Nissan Xterra?

[live4chrome]

Hey all

Its about time for me to get a new vehicle. I have been seriously looking at the xterra. I test drove one the other day and liked it quite a bit. the only downfall I can see with it is the 15/20 mpg it gets...pretty poor. Any owners on here care to offer their input on the vehicle? I need something to pull my boat, sled, etc. The fact that is a full frame seems very reassuring.

the other vehicle I looked at was the explorer, however almost EVERYONE i know who owns one has problem after problem with it. my budget is about 28,00. Would like a 2010/11 model.

Im sure there are some vehicle gurus on here, the sales guy sure pitched it pretty well, I just want to make sure I wont be unhappy with my decision.

[Powerstroke]

Of course the sales guy pitched it well, that's his job.

I owned a Xterra, but mine was the 2nd gen model, a 2005. They are a full frame, but they have been heavier than similar suv's and are less aerodynamic which is where the poor mpg comes in.

They can do the job, but the Xterra would no longer be my first choice. Even when I towed a boat i didn't think the tranny was up to the task. I can't speak with experience about a current model, but it seems like they haven't changed too much.

[live4chrome]

thanks, I think I am going to look more into the ford explorer. better gas mileage and should have no issues pulling a boat.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Nissan is the Chrysler of the aisin cars. They look cute but there still just a big turd.

They have a lot of timing chain issues as well. Go over the oil service interval a couple of times and see how much fun you have whipping out your check book!

[live4chrome]

thanks guys,

looked at/test drove teh 4 runner, highlander, Jeep laredo and explorer today. I'm heavily leaning towards the laredo. better warantees, better mpg, but a bit priceyer too.

[Slabasaurus]

Funny. I too am looking to get into an SUV here.

Apparently a VW Passat doesn't really suit the outdoorsman as much as I wanted it to. Ok that's not true. I bought my car before I became obsessed with fishing and the outdoors. Anyway.

Initially I had been looking at the laredos, but they consumer reports have them on the naughty list as far as reliability goes. After my v-dubs inability to stay away from the repair shop for more than 6 months at a time, I don't want to mess with that.

Apparently the xterra's have a great reliability rating.

I've JUST started seriously looking now though, I hope to be in a new vehicle by the end of march.

Actually your list is pretty much what mine is as far as what I'm considering. Different years though, I'm lookin at used and trying to stay under 17k. Goood luck in the search!

[TimR]

I'm still running a 2000 Xterra I bought new in 2000. It gets used when I need to tow or haul something. I put a tranny cooler on it when I bought it as I knew it's main use would be towing, have not had a single problem. 17' glass boat with a 150OB all over the state, 2 sled trailer all over the state, 5k lb enclosed out to wyoming and back on a hunting trip.

I've had to replace brakes, tires, timing belt, plugs, one oxygen sensor, and that's it. The rocker panels have rusted out and look like hell and the rear door has had rust spot issues, but the rest of the body is fine.

The mileage is crappy is my only real complaint.

Compared to the neverending sob stories I hear out of my coworkers that don't even tow with their explorers, I'm happy with the Xterra. Exploder tranny this, 2nd rear end that, we had to take my Xterra as the tow vehicle on the last trip up to Red because the intake manifold gasket went the day before we left on the explorer.

Make your own choice, but talk to some actual owners that use their vehicle.

Tim

[TimR]

Bah.

Another non-owner spewing talk.

You change the timing BELT at just after 100k miles. The VG33 variant engine has been in Nissan vehicles for years, and is well respected for longevity and reliability.

Sigh.

Tim

Nissan is the Chrysler of the aisin cars. They look cute but there still just a big turd.

They have a lot of timing chain issues as well. Go over the oil service interval a couple of times and see how much fun you have whipping out your check book!

[20lbSloughShark]

thanks, I think I am going to look more into the ford explorer. better gas mileage and should have no issues pulling a boat.

No, an explorer gets worse gas mileage. My dad owns a 2000 explorer 4x4 and gets about 14-15 city and towing light loads (1-2 tons) and 18 tops highway. I have a 1994. If you are looking for an explorer, get a a low milage first generation 1991-94. Mine has 225,000 miles, and we have replaced the wheel bearings, egr pipe, a tensioner pulley, serpentine belt, and tires. Mine needs a few other things tires again, ball joints, a new wheel sensor thing if I want antilock breaks (i just pump my breaks), and the thing would be brand new except for the rust. The 2000 has needed all this in the first five years of its life. My uncle owned it before my dad, and he sold it to him because he got sick of replacing stuff. Its gone through 2 trannys, has major motor problems, and is just overall poorly made. I once saw my dad pull 8,300 pounds of scrap steel with the 1994. I have to say a 1991-1994 explorer or a jeep Cherokee would be the best SUV's (I like the looks of them over the grand)

[Powerstroke]

Bah.

Another non-owner spewing talk.

Sigh.

Tim

First of all, Airjer is very knowledgeable mechanic who is admin on this site for that very reason. Secondly I know he started as a toyota tech and knows the asian vehicles very well. His comment is based on knowledge and experience.

Finally, I was an Xterra owner. I owned it for 5yrs. It was a great vehicle and I miss it often. It is capable of towing most loads within its rating. However it is not great. Ownership costs are high and that includes fuel. The VG33 motor is fairly reliable, but it does have well known timing belt issues throughout the Nissan line of vehicles that use it, most notably in the Altima. If you want that warrantied, you better maintain the all-to-frequent oil change intervals suggested by Nissan. The last thing I had attached to my Xterra was a 4300lb camper. It was a pain to drive, got 7-10mpg and that means it got 140-200 miles to a tank of gas if you ran it out. That means you really had 100-160 miles on a tank of gas while towing. Thats ridiculous.

I added the tranny cooler and a brake controller, but it could hardly handle a large trailer. The short wheelbase was good for many things, but not large trailers. The engine was grossly under-powered, or the vehicle was overweight depending on how you look at it and the tranny was poorly geared for the same conundrum.

If you want an Xterra for towing, I suggest keeping the trailer weight under 3000lbs. DOn't expect great MPG. Keep up your maintenance schedule, check to see if all the recalls were handled and it will be a good vehicle. You just need to understand it for what it is.

[TimR]

I don't really disagree with anything you said about the Xterra - I wouldn't recommend any v6 powered vehicle to regularly tow a 4300lb camper.

That's great that Airjer is a knowledgeable mechanic. If he is, I'd expect a more objective description than "turd", especially regarding the VG33 engine. That series has powered Xterras, Frontiers, Maximas, pathfinders, etc reliably for years, in both belt and chain form. Nissan didn't stick with it because it was a headache. He should know that.

Read again. I said my Xterra was reliable, with rust, crappy mileage (even when not towing) and without tranny issues. It is what it is, but it isn't the "turd" that the non-owners made it out to be. If I was purchasing today, I'd buy something with a v8.

Tim

First of all, Airjer is very knowledgeable mechanic who is admin on this site for that very reason. Secondly I know he started as a toyota tech and knows the asian vehicles very well. His comment is based on knowledge and experience.

Finally, I was an Xterra owner. I owned it for 5yrs. It was a great vehicle and I miss it often. It is capable of towing most loads within its rating. However it is not great. Ownership costs are high and that includes fuel. The VG33 motor is fairly reliable, but it does have well known timing belt issues throughout the Nissan line of vehicles that use it, most notably in the Altima. If you want that warrantied, you better maintain the all-to-frequent oil change intervals suggested by Nissan. The last thing I had attached to my Xterra was a 4300lb camper. It was a pain to drive, got 7-10mpg and that means it got 140-200 miles to a tank of gas if you ran it out. That means you really had 100-160 miles on a tank of gas while towing. Thats ridiculous.

I added the tranny cooler and a brake controller, but it could hardly handle a large trailer. The short wheelbase was good for many things, but not large trailers. The engine was grossly under-powered, or the vehicle was overweight depending on how you look at it and the tranny was poorly geared for the same conundrum.

If you want an Xterra for towing, I suggest keeping the trailer weight under 3000lbs. DOn't expect great MPG. Keep up your maintenance schedule, check to see if all the recalls were handled and it will be a good vehicle. You just need to understand it for what it is.

[JOHNBIGDOG]

First of all, Airjer is very knowledgeable mechanic who is admin on this site for that very reason.{TRUTH}

Secondly I know he started as a toyota tech and knows the Asian vehicles very well. {hmmm?}

His comment is based on knowledge and experience. {TRUTH}

Geese Bro. when did you work for Toyota? I know you have secrets but WOW

On a second note ever hear of K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Silly? Turd is a simple explanation with out a "[poor word usage]" this is what he was trying to portray for the every day Joe..... I believe

[Jeremy airjer W]

Geese Bro. when did you work for Toyota? I know you have secrets but WOW

I'll have to check on that!

Early model Xterra's did well. Besides the occasional exhaust manifold issues they where pretty solid. Move ahead a couple of years. Now we run into broken trans coolers that allow the trans to fill with coolant and grenade. Move ahead a couple more years and now we get to deal with variable valve timing issues due to inferior parts and lack of maintenance. Don't get me started on gas pedals, and crank/cam sensors across the board on new nissans! Lets through in an Integrated Power Module into the mix! How about a grand just for labor to replace a blower motor in a newer nissan quest. Don't get me started on fuel injector issues and bad disrtibutors on nissans as well (the old opti-spark wasn't so opti!)

So yes, based on what I see Nissans will always be the Chrysler of the import world.

Live for chrome is looking at 2010/2011 models not early production models. There is a big difference!

[ZapBranigan]

Want more reliability and don't want the 4 runner expense. Look at the Toyota FJ. Love mine. 5100 lbs towing. base 23K (2007) ended at 28K with finance charges. Wonderful pull you back in the seats exceleration. Rated higher than Xterra by Motor Trend after they named Xterra their SUV of the year (2007). Out did H3, Xterra, Jeep Liberty (price range considerations placed these as the comparison vehicles) on Motor Trends independent testing. Longer wheel base also 17" wheels. Clears snow better. May dad bought Explorer same year as I bought the FJ. He has had a laundry list of issues. Only draw back is bad rear visability. I put a camera on the back $100 takes care of the backing up issue. I have 85K on it now and have replaved the Highway Tred with AT tred. Love it all the more.

[Powerstroke]

I may have my facts mixed up on the Toyota statement.....however I stand by the rest.

TimR, I certainly understand your point, which is why I think you can understand mine. The Xterra CAN tow things, but it would never be my choice for something that I plan on using for towing.

Airjer....LOL I missed your "Chrysler of imports" comment before. Thats pure gold.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Airjer....LOL I missed your "Chrysler of imports" comment before. Thats pure gold.

Guess what we had in the shop last night for an engine noise. An Xterra with a cracked exhaust manifold. Guess whats in the shop today. A quest with a very bad wheel bearing!