Episode 34

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Published on:

12th Jan 2023

Driveway Apocalypse Leads To Nissan Xterra Review

00:00 - OPEN - A Tree Falls and Smashes Our Cars, Which Leads To This 2nd Generation Nissan Xterra Review

First, an apology... sorry for the very late delivery on this episode! It's been a heck of a week here at Casa de Crenshaw as my podcast prep time was suddenly taken up with debris removal and car insurance hassles. That's because at the beginning of the week, an 80' tree snapped off in high winds and smashed three of our cars. One is totaled, one will need paint work and the third... well, that one is just going to live on with battle scars. Originally I was planning a different episode this week, but out of the unexpected "Driveway Apocalypse" came an opportunity to review the 2nd Generation Nissan Xterra. What follows is a story about truly helpful neighbors and a great SUV, so enjoy!

00:42 - INTRO - Helpful Neighbors Help Cut Our Cars Free After a Tree Falls On Them In A Windstorm

I am so grateful to our neighbors who came to our rescue with chain saws, trucks, trailers and several hours of sweaty work to help free our cars after they were crushed by a fallen tree. What follows in the next 10 minutes is a recap of what happened. That event lead to this week's podcast, because in addition to all the help cutting away the tree debris, we also had the opportunity to drive a neighbor's 2011 Xterra while we sorted out our car situation. That generosity promoted this week's episode. I was planning to review the second generation Xterra at some point, but the opportunity to drive one this week reminded me why I like Xterras so much, so I dropped my other podcast episode idea, turned lemons into lemonade (or maybe Limoncello) and created this last-minute review of the 2nd Generation Nissan Xterra. Again, sorry it took so long to get this recorded and posted, but I had to take care of our family disaster cleanup first.

11:25 - Background On The Nissan Xterra  

First Gen Xterra (2000-2004) Overview

  • 1st Gen Xterra was a big hit with outdoor enthusiasts 
  • Named Motortrend’s SUV of the year in 2000
  • Featured rugged, no-frills styling that still looks great today
  • Body-on-frame design offered solid off-road capability
  • Drivers had a choice of either a 4-cylinder or a 6-cylinder engine
  • 2.4-liter 4-cylinder made 143-hp
  • 3.3-liter 6-cylinder made 170-hp (bumped to 180 hp in 2003)
  • Available in 2WD and 4WD with automatic or manual transmission

Second Gen Xterra (2005-2015) Overview

  • Styling in original Xterra was a hit, so Nissan just enhanced it in the 2nd Gen Xterra
  • Rugged good looks of the original are still attractive today.
  • 2nd Gen Xterra is larger in every dimension & considerably more powerful than previous generation (more room inside for people and gear)
  • Still an affordable SUV targeted towards outdoor enthusiasts
  • Built on Nissan’s sturdy F-Alpha platform used in the Frontier and Titan pickups
  • 4-cylinder option dropped. 6-cylinder is the only option
  • New engine is a 4.0-liter VQ-series 6-cylinder that makes 261-hp and 281-lb.ft of torque (engine was rated at 265-hp & 284-lb.ft. initially, but SAE revamped their power certification rating, so the hp & torque numbers were changed to 261-hp & 281-lb.ft for 2007 model year)
  • This new VQ-series engine is similar to the 3.5-liter motor in the 350Z, but it has a longer stroke to make it 4.0-liters displacement, delivering more low-end power & torque better suited to an SUV. 

15:15 - Some Reasons Why You Might Want A 2nd Gen Nissan Xterra

  • Rugged good looks are as appealing today as when new
  • Unique design touches, including fender flares, locking top storage box, footholds in the rear bumper to reach the rack and first aid kit integrated into the rear hatch
  • Like the exterior, interior features attractive, tough, long-wearing materials that, while not as soft as some luxury SUVs, convey the robust and durable nature of the Xterra
  • Hard plastics don't seem out of place in this affordable, outdoor oriented SUV

16:30 - What Else Makes The 2nd Generation Xterra Great?

  • The Xterra's exterior and interior styling is not trying too hard, unlike many new car-based SUVs
  • It's more of a classic, rugged SUV with body-on-frame design and part-time 4-wheel drive with a 2-speed transfer case.
  • It gives you everything you need and nothing you don't to go into the backcountry
  • The Xterra is very capable off-road, especially in PRO-4X trim
  • Also offers excellent (for a truck-base SUV) on-road manners
  • Great steering and handling for its size and weight
  • Sooth ride (again, for a SUV) with strong, progressive braking
  • Excellent outward visibility for driver and front passenger (even my wife liked it, and that's saying something!)
  • Stadium-style seating in back provides excellent outward visibility for rear seat passengers as well

19:45 - What's Not So Great About The 2nd Gen Nissan Xterra?

  • This is not a car-based SUV, so if you want a crossover vehicle that is lower to the ground and drives more like a car, look elsewhere
  • It's a more analog experience than many people want
  • Basic heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls
  • No touch screen
  • No driving "nannies", such as radar cruise control, automatic braking and lane departure assist (You don't need these things anyway unless you're texting while driving... you're not, are you??)
  • Headlights are just okay - could be brighter, so look for a model with optional fog lights if possible (not a deal breaker for me)
  • Secondary timing chain guides can wear out on higher mileage examples, so have a pre-purchase inspection done by a Nissan specialist
  • SMOD or "Strawberry Milkshake of Death" on higher mileage examples (90K to 110K miles) happens when engine coolant and transmission fluid mix if the barrier between the radiator and the transmission cooler fail. Seems to be more common on earlier models (2005-2010), so again get a pre-purchase inspection.
  • All vehicles have issues and none of these mentioned should stop you from buying a 2nd Gen Xterra. However, you and your mechanic should be aware these potential issues exist so you can watch out for them and take preventative measures if necessary.

24:55 - What Should You Pay For A 2nd Generation Nissan Xterra?

  • Under $10K (well under for earlier examples) from 2005-2010
  • $10K to $12K for 2011-2012 examples from a private party in good condition with minimal owners and lower miles (yes, some people may ask more, but there will be good vehicles available in the $10K to $12K range if you put effort into your search)
  • Expect to pay $13K to $15K for 2013-2015 examples in good condition from a private party
  • Dealers will charge more, but they may have a good example with the condition and options you want, so if you don't want to spend time searching, this is a way to get what you want now, but it will cost you. If it was me, I would invest time in finding a less expensive, yet still good condition example from a private party... but I'm cheap, so there's that!

27:20 - CLOSE

So if you're interested in a classic SUV that can take you into the back woods on the weekend, then get you to work on Monday morning, then the 2nd Gen Nissan Xterra is worth considering. Also, thanks again to my neighbors who helped cut the trees away from our cars and thanks to you for listening. Hope your week turns out better mine!

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Better Than New
Find a cool used car, truck or SUV at a price you'll love
The average new car sales price in the US is nearly $50,000, and the average used vehicle sales price is close to $30,000... I think that's insane! Well if you're like me and you don’t want to pay these crazy inflated car prices, I believe you should still be able to drive something fun. That’s the idea behind Better Than New – a podcast to help you find a cool used car, truck or SUV at a price you’ll love.

I’m Gary Crenshaw, host of Better Than New and a long time automotive enthusiast, and I want to inspire car buyers on a budget to think differently about what they can actually afford to drive. My goal is to introduce listeners to the broad array of interesting, fun-to-drive, enthusiast-friendly used cars, trucks and SUVs available at prices just about anyone can afford… vehicles from the 80s, 90s, 2000s and beyond that offer buyers a wide range of interesting choices. Each week we’ll explore a specific vehicle or vehicle category, tell you what to look for and what to avoid, and give you practical tips to help you find your next cool used car, truck or SUV and keep it on the road for years to come.

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Gary Crenshaw

A lifelong lover of all things mechanical, Gary has spent the majority of his existence driving, dreaming about or wrenching on cars, motorcycles and even the occasional airplane.

It started with mini-bikes and go-karts as a kid, progressed to 2-stroke dirt bikes, followed by his first car… a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle. Then came the Yamaha era with several RD400s, RZ350s and a Canadian RD350LC (should have kept that!). A pilot’s license was next with some memorable hours flying a 1946 Aeronca Champ low and slow around the Pacific Northwest. While in college, his brother-in-law who sold high-end cars hired him to deliver BMW, Mercedes and Porsche vehicles to customers.

Those early experiences led to a lifetime of owning an eclectic mix of interesting used cars, including a ‘65 Mustang GT, a ’72 Datsun 510, a Porsche 914, a Celica Alltrac Turbo, a Mini Cooper S, a couple of Miata’s, two Audi S4 Avants, a Galant VR4, a Fiat 850 Spider, a 1983 Subaru 4x4 GL wagon and a first gen RX-7, along with dozens of daily driver cars and SUVs from Acura, Honda, Toyota and Mazda. And his favorite? Depends on when you ask, but that distinction likely goes to the Mazda RX-4 station wagon he learned to drive in. That fun-to-drive car combined Gary's passion for wagons, rotary engines and manual transmissions all in one.

So what about you? Which used car, truck or SUV would you love to own? Let’s find it together!