I have a 1991 Pathfinder SE (5 speed, 4WD), which has a noise 5th gear
in the transmission.
It "whines" and the whine has been getting louder for probably the last
5 years (i first noticed it around 150K and its gradually gotten worse
and now its fairly loud at 218K miles).

So.  I'm just about sure this needs transmission work.   Quoted
1500->2K by a shop that I trust to not over-quote (but not especially a
transmission shop, just a guy who has worked on the car for the last
few years near where I live.  Does decent work.)

I'd be interested in the opinions of people who own Pathfinders with >
200K on them or close.

Do you think its' worth putting that kind of money into the vehicle?

History is that I'm the original owner (bought in Nov 8, 1990 with 8
miles on it from a dealer who is now gone...)  Everything else on the
car (except the trip odometers, which mysteriously stopped working
about 3 weeks ago) works.   No body damage, no rust.

What i'm wondering is:  if i spend the bux on the car, am I likely to
get 250K or more out of it? (that woudl be about 4 more years of usage
at my rate).???

I'd love to know if there a lot of people who've gotten 250 or more out
of their Pathfinders from around then...

The mechanic is actually a little worried about the engine going bad at
some point (and at > 200K i can understand that), although both of us
agree there's no sign of that now.  (and yes, the exhaust studs were
all replaced at about 140K.  The clutch was done at 150K and the car is
on its 3rd timing belt (which went in at around 185K).  This vehicle
was briefly *stolen* about a year ago (believe it or not) but recovered
about 3 days later essentially undamaged.  I've taught both my sons to
drive stick in this vehicle too, and its been offroad not that much but
a number of times.

I've actually *never* had a "down vehicle" situation with this car.
The one accident it was in it was completely drivable afterward.