Future Owner Help Plz

[Jasontamu]

I am looking to buy a used 2001 or newer X Terra.

I am primarily buying the Xterra because i am a fan, im looking used to save cost. I need to Tow - I pull a car with car trailer to go to small racing events at least once every 2 or 3 months or so. other than that it will be a highway use, small trips vehicle due to its ability to carry 4 people comfortably and luggage???


My Question is......

Which X do i buy? I know they have about a 5000 LB towing capacity.

1. IS the supercharged X worth buying for my uses????

2. I would like 4X4 but i dont exactly needed it. but i would love to have it, because i would go out in the dirt here and there........

3. What is the diffence in models?? S, SE, XE etc??


Please let me know of any recalls i should be aware of? or any cronic issues to look out for.

Thank you,

Jason
[email protected]

[OffroadX]

The auto transmission models are rated for 5000 lbs, manuals for 3500 (but can handle more if you're good with the clutch and smart about it). Get an auxilliary transmission cooler if you get the automatic, best thing you can do for it. That, and turn the overdrive off when towing unless you're cruising along at a steady speed on fairly fat terrain.
I'd pass on the supercharged, it needs premium and I don't feel that it's really all that much better than the non-SC model. Try both out and compare to be sure.
Get the 4x4, you'll kick yourself later if you don't. Don't think San Antonio has much winter weather to deal with, but a RWD Xterra isn't too adept when it's slick out. And of course if you're game to get out and play in the dirt, you'll definitely want 4x4.
Differences between the XE and SE are fairly negligible. You can get most of the SE goodies on a fully-equipped XE anyway. Full specs:
2001
2002
2003
2004

[Jasontamu]

Thank you,

this is exactly what im looking for? anyone else have any insights...

Why exactly does the X need an external tranny cooler. does it warm up too much in towing?

Jason

[OffroadX]

It doesn't need it if you're smart with the overdrive, but an extra cooler is a good idea in any case. I don't even tow and I have one on my X along with a temp gauge for the transmission. I installed the guage a few months before the cooler and I can see the difference the cooler makes. Without the cooler I would frequently stray near 200 degrees, with the cooler I really have to try to get it beyond 180 and 155 or so is pretty typical. I'm sure in your climate it's even more of a smart idea.
Quite a lot of transmission heat is generated when the transmission is running with the torque converter unlocked. You can tell when that is the case because the engine RPMs will jump about 500 RPM higher than is normal for a given speed. This happens at the drop of a hat in 4th gear, a headwind, much less climbing a grade or passing, will knock it out of lockup. Turning the overdrive off forces the transmission to kick down to 3rd gear and it will stay in lockup pretty tenaciously in 3rd. You're trading even higher RPM and fuel consumption anytime you're making the engine work more than a little bit for a MUCH happier transmission.

[Schludwiller]

2000-2001's seem to have the least trouble. Odd, because early models usually don't have the bugs worked out. Being based on the Frontier was probably the reason for the smooth transition. The 00-01's also have Durasteel which reduces corrosion more than the later models.

Make sure you check and see if the exhaust manifolds are not cracked. You can search hear to find out how to identify that. A cracked manifold can run you around $650 or so I believe (all mine were under warranty).