Considering a Nissan XTerra

[Greg]

My wife currently has a '01 Mitsubishi Montero Sport, 2WD ( :sick: ). She bought it slightly used & now we're looking at selling it, in order to reduce the amount we're paying on her vehicle.

We want something that's capable of seating 5, gets decent mileage, is affordable and is a sporty/fun vehicle.

A 4Runner would be my first choice, but they're SPENDY, so they're pretty much ruled out. Plus, I get a discount on certain makes thru work and Nissan happens to be one of them, so the XTerra seems like a logical choice. What I want to know is about the mileage & the 6 speed manual tranny.


First, I hear the mileage on older XTerras is less than desireable. Is it that bad? Has it changed with the '05 model? (Might have to do with the 6 speed tranny?)

Seconed, does anyone have a new XTerra with the 6 Speed? Is that thing a PITA to drive, with the addition of one more gear?

 

[Greg]

Oh... anyone intrested in a '01 2WD Montero Sport? V6, Leather, Auto, CD... It books at $10k.

 

[Brett]

I was going to comment.....but then I saw you are talking about the brand new ones. My GF has an 03....pretty decent vehicle. If you want info about the older ones, let me know.

 

[Herzog]

As long as you SAS it and get some gearing changes in it so it has some guts your good to go.

 

[XT Utah]

Xterra

I have an '04 Xterra. I've had a lot of fun in it but it's nothing to write home about.

It's pathetically gutless (non-supercharged) and won't wheel worth a crap without better tires and some sort of lift. Part of the problem is that it won't flex. Another part of the problem is that I am learning to wheel . Oh, and the mileage sucks too.

If you really want one of these I would recommend getting an earlier model that already has a lift and lockers (if you are lucky). Definately go with a supercharged X if you care about power.

Or, get an '05. I hear they have great power, they come with a rear e-locker, an LSD in the front and Hill Assist, etc, etc... Only problem I see is that it looks like a minivan.

John

 

[Hickey]

XJ. That is all.

I will make fun of you for buying an Xterra. My minivan would outwheel those. I'll make you a killer deal on THIS

 

[closhedbb]

Hickey is right, get an XJ.

You can find a nice XJ for around $10k, which would leave you money to put in a flowmaster and cold air intake to up the gas mileage. Give it a 3" lift and 31s, and it's decently capable off-road while still being family friendly.

But then again, I own an XJ, so I'm biased. Well, maybe biased isn't the best word. Impressed and pleased would better fit.

 

[pELYgroso]

yup

Hickey is right, get an XJ.

You can find a nice XJ for around $10k, which would leave you money to put in a flowmaster and cold air intake to up the gas mileage. Give it a 3" lift and 31s, and it's decently capable off-road while still being family friendly.

But then again, I own an XJ, so I'm biased. Well, maybe biased isn't the best word. Impressed and pleased would better fit.

I completely agree. XJs look better, handle WAAAAAY better off road, and they're totally family friendly. The xterra is, in my opinion is just another of these minivans with an SUV body. kinda like your montero. Who puts 2wd in an SUV? yes, i am another pleased and proud XJ owner. (i have 2 of them )

 

[Brett]

I guess that I'll be the devils advocate. Personally, I do like the Xterra's. If your wife is going to be using it for a daily driver, I don't see any reason not to get one. I know you are thinking about a brand new one and I can't comment on those, but Corissa's '03 is great. They are more roomie than a Cherokee (by far) the manuals with older motor are good for power and get pretty good mileage. XJ's are good, but they just are tiny. Try getting out of the back seat of those, hard to do with those little doors. I am going to guess that kids will be on the way sooner or later and I would recommend a Xterra over a Cherokee based on that. You also get a warranty, something you're not going to get with any Cherokee these days.

I say go for the new Xterra. 265 HP is a bit more than a Cherokee's 190

 

[Greg]

Ehhh... XJ's.

Like Brett mentioned, it's going to be my wifes DD, not something that I'm planning on wheeling. So the downsides to all the wheelin' related stuff don't apply.

We want something new, not a used vehicle. I say new because this is a vehicle we plan on keeping for some time, hell it'll probably end up hauling our kids eventually. I'm not too fond of XJ's as they get older. Not a big fan of the unibody either, plus (and don't get offended) Jeeps aren't as reliable in the long run as an XTerra would be.

 

[Hickey]

Sorry Greg. Didn't mean to get the XJ addicts started on ya. Crew cab Tundra. Awesome rig, better mileage than both an XJ or Xterra. What's your budget?

 

[Greg]

Sorry Greg. Didn't mean to get the XJ addicts started on ya. Crew cab Tundra. Awesome rig, better mileage than both an XJ or Xterra. What's your budget?

I'm going to have my own truck (The Tacoma now, another Dodge eventually), she needs a grocery getter/SUV. I really like the XTerra for her needs.

Our budget at around $20k... another big factor is that thru UP I can get certain makes of vehicles at cost or just a little more. I really want to use that option & see how it turns out.

 

[Hickey]

another big factor is that thru UP I can get certain makes of vehicles at cost or just a little more. I really want to use that option & see how it turns out.

OH yeah?!?! How much do you pay for Doritos?!?!?

 

[XT Utah]

Sounds like a challenge

XJ. That is all.

I will make fun of you for buying an Xterra. My minivan would outwheel those. THIS

Ok Hickey, bring your van and lets have a wheel-off. Here's the deal: We have to bring along all our kids, dogs and groceries. The first one back at the mall parking lot wins.

John

 

[Hickey]

Ok Hickey, bring your van and lets have a wheel-off. Here's the deal: We have to bring along all our kids, dogs and groceries. The first one back at the mall parking lot wins.

John

Ain't skeered. Rattle snake, after school.

 

[jtaoj]

I have an '04 Xterra. I've had a lot of fun in it but it's nothing to write home about.

It's pathetically gutless (non-supercharged) and won't wheel worth a crap without better tires and some sort of lift. Part of the problem is that it won't flex. Another part of the problem is that I am learning to wheel . Oh, and the mileage sucks too.

If you really want one of these I would recommend getting an earlier model that already has a lift and lockers (if you are lucky). Definately go with a supercharged X if you care about power.

Or, get an '05. I hear they have great power, they come with a rear e-locker, an LSD in the front and Hill Assist, etc, etc... Only problem I see is that it looks like a minivan.

John

I have an 00 X...minor lift, BFG ATs, and love it...granted, I am not as hard core as some, but it "gits er done". I do hate towing my tent trailer heading to Moab and passing traffic.

Anyway, I think you under estimate the truck's capabilities, and never ever forget how much of what you can do is based on your own experience.

 

[Meat_]

RL built a sweet Xterra a month or so ago, the 35's on it looked small

 

[wipedawg]

Just referring back to the "reliability in the long run" I think its safe to say a cherokee would outlast any xterra. Agreed they aren't as friendly on the road... but i've personally seen over 20 different XJ's running with 250k+ miles on the stock engine and tranny. No nissan could be so lucky to hit those numbers.

 

[Spork]

Just referring back to the "reliability in the long run" I think its safe to say a cherokee would outlast any xterra. Agreed they aren't as friendly on the road... but i've personally seen over 20 different XJ's running with 250k+ miles on the stock engine and tranny. No nissan could be so lucky to hit those numbers.

Might want to talk to this guy about that... 298k
http://www.kslcars.com/VehicleDetail.htm?vehicleid=1918937&sellerid=22996020&vehicleType=car

 

[81Ramchargerman]

Might want to talk to this guy about that... 298k
http://www.kslcars.com/VehicleDetail.htm?vehicleid=1918937&sellerid=22996020&vehicleType=car

You do realize this is 12 years later...and things have probably changed a little...now they make your sh*t so you break your sh*t...