Posted on 03/13/2018 10:32:36 AM PDT by Responsibility2nd
The Nissan Xterra. It was an instant success when it first appeared in 1999. The SUV craze was in full bloom and every auto maker had at leat one SUV model for sale. And for good reason, Minivans were no longer cool. People were buying SUV's.
In 2005 Nissan bought out the second generation of the Xterra. It was near as perfect a small SUV as you could get. 2 wheel drive or four. Automatic or six speed manual. 265 hp V6 motor. Rugged, tough and dependable
In 2006, Motor Trend named the Xterra 'SUV of the Year'. And that's when my wife and I bought our X. It was in March of '06 that we bought a brand new 2005 SE model which we still own to this day. Lately it has had some trouble; we've had to replace catalytic converters and some sensors, but it is safe to say that among the 15-20 cars we've owned in our 38 years of marriage - the X is by far our best vehicle.
But then things changed in the auto industry. SUV's are no longer in style. They've been replaced by "cute-utes"; AKA crossovers. I bought my wife a Toyota Venza in 2010. But she did not like it near as much as she liked the X, so she went back to driving it.
Now here we are in 2018. While our X is probably good for another 13 years, we want a new SUV. But which one? Nissan quit making Xterras back in 2015 and the only real true small SUV option left these days is the Toyota 4Runner, and those are pushing nearly 40 grand brand new. Ouch.
After unsuccessfully shopping around for other models, my wife and I decided we would just buy another Xterra. But it had to be a late model with low miles. But since the later years of Xterra were poor sellers (due to not being updated for 11 years) there is simply not a good selection of used Xterras with low miles. But like most wise vehicle shoppers today, I went to the internet and lo and behold I found one. It was a 2014 model with only 10,500 miles and it was priced lower than other comparables with higher miles. Sounds too good to be true? Well it was a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle at a Nissan dealership. It was an off-lease vehicle in very good condition. The only downside? It was 300 miles away. But oh well. Who wouldn't drive 600 miles round trip to save 3 or 4 thousand? So we bought it.
What car would YOU buy new all over again IF they still made them?
2000 Toyota Tacoma Xtracab 4wd. Not a squeak or rattle inside and engine ran as smoothly and quietly when I traded it at 175K miles as when it was new. Should never have sold it.
Andy Bernard loved his XTerra even though he sold it to Dwight Shrute.
I friend of mine (mow deceased) used to buy a new car every 2 years and store it in his barn with about a dozen others. He called it his retirement funds collection. (He did have the foresight to drain the fluids and other things that could go bad over time. He showed me his barn one time. I remember a 25 year old Chevy with 4 miles on the odometer.
Wasn’t mine, but a 1990 (or any 8th gen) Ford F150. Manual and barebones on options, black with red accents.
Ditto that. IF you can find a good one today - expect to pay at least 5 to 6 grand. And that’s for an 18 year old truck with 200,000 plus miles!
Susuki sidekick, they are still being made, seen the new ones a couple of years ago in Germany and Poland.
The F150 with a straight 6 and 5 speed tranny?
Bullet proof.
VW Scirocco and BMW 2002 Tii
I have an X. I like it....but doesn’t get good gas mileage like my Toyota Sienna.
I’m also 5’ so I really like the running boards. LOL!
Had a new 1987 Taurus station wagon until 2003. Purchased a new 2003 Taurus station wagon which I still have.....they no longer make them, so I hope to keep this going several more years. Outstanding cars, the both of them. Hardly ever been in the shop.
I went from a 1992 Sentra to a 2004. I actually kind of hated it. The ‘92 to a small peppy car that felt like a second skin when I drove it. The ‘04 had made the jump to mid-size sedan, longer, wider, worse cornering and not as fun. When it got killed by a dummy making an illegal left I went to an Elantra, reminds me a lot of the ‘92 Sentra only with way better power steering.
Really? The Flex? I hope you didn’t get the ecoboost. I’ve read they have problems.
Yes. My wife is also 5 feet tall. Which is exactly why the X is a perfect fit for her.
And I’m 6’0”. And I adjust the seats and fit in quite nicely as well.
I have a 2005 Toyota 4-runner with 160K miles. When I do get rid of it I will buy another 4-runner. I have had no problems and little maintenance was required.
We really loved our 1999 Xterra. We were about to sign papers on a new Subaru Wagon but the dealer had to take us to his main showroom which was on the Nissan lot 2 block away (split dealership Subaru and Nissan). When we pulled up there it was on the showroom floor and I went straight to it. They opened up the door and we took it for a spin and bought it. Only cost the dealer about $12,000 since the Subaru was more expensive. I still have the first aid kit!
Just curious but did you check out the Toyota FJ Cruiser? That’s what the Xterra always reminded me of.
1937 Nash Lafayette 5 window coupe. I was 16 and painted it candy apple red metal flake after getting it running. Paid $150 for it and had a time finding a head gasket which was made of copper.
I have kept my 2012 Xterra and keep it in top condition. To many it looks only a year old.
They will bring them back in 2020 it appears.
This is the only vehicle that is good on the highway at 75, can take KO2 tires to eat anything and has a ladder frame construction and can rock crawl almost like a Jeep with none of the crap ride.
Big open front seat with cloth bucket comfort and security.
If I want to drive off road I just ride over the curb and go where I want.
Just curious but did you check out the Toyota FJ Cruiser? That’s what the Xterra always reminded me of.
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Yes Indeed. The FJC is also no longer made. If you can find one cheap, get one. Those will soon be collectors items and will only appreciate in value.
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