Nissan Xterra

[gonhunting247]

You won't go wrong with a Nissan Frontier that has a 6 cylinder in it. Especially if you can find one with a manual transmission. They are great in the hills and on the highway. With a four door and a little camper shell, it is just like a little SUV w/ a little better separation in the back for the dogs or hauling dead critters.

 

[conhawa]

I have owned a 2006 Xterra for the last 9 years. It only has 67k miles on it...so it is in very good shape. The 2005 to 2008 ish models were prone to radiator leaks that killed the tranny. I knew about this when I bought it...so I immediately replaced the radiator with an aftermarket. I have used it as my hunting and camping vehicle all this time, and I have pulled "pop up" campers with it. I really like the Xterra, and I will pass it on to my son in a year or so when he starts driving. I recently bought a Yakima roof box for it, and this has made family camping trips much better for storing extra things.

 

[Ratbeetle]

Since heated seats seem to be your hang up, you know you can add them quite affordably?

What can I say...the wife doesn't ask for much and never complains about my hunting obsession. If she wants heated seats, she's getting heated seats.

With that said, after my XJ, I'm over modding vehicles. If it doesn't come how I want it in stock trim, I'm not interested.

 

[Ratbeetle]

Interesting on resale, here in CO they seem to have spiked in price since they stopped making them.

Haven't paid attention until recently but it sure seems they are at a premium here compared to other locations.

 

[sf jakey]

I'm looking at the off road premium, wife requires heated seats. A 2020 is right at 40k...hell the pros are pushing 50k. Tough pill for me to swallow on a depreciating asset.

While better, out here 2016 trails with what I consider acceptable mileage are still going for north of 30k. IMO, a bit ridiculous for a 4 year old vehicle with an unknown history. I have no doubt 4runners are solid vehicles though. I might end up with one anyway.

That’s good reason to buy one. You will lose your ass in a Nissan. I plan to buy a new 4runner whenever they do a new model. This vehicle is perfect now with the adaptive cruise control. I take it everywhere I took my LJ Rubicon, but I enjoy driving it. Truly a great vehicle

 

[Ratbeetle]

I’ve got a 2013 Pro-4x. I bought it with 7k miles on it and it now has 140k, all have been hassle free with no issues and I am pretty hard on a vehicle. I love mine. Sure, it’s not going to turn heads or get compliments like a TRD Pro 4Runner, but it will go anywhere and do everything the 4Runner will do. It’s a no nonsense little off road vehicle. In the pro-4x trim, with a set of BFG’s, it will go anywhere you are willing to drive it and then some. Rear locker and 4 lo has got me out of some nasty places in Montana and Nebraska when the rains came. I’ve taken mine pretty much all over the Rocky Mountains and I wouldn’t hesitate to jump in it right now and do a 1k mile road trip somewhere.
I’m averaging 18 MPG. You get an 18 gallon fuel tank, so range will be about 300 miles per tank. I’ve got jerry cans on the back if I think I’ll need to extend that. Engine puts out 260hp. Plenty of power. Short wheel base takes a little getting used to but it’s nothing to really comment on once you are familiar with it.
Get yourself two of the 8gallon action packer containers. The seating configuration is my favorite feature. The rear seat bottoms are removable, and then the backs lay flat. The action packers sit in the floor and are the exact same height as the laid flat seat backs. This gives you about 72” of completely flat floor space. This allows me to sleep in mine anytime I need it. I’ve done week long hunting trips just basing out of the back like this.
All in all, the Xterra is a great vehicle. It’s unrefined, a little ugly, certainly out dated when compared to other vehicles in its class, but it will run forever with little or no issues. If something does go wrong, they are easy and straightforward to work on. I would not hesitate to buy a slightly used one! I’ve only had 2 vehicles since 2004, a Titan pickup and this Xterra. I put 280k on my Titan before going to the Xterra. I’ve now put 130k on it and neither have ever let me down or had anything other than routine maintenance. One great thing about Nissan’s is that their resale SUCKS. So, you can pick up a low mileage lightly used one for so much less money.


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Good info, thanks. As to the short wheelbase comments...hell it has 5" more than my XJ. Should be luxurious in comparison.

 

[Ratbeetle]

That’s good reason to buy one. You will lose your ass in a Nissan. I plan to buy a new 4runner whenever they do a new model. This vehicle is perfect now with the adaptive cruise control. I take it everywhere I took my LJ Rubicon, but I enjoy driving it. Truly a great vehicle

I certainly haven't ruled a 4runner out.

 

[Titan_Bow]

Good info, thanks. As to the short wheelbase comments...hell it has 5" more than my XJ. Should be luxurious in comparison.

I came into it from a crew cad picku with a 6.5’ bed. But honestly, a day or two of driving and I’ve never thought about it since.


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[PassCreek]

I have a 2010 Offroad model. It's been great. It's good in the snow and good on the trails as well. I have 123k miles currently. I have one kid and had a dog when I bought it, and it was good for taking the family out and about. I have fit a quartered Elk in the back, but it does feel cramped to me (especially since I had a truck before).

The only thing that's ever went out was the Mass Airflow Sensor. It was easy to fix.

I didn't really care for the ride when I bought it. The back end would bottom out even over dips if I had adult passengers in the back; It was fine without passengers. I added a leaf and new shocks eventually which solved that problem.

I know a couple of the problems they had when I did my research before buying new, 1) the Radiator Fluid in the Transmission thing already mentioned and 2) the Fuel Sensor going out. That's all I recall, but I haven't had any of those problems.

I get anywhere from 14-17 city driving depending on if I'm driving in the snow in 4 wheel or not that week. I can get 20ish highway on long trips. I think the standard fuel tank holds 22 gallons and the low fuel light goes on when you're 17 gallons down.

Anyway, I'd buy another one. I wish they still made them.

 

[Titan_Bow]

That’s good reason to buy one. You will lose your ass in a Nissan. I plan to buy a new 4runner whenever they do a new model. This vehicle is perfect now with the adaptive cruise control. I take it everywhere I took my LJ Rubicon, but I enjoy driving it. Truly a great vehicle

You shouldn’t lose your ass, let the first buyer lose his ass! I bought my Xterra in 2015. It was a 2013 PRO-4x with 7k miles. The brand new ones were MSRPing for 31k. I bought mine for a little over 20k. I’ve since put 130k miles on it and have been all over the Rocky Mountain West, it’s been a great truck.


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[Blockcaver]

We've had people come up to us in BC and to see if they could buy the 2008 Offroad. It is still clean and must be desirable or that wouldn't happen. Never had anyone try to buy one of our many trucks over the years.

 

[Rich M]

My dad has an Xterra and it is a tough rig - very stiff ride, rides like an old time truck as compared to a car or modern SUV.

 

[h2so4]

What does xterra even mean? X Earth?

 

[S.Clancy]

Do some research, the Xterra and Titan used to have front differential issues. I know a couple people, including my girlfriend, that had to replace their front diffs.

 

[rougarou]

The SR5 Premium 4Runner also has heated seats at a lower price point than the Trail. Love mine

 

[thinhorn_AK]

We have a 2011, xl (or something model), it’s cool and does well off road but the gas mileage sucks, I want to say we get ~ 250 miles to a tank at best.

ours also has a problem where when we warm it up in park, it won’t blow warm air into the cab or defrost, once you start driving the warm air comes out...I havnt been able to figure it out. The strange thing is if I start it up, put it in neutral with the parking break the heat works.

 

[Titan_Bow]

We have a 2011, xl (or something model), it’s cool and does well off road but the gas mileage sucks, I want to say we get ~ 250 miles to a tank at best.

ours also has a problem where when we warm it up in park, it won’t blow warm air into the cab or defrost, once you start driving the warm air comes out...I havnt been able to figure it out. The strange thing is if I start it up, put it in neutral with the parking break the heat works.

top off your coolant, chances are thats whats causing the cold air blowing. That happened to me too, and I was thinking all these potential major problems that might cause it, but on the Xterra forums, this was suggested. I topped mine off and never had cold blowing air again.

Gas mileage should be way better than that. Mine is a 2013, with 136k miles. I average about 17-18 in town and maybe 18-19-20 on highway. Make sure you are changing the air filter regularly, clean or replace the mass air filter, and ensure your tires are properly inflated. Those things would be where I'd start.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

top off your coolant, chances are thats whats causing the cold air blowing. That happened to me too, and I was thinking all these potential major problems that might cause it, but on the Xterra forums, this was suggested. I topped mine off and never had cold blowing air again.

Gas mileage should be way better than that. Mine is a 2013, with 136k miles. I average about 17-18 in town and maybe 18-19-20 on highway. Make sure you are changing the air filter regularly, clean or replace the mass air filter, and ensure your tires are properly inflated. Those things would be where I'd start.

I did the coolant thing, it didn’t change anything.

 

[austinphps]

I'll echo some of what others stated. I have a '15 Pro-4x that I bought with 37k in 2017 and have since put about 50k on it. Has gotten me everywhere I need to go in the mountains, and have only done routine oil changes and tires. I'm very happy with it, the rear seat layout is great. It gets a little tight with 2 peoples gear and a dog for camping trips, but I put a basket on the top and throw my cooler and tote on top. Tank is small, but just plan ahead if you are going hunting for a week and bring a jerry can or 2.

 

[Nerhunter]

Avoid the auto tranny models and you’re gonna be good, no telling how long the sludge mix has tainted the AT.