I'm looking into purchasing a 2001 - 2003 QX4. I've also been looking at the same year model Toyota 4Runners but I can't find one locally with the options I want. I've lightly considered a 2002 - 2004 Explorer. The QX4 definitely has the most luxury features. What I definitely want is 4x4, leather interior, heated seats and sunroof. I found a 2001 QX4 with 4x4, leather, heated seats, sunroof, navigation, rear DVD, and HID lights that I'm very interested in, I'm just concerned about reliability. I don't have much experience with Nissan products. Also, does anyone here have a consumer reports account?

9/20/2007 9:30:19 AM

Meh I've always heard they're good enough, just like a Pathfinder. The 4runner will do better offroad and the back window rolls down. The QX4 has xenon lights.

9/20/2007 10:05:37 AM

I thought the recent pathfinders are best in class (including offroad capabilities), even over the 4runners

[Edited on September 20, 2007 at 10:12 AM. Reason : ]

9/20/2007 10:12:05 AM

Were the xenon lights on the QX4 standard equipment? The QX4 also has more hp and torque then the 4Runner and the get about the same gas mileage. I'm really leaning towards the QX4 but it's going to come down to a test drive. I was just wondering if anyone new of some specific issues that the QX4 may be known for.

9/20/2007 10:15:26 AM

Quote :

"CR Model SummaryThe QX4 was a mid-sized SUV based on the Nissan Pathfinder, but with more luxurious trim. It has a comfortable ride and predictable handling, but the steering feels slow and rubbery, acceleration is slow, and the automatic transmission often downshifts annoyingly to maintain speed on hills. It has a selectable full-time 4WD system. The engine was upgraded in 2000, and the QX4 was discontinued in 2003. Reliability of the QX4 has been excellent. "

CR says major problems in 01 and 02 were with the exhaust and audio systems.

9/20/2007 11:40:57 AM

sweet man thanks!!! i wonder what kind of exhaust problems.

9/20/2007 11:46:59 AM

exhaust rusting out too quickly.
some sensors die early. easy to replace, kinda pricey from the stealership.
back seats are crazy uncomfortable.
get the more powerful engine, it's worth it.
good 4wd.
------
4 runner - weaker engine, slow going, keep your foot on it.
good 4wd.
interior is about the same as the qx4. truck like.
front & back seats are better.
tailgate window rolls down.

i forget which one is quieter.

[Edited on September 20, 2007 at 12:03 PM. Reason : f]

9/20/2007 12:03:05 PM

its for the gays

9/20/2007 12:23:10 PM

Jared,
People here might hang me for this one but look at an 01-04 Grand Cherokee. For luxury, the limited has a ton of options and lots of stuff you can do to it, check http://www.wjjeeps.com. The V8 also has plenty of balls and people can say what they want, but I have an 01 with a V8 and have had to do NOTHING but routine maintenance and oil changes. Drive it and see.
Charlie

[Edited on September 20, 2007 at 3:57 PM. Reason : asdf]

9/20/2007 3:56:39 PM

I had a 2001 qx4. Loved it, extremely reliable. Never had any problems, except for the front brake rotors, but that was probably my fault.

9/20/2007 4:21:41 PM

I worked in finance with Infiniti for awhile. Anytime someone rolled up in a newer Cherokee no one would get up to greet him. They always owed about $25,000 and trade-in was about $15,000.

I had a QX4 for awhile and took a couple of 01 and 02's in trade. They held their value really well.

You may be able to pick up an 03 off lease for a good price. There are at least 5 Infiniti dealerships in NC, wouldn't hurt to give them a call or shoot an email to a manager-you might get lucky.

9/20/2007 4:44:30 PM

Thanks guys or all of the help. I'm not interested in the Cherokee because of transmission and resale value. i'm not really interested in a V8 either. i've got appointments to look at 4 prospectives on saturday. a 2003 ford explorer, a 2003 QX4, a 2001 QX4 and a 2001 4Runner. I'm also looking at another 2001 QX4 tonight.

9/20/2007 5:25:57 PM

I understand chief, I didn't care about resale because it allowed me to buy it cheap and outright and I'll be driving the wheels off of it. As far as the V8, it gets the same mileage as a QX4.



[Edited on September 20, 2007 at 7:50 PM. Reason : asdf]

9/20/2007 7:48:52 PM

my opinion is that luxury "SUVs" are, for the most part, gay.

9/20/2007 7:51:43 PM

especially IFS shit.

9/20/2007 7:52:26 PM

Especially IFS shit.

9/20/2007 8:08:45 PM

SOME JUNK

9/21/2007 12:19:13 AM

Quote :

"my opinion is that luxury "SUVs" are, for the most part, gay."

i hear ya man. if i was going to have two automobiles i'd have a luxury/sport car and a rugged jacked up tahoe or something. but being that i don't i wanted something that will makes a nice comfortable daily driver, have leather interior and yet be able to throw my dog and camping gear in and head to the mountains. i looked into wagons but i'm just not pleased with the styling on any of them except the Audi S4 Avant and the Volvo V70R, but I can't find any locally in my price range. plus i'm a little scared about the reliability of the S4.

^^ what's IFS?

9/21/2007 9:33:13 AM

independent front suspension

they prefer live axle fronts for off-roading

why do you need the 4x4? I think 2wd should fit your needs

[Edited on September 21, 2007 at 9:48 AM. Reason : cheaper]

9/21/2007 9:48:11 AM

snowboarding. i plan on taking several trips up north to play in the snow. i don't plan on doing any hardcore offroading.

[Edited on September 21, 2007 at 11:02 AM. Reason : .]

9/21/2007 11:01:18 AM

my sister had a qx4. drove pretty nicely, probably better for somewhere like raleigh than where she was in boston. I thought she was nuts to drive a big 4x4 with sold rear in the land of potholes and nonexistent parking, but she did it for 5 years. Honestly though, I'm having a change of heart about 4x4s. If you're gonna be doing some relatively higher-than-on-road ground clearance work, why buy a luxury suv? If you're not... why buy anything with a solid rear if you aren't towing or going to the drag strip?

I think that if you want something fun to drive with that much space, you might as well just get a mazda 5 or a subaru outback or something that is better suited to on-road duty. I've got a thing for foresters too...

9/22/2007 8:07:45 AM

I really wanted to buy a nice wagon, but the only two that i remotely liked the styling of were the Audi S4 Avant and the Volvo V70R. I couldn't find any of those in my price range. Anyway, I picked up a 2001 QX4 this weekend. It's silver on silver with beige leather interior, heated seats front and back, navigation, sunroof, HID lights and second row entertainment center (my GF's kid is going to love that!). The vehicle over all is in excellent condition. The interior is perfect. It drives very well, much better then my M3, as far as comfort goes. I can't wait to take the road trip to WV for the Bridge Day Festival and camp out for the weekend.

9/24/2007 9:20:13 AM

Quote :

"my GF's kid is going to love that!"

Quote :

"I can't wait to take the road trip to WV for the Bridge Day Festival and camp out for the weekend."

Wow, getting old much?

[Edited on September 24, 2007 at 10:11 AM. Reason : .]

9/24/2007 10:10:44 AM

you guys act like its such a pain to drive anything w/ a solid rear axle. It all depends what you're used to. If you drive a 3/4 truck most of the time than a qx4 will feel like a luxury car. I suppose if you're coming from a BMW or something it would feel 'truckish,' but to we that use large trucks or SUVs these type of vehicles seem very comfortable

9/24/2007 10:11:51 AM

^^ yes i am getting old i have my 29th birthday in november

9/24/2007 10:41:54 AM

With plenty of room for the g/f's kids baggage.

9/24/2007 11:03:08 AM

i have an 01 pathfinder that i love. As far as comfort, and visibility its the best suv i have driven. Also does very well in the snow. I wish the gas mileage was better, but it handles very well. Only thing i will be changing is to add air shocks or bags to the rear, it sags under heavy load or pulling my boat.

9/24/2007 2:01:23 PM

I drive my dad's 03 QX4 about every day. Saves the gas in my XJ, and we work together so we carpool.

The thing I agree the most with is the slow excelleration. It so sluggish when it needs to get up and go.

I think the steering is great, but then again i've drivin a lifted XJ since i was 16 so anything feels like an upgrade.

The xenon lights are awesome as are most of the small luxuries.

10/1/2007 4:38:22 PM

i actually think the acceleration is pretty decent for an SUV. I've got the VQ35DE which is a 3.5L with 240hp and 216ft*lbs of torque. it's not blistering fast but it feels like it has more get up and go then my moms 4Runner.

10/1/2007 5:27:59 PM

Are there any fundamental differences between this and the Pathfinder or is it just appearance/luxury stuff?

10/1/2007 5:35:31 PM

anything feels fast compared to a 4runner

and that's coming from a 4runner owner.

10/1/2007 5:36:50 PM

^^nope...same chassis, engine and drive train. all the differences are in the appearance and luxury options like you said.

^ well it felt decent compared to the V6 Explorer and V6 Cherokee too.

10/2/2007 9:05:17 AM