Nissan Xterra?
Posted by PoolIll6370@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 16 comments
I’ve seen posts online talking about this but I wanted to see if anyone has any first hand experience with one. I am wanting the manual but is the manual that much better than the auto? I don’t have a rig so this would be my first vehicle. Curious really if anyone has any experience with the vehicles.
IDyeti@reddit
Had a 2006 OR brand new until 2021. Rock solid unit, I avoided SMOD by doing a bypass then replacement rad and external trans cooler. Auto OR came with Dana (d44 hybrid) m226 3.36. The manual comes with 3.69 gears in the m226. Everything else was a c200 with 3.13 gears. That's generally the advantage for the manual, the gears. I had a Bronco, awesome stats from the factory, shite reliability made me miss the Xterra. Then I got a 2024 4runner and I missed the Xterra even more.
PoolIll6370@reddit (OP)
Thank you
Begonia-Street@reddit
I have a 2015 Xterra Pro-4x and it has been the absolute best vehicle I’ve ever owned and I’ve had Tacomas and multiple Cummins Rams. The Xterra stock has some mild flaws that are easily fixable and overall is a great platform. Long term with upgrades I think they’re incredible capable and will do everything you need to in an off road space. I am unfortunately going to be selling mine soon and it hurts to think about. I can’t recommend them enough if you’re looking for a true body on frame SUV
PoolIll6370@reddit (OP)
Awesome thank you
Aartus@reddit
I've had mine, 2015 prox, for a bit now and can say that the biggest problem is the rear end. The design for the breather valve was cheap and is prone to letting gunk in, destroying the internals. Easy fix though. The suspension in the rear is also weak and you'll hit bump stops often. Other then that I cant wait to upgrade it even more though! I really do love it
PoolIll6370@reddit (OP)
Awesome thank you so much
Mayday-J@reddit
I had a first and second gen Xterra. Both were great. I actually really miss my second gen, I kept it for over a year after buying a brand new Jeep Gladiator. But The Gladiator was so new and shiny the Xterra didn't get the use it deserved so I sold it.
If you actually plan to "overland" and not just camp in national parks then get a PRO-4X or Off Road (pre-2011/2012) mostly because it has a rear locker.
In my opinion they are excellent and have very good cargo room compared to other SUV. And I'll say it rides a lot smoother than my Gladiator. Oh, and the seats are more comfortable than most other SUVs and trucks.
Both of mine were driven on overlanding, camping, 3K+ mile road trips and off road adventures with no issues. On the second gen I did have to replace the clutch but that was about 185K or so.
The second gen had a lift kit on it when I bought it and I put bigger tires and did the melt mod to the fenders so they would fit and it didn't effect ride quality.
One last thing, if you end up looking for an Off Road or PRO-4X version make sure it's actually that model and that the rear diff lock actually works. People will slap the stickers on there to be cool and end up tricking people when they sell it, probably rare but it happens.
I say go for it, just get a clean one. And there's plenty of aftermarket support for mods as well as a pretty big forum to get any info you want.
PoolIll6370@reddit (OP)
Thank you for the insight
DCTom@reddit
I’ve have a 2015 xTerra, and my car before that was a 2000 xTerra. I love them, and have driven my current xTerra from DC to California and back and many other longish (2000 mile) road trips.
My first x was a manual, and I generally prefer manuals, but it is not easy to find manual 2nd gen xTerras, and frankly living in DC the auto is probably better.
Best thing about the x is that you can pull the back seat out and fold the seatbacks down flat for a great sleeping platform. Usually i keep my gear in back and then put up a tarp over the rear when i stop, put my stuff under the tarp, and sleep inside.
PoolIll6370@reddit (OP)
Thank you
DCTom@reddit
Also, there is a very helpful xTerra subreddit; lots of knowledgeable xTerra fans there, if they don’t know the answer, no one will:
https://www.reddit.com/r/XTerra/s/4enqcdjmUz
Mayday-J@reddit
Xterra, not xTerra. Blows my mind that people die on a hill they know they are wrong about. Like the idiots who insist on writing nVidia, even though it's never officially been marketed that way
overlanding-ModTeam@reddit
Be Kind, Be Respectful
5U8T13@reddit
I have 2013 pro4x I got for $5k and it’s one of my favorite vehicles I’ve ever owned. I titan swapped the suspension and I do lots fun things in the Rockies with it.
likeaboz2002@reddit
Manual on an Xterra has the specific benefit of completely avoiding the SMOD issue (automatic transmission fluid mixing with engine coolant) because there is no automatic transmission. This issue was fixed around 2010-2011.
Generally though, I prefer an auto for offroading
PoolIll6370@reddit (OP)
Thank you