Xterra for me?

[Nesquik]

Hello all

I've been shopping for a new 4x4

I'll be new to wheelings and I'm looking for a DD/Adventure/weekend off-roader

I've consider the Suzukis (have a stock 99 Vitara but never wheeled it) but they are simply too small and down on power for what I need. Just kind of sucks on the highway

I looked for 4Runners and Cherokees (need 4 door and newer wranglers are out of my budget) but it's very tough to find a good 5 speed for a reasonable price and I still really wanted something unique

I discovered the Xterra. Seems a great truck. I like I can get them cheap and 5 speeds, and much unlike Jeeps and toyotas they are easy to find unmodified (i want to mod it myself)

I like the more stout drivetrain on the 1st gen and the more powerful 2nd gen so figured I'd decide based on which one I found a good deal on

Seems the 1st can hold 32 skinnys and the 2nd gen 33s, with plenty of aftermarket support and even a SAS available should I never get into serious wheeling

Other than timing belts and a cooler if I get an auto, is there anything else I should know?

Should it be a good rig for highway travel and the local off-road parks?

Thanks for any input!

 

[tarditi]

Manual is fine, if you can find them.
Autos are WAY more common, but research the Strawberry Milkshake of Death (SMOD) and make sure it has the bypass already or NO indications of it happening yet - not all model years have the issue, depends on how old you're going, but if you're comparing Gen1 to Gen2 you'll be in that group, perhaps.

Best bet is if you can find a 2015 Pro-4x - they came with heated seats, nav, and backup camera.

Xterras are great trucks, but thirsty - only other drawback I had was that the rear cargo capacity isn't awesome - you might bottom out the suspension on trails if loaded down too heavy. Other than that they are comfortable trucks.

 

[Nesquik]

Manual is fine, if you can find them.
Autos are WAY more common, but research the Strawberry Milkshake of Death (SMOD) and make sure it has the bypass already or NO indications of it happening yet - not all model years have the issue, depends on how old you're going, but if you're comparing Gen1 to Gen2 you'll be in that group, perhaps.

Best bet is if you can find a 2015 Pro-4x - they came with heated seats, nav, and backup camera.

Xterras are great trucks, but thirsty - only other drawback I had was that the rear cargo capacity isn't awesome - you might bottom out the suspension on trails if loaded down too heavy. Other than that they are comfortable trucks.

Thanks for your reply

Im up to date on the SMOD thanks to your post I did more research to identify issues. Appears to be all of 2005-2009 that can be afflicted and some up to 2012.

The 15 would be great but I don't want the extra frills really. Also above my price range

I would definitely be swapping the suspension out as well, probably with OME parts.

And thirsty....well I am comparing them to Jeeps, haha.

Thanks!

 

[Airmapper]

1st and 2nd Gen Xterra's are completely different animals. The only thing they have in common is some styling features that make them look similar.

Both will do well as on and off pavement weekend fun vehicles. I've never driven one but a complaint I hear a lot that the 1st Gen Xterra's are dogs, under-powered and have a very poor ride quality. But I haven't heard anything about them being unreliable or troublesome, so that is a good thing. They do have some common issue with a sensor deep in the engine, a knock sensor or timing sensor I think? A guy I work with had it on his, wasn't a big deal just a real pain to get at to replace.

2nd Gens are significantly more powerful, but are also larger in all dimensions which if you get on tight trails is a bit of a drawback. 2nd Gens are TALL. I'm 6'3" and have trouble reaching roof mounted things. But they are very impressive machines, especially with the rear locker. About any time I go offroading with it, someone in the group, or even strangers from other groups we pass become terribly impressed with it before the day is over, people just don't expect them to be as capable as they are for some reason.

If your going to DD it or do long highway trips, I highly recommend the 2nd gen if you want it to feel more stout on the highway, I have a 6 speed and it feels like it wants to pull up the pavement. As tarditi said, It will suck the gas though.


This is purely my opinion, and I'm biased, and I'm not as well educated on 1st gen Xterra's as I should be but here goes. I'd get a 3rd gen 4runner before I got a 1st gen Xterra. (Well I actually did get a 3rd gen 4runner, and there are reasons for that...) That is a more fair comparison of age, mileage, and initial cost between 2 small and not overly powerful 4x4s. The 4runner of that generation is a much higher quality vehicle, even throwing in the older models (say around '98) are probably the ones you would look for with the 5 speed.

I don't think you will be disappointed with a 2nd Gen Xterra if it's in your price range, the newer the better, after about 2009 all the more serious issues have been worked out, stronger axle components and the milkshake issue was resolved.

 

[FJOE]

I have had both 1st and 2nd generations. I don't recall power on either of them being a big deal. I drove both up and down the East Coast. If I had to go back and pick one all over again, the 2nd generation would be my choice. Comfortable, decent power, and a good amount of accessories. I had a Raingler net, and Shrockworks sliders. But I also put a Yakima basket on top of the factory rack, which made it tough to get things in and out from the ground. I would say that you would be fine with either, but if a clean 2nd gen came up at a good price, go for it.

 

[Nd4SpdSe]

I've never really tried too many Gen2's, but when I bought my Gen1 almost 9 years ago, it was a different market, and I wanted the more solid gen1.

For the truck cargo, I find it quite sufficient. It's WAY more then my parents 2002 Escape. I have an S/C manual and I find power is absolutely fine, but my buddy's NA auto, I swear mine is faster with my trailer attached over his. It's a truck, it'll suck back gas no different then a Jeep or a 4Runner. Don't expect fuel economy of that of a Rav4 or CRV for sure. I was talking with an Xterra buddy over xmas who was looking for a vehicle for his daughter, who has a few friends who have 4Runners, and find the Xterra is more solid of a truck compared to theirs. We were both struck back on that opinion. Torsion bars definitely give a truck-like ride on the gen1, but the girlfriend find the truck EXTREMELY comfortable with her herniated discs, and tends to fall asleep in it. I find the turning radius ridiculously good, love the pedal placement (good for heel-toe) and controls very well for drifting it around in the snow.

The gen1's are getting old, as is mine, but I love it.

 

[JakeH]

2011 to 2013 or 2014 are where you want to look--Only the necessary frills, no SMOD problems & you can probably find a good condition pro4x without too many miles. Prime for molding, but all the toys you didn't know you wanted. Plus it'll last forever

 

[TFin04]

I had similar needs and ended up with an 11 Pro4X with leather and 83k on it for a good price. I still think it's the best value going for a small/mid size SUV.

Not sure if you saw it or not, but timing chain tensioners are another potential issue. Not common but enough that it's "known." Engine will give you ample warning and having them done at the dealer is about $1500. My thought was I was saving about $6-8k over the price of a similar 4Runner or FJ Cruiser so even if I have to pay to have them fixed I'm coming out ahead.

 

[RonapRhys]

Xterras are great. I bought my 07 brand new and now have 190K+ miles on it with no significant issues and I do wheel it pretty hard a few times a year (8 trips out to Moab from either Ohio or Michigan, with 5-6 days of wheeling the blue and red trails each time). I'm running Hefty Fabwork bumpers front and rear, a winch, full skid plates, sliders, and 33" MT/Rs on there and I get about 14mpg. In terms of hitting trails, yeah, they're really capable. Especially if you're respectful of the skinny pedal.

Cargo capacity can be a limiter if what you're carrying is bulky or heavy. However, there are decent upgrades available there (Alcan springs for the rear seem to be the best overall value, Nisstec has plenty of options up front).

Aftermarket is reasonable at this point. If you're going to do any harder-core wheeling, I'd suggest the automatic. I wheel with the 6spd and even then, the lowest crawl speed is still too fast for real obstacles (especially trying to get the clutch going on something like Hell's Gate).

 

[jschmidt]

I'm very happy with my 2005 OR.