2001 exterra 2wd 5 spd

[OneTime]

Im looking for a new DD and let my 16 yo daughter drive my LC 80 back and forth to school I do a lot of highway driving and 13 mpg is killing me. My first tought was a small 4 cyl hatch back. I want to be able to load up my mt bikes with the veh.

Im looking at a 01 5pd 2wd. My biggest need is MPG. This would not be a trail rig. I thought of the X over a hatch back due to the abilty to haul my bikes, gear and two sons for overnight camping trips. I often drive on mantained fire roads while on mtb trips and the higher clearance of the X would be nice over a small hatch back.

What kind of milage could I hope for? How much better milage would I get from a 4 cyl X?

edit Sorry for the (E)xterra spelling didnt catch that

 

[Strizzo]

didn't know there ever was a 4cyl X, the 4cyl pathy only lasted to 88 or so. if mileage is what you really need, but only occasionally need the ground clearance, i'd look at a subaru forester or outback sport. they'll have better ground clearance than a car, better mileage and similar useability of the X. plus you get the awd for when the fire roads aren't maintained quite well enough.

 

[XJINTX]

Yes, the 1st gens had the 4 cyl. I had two of the 6ers but gas milage was bad. Only ever met one 4cyl owner and he was happy with the mileage.

I would recommend a 4cy for most young drivers as the truck is solid and with the 4cyl even standard it will never be "fast".

if highway performance is not a desire than i say go for it!!!

 

[Big Daddy Chia]

4 cylinder xterra is a joke. U will get bad gas mileage with just because u have an under powered 4 banger still trying to pull a 4k lb suv around. U want something to haul bikes get a subaru forester or maybe a legacy wagon or the sorts.

 

[OneTime]

Cool thanks for the heads up

 

[ShoxX]

Yeah I have two Xterras (neither 4cyl) and if I want to make someone laugh I tell them my MPG.

 

[Silver dude]

Yeah for having small engines Xterras are sure gas guzzers. I average 15-17mpg. Which is what most full sized trucks with big v8's get. Is it a great reliable vehicle for biking or adventuring though? you bet!

The second gens 2005 and newer have better economy or at least the power to back it up.

 

[OneTime]

Does the manual tranny make much difference?

 

[Silver dude]

2003 Xterra 2wd 4cylinder manual is good for 22 hwy 16 city.

 

[RonapRhys]

My 07 X 6sp OR gets around 19 around town and 21-22 for pure highway driving (20-21 in the mountains between Ohio and Virginia. Of course, I keep the speedo around 70mph, see no need to accelarate at full throttle (most of my shifts occur around 2,500rpm), and I do tend to pop her out of gear when I'm heading downhill or coming to a stop. When doing this, I only do it if the grade isn't too steep and when I'm not towing something or completely loaded up - no sense being dangerous about it. I also keep the tires properly inflated and don't idle for extended periods of time.

Not a hypermiler by any means, just trying to be conscious of mileage.