Buying an Xterra

kserg · #1 12-19-2008, 12:36 PM

Well folks, jeep wants another $1000+ out of my pocket and i started to think... Then i grabbed a calculator and found out that last year I've spend on average of $250 a month on repairs and it finally left me stuck 100 miles away from home. $250 is more then 1/2 of monthly payment on a car... $250k miles... No longer a rid you can easily take off-roading with out worry... Engine is strong, tranny is ok, but everything else seems to be going out (last one was a upper pulley and it had to be towed back home.)

So why am i saying this? I am thinking about special ordering a xterra... I already asked Digme about his xterra, but his is 1st gen and automatic, i am probably getting 2009 and 6speed

Does anyone have any experience with 2nd gen xterras? How are they? Anything on the 6speed box?

No pics no xterra: This is what i am looking to get:

Any of you can tell me not to?

Sterling_Bass · #2 12-19-2008, 01:39 PM

The new ones look great. The interior is more refined than the previous generation. I drive a 2001 Xterra and I can't really complain. Take it out for a test drive and if you like it, I say go for it.

DigMe · #3 12-19-2008, 01:45 PM

Mine's a 5-speed, not an automatic. harumph.

Also, I'd say that the 2009 is probably considered more like 4th gen rather than 2nd gen. I believe the 2nd gen was maybe around 2003 or so. I don't know, some might say that wasn't a radical enough change to be called 2nd gen. It did undergo huge changes in the 2005 model (all changes for the better) and from what I've read the 2009 has undergone another redesign (which I think is also getting good reviews).

Also, just financially speaking I would look for a used late-model with the off-road edition. Used is just a much better value.

bc

Sterling_Bass · #4 12-19-2008, 01:47 PM

I forgot to mention mine is an automatic. I wish it was a 5-speed. DigMe, what do you think of the manual version?

DigMe · #5 12-19-2008, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sterling_Bass

I forgot to mention mine is an automatic. I wish it was a 5-speed. DigMe, what do you think of the manual version?

No complaints and never had any major problems. I think the 6 speed in the later models was much better though.

bc

kserg · #6 12-19-2008, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DigMe

Also, just financially speaking I would look for a used late-model with the off-road edition. Used is just a much better value.

bc

Couldn't find used with manual... People are hanging on to those, not many of them out-there... Hell, they couldn't even find a NEW xterra 6 speed anywhere in USA... They have to special order it.

Plus never owned a brand new rig, would be kinda interesting.

Didn't know you had a manual, good to know, thanks.

2009 btw, just got a different bumper, looks slightly different... Pictures above is 2009 with exception of a manual tranny one, thats a 2008...

Barkless Dog · #7 12-19-2008, 02:13 PM

I would think twice about it, they only get like 15 MPG. They are great other than that and the hard ride. They are supposed to do really well off road.

I would search online for owner reviews, although they usually tend to be the ones with problems.

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef84628

NJL · #8 12-19-2008, 02:23 PM

yeah, i still have my 2003 xterra (with only 63000 miles) and i hate it. mileage is horrible, something like 15 to 19 average.

it has an underpowered 6... BUT, it does make a decent bed with the back seats folded down.

DigMe · #9 12-19-2008, 02:28 PM

Why do you hate it? I've got nothing but love for my 2000 after almost 9 years.

bc

DigMe · #10 12-19-2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kserg

2009 btw, just got a different bumper, looks slightly different... Pictures above is 2009 with exception of a manual tranny one, thats a 2008...

My bad then...maybe I was thinking of some other car. I don't know.

bc

kserg · #11 12-19-2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barkless Dog

I would think twice about it, they only get like 15 MPG.

UPGRADE!

My jeep gets that on highway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJL

yeah, i still have my 2003 xterra (with only 63000 miles) and i hate it. mileage is horrible, something like 15 to 19 average.

it has an underpowered 6... BUT, it does make a decent bed with the back seats folded down.

Ya, MPG don't bother me, anything i will get, mpg will be horrible because anything i will get will be truck or SUV, and they all are bad at MPG... I will be doing a lot of off-roading, as i am doing in my jeep, so a car is out of a question.

The engine also got an upgrade since 2003, it now has 260hp and 280lb-ft torque (0-60 7.9secs)... So it is no longer underpowered. Can you tell me anything else why not to buy it, i am aware of those two issues and i am ok with it. I was more looking in question of reliability...

thehurlatron · #12 12-19-2008, 02:43 PM

As long as Nissan made MAJOR changes from 2000 till' now, then go for it.

I had a 2000 Xterra SE for about 2 years. Nice ride, and I NEVER had any problems with it mechanically.

The problem was the HP and Torque.....or lack thereof.

It got terrible mileage even when driving like a grandma, and the motor had a hard enough time getting up to speed on the highway.....without adding a boat/trailer behind it.

I was pulling my 20' baja behind it and it was no good. Getting up a boat launch was always fun...not. Getting up to "speed" with the boat....not happening. Not to mention that the brakes could barely handle the boat/trailer and I have electronic controlled discs on the trailer!

I had "big dreams" of putting a lift on it, and doing some cool off road mods....... Suspension parts were too $$, and I don't think the motor/tranny could turn anything bigger than a 31" tire without changing the rear end.

So, long story short. If there have been MAJOR motor and tranny changes since 2000, then go for it. They make some nice looking/riding SUV's. If not, I'd look elsewhere.

YMMV, IMO, LOL, ect...

kserg · #13 12-21-2008, 11:41 AM

I guess that's final...

Monday or Tuesday, going on and ordering it... Only reason i am not doing it now, the place i used to work at, auto shop does a lot of business with the nissan dealer. Whenever there is too much work at nissan's shop they send the cars to us... So they might get me a nice discount.

looks like it will be 2009 xterra Off-road 6speed in white.

Sidenote
One of the best dealerships I've even been to btw, i don't think once while there they tried to sell me the car... Answered my questions, BSed a lot, i think only sales pitch they did was when i asked if frontier will be easier to find in 6speed manager looks, found a few then told me "Why? You sound like you want the xterra..." None of them were wearing suits and tie but mostly jackets and jeans, one of them had a camo hat on, So far, i like them...

Went to few other places just to compare something else, I am not sure how those guys sell anything... When i asked about 6speed the guy tried to sell me auto because he said i will like it more then manual. Thanks, can you also tell me what to eat and what time i should go to bed?

That was my only crappy feeling about buying a new car, dealing with sleazy salesmen. hehe

kserg · #14 12-21-2008, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thehurlatron

So, long story short. If there have been MAJOR motor and tranny changes since 2000, then go for it. They make some nice looking/riding SUV's. If not, I'd look elsewhere.

Yeah, 170hp in 2000, 265hp in 2009 plus 288lb/ft

Not that it matters, 0-60 in 7.3 seconds, not that bad.

NJL · #15 12-21-2008, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJL

yeah, i still have my 2003 xterra (with only 63000 miles) and i hate it. mileage is horrible, something like 15 to 19 average.

it has an underpowered 6... BUT, it does make a decent bed with the back seats folded down.

slow and sluggish i guess. don't get me wrong, i like the way it looks, but then again, i kind of want a car now.. may get a used Vet, it gets better mileage.

i guess i'm just tired of it, but Brad, i'm sure i would love my truck if it was paid off.. maybe that's my biggest problem. i REALLY wish it was paid off. the "upsidedown-ness" (i love making up words) is the product of my divorce.

Tim Cole · #16 12-21-2008, 11:51 AM

Just had one for a rental in florida a couple weeks ago and LOVED it!!!!!!

kserg · #17 12-21-2008, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJL

slow and sluggish i guess. don't get me wrong, i like the way it looks, but then again, i kind of want a car now.. may get a used Vet, it gets better mileage.

i guess i'm just tired of it, but Brad, i'm sure i would love my truck if it was paid off.. maybe that's my biggest problem. i REALLY wish it was paid off. the "upsidedown-ness" (i love making up words) is the product of my divorce.

Talking to yourself again?

NJL · #18 12-21-2008, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kserg

Talking to yourself again?

LMFAO apparently!! i thought i quoted the qintar brad cook from waco..

LOL

burk48237 · #19 12-21-2008, 12:45 PM

I've got a 97 Pathfinder with 256,000 on it. I have done no engine, trainy or drive train work except lubing and normal maintenance. The front shocks were wimpy (replaced them at 65,000) but MI roads are TERRIBLE. I have replaced some of the suspension parts, (links, Shocks). The brakes ware forever, my front rotors have never even been turned and they still work great. Electrical is good, and most of the accessories work great still. I would suggest you look at the previous generation Pathfinder, they ride and handle far better on road, and are pretty good off road. And the gas millage is comparable. (I get 20-21 on the highway). You want to look for a 98 or later, they have the bigger 240hp motor and get the same millage. Mine is a bit underpowered.

spencer · #20 12-21-2008, 12:54 PM

I dunno if this relates, but i recently bought a 07 frontier, 4WD, and I love everything except the looks, I might trade in for a tacoma, but the engine is great and very powerful, I love the way the engine sounds for a V6 much better than a tacoma with the tick tick tick..

Its very fast acceration wise and tops out at about 120 well the governor does, and this is a 4wd model. I took it off roading many times and was great, other than the scratches I got on the BLACK paint...

Im getting a 4WD tacoma white one day.. But I truely do believe this is the better than it and the best v6 truck out there..