Honest opinion..

I've been contemplating on purchasing a Xterra '02 SE/SC. myself and my dad have had about 4 nissans for the last 7 Yrs. Thus my new truck purchase, i've decided to go for the Xterra. I'd like to know, what you current Xterra owners think about the vehicle. Any pro's and con's? This would greatly enhance or degrade my urge to purchase one or not. (as i'm also looking at Jeep Liberty)

Thanks for any replies.>!!

AF NEWbie,
xterrasesc

I too come from a bit of a "Nissan Family." I think most people on this board have a favorable opinion of the Xterra. However, I'm not sure of your basic needs and requirements in a vehicle. I've personally been very impressed by my '00 Xterra and would definetly buy it again. In comparing the X to the Liberty, might wanna check out the November issue of Four Wheeler. The article is a bit inconclusive, but does give a rundown of the pluses and minuses of each vehicle.

Dog

If you plan on off-roading or modifying your truck, avoid the Liberty. It is a uni-body with IFS. Might as well buy a new Pathfinder. You really need to decide what you want. If you want a luxury liner, then the X isn't for you. If you are an outdoors type that like to play in the woods, then it is.

Thanks for your replies... I'm actually planning to drive mainly on road (but after reading all the FUN everyone else is having w/ their X's, i think i'm going to do the same !).. anyway, I wanted to get away from Sedans.. and move to a more "practical" vehicle. Plus being from a "nissan" family, Xterra suits my needs more than the Pathfinder, so does price.. And w/ the price, this is where I've got a choice, a fairly well equipped Jeep liberty will run me CAN$28,000. but a Xterra SE-SC will run me $34,495. (i'm still opting for the X, but saving close to $7G's will help the pocketbook)..

..About Structure and long term use. How well is a ladder frame with a body mounted in the long term? (if compared to a Unibody structure) I'm hoping this truck will last me well over 5-7yrs+ (with good maintenence of course!)..

.. another concern i've got is w/ regards to the vehicles ride. I've read alot that the rear suspension setup w/ Leaf springs isn't the greatest on highway usage. I'm wondering what modifications could be done to help smooth out the ride.. (or should i question this in the SUSPENSION forum..heh..)..

... Plus, i'm in no need for any luxo features.. practicality is my choice right now..

OT: What part of Canada are you from.
If your are on the East side check out:
http://www.soxc.org

And if you're from Western Canada, send me an E-mail at IggyB@shaw.ca in Calgary.

If you spend all the time on the road then get the Liberty, its better suited to the city streets.
I you ever want to go offroad get the Xterra, because it will be better once you get addicted to the outdoors (and you will;)). I do about 80-90% of my driving on the road, but I love having the Xterra for the time I do go offroad.

Thanks everyone for their replies >!< Really appreciate the input..

~~ Kerensky97 , in your opinion, I'm curious to know why the Xterra is better off road than on-road vehicle and what makes a majority of people say this?? even some of my friends say the ride is harsh and very unpleasant..

The Xterra is a truck, body bolted to a frame. It uses the Frontier pickup running gear. The Jeep Liberty is a unit-body, in other words the frame is the body! Don't know why it makes a difference in driveability but it does? :flash:

Originally posted by xterrasesc
Thanks everyone for their replies >!< Really appreciate the input..

~~ Kerensky97 , in your opinion, I'm curious to know why the Xterra is better off road than on-road vehicle and what makes a majority of people say this?? even some of my friends say the ride is harsh and very unpleasant..

I was used to driving a 5.0 that was very very stiff. It would beat the shit out of you. In comparison, I think my X rides very smoothly. It did take awhile to get used to the lack of power, but now I don't even notice it. I love my X, and I wouldn't trade it for anything (well almost anything :D ).

xterrasesc,

I just ordered my new Xterra SE/SC and I got a great deal. Keep in mind I am in Ontario and you might not be able to get the same deal but here is the breakdown:

The manufacturers invoice price for an SE/SC with 5 spd is: $30,228.00.

A fair but good deal price is invoice plus 5%: $1511.40.

Then add $961 for freight $100 for A/C tax $400 for gas tax and $100-150 for admin fee then your pst and gst and your done. My total before pst and gst was $33350.40 which I thought was pretty good.

Let me know how you make out.

SarnX.

P.S. I got all of my invoice pricing information from www.carcostcanada.com. Great site but there is a price.

Hey SarnX,

Thanks for your reply. Good to know, you got a good price..! I know our dealers in BC are quoting $34,495 for a SE/SC. (the lowest I've negotiated was $32,000, but they were playing around w/ me and I didn't agree to the price)

Your negotiated deal for the X is a awesome deal. (Dealer must have had a hard time dealing w/ you huh? =)) With the A/C, frieght, etc minused out from your total cost, you got a really good price @ $31739.-

I had no idea the dealer cost was $30,228 for the X.

are you enjoying your new ride?? =)

Cheers,
xterrasesc :flash:

Xterrasesc,

I was suprised to find out what the dealer cost was too. But they didn't really mind dealing with me, I just went in educated, made a reasonable offer and they really couldn't say no.

As for enjoying the ride... Well I have to wait until April until my ride will finally be delivered. Because I wanted SE/SC with 5 spd I had to order in November to get it in April. At least that is their story. That is probably there way of getting back at me for having to give me the vehicle at invoice plus 5%. Anyway I really didn't want it until the spring anyway. Hope you get an X too. I drove a lot of vehicles and thought it was the best value for my dollar out there.

SarnX.

SarnX

You offered 5%

I think I paid 2 or 2.5%.

How hot are the 02? Or is 5% more standard in Canada?

Goliath the X,

I went to a lot of Nissan dealers in Southern Ontario and most were like the price on the sticker is the price. It is all about supply and demand. In Ontario anyway there is a general shortage on supply. Many of the lots I went to didn't even have any Xterras on the lot let alone an SE/SC. And don't even bother asking for a break on the new Altima, pretty much can't get them at least for the SE.

SarnX.

Canada doesn't get as many Xterras as the US, so the dealers can be sticky. When the 2000's came out, only 1800 were shipped to Canada (900 to the east, 900 to the west). With US dealers coming up and buying a lot of the 2000's to resell down south there weren't a lot to choose from.

SarnX,

Thanks for your reply... Yes, one dealer here in BC didn't bother quoting me any price on an automatic '02 SE/SC. He was saying that SC's X's won't be in high supply in Canada, thus the sticker price is the price I'd be paying. Odd.. one week later, another Nissan dealer (which are the one's i negotiated the price to $32G..), I suppose it depends on the dealer/Salesmen and how desperate they are to sell the vehicle to make a sale...

SarnX, hope you enjoy your new X in April. I'm planning summer/fall for my X... and in the meantime looking for everything I can add on the truck! =)

Regards,
xterrasesc

Wow, I didn't know Nissan was so stingy with the deliveries north of the boarder. Between the 3 local dealers I'll bet there was atleast 60 xterra's and probably close to 100 pathfinders. Two of the dealers were fairly reluctant to deal. When I started spouting out prices one sales guy got spooked at got his manager. The third dealership I went to I told him what I wanted, he showed me the closest one he had to it. I looked in my folder, calculated a price and said "here is my offer". He said he could get a better deal, but the offer was fair. 30 minutes later I drove away in my new X.

xterrasesc, i guess it all depends on what you want to do and where you want to go. off road? grocerys? get laid? golfing? i can't think of anything right now negative about my X. the price wasn't too bad, it rides nice and firm, it has power, it is not too big nor too small, just right. i'm not too familiar with the new liberty specs. they are selling alot of them here in colorado i must add. do you want a car mascarading as an SUV or do you want a true SUV built on a truck chassis? :p

I used a broker intending on Leasing my X before I bought it out (no penalties !) . he purchased the X at cost $26432 (fleet purchase) and passed it on to me without mark up !. I did the same with my Jeep and have saved a ton of dough doing so. I should mention that my X is 2001 bare bones (just the way I like it). I get the advantage of deducting most of the expense over my taxes through our business.

7.5% interest
no minimum mileage
low buyout after 4 years

Basically It is the same deal as if I had financed it at 10% not taking the tax benefits in consideration.....

C

If you want the best on-roader and off-roader, go with the Jeep. Don't believe me? Fourwheeler mag thought so, too, in their 2002 FourWheeler of the Year test. You want the S/C?? Get used to paying for premium fuel if you do. The Liberty's 3.7L V6 provides the same amount of power and uses regular unleaded. Both vehicles have IFS, and the XTerra currently has more aftermarket parts since it's been out longer. Don't mean to flame you X owners out there--it's a good vehicle--but the Liberty beats it both on-road and off-road.

Now, if you REALLY want to go off-road, get the Wrangler....it's not really practical if you have a family, but it's a TON of fun...

Originally posted by Jeepguy01
If you want the best on-roader and off-roader, go with the Jeep. Don't believe me? Fourwheeler mag thought so, too, in their 2002 FourWheeler of the Year test. You want the S/C?? Get used to paying for premium fuel if you do. The Liberty's 3.7L V6 provides the same amount of power and uses regular unleaded. Both vehicles have IFS, and the XTerra currently has more aftermarket parts since it's been out longer. Don't mean to flame you X owners out there--it's a good vehicle--but the Liberty beats it both on-road and off-road.

Now, if you REALLY want to go off-road, get the Wrangler....it's not really practical if you have a family, but it's a TON of fun...

Hey who let him in here !.

You got to be kidding !. As a former Jeep owner I have to admit i enjoyed driving a TJ (Wrangler) BUT the Liberty is NOT an offroad SUV. not build for the purpose...and it looks like shit...

Just my 2c

Isn't the Liberty unibody? Whatever, doesn't matter. How can anybody claim it beats the Xterra, I mean seriously here. Everybody's biased first of all, secondly you'd need to take both vehicles with the same tires over the exact same terrain in the same weather to make those kinds of claims. I don't doubt that ugly thing is AS capable as an Xterra, but to say it would beat it? Preposterous wishful thinking.

Big can of worms here, this argument could go back and forth forever with both sides making equally stupid and valid points, none of which would actually convince anybody of what they already think.

You go drive your Lady Liberty / Barbiemobile, we'll stick to our Xterras and everybody will be happy.

Originally posted by Jeepguy01
Don't believe me? Fourwheeler mag thought so, too, in their 2002 FourWheeler of the Year test.

Regardless of how capable a Liberty is compared to an Xterra, I would hardly consider Four Wheeler Magazine an unbiased or reliable authority. Four Wheeler doesn't consider anything to be a 4x4 unless it has 44" boggers, a big block, 10"+ of lift and shiny chrome.

How I see it.....

Xterra advantages:
- Reliability (this is a big one compared to Jeep)
- Stock ground clearance
- Rear Cargo space
- Ladder frame
- The ability to fit 32X11.50X15's with minor triming.
- Build quality (well...compared to Jeep that is)
- Nissan rear axle is quite strong

Xterra disadvantages:
- Weak Steering components
- Limited IFS travel
- Antiquated engine design (but its reliable!)
- Alternator location
- Limited (but growing rapidly) aftermarket support

Liberty advantages:
- Engine power
- IFS travel
- potential aftermarket support base
- Coil sprung

Liberty Disadvantages
- Clearance
- Unibody
- All new design
- Cargo capacity
- Wheel well size (can you fit it with 31's)?
- Could prove difficult to lift more than 2"


The tradeoff's are basically equivilent. They are direct competitors for a good reason.

XMan9,

HAPPY New 2002 YEAR!

I've been deciding on the X, just for local, Hwy driving, road trips and the occasional 'light' off-road (could lead to 'heavier' off-roading) in the boonies.. :D

That's exactly how i see the X as well. Not too big and not to small, just perfect. I did once contemplate the Liberty, but I'm not a huge Jeep fanatic and the X just catches my eye. Don't know why.. i haven't even purchased my vehicle yet, BUT..I'm in love with my 'future' X already.. hah. :D

I'm very glad and supportive of all the feedback everyone has given.. Thanks to ALL !!

Sincerely,
xterrasesc (AF newbie)

P.S. Thanks Wqbang for your insite w/ the Pro/Con listing.. appreciate the feedback from all of you as well... Such a fantastic site!!

I wouldn't get one and here's why (http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2001/12/07/liberty-recall.htm)
Another reason... (http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=02945750)

Originally posted by Stormy
I wouldn't get one and here's why (http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2001/12/07/liberty-recall.htm)
Another reason... (http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=02945750)

Wholy S..... ! I have to say doing slalom at 40mph is asking for trouble but then again. It would be fun to hear Jeep's response to that article.


xterrasesc contrags on your upcoming purchase....and not to worry you will be striken by the offroad bug, just too much fun !

C

All vehicals tested by them are driven at that speed. The liberty is the first to roll over.

...and the recall affects just about all of the Liberty's ever made.

contrags on your upcoming purchase

?cixelsyd si xalX

Originally posted by superjens


?cixelsyd si xalX


Buttmunch

I gotta say - aside from the interior of the liberty feeling like "Honey I shrunk the Schoolbus" the quality isnt there. The bottom line for me is line up a regularly maintained Liberty at 50,000 Miles with an XTerra of the same and the X will be running better and tighter. Personally I prefer metal screws and bolts to plastic tabs and "fitted" pieces and thats why Id buy an X over it. I was curious about the Liberty so I went and checked one out - it felt like a piece of junk. Jeep used to make such solid "trucks" - whatever happened to that?
If you are looking for an on & off road vehicle the X is great. Chrysler has done a decent job with Unibody construction but I am still dubious about it. I'd buy a Toyota Highlander over the Liberty and thats built on a Camry!

Good luck in searching!