Looking for a new vehicle

I had an 06 xterra with the 4.0 and it was impossible to change the spark plugs without removing the intake manifold. Also never got better than 17ish.

 

In 08+ the Rav4 got the improved 2.5L 2AR-FE, which has not been reported to have oil-consumption issues. I think Toyota simply fixed it with the design change. The 2GR-FE used in the Rav4 V6 model has been fine since the beginning. The 2GR-FE is also used in the current Sienna and Highlander (Toyota's competitor to the Pilot).

 

It does, but it shuts off 2 cylinders because I can't feel a damn thing when it does. 3 cylinders, you can feel it. I think the computer has certain parameters set for the 3 cylinder deactivation, pretty sure it has to be freeway speeds. Around town, if you keep your foot out of it, it shuts 2 down with little pedal pressure.

 

Just keep in mind the cylinder deactivation doesn't bring a night-and-day difference. The Pilot AWD gets 1 mpg better than the Sienna AWD, while being 1 mpg worse than the Highlander AWD:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=34380&id=34372&id=34637

 

Ah, that makes sense. Don't fix the problem, just release a new engine with a new design. lol Also good to know the 2GR hasn't has that issue.

That's really cool! Given she put 50k on the Rav in about 3 yrs that would probably help save some money if we can't get one at a good price.

 

Good to know the 97 is still running well for you. We really like the 08 I saw. Not sure about the mileage... Same if not better than the truck would be nice, not worse. lol I'm a little concerned about seating, but with the front seat adjusted for me I could actually fit in the 2nd row, with an inch of knee room. With the front seat all the way back I couldn't even get in. Rear seat was certainly tight, but should be fine for our 6 and 8 yr olds for a while. By the time they're bigger, the 15 and 12 year old *should* be out of the house. LOL

I also liked how the 3rd row head rests weren't damn near touching the back window like on some of these. Some look like anyone taller than 3ft would get their head bashed by the rear hatch because they were so close to the rear of the vehicle.

I'd thought about one of those too, but I haven't seen any in years! I remembered seeing a girl on one of the forums who lifted and wheeled hers so I would assume there's parts for them.

Yeah, figures. Seems like there's not much that makes a major difference in MPG without major changes. Maybe not worth the added cost.

 

The new MDX may be out of your range, but take a look at ones that are 2 to 3 years old. You can find them as certified preowned for a much better price.

 

Not really. Even the 2010's I'm seeing are clocking in about $28k, which is more than my truck cost. I'm probably going to have to be around half of that until the wife starts working again, OR gets her business going well.

 

Thanks everyone for the info. We decided on the Pathfinder. We couldn't find any Pilots anywhere near our price range. The Outlander was a bit higher than we wanted to spend.

The Pathfinder really wow'd her. The sound of the engine, the power, it all brought her back to the days when she owned a Camaro. The seating fits everyone, it has the hight to see over other vehicles like the truck, and has the ground clearance for snow. The electronic 4WD selector lets her control it, and the stability control can be turned off.

Also, I've found a few places that make plate steel bumpers, lift kits, and sliders for them. And she's ok'd the idea of a few mods for it.

 

Nice work. I think the pathfinders are a pretty good vehicle.

 

Thanks! Seems good to me too. Seems like it's more truck like than car like. I know some of the reviews listed that as a con, but we want something solid so I view that as a pro. With a class 4 hitch I told her we should get her a recovery strap and pin to use the hitch to pull people out of ditches. lol Maybe I'll get her to go wheeling with us in it. If nothing else, we could fit all the kids in it.

Got the dealer to bump the trade value up just over $1200 more to cover the remaining loan amount on the Rav, and throw new tires on it. Current ones would have been fine for summer, but not so good in the snow. And we dropped $500 for new tires on the Rav not 2 months ago. I was hoping we could keep those, but they won't fit so the salesman threw those in to help us out.

It also has a 48 month, 50,000 mile warranty so it'll be covered for as long as we've had the Rav.

 

I want this bumper for it: http://tacticalarmorgroup.com/TAG-Bumper-Store/Wincher-Nissan-Pathfinder-2005-2012

 

Congrats on the Pathfinder. Like I said, we have a 1999 that has over 211K miles and still running stong and smooth.

 

a few mods??? *snicker*

 

I would have bought a Highlander

 

Yeah man, I can see why. Just simple shit like how the back window doesn't rattle like it's gonna fall out (like with the Rav), to how the doors shut with a solid "thud", to how comfortable the ride is with 79k on it.... Firm, but absorbs all the potholes we've aimed for.

I normally downshift to 5th, sometimes 4th, on a hill near our house to make the climb and pass people (opens to 2 lanes) in the truck. She was on my ass doing 70 up it, and the PF didn't downshift. I know it's a 4.0 V6 like my Tacoma, but it's like they tuned it differently to produce more power. I can drop the pedal half an inch at 60, and the RPMS shoot from 2.5 to 5k, and it jumps to 70, throwing us back in our seats.

I also see why it gets shitty gas mileage.... The engine/exhaust tone reminds her a LOT of her V8 Camaro.

Hush you. Baby steps. Bumper, maybe a skid, then a lift.... We may have to cut the front bumper to replace that with a winch bumper so that will be a big step. lol

I've looked at those. Not in the budget. lol PF was $14,995 with $900 off from their tag sale so much easier to handle.


Funny enough, after emailing 15 VP-type people at Toyota on Friday (10 email addresses failed, 5 must have made it), I got a call from "Frank" in the Toyota Executive Office on Monday. He wanted me to bring the car back to the dealership for them to look into the issue. They may have fixed it, who knows. I told him I was trading the car in 20 minutes for a Nissan Pathfinder. Long story short he took a LOT of notes (typing during the entire call) about the situation, and told me to call his direct line if I have any issues with the Tacoma since I still have that. Not sure if anything else will happen, but now I wonder if the dealer will contact me at some point as a follow-up.