looking to buy a gen 1

[dieselfam]

New to the forum, and to be honest, just signed up to get some advice. I am thinking of buing a gen 1 Xterra for my daughter. I have been trying to decide between a couple of diffeent brands and talking to as many people as I can find. I stumbled upon a 2002 Xterra by accident and really liked the look. So I did an internet search and in comparison to the 4runner, Jeep and Dodge Dakota, I am leaning wy over o the Xterra. But while on line I read a bunch of complaints about timing belts going out and radiators failing and leaking antifreeze into the tranny. Most said the tranny repacement was mire than the car was worth. Figures from 6K to 9K.

So I thought I would ask here on tbis forum for some help. I have found 3 different 4X4 Xterras for sale near me. All look great and the owners rave about them, but the tranny issue scares me. I have limited funds and want to buy her a vehicle that will last her for at least another 4 to 5 years. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

1st vehicle is a 2000, white, body in great shape. Interior in good shape. 145,000 on the odo. All original. Car fax came back good with only minor repairs, tires, oil changes, etc. 1 recall thing as well. No accidents. $5000.00

2nd vehivle is a 2001, red, body good, interior very good, 160,000 on the odo. Car fax came back clean but had 3 recalls serviced. $5950.00

3rd vehicle is a 2000, maroon, body great, interior great, 191,000 on the odo. Car fax is clean, never taken in for any recalls, factory oil changes and services. $4400.00

I also found a 2000 silver vehicle with 245,000 on the odo that is damn near as nice as any I have seen and only $2500.00. I almost pulled the trigger on this, but 245,000 really scared me.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[yellowx16]

I'm liking car number 1. least mileage and seems like a fair price. the timing belt and water pump should be changed at 100,000 miles, so I would definitely be sure that's been done before you buy it. it mostly likely has, but double check. personally I'd stay away from mileage higher than 150k, that's when a lot more serious problems seem like they happen like the transmission issue you mentioned.

 

[NMTerras]

The radiator/transmission issue does not apply to the trucks you're looking at. 2005 and later. You will want to change the timing belt immediately if it hasn't been done, and the radiator issue for the older ones can be fixed with an easy swap to a thicker radiator.

 

[dieselfam]

Thanks for the input. The more I research these vehicles, the more I like them. From what I have read, they seem to be a real offroad threat. Do any of you have experience with them in snow and ice. Western NV gets a bit of snow in the winters. Any difference in longevity between the automatic and the manual transmission? Thanks again for the help.

 

[Macland]

These things handle well whenever put with the right tires. They handle well regardless but if you're going to put a daughter in one then make sure the tires are dependable. Driving in inclement weather is 90% about the driver so as long as your girl can handle the situation then she'll be alright.

 

[dieselfam]

OK, so I am CJ7 and FJ40 guy from way back and I know what looks to be hard wheeling. I just looked at the Terra build as well as the Chef build. Those are some really capable looking rigs. The wheeling pictures look like Moab or that area. These things have the chops to wheel terrain like that? I would guess from your handle that you are from New Mexico. Have you ever wheeled around Farmington or Southern Colorado?

Its funny because the new fj cruiser is a total poser and now that Fiat owns Jeep it seems to be heading towards car status as well. This Nissan might be the rig that knocks them off the trail asthe new generation trail king. Awesome rigs. Have a nice day.

 

[AZhiAZiAM]

OK, so I am CJ7 and FJ40 guy from way back and I know what looks to be hard wheeling. I just looked at the Terra build as well as the Chef build. Those are some really capable looking rigs. The wheeling pictures look like Moab or that area. These things have the chops to wheel terrain like that? I would guess from your handle that you are from New Mexico. Have you ever wheeled around Farmington or Southern Colorado?

Its funny because the new fj cruiser is a total poser and now that Fiat owns Jeep it seems to be heading towards car status as well. This Nissan might be the rig that knocks them off the trail asthe new generation trail king. Awesome rigs. Have a nice day.

lets just hope that nissan goes in the right direction with the frontier/ xterra in the next generations and i believe they will do what you said. jeeps are more of a poser type thing anyways these days. 99% of them are pavement princesses.