Gone: 2013 Pathfinder Platinum; Welcome: 2015 Infiniti QX60 AWD

Cruiser

Cruiser

Infiniti fan for life
Premium
The 2013 Pathfinder Platinum has served my family well. I purchased it brand new with the highest trim for the PF at $41+k out of the door. I love the fact that I was paying almost 20k less for the same conveniences I would have had if I went with the QX60. The only thing I wish it had was AWD. Other than that, the PF served us well especially on long cross state drives with all the gear plus bikes on a hitch. I was lucky with our PF as we were spared with the CVT transmission judder issues most PF and earlier JX35/QX60 owners knew all to well. Mine never had these episodes.

However, the miles are racking up. At only 3 years, I have accumulated almost 70k miles. When I ran the KBB, I was horrified to see that the vehicle had already depreciated more than half of its purchase price. KBB priced it at $14k - $16k on excellent condition. This vehicle received the same love I gave my FX. Hand washed and never been in any automatic car washes with brushes.

Long story short, I traded it in for a pre-owned '15 QX60 AWD with all options except the tow package. I love the new tech gizmos of the QX60. It is a very clean ride. Except multiple rock chips on the front bumper which the dealer agreed to repaint. The only thing that irritates me is the previous owner stripped the vehicle off the headphones and remote control for the 2nd row DVD entertainment. The guy did not even surrender the 2nd key. On closer inspection, the tow hook accessory was missing too from the utility storage. I plan to purchase a new key fob. The dealer offers to do the reprogramming for free. Dealer also offers to order the tow hook for free. I had to move my wheel locks from the PF to the QX60. I don't plan to do any serious modding on the QX60. Probably just have the dealer install the OEM tow package for a cleaner look as opposed to aftermarket options. This will be mainly be my wife's ride, school bus and family hauler for long drives.

I'll post some pictures when I have more time...

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Thank you all. I picked up the vehicle from the dealership this afternoon after a complete bumper repainting. While in there, I was told that they don't have the front tow hook in stock so they instead allowed me to remove the tow hook from my old Pathfinder so I don't have to wait.

They brought around my old vehicle and I had the final chance to look at her with fondness and regret that I have to let her go.

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My old "Red School bus" and the new school bus...

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The OEM tow hitch already installed.

BEFORE:
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AFTER:
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They did a good job with the install. It looks very clean and sits flush. Infiniti quoted me $950 for the install with taxes expected to hit $1,100+. Autonation Nissan quoted me at first $750. This is by itself a very fair and good deal. I bargained further though and mentioned my 2 vehicle purchases I've had with them. They gave me a $510 quote, with taxes at $612.

Super happy with these people now.
 
I would expect to receive the all weather rubber mat's I ordered hopefully tomorrow. I have ordered a new blank OEM ikey which should arrive the first week of January. Other than these goodies, I think I am set for now on this vehicle.
 
Hi All, just wanted to bump this thread back to the top and ask Cruiser how you are liking your QX60 still? I am in the market, and may be buying a JX35 this weekend, black with java. The only resounding negative reviews I can find on it are about the CVT transmission... I too will be going from an FX to this SUV, and wanted to get your thoughts! Obviously I am not expecting it to drive like my FX, but people have said things like it is always searching for a gear, etc etc. Any info you can pass along both pros and cons would be helpful! Thanks in advance.
 
Hi Murphn- I love my QX60 especially for family long drives. It is perfect for my needs in terms of fuel economy, space and handling. It is very comfy and composed around corners. I stepped up from a Pathfinder Platinum 2WD to the QX60 fully loaded AWD. They are essentially the same vehicle on the same platform and engine. Only difference I guess is the mainstream Nissan for the Pathy while luxury focused interiors for the QX60. I am lucky that none of either my old '13 Pathfinder and current '15 QX60 never had tranny issues.

My QX60 has the sport mode that becomes more driver responsive and aggressive to driver inputs. The AWD improves handling better around corners at high speed. I don't have this confidence in my old Pathfinder 2WD tho. The consensus in the Pathfinder and QX60 forums indicates the newer year models are less prone to the tranny issues which was the common complaints of older year models. The recall applied to older models help fix the problem to many who had this issues. The infamous judder is also less understood. It is not like it will stop your engine completely but rather a sensation of a few seconds stall which usually happens to affected vehicle at low speeds usually when going from a complete stop to drive usually in a traffic light. That said it is not as horrifying as some tend to exaggerate - nevertheless, no vehicle should manifest these characteristics while driving.

I probably would give a different review if I was driving the 2WD models. I choose the AWD variant simply because I hate the uninspired handling around corners of my old Pathfinder 2WD. And oh, I once got stuck in a small strip of sandy bar in Destin, FL while trying to take a shorter route to a beachfront restaurant. I can't forget how embarrassed I was until a burly huge man came to my rescue and pushed out the car to solid ground. Lol


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And here I thought the JX was built on an elongated MURANO platform and the PATHFINDER was still built on the older truck style ladder frame... The JX is FWD biased, but I thought the 2WD PATHFINDER was RWD?
 
Yes- the Pathfinder/JX/QX60 shares the same drivetrain as the Murano. They are all FWD biased. The traditional muscle work horse of the Pathfinder of old is gone so does it's respectable off road capabilities in favor of fuel economy and road creature comforts.


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Looked into it and felt a little disappointed... I always looked at the PATHFINDER as a direct competitor to the 4RUNNER... Not any more I guess... But people rarely actually need that amount of 4WD capability...
 
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