Hello: Happy New Year to you all. I need some advice or input on two rather difficult choices.

I have a 2014 Pathfinder, with 240,000 miles. It has experienced many of its usual problems, with the transmission, battery drainage, and car stalling while driving. Here is a brief summary.

-- Bought car in 2016:
— 2019: transmission valve body replaced
— 2020: Transfer case replaced + rear differential + transmission replaced
— 2021: Car stalled while driving, battery and alternator replaced
— 2021: Transfer case failed again
— 2022: Car stalled while driving, and was towed to my house.

I got tired of throwing money into the car. At the time of this incident, the car also had CEL, and threw two other codes, requiring the replacement of the catalytic converter plus the dreaded P17F1 code that required the replacement of the transmission.

Now that I am back to work, I need a daily driver. A towed the Pathfinder to an independent shop. The battery was dead (i got a new one under warranty), but the car wouldn’t start. The mechanic told me the alternator needs replacement…. at a total cost of nearly $1000. The catalytic converter issue is still there and needs to be fixed before I can pass inspections.

The only other car we have is a 2002 Nissan Maxima with about 220,000. I have owned it since 2005, and it is an excellent baby. Beyond some rust in the quarter panel and peeling paint on the hood and spoiler, it runs excellently well. At its age, it needs some mechanical work: brakes, hard-shifting transmission, etc. But, as many of you do know and can attest.... this 5th Gen still rocks: I recall my wife commenting when we got the Pathy how smooth and strong the engine is compared to the newer car we got.

Given this situation, I think it would be better to use my resources and emotional energy on my old granny girlfriend (the 2002 Maxima) that has served me so well. With its mounting problems, I still think it is not worth putting that much money into Pathfinder.

I would appreciate your thoughts, input. Other options to consider?

best, MannyNoela

 

There are a number of good rust free Maximas for sale in the classifieds on this site. I would buy one of those before putting money into a rust bucket. The 4th Gen in Austin, TX with 97K miles for $1500 looks to be a particularly good buy. A standard transmission will last you much longer than an automatic. There are a couple of garage-kept 5th Gen Maximas in Illinois under $6K with less than half the milage yours has.