Need advice on new xterra

[kenasaki]

Hello,
I'm new here and have been wanting an Xterra for some time now. I came across two for sale, both black, stock, and I need advice on which is the better buy. I will be using this as a 2nd commuter, spare vehicle, camper, light off-road trails, snow time, and road trips. I'll only plan on a 2"-3" lift, bigger AT tires, back up cam, etc. I honestly cannot spend too much but want the more dependable one.

1st option is local: 2012 blk S-model (I think) with bare minimum for $8k. 133k miles. normal maintenance done.

2nd option is out of state in AZ: 2005 Off-road model for $4500.
It already have tints, BG KO2 AT tires. Clean pain with small dent on fender. Owner says they have done tune up maintenance, transmission, timing chain, new radiator, etc. Very clean and the off-road model is what I want. No pictures sent to me yet. I asked for receipts too but I dont think he has them.

Any advice on what to ask, look for, and expect? Which is the better buy?

 

[Brunnie]

Sight unseen... get the '12. It is out of the SMOD range.

 

[kenasaki]

Sight unseen... get the '12. It is out of the SMOD range.

I read the SMOD could be prevented with changing of radiator. But since he says transmission was replaced...then maybe SMOD is what happened to him then I suppose could be a chance.

 

[Brunnie]

I read the SMOD could be prevented with changing of radiator. But since he says transmission was replaced...then maybe SMOD is what happened to him then I suppose could be a chance.

Your OP says the radiator was replaced. Maintenance was done to the transmission, he didn't replace it from what you said.

Get the '12.

 

[TerryD]

The 12 will probably need less work. The early one could still need the timing chain tensioner shoes replaced and have the oil galley failure the early VQ40DE suffered from.

Plus the older one will have the two Spider locker which, while not world ending, isn't as strong as the later (07+) M226 4 Spider locker.

You can always swap in some P4X diffs later on. It's what I did with my 07. I found a set of 11 P4X axles in a junk yard and installed them.

 

[RM975]

I read the SMOD could be prevented with changing of radiator. But since he says transmission was replaced...then maybe SMOD is what happened to him then I suppose could be a chance.

FYI, SMOD can be prevented with the radiator bypass, but you would need to know the vehicles entire history. With multiple owners, this may not be possible. A compliant radiator on an affected year doesn't necessarily mean it hasn't had SMOD.

 

[meisanerd]

I run an 06. If you don't have a good parts budget, get the 12. The second gens are all fairly rock-solid, but the older ones are getting up there and more likely to need little parts replaced here and there, and will try to nickel and dime you with random sensors failing and such.

 

[RM975]

At this point, a 12 may start ageing out it's sensors too. So far my '06 with 70k has behaved. I am going to do a mass sensor change at 100k.

I didn't see a mileage on the '05.

 

[Shane_Anigans]

Get the newer one. Even though the corrosion on both will be minimal (assuming they've lived in Cali/AZ their whole lives), you'll experience less frustration removing the fasteners on a 10 year old car vs a 17 year old. That, and the fact that you won't have to change the radiator makes it worth passing on the lockers, which you might not ever need given your use case.

(Full disclosure: I just bought a 2011 S for $7500.)

 

[RM975]

If a '12 with 133k has the original radiator, I'd change it anyway.

 

[kenasaki]

The 12 will probably need less work. The early one could still need the timing chain tensioner shoes replaced and have the oil galley failure the early VQ40DE suffered from.

Plus the older one will have the two Spider locker which, while not world ending, isn't as strong as the later (07+) M226 4 Spider locker.

You can always swap in some P4X diffs later on. It's what I did with my 07. I found a set of 11 P4X axles in a junk yard and installed them.

I dont think I'll ever get to that point of swapping it out. While I was thinking of doing that, I think I'm the type who's more concerned about the timing chain guides failing. I have another VQ35DE that I love but dread from replacing sensors multiple times now. But she's running great now.

I just found out that the 06' Off-road in AZ isn't 4x4. I guess that just leaves the 2012 'S' model. Someone in CA just posted up a 2011 Pro4-x model for $12,500 (out of budget) with minor dent on rear bumper. I'm going to ask him more questions about that one. My friend just came from a trail they did out in Joshua Tree, CA. Mostly all dirt road but came across some rocks. I'm hoping the S-model can tackle similar obstacles no problem without the locker?

 

[kenasaki]

Get the newer one. Even though the corrosion on both will be minimal (assuming they've lived in Cali/AZ their whole lives), you'll experience less frustration removing the fasteners on a 10 year old car vs a 17 year old. That, and the fact that you won't have to change the radiator makes it worth passing on the lockers, which you might not ever need given your use case.

(Full disclosure: I just bought a 2011 S for $7500.)

I'm leaning towards the same thing. I still plan on doing the necessary preventative measures of course to prevent future headaches. I'm the type of buyer that buys and keeps their cars. I've always owned my cars for 10+ years, so I'm planning on keeping it for the long haul. $7500 is a great price. Have you taken you 'S' anywhere that made you wish you had a locker?

 

[RM975]

I dont think I'll ever get to that point of swapping it out. While I was thinking of doing that, I think I'm the type who's more concerned about the timing chain guides failing. I have another VQ35DE that I love but dread from replacing sensors multiple times now. But she's running great now.

I just found out that the 06' Off-road in AZ isn't 4x4. I guess that just leaves the 2012 'S' model. Someone in CA just posted up a 2011 Pro4-x model for $12,500 (out of budget) with minor dent on rear bumper. I'm going to ask him more questions about that one. My friend just came from a trail they did out in Joshua Tree, CA. Mostly all dirt road but came across some rocks. I'm hoping the S-model can tackle similar obstacles no problem without the locker?

Depending on the degree of terrain you plan on traversing, ABLS may be plenty.

 

[Shane_Anigans]

I'm leaning towards the same thing. I still plan on doing the necessary preventative measures of course to prevent future headaches. I'm the type of buyer that buys and keeps their cars. I've always owned my cars for 10+ years, so I'm planning on keeping it for the long haul. $7500 is a great price. Have you taken you 'S' anywhere that made you wish you had a locker?

I've only had it for a month, so I haven't really taken it anywhere besides the gas station. Once I've replaced the rear springs (both have broken bottom leafs), I'm going to check out an off-road park near here, and see what's what. I bought the Xterra to use as a 2nd/winter vehicle, since I don't want expose my nicer car to winter in the great lakes, but also so I'd have a car I could fiddle with. I almost ended up with a Forester Turbo, but I'm glad that fell through.

Realistically, the only real use I'd get out of a locking diff is trying to get up the hill I live on during a biblical snowstorm, but I doubt I'd need it.

 

[kenasaki]

I've only had it for a month, so I haven't really taken it anywhere besides the gas station. Once I've replaced the rear springs (both have broken bottom leafs), I'm going to check out an off-road park near here, and see what's what. I bought the Xterra to use as a 2nd/winter vehicle, since I don't want expose my nicer car to winter in the great lakes, but also so I'd have a car I could fiddle with. I almost ended up with a Forester Turbo, but I'm glad that fell through.

Realistically, the only real use I'd get out of a locking diff is trying to get up the hill I live on during a biblical snowstorm, but I doubt I'd need it

What was the mileage when you bought your S?

 

[Shane_Anigans]

What was the mileage when you bought your S?

Roughly 138K.