starting to get prety rusty. But neither of these are a direct reflection on the vehicle, but rather it being 11 years old. All in all I will say that I will never sell the Pathfinder, I will drive it until it can not drive any longer. But don't expect to get 30mpg. You can't have it all...."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Work


Did you find this review helpful?

Yes No

4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Solid, Solid, Solid

by 98 Pathy
from New York | January 19, 2009

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Handling: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I bought my 98 Pathfinder with 103K on it. I was simply hoping for a reliable station vehicle, and was extremely surprised to find how much I liked driving this. Even with all those miles on it, it rode and handled very well. However, being handy with a wrench, I dedided to replace a few maintenance components like rubber bushings, tie rods, and ball joints. It already had good shocks and struts. WOW, this thing is as good as the day it came off the showroom floor. There are no rattles, squeaks, or thumps. It handles extremely well, and a K&N filter seemed to really help it get more out of the revs. The leather interior is top quality, better than I see on most new luxury vehicles. Also, having driven many AWD vehicles, I am still amazed at the 4x4 capabilities of this truck. And it doesn't give up a thing on the road. It is smooth, and handles like a new car. Very little lean in on turns, no harshness. Oh, and the most important part---it is built like a tank. As reliable as can be. This is one of those rare vehicles, that if you simply maintain it, it will easily give 200K+ without any headaches. Like I said, I wanted something I could beat up, and now I find myself babying it, because I can feel that it has tons of life left on it. I expect to take great care of it and get many years of service. You can't go wrong with this SUV."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


Did you find this review helpful?

Yes No

6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Pretty good SUV so far

by 1998 Pathfinder LE 4x2
from Birmingham, AL | June 8, 2008

Rating from

(4)
Comfort: 3 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Handling: 3 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Features: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 4 out of 5
Reliability: 4 out of 5

"My wife bought her 1998 Pathfinder brand new after graduating from high school. She still drives it to this day, has had no major problems, only thing we have had done is the replacement of struts and shocks on all 4 wheels, routine oil changes, brakes, rotors, and tires. Overall has been a very reliable truck. Now has 153,000 miles as of 6/2008. The only cons that I have noticed is when shifting into overdrive the transmission will studder a little before completely engaging into O/D (but has been doing this since about 65,000 miles). Could be a little more comfortable on long trips. Doesnt handle very well on the interstates at high speeds, especially when wind is gusty, tends to blow the truck all over the lane, thus the 3 star on handling."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: N/A


Did you find this review helpful?

Yes No

1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Death-trap On Wet Roads

by Nissan Fan
from Dayton, OH | December 28, 2007

Rating from

(3)
Comfort: 3 out of 5
Performance: 3 out of 5
Handling: 1 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 3 out of 5
Interior Design: 3 out of 5
Features: 3 out of 5
Value for the Money: 3 out of 5
Reliability: 3 out of 5

"I had a 1991 Pathfinder that I literally drove until it died with 280,000 miles on it. So I was very entheusiastic to get a used 1998 1/2 (1999) Pathfinder at a good price. The 1998 was not nearly as comfortable as my 1991, nor did I like the styling as much. The car felt very unstable if it was necessary to swerve at highway speeds. It slides / spins out on even the pavement that is even slightly wet. I was hoping that this car would have the same reliability as my 1991 Pathfiinder also but it died at 180,000 miles - a full 100,000 miles short of my expectations from my 1991. Recently I traded in the 1998 and pruchased a used 2002 LE. This vehicle is much more like the 1991 regarding styling, comfort, and handling. Much more the vehicle I had come to love and expect from Nissan. I think the 1998/1999 years were off years for Nissan. It is good to know the quality is back"

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: N/A


Did you find this review helpful?

Yes No

1 out of 4 found this review helpful

All around the best performing vehicle I've owned

by bianchibuddy
from Rocky Mountain High, CO | December 20, 2006

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Handling: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I've own my 1998 Pathfinder SE for 6 yrs now and have put it through everything. What a fabulous vehicle! I've traveled across country with wife, 2 dogs, & 2 cats very comfortably. We've towed a 5x8 enclosed trailer across the country with great ease. I ran a few good offroad Colorado trail in it with only 31" tires. I slept in it with plenty of space for 2. Oh, and I wash it, wax it, have all the suggested maintance done, keep fresh oil in it, fresh tires on it, and always run mid-grade fuel. We've only put 50k miles on since we've owned it and have NEVER had one hint of trouble! Maybe we got a good one, I don't know, but it has been very reliable! Could use a slight increase in power, but it surely isn't bad. K & N helped. Bose radio also very nice, bucket seats are comfortable, manual transmission & clutch feel great at 100k."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: N/A


Did you find this review helpful?

Yes No

2 out of 4 found this review helpful

So far so good

by Jon's
from Jonesboro, Arkansas | August 19, 2006

Rating from

(3)
Comfort: 3 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Handling: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 4 out of 5

"I bought my 1998 nissan pathfinder with the SE edition. I can't say anything bad about it. I love driving this vehicle. I went from driving a 2wd Jeep Cherokee to driving this rig. The steering is much tighter than what I had expected. Personally to me handles more like a car than an suv. I must say however its heavier than what id like it to be. Of course don't take my word for it I am a fireman and have to push my vehicles hard at times do yourself a favor as i did for myself take it to a mechanic and spend a little money to have it checked from top to bottim. I paid 8400 for mine, and about a week later saw a 2wd version at a Nissan dealer for almost 12,000 with almost double the mileage. I love the the 4wd it has Nissan knows what they are doing there with a proven rock crawler transfer case with a high and low gear. An awesome Bose sound system. Good gas mileage considering the weight, and comfort about 17-20 mpg with a large amount of room. I am about 6'2 230 lbs and I find the vehicle to have more than enough room for me. So do us all a favor and research vehicles before you and demand a carfax report thanks Jon"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: N/A


Did you find this review helpful?

Yes No

2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Page 1 of 1
*Invoice prices are made available by Cars.com and are not dealer advertising. All prices are subject to regional variations. Prices last updated 9/23/10. Click here for more information.

Research Competing Vehicles

Choose up to three models to compare to the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder

1998 Acura SLX

1998 Acura SLX

Starting MSRP
$36,300
1998 Chevrolet Blazer

1998 Chevrolet Blazer

Starting MSRP
$21,713
1998 GMC Envoy

1998 GMC Envoy

Starting MSRP
$34,135