Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see May lease deals!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
i also bought my xterra price independent (it came down to it and the rx300). i think the rx is fantastic for what it is, but the xterra is SO much more practical, tough, rugged and simple (in a good way).
my complaints are:
1. needs more giddyup from a naturally aspirated engine
2. seats are thinly padded cheapo's
it asks for nothing and does everything. isn't that what you want your suv to do? keep that in mind when take test drives.
for example, the RX was so nice, carlike inside- it was just unrealistic to use it as an suv. mtbiking, camping, fishing, etc can be pretty messy activities and i didn't want to buy an suv to have another thing to worry about. know what i mean? also, the cargo area was small and the sloping rear hatch meant my dog was uncomfortable sitting back there- inefficent use of space.
Seats - mine are king as far as comfort goes.
My only complaint about the X is that Nissan puts such crappy tires on it. First thing off the X were the General Grabber AW's. I have a Frontier and they came off that truck pretty quckly too. Probably a cost cutting measure, same as there being no lock on the passenger side door.
Yes the wheel are turning/moving at different speeds in 2WD as well, but they are not locked into the differential.
Newbie:
You don't have to wait for 3K to change the oil. On my first X , I switched at 1,500 to Mobil 1. On my second X I waited 'till 2,500 (Mobil 1 again). No particular reason. There are prevaling theories that the oil should be changed early on to eliminate metal filings/pieces/shavings from the oil pan.
On the A/T the overdrive is automatically engaged everytime you start the engine. To disengage press the button on the inside left of the shifter. I only disengage for steep climbs in the mountains.
And props to both of you for a fine choice in an SUV.
rob in Santa Fe
I've got the rear deflector on, it helps to various degrees, if you have the basket and front deflector off, ( my winter mode ) it works great, with them on, still better than before. I installed it myself, it just takes time, patience and guts to drill..I'm glad I did it myself because I took a few extra precautions..(sealing the holes etc) that I'm sure the dealer wouldn't do.
Oil change.. dido cletuse.. K&N filter, no gain in mpg, the X seems to have a touch more pep, you can put one in at any time. From what I know about auto overdrive, its worth keeping it off when driving in city traffic to stop false shifts. My X is a stick, but its something I do with my wife's car.
The limited slip is supposed to sense wheel slip in the rear in a low traction situation and try to correct it by sending some torque to the wheel with traction instead of sending all torque to the one that is slipping. The jury is still out on how effective the LSD is in the X, though.
On the tire issue, I agree! The stock tires suck for off-roading or even for driving in snow. Nissan could do much better.
The seats also are life preservers, at best. Overall, you cannot buy a better truck for the dollar. Just have to pay for aftermarket modifications to make it a viable and comfortable on/off-road vehicle.
You could pay thousands more for a Pathfinder, but why?
YOWSA..this thing is EATING gas..any tips? I have a 4x4 6 cyl manual SE
Annie
Thanks,
When:
Tues, March 13th (Tonight) at 5-6pm Pacific/8-9pm Eastern
Click on the link below to read more about/to enter the chat:
http://www.edmunds.com/chat/chiricochat031301.html
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
A couple of people have cut the manual shifter down themselves and put new shift knobs on. Xcanuk may be one?
No electrical problems here.
Eating gas? Stop driving. (Sorry, couldn't resist.) I try to keep speed down to around 55-60 mph and tire pressure at 30 psi. I drive pretty gently. I have a 5sp XE 3 pack and get 19-20mpg on mainly two lane roads.
I would recommend them and will give it high marks if you want a great on road and off road tire. Although, I regret that 80% of the X's don't make it to offroad, it might be overkill.
I've driven with A/T's for 10 years, even tried them on my X of a month of winter and moved to duelers. I don't follow all the hype to them, mainly because for most X drivers, this is their first 4x4 and have nothing to compare to. With that being said.. I've still have my Long trails for daily driving, my set of A/T's for when I head for a week-end of trail riding, and my duelers for winter... 3 sets of rims and a good floor jack.
Damn.. I miss not having the old feature when a post sneaks in.. sorry for repeating silverglider
I didn't cut the shifter, just changed the knobs and lowered the boot, it only looks shorter. I know it looks like it sticks out like a sore... but it works out to a nice level. I did shave about -1/2" by installing a knob with a tiltable head.
You must spend a lot of time changing tires! The stock tires are the first modification anyone should make. Where did you buy your extra rims and for how much? Are they 16" rims?
The General Grabbers are a pitiful excuse for molding rubber, in my humble opinion. Nissan must have done this to save money? The Grabbers are fine for the dry road if anyone reading this does absolutely no off-roading and does not drive in rain or the snow!
I looked at the Michelin ATs which are also rated high. Will probably get the BFG A/T ko tires because I already have them on another SUV and people in the MAXC have spoken so highly of them for both on/off-roading.
I think the strange "tin" sound is the spare tire chain hitting the spare tire rim, as many on The MAXC Board have indicated. Could also be the cargo cover as someone here indicated? Will report once the culprit is located as others (on other boards) are experiencing the same issue.
Also, just for anyone's info....BFG doesn't actuallly make tires anymore. They stopped about a decade ago. BFG's are made by Michelin, that's why Michelin's AT is comparable to the BFG AT.
http://www.carreview.com/reviews/tires/product_1108.shtml
both the pirelli and yokohama are smoother on road, have more control. off road, they shed snow and mud better than the bfg at.
the bfg are noisy, slippery on wet pavement and comparable off road.
i am still on my original tires, but when i replace its going to be either the pirelli or yokohama- whichever happens to be cheaper at the moment.
they are not ideal, but they do the job. if you are thinking of serious 'off roading' (for the sake of 'off roading' and not to 'get somewhere') then you may want to invest in new tires.
i drove some trails in a downpour and they turned to mud. the stock tires sucked. i had to keep up some speed to shed enough mud to get some traction. its noisy with all that mud flicking up into the wheelwells but i made it ok. but i def. am getting all terrain tires for the future. if you do most of your driving on pavement, then i wouldnt change the tires.
xcanuk- didnt mean to contradict your post on bfg atko's.
everyone should check out the tires, other opinions on them. people have differing experiences in diff. areas. i think xcanuk's opinion should be taken seriously, as i believe he experiences many harsh conditions up north.
i just went last weekend offroading w/ MAXC in PA. the trails were about 4-6 inches deep with snow. i have the stock Grabbers on my '01 XE. i did just fine. except for getting stuck on a big hill once...there were about 5 X's w/ stock tires, either the grabbers or the long trails (01 vs 00) and we all did just fine.
radiogirl,
i think 22k is rediculously low for any X w/ auto tranny. where do you live?? i'm in NJ, and i keep seeing ads for an '01 SE auto, on special for like $22,999...but they're just trying to move stock. they said they have 90 at similar savings...check NJ area dealers out...
As far as the tire debate.. I'm not knocking the A/T's, If you are more of a paved roadie, they might be overkill. You didn't condradict me Xse, Long Trails do get mucked up, I meant shedding water on paved roads.
As far as having extra rims & tires, the 3rd set are from my 4runner.. the rims fit, but have a different offset and are 15x8's. ( equiv. to the AR767 some are running with ) I have AR Outlaws for my Long Trails, and the X steel rims for my duelers ( calcium build up usually trashes rims here ) swapping tires only takes 15 minutes
i just went last weekend offroading w/ MAXC in PA. the trails were about 4-6 inches deep with snow. i have the stock Grabbers on my '01 XE. i did just fine. except for getting stuck on a big hill once...there were about 5 X's w/ stock tires, either the grabbers or the long trails (01 vs 00) and we all did just fine.
radiogirl,
i think 22k is rediculously low for any X w/ auto tranny. where do you live?? i'm in NJ, and i keep seeing ads for an '01 SE auto, on special for like $22,999...but they're just trying to move stock. they said they have 90 at similar savings...check NJ area dealers out...
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
With the '01, SE, Auto, did they include mud flaps, a microfilter, carpeted floor mats, and the auto-dimming mirror in that price? With all these options, $24,600.00 is the best price I have seen without a trade...
Only thing you have left is to change the pathetic tires!
The NJ prices are 23K without taxes, tags or destination and the NJ "handling" fee; read the fine print.
Got 300 miles on a tank of GAS..YIKES..it better get better..how many gallons of gas does the tank on the SE hold? Gotta do my math..Annie
Unless you are real careful with the gas pedal and cruising speed, the X sucks gas, but its one line with every other creature of this nature.
All the gas I have to put in my X used to bother me, especially when I first got it and was so accustomed to getting 450 miles/tank with my Accord. But now I don't care. I just want to drive my X. )
"Overview: The Nissan Xterra appeared as a 2000 model in the summer of 1999. Based on Nissan's Frontier pickup, it was intentionally made to be a rugged, basic, trucklike SUV. Hence the name. It sported a large cargo area but a fairly light load capacity. Highs included a good off-roading capability and towing capacity. But the ride, handling, braking, and fuel economy were mundane or worse. The front seats weren't very supportive and were rather low. The rear seating area was spacious although the seats themselves were thinly padded. The Xterra was a useful size but not the right choice for people who value comfort, quietness, or refinement."
I just got mine last week, paid 24,900 including
destination, with micro-filter, mats, splash guards
and mirror, got a deflector on the hood, too. I thought I got a GREAT deal, since invoice is 24000
thats for an SE with auto & 4wd. At least here in
chi-town. After all, the Xterra is a much sought after vehicle, I don't think many dealers around here feel they need to go below invoice to sell one. Anyway, got what I wanted, felt pretty good about the price, and now I'm gonna go out to drive it in some snow! Great weather here, by the way.
I love it..
how many miles can I got when the E light goes on? I could get 25 more on the Camry..
Annie
Regarding the dipstick, better get that checked. It does not seem to be standard. How much has it dropped?
Does anyone's 4wd seem to grab and almost stall when driving under 5 - 10 mph? Seems to have no problem over 10 mph. I heard this is standard on the X, but am beginning to wonder?
msiseng: I have no idea what you are asking.. the engine stalls using 4x4 under 10mph ? ( on a manual or auto )... I've crawled in 4wheel with no problems.
Ughh..wonder how much to replace..
Annie
Annie
25 miles with the E light on sounds about right- i think yhe reserve is 3 gallons
someone probably stole the covers, unless they were installed improperly. are you sure they were ever there? if not, if you just got the truck, maybe the dealer will replace them.