gujustud

This vechicle sucks *****...

My bro went away for the week skiing, so he left his Pathfinder at home. He's got the LE, so its the top of the line version. 4x4, ABS, Leather, etc etc etc, the works.

So yesterday I thought I would take it out in the evening because I knew it was gonna snow. After leaving my girlfriends house, it had snowed more than I thought, but maybe 3-5 inches... Anyways so I thru the baby into 4x4, and headed out. Coming up to the first traffic light, I wanted to test the ABS out, and hit the brakes, ... the back end started to slid out, and I started slidding sidewards... freaked the hell outa me...

Now my dad has a '98 Mazda MPV (the last 4x4 they made, before the Tribute...)... and I've driven this bad boy several times in the snow, NO problem. Center Differential Lock, and I can cost over the snow. ABS? Wicked, You hit the brakes, and it stops you, NO sliding whatsoever.

My sister on the other hand, owns a '01 Mazda Tribute DX. Not the V6 model, but still has 4x4, and is manual. (Reason for not getting V6 was because she travels far for work, and doesn't need the power really). She also got it in manual. I've taken her truck out a few times, in the snow, and stuff, and it rocks. I must say driving a manual 4x4 rocks. No problem again. She doesn't have ABS, but still, I had no problems in the snow.

My point? The 2001 Pathfinder licks. Sure it MIGHT be the tires on it, but for a vehicle that cost more than either one of the Mazda SUV's that we had, I WAS EXTREMELY dissapointed in how the Pathfinder preformed in the snow. Not to mention how 'unsafe' I felt on the road. I was actually planning on going out that evening, but didn't want to worry about driving home after, so I ended up driving home. Just going around basic corners SLOW (around 10-15km/h) the backend of the pathfinder kept slidding out behind me, even when I put it on 4x4HI.

I took it to a empty parking lot to test out the ABS & handling even more, and after a few dounts with no control, I took it back home, and parked it... where it belongs.

I've really liked the Xterra by Nissan, but I doubt I'll ever by one, just due to my dislike towards the Pathfinder, I think I'll stick with Mazda SUV's which have PROVEN their worth out on the road, where it matters, and not in controlled areas on TV commericials.

(btw, all 3 vehicles are all stock, including tires, and the Pathfinder had 35,000km, and my dad's MPV has around 80,000km. And also we owned a '96 MPV 4x4 before the '98, and it was just as good in the snow... Center Differential Lock baby!)
(sorry for the long ramble...)

Makaveli

Yeah, snow's crazy here in Vancouver hey? That's why all the vancouver members are posting on here so much lately hehe.....

Damn, I know how you felt yesterday, this girl was scaring me to death when she was driving, we slid sideways twice because she would hold the brakes and try turning lightly, didn't work......

Oh and we ended up perpendicular to the street at the bottom of this steep hill and then I asked her what if someone comes down the hill, they won't be able to stop, and we're in a goddamn Civic......

Yup, in any case, I would've thought that the Pathfinder would be pretty good in the snow. Try explaining to your bro if you crashed it while he was away hehe. Oh and it helps if you put lots of weight in the car/suv/minivan

gujustud

I did some more research on my dad's MPV, and since we have the Sports Edition, it actually comes with Michellen M/S tires (Mud/Snow).. which explains why its so good in the snow!

Todays events were kewl ...

I went to my dad's shop where the parking lot was empty, and he was there earlier in my sisters Tribute. We lined up and started racing (a good 15 feet away from eachother) and flew thru the half foot of snow down the parking lot! It was sweet! Both SUV's cut thru no problem!! He still beat me, cuz I stepped on it too hard, and spun for a bit before I caught traction. I guess thats where the manual in the Tribute came in, and he wooped my ***... oh well!

I also went to drop my girlfriend off at home today, and on the highway, they didn't end up plowing both sides and this Caviler was on right lane, and hit the snow, and was gonna turn into my lane, but he pulled to hard to the right, and spun out onto the side of the highway... crap, that was freaky!! I hit the 4x4, and drove a bit on the edge of the highway just incase, he spun out into my lane! Nuts!!! But the MPV, kept me safe, and plowed thru... =)