Questions about a 2012 Pro-4X

[xterra_questions]

Hi and thank you for the add! I guess this will serve as my welcome post as well, but I also need advice. I'm looking into potentially buying a 2012 Pro-4X automatic with around 70,000 miles on it. I've already read the "what to look for used" thread and it was great advice. But I'm honestly a little nervous and I want honest opinions about reliability and longevity.

I currently drive a 2016 Jeep Cherokee 2WD, and its just fine, but I recently moved from downtown Houston to the mountains of TN, and I want something a little more capable (snow, non pavement, etc). I'm not a crazy mud rider, but I do enjoy a taste of the off road. I had a Wrangler with 35" trail tires before the Cherokee, but it didn't play nice in the city. I thought the Xterra would be a great mix of the Cherokee and the Wrangler, and would be replacing my Cherokee as my daily driver / only car.

So here are my questions / concerns. Thanks in advance:

The Xterra is 4 years older and has about 30K more miles than my current car, but from all accounts seems to be in great condition. There are concerns about my Cherokee's reliability, but it's still got 30K left of powertrain warranty, while the Xterra will most likely have very limited to no warranty. The Xterra reviews are amazing, but I wanted opinions from real owners before I give up warranty protection. (I know extended warranties are easily possible.)

This Xterra has some aftermarket work done to it. Everything has been stated to be professionally done and have receipts, but there are a few things that worry me a bit. The lower control arms and tie rods were recently replaced. I know at least the tie rods were a maintenance issue. Could this be a sign of abuse? The transmission rear seal also needed to recently be replaced due to a maintenance issue.

There have been 3 previous owners (according to a 7-18-19 Carfax report). I would make owner #4. It's currently at a dealership so some of those might be dealership transfers. Here are the aftermarket upgrades according to the last owner (not the dealership that currently is selling the car).
- Hypertech Max Energy Tuner (93 octane) adds 20+ HP to make up for the larger tires (don't know if I trust or believe this)
- Speedometer calibrated as well
- Sony Apple Car Play and Android Auto stereo unit.
- 2015 model wheels - 33” Dick Cepek Extreme Country MT/AT hybrid tires (5,000 miles on them)
- SPC UCAs (adjustable upper control arms) - Rancho 2” Quick Lift Coilovers in the front
- PRG Products Shackles set to 1.5” in the rear
- Bilstein 5100 shocks in the rear (I thought these came stock on the Pro-4X?)
- 2x d-ring mounts in the front (Nisstec)
- Nissan factory storage container in cargo area
- Nissan all-weather floor mats

It is not made clear if this owner was the one who did the upgrades or not, but they make it sound like there are receipts. I am thinking about viewing the car in person later today (8-16), but would like any and all advice, and honest opinions, that the group may have. Thanks!

 

[Just a Hunter]

A Nissan P4X in stock form can be a very reliable vehicle.
With this in mind, I would focus my search on 2011 -2015 models.
Automatic Xterras manufactured from 2005-2010 ish suffered from a radiator which was known to fail and ultimately ruin the transmission.

The truth is nobody on the forum can truly provide a good assessment on whether to purchase this vehicle or not.

Tie rod a sign of abuse...........possibly
Transmission seal...................Not a common maintenance problem for a well maintained vehicle
Hyper tech programmer...........Most people choose a Bullydog....can it be returned to factory?
Speedometer Calibrated...........Some programmers can do this, some cannot.
Dick Cepek are good tires
Not an uncommon method for a lift. Any drive train shudder when driving it?
Bilsten 4600 are factory, 5100 would be an upgrade

Bring it to a mechanic for a thorough checkup.

 

[TerryD]

Welcome!

That sounds like a pretty decent setup there. The Rancho shocks seem to be a good choice, most people who've run them were satisfied with them. And it already has SPC uppers which is great. I'd wager the LCAs were replaced because the bolts had rusted in place and after it was lifted, they needed cam bolts to align it properly so they had to cut the old LCAs out. That's a very common problem when lifting these vehicles.

I think you'll be very happy with an Xterra. I came from a mildly, but well built XJ Cherokee to the Xterra and I've been very happy with the change.

The 5100 shocks on the rear are aftermarket replacements. The P4X and Offroad Xterras did come with Bilstein shocks, but they were the 4600 series.

The PRG shackles are also some of the best on the market so no worries there, but you'll probably want a rear bump stop spacer to prevent your leaves from inverting off-road and prematurely wearing out.

Otherwise it sounds like a solid start!

 

[xterra_questions]

Thank you both. I'm about to head to the dealership and take a look at it in person. I'm trying to get a mechanic available to take a look today as well.

 

[xterra_questions]

Well, turns out the dealership sold the Xterra earlier this week and hadn't taken the listing down yet. Not surprised with the condition, upgrades, and the price they were listing it at (around $18000). Thanks for the help anyway. I'm going to keep my eyes open in case another Pro-4X pops up. I've grown quite fond of them.

 

[Just a Hunter]

I spent a fair amount of time looking for a nice Pro4X prior to choosing to purchase an Xterra S 4x4 .

First, let me say the P4X is definitely the better choice if your into rock crawling and hardcore off-roading.
However, all I needed was a daily driver, which served my needs in getting in and out of my camp sites and hunting.

In my case, my xterra is a daily driver and my only option for transportation.
My four-wheeling is typically around the soft tilled soil at the edge of a planted field and muddy trails leading in and out of the woods.
In this regard, my Xterra S 4x4 has never let me down.

If your not planning any serious four wheeling, you may wish to consider the possibility of an S

 

[Gatorsz]

I spent a fair amount of time looking for a nice Pro4X prior to choosing to purchase an Xterra S 4x4 .

First, let me say the P4X is definitely the better choice if your into rock crawling and hardcore off-roading.
However, all I needed was a daily driver, which served my needs in getting in and out of my camp sites and hunting.

In my case, my xterra is a daily driver and my only option for transportation.
My four-wheeling is typically around the soft tilled soil at the edge of a planted field and muddy trails leading in and out of the woods.
In this regard, my Xterra S 4x4 has never let me down.

If your not planning any serious four wheeling, you may wish to consider the possibility of an S

Though I'm not the OP, I thank you for this! I'm new here, and in the market for an Xterra post 2010 model, and was confused about which particular model to get. From all that i've seen, this post perfectly sums it up to get the S model, as I don't see myself doing any rock crawling. I live in the mountains in Washington state, and just need to climb steep, but fairly smooth dirt, snow, mud trails up here, where as the pave roads has severe potholes that would be damaging to any small car, like what i have. (Honda Fit, which is an outstanding car in any other scenario). So, thank you.