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Comments
Thanks for the words about serving. I am sure every member of the Marine Detachment here will like to hear that. There are only 6 of us and we have no family here and are here year round for 15 months. Good duty, but has its downfalls (not being able to see family for 15 months at a time, and sometimes more or less depending on the situation.) Just cook some hamburgers, chicken and hotdogs on the grill for me. Or just ffed one to the dog, Give one up for those Devil Dogs out there!
Once again, thank you and your fellow Marines for your service to our fine country!
Thanks for all of your advice on this board. It's making me a more informed consumer. Can you give us some advice on how exactly to get the best deal? I have a dealer that is offering me one dollar over invoice. He showed me the invoice of all of the X's on the lot and i could take my pick (for $1 over), but is he faking those invoices to make more money? Even with the holdback, he wouldn't be making even $1K with this deal...so what's the catch?
I'd love some advice if you're willing...thanks...
Steve
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Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Bstreet, read my historical posts regarding beating the dealer. Really, the best bet is to get a buying service price and beat that by at least $200.00. Bring in a big magic marker and when they try to "4-square" you and write your own price all over the sales order. Take the control from them in their own house. They will take advantage of someone else who will pay sticker. There are people who pay sticker if you can believe it.
Tell them to take it or leave it, the ball is in their court. They can either make hit all net or brick the ball off the backboard. Use those words exactly. Go LATE in the evening and be ready to walk out slowly. Maybe even drop your keys on the way out so they can catch-up to you.
For further reading on a "4-Square," read "Confessions of a Car Salesman" on the Edmunds site. It is great reading and, in my opinion, does not talk poorly enough about car salespeople. Everytime you go to the dealer, remember, it is a battle. You have no choice but to WIN!
I am really tempted to go to work for one again (on the weekends) and find out the latest tricks. Then, will write a full book like someone did in the 80s. Times have changed and it would be great to expose these slugs again.
One dollar over invoice? You know: if it sounds too good to be true.....
Marine, USAA will ask for a nominal fee, but it is worth every penny. If you finance the purchase through them, they will waive the fee. Best insurance/services company on the planet! I speak from almost 20 years of experience as their loyal customer. They are there by you in the hard times (hope you do not have any) and in the good times. They even send you a dividend check if earnings exceed expenditures!!!
With a price like that- I'll not be wishing for a 2002 for a while.
Couldn't weasle different tires though.
I got a XE a week ago and pulled it on local back roads about 130 miles and the gas meter already shows half. Any comment?
The parking "brake" ;-) is still the pull type on the '01, the '02 will have the 4th pedal foot brake. ( if you are driving stick )
I used to drive a Wrangler- so the clutch tricks are well learned!
Love it. Hey- if dealers don't believe you when you tell them the good deals people are getting... post a note on this board and I'll give you my number for them to call.
Did I mention that I got full leather for another $450? All said: 5sp SE, 3.9%/60mo/ full leather for under $24K- no ad fees or any of that garbage- no hidden fees in the financing either!
If you go for an '01- keep reminding them the '02 is only a month away and you have patience...!
Go for it! An X is WAY more fun when you get a great deal.
Thanks for all the input and knowlege from this board... you saved me from getting another Jeep product!
How did you get leather? I did not know leather was offered? I just got neporene seat covers to hide the ugly cloth.
Too bad they could not swap your tires. Tirerack.com has good prices.
Also, someone on this board sent me an email and got a quote just above 23K for the '01, SE, Mudflaps, Microfilter and towing package. Not bad. For those of you looking for the '01, use this as a benchmark or show your prospective dealer this board.
Also, another thing I am checking into is dropping an '02 supercharged engine (or a supercharged Frontier engine) into an '01 body. This will void the warranty. The Nissan engineers have to get back to me, but estimate the cost is about $5K - $6K. The 300 Watt CD Changer can also be switched from what they tell me.
It is kind of against the "Everything You Need, Nothing You Don't" credo of the X... but I like leather.
It is called the X-treme package and is dark gray leather with a stripe down the middle (like the seat covers) of your exterior color- I saw it on a yellow one- the yellow stripe was WILD- very cool- but intense. There is a cool X-treme logo embroidered in the shoulder blade area.
I opted for solid dark gray with no logo- simple and nice.
It is a $1299 retail option- I think if you find it on your own, about $800.
I'm sure prices will continue to fall. I had to act fast because it was the only GoldRush color 5speed to be found for 500 miles. (lots of yellow 5 spds though). And you never know when the 3.9% will go away.There's a point that you just have to be fine with it.
I'll look into Tirerack.com.
Thanks.
Rust: Somewhat of a common problem. mstjohn - check out the Forums at www.xterraownersclub.com and do a search for rust, or browse through the Problems and Annoyances forum. You'll find plenty of info there. Maybe the most helpful will be the abundance of other cases (they might have even gotten together a list of Case Numbers) that you can use to show your dealer if they try to brush it off as a fluke on your truck. There seems to be a correlation between trucks made in November 2000 and several common problems, including the rust. My X was born in Nov. 00, but I've been lucky enough to only have a bad fuel sending unit. Good luck to you!
Mindie
Can you please provide a URL or a phone number for the leather aftermarket package? Do they make an entire new seat? If so, my prayers have been answered.
Is this a new Nissan package? I am confused by your last post, but very happy someone offers this!
Thanks!
XCanuk, thanks, I feel stupid now, but that is ok, I guess if I were to take a look at the pictures a little harder I would have seen that.
Life is learning and I will never stop doing that! Either one for that matter! Well, that is if I have anything to say about it! 1 more month till I get my X. I am just counting the days now. It makes me happy to hear everyone is enjoying what they have. Where was everyone by the way? It was quite for so long? Vacation? By the way hotcoffee how is that Gold Rush? Is it a dark gold or light? I saw one on a picture of a newer one I believe and it looked more classy than anything, I am looking for that in an off-road vehicle as well because it will not live all its life in the back woods!
Sorry if this has been discussed, we are looking to get a 2001 XE-V6 with power/utility package.
I'm curious how close to invoice/TMV or below
i can get to here in DFW.
We went to Grubbs and had a very unpleasant experience with the salesman and dishonest sales manager.
We negotiated a deal of 20K for an XE-v6, the salesman wrote the 20K +TTL. Of course, we knew
we would get 3.9 financing since Nissan is promoting it.
We finally get to the Finance guy, and the contract has 22.6. I tell him hold on and begin arguing on how that number was established.
Their explanation
Finance charge at 7.9 % - finance Charge at 3.9 %
Take this figure and subtract it from the price on the contract. At this point I ask how can you put this figure plus TTL on any kind of document.
I claim this fraud/deceptive practice meant to snag an unsuspecting consumer.
The salesman very well knew my figure for me to purchase the car. I clearly stated I would not leave without this price.
So, he comes back and invents this number, writes it out on an sales agreement, all the while covering the true number (22600).
We walked right out. I could not believe this type of deception could occur. I have no problem if you cannot meet my price. I would say thank you for your time and move on.
Are these common sales techniques?
E-marine> I just corrected.. nothing stupid.. I'm Canadian.. too slow to be insulting
The leather X-treme package has been available since day 1, covered I few times since I've been here, too bad this doesn't have a search function... mostly overpriced by the dealer, but if you get close to the dealer, you will find out which local aftermarket guy makes it for them.. go direct and save a few $$. I found who makes them here for our local dealers.. a few phone calls should help you find your seats.
My 2 cents.. not worth swapping engines for a SC, not on such a new truck anyway.. if you have problems now.. try it. Better taking a loss in a trade in and buying a SC 02.
Thats enough.. back to planning more road trips.. X people are worth travelling to meet
nrthtxnissan@aol.com
You are right XCanuck, it is more fun riding than posting. Have fun and thanks for the advice in the spare time!
A good rule is to bring your own financing. Dealers hate that, but you are protecting yourself from the anguish you just encountered.
TMV is not close the price most are getting. I correspond with over 5 people who do not want to post publically on this board and most are getting offers well under invoice now for the '01, SE model.
Anyway, loaded down with 2 people and lots of gear I think the X performs beautifully on the trail. It's very maneuverable, the 4wd works great (low range could be a little better, but it's decent) and cargo room is pretty good. Torque is good at low rpms too. Road noise is kept to a decent and quiet level. So far, I have been able to tackle some pretty tough hill climbs in my X with no problems. Twisty paved mountain roads may make you have to hit the accelerator a bit more than usual to maintain a decent speed, but it in no way feels bogged down or anything. So far I am very happy with the X both on the highway and on the trail. My old 4.3 V6 Chevy was much quicker, but not a smooth and quiet. All depends on what you're habits are. Try getting a dealer to loan you one for a weekend and then take it up into the mountains and see if you really feel comforatble in it. Or hold out for 02 "supercharged" version.
Very nice- but tough looking too.
The yellow and khaki and mineral blue are nice- but I thing I would grow tired of them.
The gold rush has a VERY deep metallic flake and is beautiful.
Make sure you get the $80 aftermarket bug deflector- adds a lot to the looks upfront.
More questions- just post.
By the way- I got mine in 4wd this week and got it nice and dirty- more fun than my Jeep Wrangler was- no kidding!
My father purchased a Liberty 2 weeks back so ive been able to drive it around town. The fit and finish seem better than xterra, the ride more comfortable than the xterra, the dash layout is better and the radio is more suitable to me, the exterior of the Lib is superior to xterra. The reliability issue is still unclear for the liberty but will find out in near future.
I must say i own a loaded ford escape and it has more pep and better gas mileage but the interior is not as nice as liberty and is better than xterra. The radio is much better than xterra and equal to liberty. Interior room is a negative compared to liberty or xterra. The ride of escape is by far better than xterra or liberty, liberty being a close 2nd and xterra well its way down the list to ride comfort. If true offroading is what you wanna do the xterra or liberty will do fine and if around town and gravel and dirt roads is all then to me the escape wins for price, gas mileage, reliablity on later models. Of course this is all in my humble opinion, but is based on having owned the xterra for over a year and the escape for 5 months and driven the liberty as much as i can get the keys away from pop's. Good Luck in your choice.
To me, the X rides like a dream. Yes, it's a truck and it's not going to ride like a car at all. Most people don't realize this when they make the transition from a car to a truck/SUV. I've owned lots of 4x4 pickups in my lifetime and the X (and the Frontier) are without a doubt the smoothest riding I have ever driven (compared to Ford Ranger, Chevy Tahoe, Jeep Cherokee). In my opionion the Xterra is the absolute perfect combination of a a daily highway commuter vehicle and a decent off-roader. It does both very well.
I have punished my X on some harsh trails and I'mm amazed at how well it does on hill climbs, stream crossings, etc.
I test drove a Liberty for the heck of it. Not a bad vehicle, but I wouldn't trade My X for it. Fit and finish seemed a bit plasticy and cheesy. Jeep reliability is pretty questionable too. I'm sure it'll be a good seller though.
ANYONE who wants a true durable off-road vehicle and expects a Lincoln-cushy ride should have 2 vehicles.
It will be continually discussed here, but the Car-Frame SUVs (Escape) really shouldn't be compared with "True" Suvs (The X and Jeeps). Escapes/Tributes are stationwagons- and that is a fantastic choice for a lot of people- People that complain about the X's ride are those that STAY on pavement and generally and should look elsewhere for a vehicle designed for on-road only. If you can't enjoy the off-road benifits of the X- it probably is not the best choice. It is not a "wanna-be" truck- it is the real deal- and you get a truck frame- and some of the stiffness that comes with it.
I just came off a 400 mile road trip in my new X. I enjoyed the highway ride more than in my Grand Cherokee even though it is stiffer- I ride higher and the bumps are quieter although I do feel them. I feel more connected to a vehicle that doesn't "float". And the 5speed is the way to go in my opinion- it makes for better passing power.
I'm sure we'll go on comparing the true off-road vehicle's ride to the car-based frames- but it will continue to be a tiresome topic.
My wife and I really love the lib, however, like most people we would never go off roading to justify the poor milage and the heavy duty truck. It is by far IMHO the best looking suv out there and drives nice too. The X isn't quite as nice except they are dealling on those to incent your purchase more than jeep is. so money almost took us to nissan over jeep.
We also went in to ford for the escape. It is much faster and quicker than the previous two and much MUCH better on the milage. That is for good reason. It is a Car !!!!!!! You can't be serious about the purchase of a suv and make the choice between the escape and the lib. they are not in the same league by any stretch. In fact IMHO if you are buying or thinking of the later you are only buying for the four wheel drive.
That is what we realized we were doing. Then we started looking at the subaru. It has better bang for the buck, I think. AWD and much cheaper than the escape. For the money...if you aren't looking for an off road vehicle and need the AWD of one you are probably not in need of a lib or a X for that matter.
Much like we realized when we crossed the lib off our list and eventually reserved an 02 forrester... we still want a liberty, but, like someone else already said, Why put up with the suv if you don't need to. I will get car insurance not suv and 22+ gpm. not to mention almost the same cargo space and the same 150# roof rack.
In closing the town hall and its participants with debates and info have been the best thing to car buying ever.
TO EACH THEIR OWN
thanks
david
http://www.xterraparts.com/html/seatcovers.html
There is a leather option, follow that link.
I love my leather- I got SOLID black- no strip of gray- looks feels great.
Not quite as nice as a factory job, but VERY nice.
Didn't want the embroidery/exterior nameplate either- looks good and classy- but still keeps the Xterra attitude.
Have fun- let me know what you think...
1) Is there anything I should look out for while in 4wd...noises, problems, etc.?
2) How will I know for certain that the hubs have unlocked after backing up the required distance?
I'm not going to go ballistic with it anyplace and run down Bambi, but I would like to be able to handle the 4wd and not get stuck. Nothing more embarrassing than a 4wd having to get pulled out by another 4wd!! My friends also love my X because it's turning out to be a nice travel vehicle: not too big but with enough comfy space to handle long drives.
With the black leather, the black/gray dash looks great. It is very comfortable.
See if you can get them about $100-200 below invoice, then talk leather for another $4-500 to close the deal. You'll end up with below Edmunds True Market Value and have the leather too! Not to mention 3.9% financing.
After you return to 2 wheel drive and move the vehicle in the opposite direction a car length, and the 4wd indicator dash light has gone off... you should be safely back in 2wd. Anytime you hear an unusual noise after returning to 2 wd- I would: put it in 4hi, drive STRAIGHT (no turns) a block or so. Stop. Put it back in 2wd, back up the car length and go from there. After that, I'd have any odd sounds checked out. It is a tough 4wd system and I'm sure if you follow the procedure, you will be fine.
Might as well add, when in 4WD, you can go back to 2WD going forward ( hubs will be locked though ), but don't think it weird the light doesn't go out right away. The system is based on load, just ease up on the gas pedal, this will take off the load, and the light will go off.
Just because a road is gravel, or rough, don't automatically think you need 4WD, use it when traction dictates you need it.
Should be a fun day with a variety of X owners out there getting in some trail time.
I'm not sure where in Canada you are, but here in Minnesota in the winter, often after a snowfall there are areas where there is snow cover or ice on roads and then it is fairly dry a short distance later- how do you handle these instances (when 4wd is needed). Usually 2wd is fine- but sometimes it is sort of an "off and on" thing.
Thanks
The only time you need to STOP the vehicle is
1) the first time you engage from 2wd to 4wd
2) after you have reversed a few feet
3) if you need to engage 4 wheel low.
After you engage the 4wd the first time on a trip somewhere, this is where the "shift on the fly" concept comes in. You can shift in and out of 4wd at a moderate speed for as long as you like and it won't harm the gears.
If you put it in 2wd, then reverse it a few feet, you'll now have to start the whole process over again if you need 4wd later on in the day (i.e. STOP the first time you need to engage it, then just shift in and out as needed).
Does that make sense?
Peter's Mill is an off road park for use by 4wd vehicles, motorcycles, and ATVs. It's located just off I-81 past Front Royal. It's a pretty "tame" trail compared some of the others out in the mountains. My X is still completely stock and I have run that trail many times. It's a fun 4wd trail about 7 or so miles long, and there's a lookout tower out there you can climb up and take pictures and stuff. A stock X will do fine. Plus, some of the more hardcore guys will be there with winches and tow straps in the event that someone does need help (very doubtful any one will unless there is a lot of mud).
If you go, I believe the plan is to meet at the I-66 rest stop just before Manassas at about 9:00 am. Bring a lunch, drinks, etc for yourself since we'll be on the trail and there's not much around. There are gas stations and such back out near I-81 though.
Basically it's pretty tame (but fun and challenging) trail. Some of the tougher sections have bypasses too. I'm going to try and make it for the Sunday day trip if my schedule holds. Anyone is welcome. It's not an organized "club" thing or anything. Just X owners out for the day.
That was well explained.
I have one clarification question...
What is the difference between 2wd after coming out of 4wd on the fly, and 2wd after the "reverse 3 feet"?
I would think after the switching between 2 and 4wd for a peiod of time, at the end of the trip one should reverse the 3 feet in 2wd, right?- but why? If it was fine before?
If you drive in reverse in 2WD ( after having been in 4WD ).. you are unlocking the hubs.. and therefore starting the process all over again.
I drive in the wet, snow, dry conditions all the time.. my normal is 4WD in the city during a storm, but the highways are usually clear, so I click off.. and go back on when exiting.
I'd have to double check if you "can" engage 4WD the 1st time on the fly ( below a certain speed ) I usually engage at a stop,.. then shift between the two.
MMM Va on the 22nd ? .. lets see, gonna be in NJ on the 21st.. supposed to be in Ma on the 23rd, then back home and then Ontario on the 27th. Dang this X keeps me on the road... one never knows.. watch out for Quebec plates on the 22nd.
I truly appreciate your knowledge.