I'd take the freebie CVT and roll with it for now as well.
Owning a 2019 Pathfinder myself, I follow these vehicles quite a bit. 2013-2015 seem to be the most problematic with the CVT. By 2017, they are pretty well sorted out for the R52 platform.
There's owners over at a pathfinder board I frequent, that are putting new engines in their 2017+ models. Just the engine is $13k. This is in regards to the more trouble prone VQ35DD, not the DE that the 2013-2016 have.
The key to longevity for these is over maintaining them. What I mean by that is taking Nissan's recommended service intervals and go half as long for oil/fluid/lubes.
Owning a 2019 Pathfinder myself, I follow these vehicles quite a bit. 2013-2015 seem to be the most problematic with the CVT. By 2017, they are pretty well sorted out for the R52 platform.
There's owners over at a pathfinder board I frequent, that are putting new engines in their 2017+ models. Just the engine is $13k. This is in regards to the more trouble prone VQ35DD, not the DE that the 2013-2016 have.
The key to longevity for these is over maintaining them. What I mean by that is taking Nissan's recommended service intervals and go half as long for oil/fluid/lubes.