Thinking about purchasing an Xterra

[Jeff H]

I've been contemplating purchasing a different vehicle as of late. My current vehicle is a '97 Jeep Wrangler which just turned over 140k miles on it. Although it has been a fun vehicle to drive its just not very practical anymore. The ability to haul either four people or two and cargo just doesnt cut it anymore.

After researching the forums and checking out thenewx.org I've pretty much narrowed down my next vehicle to an Xterra. I definitely like the 05-up models but would consider an older one as well. Other than price what would the pros/cons be between the first gen and second gen models? Im aware of the weaker front diffs on the 05-up vehicles.

Primarily the vehicle would be a daily driver and to haul my friends and I to go snowboarding, mtn biking, camping, etc. Eventually I would like to build it up to take on some longer camping trips and maybe some light/moderate off-roading. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[timh]

00-04 Has torsion bar front end. Much more expensive to lift. 05+ has coils and can be lifted for a lot less money. 05+ has a lot more room, more storage compartments, and the offroad model has a rear e-locker.

I have an 04 and I say that if you can afford it go 05+, not that I really have any complaints about mine but I would rather have an 05+.

 

[CoastalDefender]

'05+ also has a much better power-weight ratio, without having to be supercharged and maintaining a decent MPG.

Get the Offroad version and you'll be ahead of the game...

 

[08whitex]

I have owned both an 03 and 08 Xterra. The second gen X would definitely fulfill your needs as a daily driver and moderate trail truck :victory:

 

[sami]

I recommend the 05+ model if you plan on having 4-5 adult guys with gear. The motor will still have passing power, whereas the earlier models you'd be the guy in the far right lane.

Lots of storage - rear trunk, rear side storage spots, wetbox on the roof..
265hp auto or manual tranny
Decent MPG's for size (I average 16-17 mixed HWY/street.. 19-20 on all HWY)
Offroad option has rear e-locker
Flat belly.. t-case and other equipment is tucked away.
Aftermarket is catching up (lifts, bumpers, sliders, roofracks, etc.. lockers are still taking time)

For the outdoor enthusiast, and DD rig a 2" shackle and front spacer lift is fast, cheap, easy, and funtional to throw on some 33"s. Which brings it to a look that, IMO, should've been Nissan's final product for the Xterra.

 

[Rastaman]

Go 05+

I have an 05 OR. I recommend getting the Off Road option just because of the locking rear differential. Lost of room. Very capable. Quiet and smooth on the highway (relatively).

Both the manual and the automatic are great in the nextGen Xterra (not the case of the firstGen).

Good luck.

 

[spencerswahoos]

I have an 05 OR. I recommend getting the Off Road option just because of the locking rear differential. Lost of room. Very capable. Quiet and smooth on the highway (relatively).

Both the manual and the automatic are great in the nextGen Xterra (not the case of the firstGen).

Good luck.

Just to echo what Rastaman said, I recommend an Off Road model as well for the E-locker. I have an 07 X model and wish I had waited for an OR model to come available. Used OR models are just few and far between. Don't get me wrong I like mine just fine, it is a very capable vehicle, but it doesn't look promising that a locking diff for the C200 rear is coming anytime soon. It would have been better to have started out with a locking rear diff.

 

[Jeff H]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Ive only found a few Off Road package Xterras in a 300 mile radius so I will keep my eyes open for one that I like over the next month or so. Hopefully I will have something purchased by Feb.

 

[fishy_frontier]

You can't go wrong with the OR model:ylsmoke:

 

[Frankspinz]

You can buy an impeccable 00-04 model for a bag of peanuts & upgrade for a few thousand. It's all a mater of budget ! I love my 2003 ! I could afford a new gen but I'm not sure I'd have the bucks to mod it & off road it !

 

[jingram]

I went with this debate too and ended up with an 04. If you get one try and get one with 4.10 gearing and a 5 speed. People say they are slow and to be quite frank, I do not see it at all. Certainly isn't the race car the 4.0 in the 2nd gen is, but it does great. Indestructable axles compared to the 2nd gen and bulletproof motor, plus it is a bit smaller and more compact which is a personal preference for me. Stay away from IMO automatices and the super charged version... premium fuel costs for little power increase.

1st Gen Upside:
Cheap
Quite a few mods: bumpers, armor, poor man's lift, upgraded torsion bars, lockers, exhausts, replacement racks, etc
bullet proof drivetrain

Downside
less powerful
poor fuel economy
not as modern inside

 

[Jeff H]

That was one of my debates about the older models was it being more affordable and I would have more money to modify it. I will really have to drive both and see which I prefer. Coming from a Wrangler anything is going to seem more spacious and posh inside than it is.

I'm now just in the waiting game to see if I'm getting promoted to full-time at work. I'll be sure to update with what I decide to get.