Used Nissan X-Terra (or comparable vehicle)?

ikarcuaso · 01-19-2009, 01:20 PM

Any thoughts on a used Nissan X-Terra, maybe 2003 to 2007 or thereabouts, depending on mileage/condition? Or suggest something comparable? Looking for something sport-utility-ish to use with the kids this spring/summer. Biking, kayaking, etc. Will definitely get a Yakima/Thule. Not looking to get something full-size like a Tahoe, Sequoia, etc. I hope to spend <$10k. Thanks for any input.

spyderman · 01-19-2009, 01:28 PM

I have a 2004 Xterra and I love it. 2004 was the last year of the old body style, and they are built like a rock. I have a manual with 4WD SE, and it gets good mileage as well as it goes anywhere. Only thing that bothers me about it, is that in order to fold down the back seats for cargo room, you have to take out the bottom seat cushions due to the stadium seating. it take 2 seconds to do, but then you have to figure out where to stow the seat bottoms.

Otherwise I love mine, and drive it daily.

Les Paul · Les Paul's Garage

My daughter and son in law had an 01 4x4. They loved it but only got 17mpg on the highway. My son has an 05 that has the newer engine. It gets 21 on the highway. Both were/are built like tanks.

deanp · 01-19-2009, 02:13 PM

FYI - as a data point - I have a 2001 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab XE 4x4 with 157000 miles on it. Have done normal maintenance - brakes, tires, oil changes, waterpump and timing belt (at recommended interval). Never an issue, no questions about reliability.

vash · vash's Garage

still kicking myself for passing up an Xterra a friend (pelican) was selling...cheap, like new miles...kick!

gprsh924 · 01-19-2009, 02:31 PM

We have an 01 and love it. No real issues other than the gear lever mysteriously locking up one day and having to be replaced. I have taken it through the paces on and off-road and it has performed like a champ. Downsides are the fact that I get 12-13mpg in the city and 15-16mpg on the highway and it has absolutely zero passing power (170hp). Both of those issues are pretty much resolved in you get into the Gen2 Xterra (05+) which has 265hp and gets significantly better mileage.

R390 · 01-19-2009, 02:34 PM

Nissan builds some really good motors. that VG3.3 motor will last you a very long time. Just make sure you stay on top of the timming belt service.

where will you be using it ? and will be in a cold, snowy climate ?

reason I ask want to give you some options w/o having to go 4x4.

ccus944 · ccus944's Garage

I have a 2005 XTERRA SE for sale!!!!...$14k!...and I will include the Thule roof rack carrier...It will carry 2 kayaks and 4 bikes + gear in the gear basket!.
It's been a GREAT truck...first year of the current body style and bigger v6 motor...I get 18 around town with the roof rack on it...19-20 without it...It has navigation as well as a touch screen stereo with bluetooth, XM radio, DVD/CD player, SD card reader, ipod plug in with on-screen ipod controls...Infinity speakers...factor amps/sub by Rockford Fosgate...The SE comes with an upgraded interior package, titanium finish dials, step running boards, premium wheels, and pinstripes. PM me for pics if interested...gotta sell it, along with my 74 euro RS clone to buy a 996 Turbo...my RS is listed under cars for sale on this site.

mikester · 01-19-2009, 07:10 PM

I had a 2001 4x4 SE with a manual tranny for about 5 years (bought in '00 sold it in 10/05).

It was 100% reliable, with the exception of the expected poor gas mileage and expensive tires.

I enjoyed driving it, it was comfortable and I took many road trips on it. When I started having children I found it difficult to get in the back and put in the car seats. The rear of that particular model had 'stadium seating' and the back seats were not particularly roomy. Also to fold the rear seats down flat you had to take the butt of the passenger seats out.

I replaced it with...brace yourselves...a prius. At the time the Xterra had become my wife's primary car as we had turned in her leased passat about 18 months prior to the xterra trade in. I was driving the Porsche 100% (weee!!!).

The comparison of these apples to oranges is that the cargo room in the prius was slightly more in that to fold the rear seats down flat I did not have to take the passenger seats apart. I could fit more in the rear of the prius that I could in the Xterra unless the 'more' was tall like a mountain bike or something. Of course I won't even mention the mileage difference as that really isn't fair to the 4x4 xterra.

Do I miss it?

A bit - it was nice having a 4x4 for a while. Originally when I bought it I was just looking for a truck. The dealer had had it on the lot for a while and offered it to me for a deal - I got it for less than $22k.

gprsh924 · 01-19-2009, 07:15 PM

Oh forgot to add, when you want to fold the rear seats, you remove the lower cushion and you can store it in the rear footwell in between the seats...it fits perfectly in there.

cantdrv55 · 01-19-2009, 08:30 PM

If you are looking for something rough and tough, get the Xterra. If you want something less rough and tough but nicer, get the 4Runner. I've owned both and would again. I miss them. Now I've got a Honda Pilot, not rough and not tough but very nice.

VincentVega · 01-19-2009, 08:37 PM

A friend has an older xTerra. I guess comparing it to a car doesnt make sense, but it seems underpowered and handles and rides like crap. To me it's sort of like an older Jeep without all the road noise.

Steve Viegas · 01-20-2009, 07:57 AM

I just purchased a 2006 Durango Limited in December for $11.5. The reliability rating on this car is very high, it has the Hemi which produces 340 HP and 375 lb feet of torque. The interior is amazing and includes DVD, Nav, Bluetooth, etc. It is AWD but has 4x4 hi and 4x4 low for extreme conditions. One other cool feature, the Hemi has cylinder deactivation allowing me to get about 16 mpg (all around), or about 20 mpg on the freeway!

I have seen ones going for under $10K.