Wednesday, March 31,1999 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Nissan Pathfinder LE 1995.5 Nissan Pathfinder remains on top with 1999.5model IS YOUR GARAGE PROTECTING YOUR CAR BETTER THAN YOUR BARGAIN-RATE CAR INSURANCE? Don't trust just anyone to insure your car, see me: Wayne McGill 2345 W^ooS Rd. »21, Ckikvillc [ 84/-5671 W hen you're at the pinnacle of the import sport utility vehicle m ountain, you've got to keep climbing to stay on top. That's the position Nissan finds itself in with the Pathfinder. Even though it has been the top-selling V6 import SUV since it was introduced, the competition like 4Runner and Trooper keeps getting stronger. Ergo the 1999.5 Pathfinder that has been refined and face-lifted. There remain four models beginning with the entry-level XE and the sporty SE both of which have been significantly upgraded. The top-of-the-line LE is the lap of luxury. Outwardly, the Pathfinder can be identified by a sim pler but more rugged-looking front end. The tail gets a redesigned life-gate and tail lights. M ajor im provem ents on this model include: □ Standard rear limited-slip differ ential on all Pathfinders. □ The standard 3.3-litre V6 now produces 170 hp and 200 ft/lb of torque. Ninety per cent of the torque comes in at 1,500 rpm. □ Coupled with the limited slip differential is a revised driveshaft that helps create quieter, smoother dri ving. □ The rear shocks have been relo cated for improved ride and handling. □ The 15-inch tires on the previ ous Pathfinder are replaced by P245/70 16-inch boots on the XE and P225/65 R-16-inch tires on the SE and LE. □ All Pathfinders now come with de-powered airbags. Side airbags are now standard on all Pathfinders with leather-faced seats. Security has been upgraded with the inclusion of an ignition immobi lizer to fcompliment the keyless rem ote entry system. The power doors use Nissan Smart Doors logic that prevents the doors being locked with the key in the ignition. Power is retained by the system for 30 second to allow for closing of win dows and sunroof after the car is turned off. Headlights and interior lights switch off automatically. Canadians will be glad to know heated power door mirrors are now standard on all Pathfinders as well as having solar filter glass on the side windows. I had the opportunity to test the 1999.5 Pathfinder at a 5,000-acre 4X4 dedicated park in H ollister, Calif. The park offers a combination of steep rocky climbs, deep sandy stretches and sharp drops w here engine-braking makes you feel you're defying the laws of gravity. With torque coming in at 1,500, switching to 4Lo is reserved only for the toughest bits. One o f the reasons people buy SUVs is for the outward view. In a place like Hollister, that really is important because you can come around a corner and be faced with a sheer drop-off. The run through Hollister was in a Pathfinder LE with the all-season tires. Thanks to all that torque, getting stuck was never a problem. Nissan has worked on keeping the pricing in line with the XE starting at $33,298 and the high-lux LE at $41,499. There's no question that sport util ity trucks are now attracting not just the well-heeled, but the average con sumer who is being won over to an ever-expanding SUV world. For those who find "sport-cutes" to small and big boys like Tahoe and Expedition too large, the mid-size Pathfinder continues the formula that keeps it as the king-of-the-hill of import V6 SUVs. The Nissan Annual Enjoy The Savings Event Altima's engine is bigger and more powerful than the Mercedes-Benz C230 engine. /h a t are the origins of Altima's unexpected luxury? Superior onstruction yields an incredibly precise fit of the body panels nd, in turn, a solid, reassuring feel on the road. The quiet, loughtfully appointed interior offers a private sanctuary. The :sponsive engine and agile handling inspire both enthusiasm nd confidence. In other w ords, A ltim a's luxury experience omes from its very core. And, best of all, it doesn't rely on an xpensive price tag to prove itself. Nissan Altima GXE A four-time Consumer's Digest Best Buy • 2.4L, D0HC 16-valve, 150-hp engine • 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive •A i r conditioning • Cruise control • Power windows, antenna, mirrors, and Smart Doors™ locks • AM/FM/cassette with four speakers '279/month' lease for 36 months Down payment only S1 ,900 lity and unexpected luxury, Altima is also fun to drive. Nissan Maxima ES Limited Edition The New Nissan Pathfinder XE Nissan Quest GXE ^SSS/month lease for 36 months Down payment oniy 3,450. One of the world's ten best engines - W ard's Magazine • 3.0L, D0HC 190-hp V6 engine • 4-speed automatic transmission • Automatic climate control air conditioning • Cruise control • Sport-tuned suspension • Traction Control System • Power antenna, mirrors, windows and door locks • Heated sport seats • Anti-lock Braking System • Premium AM/FM/CD with cassette and much more The #1-selling Import V6 compact sport utility vehicle' • 3.3L V6 engine • 4-speed automatic transmission • Four-wheel ABS • 16" alloy five-spoke wheels • Anti-theft system • Air conditioning • Cruise control • Remote keyless entry • Power windows, door locks, antenna and mirrors • Power sliding glass sunroof • Bose® CD audio system • 8-way adjustable driver's seat • Electronic compass/outside temperature gauge The new Quest gives you 272 extra litres o f interior space • 3.3L S0HC V 6 ,170 hp engine • 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System • Dual Sliding rear doors • 7-passenger seating with sliding 3rd-row seat • QUEST-TRAC® Flexible Seating System • AM/FM cassette stereo • Front air conditioning • Power front windows • Second Generation dual front airbags Life is a journey. A sk about Nissan's No-Nonsense Leasing. Enjoy the ride. Sale Ends March 31/99 S t A L R 6 *% . wiHi dow r daymen a equrralent trade of $1.900:1999 M a a ra ES. A L U 9.95%, w th down payment or er lease on 1999 Quest XE. w # i d o *n p ^m e n t or eque^ent trade o f $3.400.1st paym ents security deposit d u e l lease agtwtj. Atona and Maxma leases based on iradm um of 60,000 km w itheaess km ctwged at $0.12tati. PaM nder lease based on m a x im ir io r 75000 to r with excess to _________ _______________________________ insurance and taxes. Dealere ^ Id set individual seffino price SeeC-1 ^ - "=-- ............ .................................................................. -d raxes. Dealers tree to set indMdtBl seftng price. See Oakvie Nissan for deals, leased on Compusearcti date. January - Nwember 1996. V ehcte may not be earctly as <ustrated. . .450. L rw kiom etre 48 month Frnanoe Inc. and exokide destination and deivery. icense. OAKVILLE N ISSAN CBiebrafing 25 Yeses cx Excellent •SALES • ACCESSORIES • LEASING FACTORY PARTS • SERVICE • TIRES 1450 SPEERS ROAD, OAKVILLE 827-1177 S O N - T H t J R -