The new pathfinder doesn't come in stick and you can't find old ones with a stick. I'm not driving an auto-tragic, especially a CVT. As far as older models go, aren't they on the same frame/drivetrain anyway?
I haven't test driven one yet, so we shall see whether I fit. I told Amanda the jury is out if it is uncomfortable even before reading your post. Every manufacturer does things differently so I'll pay careful attention to that. Keep in mind this is partly to satisfy Amanda's desire to own a Jeep. She still likes the Wrangler Unlimited but I don't like the way it drives, the top is a hassle and would rarely be taken off (but you have to deal with the road noise all the time), and then there's Jeep's reliability. I don't trust them and I don't want to invest in a company that has driven itself into the dumpster 3 times in my lifetime. We would probably split time driving it. I may end up in the Focus for drives to work if she really likes the truck. I'm ok with the focus but the seats are smallish like the Protege5 so I wouldn't want to take long trips in it.
So if stick shift, and 3,000lb towing capacity are my requirements, that leaves one other vehicle (unless I'm drawing a blank). The Toyota FJ Cruiser. However, it is a big "NO" from both of us because of the suicide doors. No offense to RX-8 owners but they are annoying. Our friends have an element and that's pretty much all they complain about.
I guess we could also look into small super-cab pickups, but I have a pickup, so I don't need another...and the utility of an SUV would get more use. More room for the dog, room to toss the bikes in it, etc. Given these 3 choices, which pretty much fall into a niche market, I'd say the Toyota is the best bet for reliability, the Jeep would be the best off road performer (if you get the Rubicon package), and the Nissan fits in the middle. It's still a truck, and will handle as such, but without a "truck" frame you won't get the towing capacity. So I guess I need to go drive it...and maybe drive an FJ just to be sure.
