Original Owner: 2000 Nissan Pathfinder – SOLD!

January 15, 2023, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Do you ever wake up and realize a vehicle you used to see everywhere has seemingly disappeared from the roadways? For me, the Nissan Pathfinder fits this mold as it is a mass-produced sports utility vehicle still in production today. Still, you don’t see the first and second-generation models on the road unless as a total beater or sitting on the side of the road in a bad neighborhood. So, spotting this original owner Pathfinder in seemingly nice shape with just under 160,000 original miles is surprising. We spotted this Pathfinder for sale in December 2022 on Craigslist in Raleigh, North Carolina, for $3,900. Comparing that price against the Classic.com model guide shows that the seller is asking for under the going rate for this Japanese SUV, with an average sale price of $6,750:

Sports utility vehicles do not readily come to mind as collector’s items. As mentioned above, they are produced in high volumes to be sales leaders for any manufacturer looking to grab a healthy market share. But like everything that hits a certain age, nostalgia kicks in, and you start to yearn for what you can’t find anymore. The Pathfinder began as a rough-and-tumble two-door SUV, gained four doors, and then lost its rugged body-on-frame construction in favor of a unibody setup which dramatically changed its personality and how the truck was marketed to the public. It was no longer the rig you took to crest dunes on the beach each weekend; it was a mall crawler, reduced to suburban carry-all as the market shifted away from actual trucks in favor of cars with high rooflines and bloated cabins.

The MotorWeek Retro Review YouTube Channel features this test drive of the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder:

While we may get collectively excited at the appearance of a barn-find Porsche 911 or a dusty Dodge Challenger in a retiree’s garage, I am seriously amped about this Pathfinder showing up for sale. The second-generation models emphasized luxury and gave SUV shoppers all the trimmings in the cockpit. True off-road prowess became less of a priority, signaling what was to come. Still, it was a great final hurrah where you could combine respectable four-wheel-drive capabilities with comfort and convenience features. Unfortunately, when you up the ante on the luxury side of the house, it’s almost inevitable that some cash-strapped second and third-tier owners will come along and ignore all forms of basic maintenance in favor of just looking good. That’s why finding an original-owner example like this Pathfinder is a true needle-in-a-haystack, and I doubt this one will last long – or be repeated anytime soon.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“IMPORTANT !!

Vehicle is kept in Raleigh, NC. We are in a motorhome and heading to Florida.

Selling my beloved Pathfinder. Too many cars and have to downsize. Original Owner and North Carolina vehicle. No rust or major dents. Excellent condition for its age.
It has “check engine light” on for the last couple of months. No driving issues with it, probably a oxygen sensor (9 out of 10 times that is the case). Miles: 157645.
You Get:
– Great and dependable SUV
– Newer tires
– Tow hitch with brake controller (so you can pull a real trailer with electric brakes) – $800 value.
– New battery

FREE TITLE IN HAND!

CASH ONLY !!”

Pioneering SUV: when is the last time you saw an early Pathfinder in condition like this?