Four-wheel drive. Manual transmission. Body-on-frame. Solid rear axle. Short overhangs. Handsome, muscular good looks. The Nissan Xterra had all the makings of a collectible off-road SUV, and yet, if you look at the listings for used ones, you’ll see: They are pretty much worthless. In fact, I found a rare, manual, supercharged model for a song, and I’m still wondering if it’s a scam.
The Nissan Xterra’s cheapness has been a “thing” for years, but I would have thought that, by 2024, things would have changed. Real off-road SUVs have boomed since COVID, especially in light of modern SUVs (including legends like the Land Rover Defender) having become unibody, independent suspension-featuring street machines. Surely, by now the Xterra isn’t still a bargain? A nice Jeep Cherokee XJ could be had for pennies 10 years ago, now a nice one will cost you 10 Gs.
Not so with the Xterra. It remains unloved by the American automotive marketplace.
I bring this up because, while browsing Facebook Marketplace for smoking hot car deals even though I totally shouldn’t be given the absurd number of vehicles I already have clogging up the Galpin parking lot, I discovered this:
My screen brightened on its own, a church choir began to sing, and a golden halo hovered above my laptop’s monitor. Look at it: A manual transmission, four-wheel drive, supercharged Nissan Xterra, and in a nice blue color, no less! All for the absurdly low price of $3,400.
I asked the seller if there’s anything wrong with it. No, apparently it runs and drives fine. Then I asked other Autopian authors if this was a scam, and no, it’s probably not. These things are cheap, though part of that is that they do require some maintenance:
Add to that the fact that supercharged models are apparently absurd gas-guzzlers that struggle to reach the double-digits of fuel economy, and they require premium fuel and timing belts (on the 3.3-liter models, which made between 170 and 210 horsepower; later VQ40DE engines made over 260 horsepower, had chains, and were generally considered quite reliable), and the case for buying an Xterra gets a bit weaker.
Still, despite these issues, the vehicle is enticing to me — and actually, not just me. Folks on Reddit are wondering the same thing that I am:
Here’s another Reddit post:
Many of the answers say the Xterra’s cheap pricing comes down to branding in a world where Toyota and Jeep reign supreme. Here’s a quote from Redditor deliberatelycurious:
I think a lot of it’s got to do with the brand – Toyota has a name that Nissan just doesn’t. That, and the lower availability of aftermarket accessories. You also do make some “compromises” but most of us don’t feel like we compromised at all! Compared to the 4Runner, which is the Xterra’s closest competitor, you get an interior that’s not as fancy and lacks many of the bells and whistles. That, however, is one of the things that makes the Xterra so be great: its no nonsense approach.
That, and I like the look/size of the Xterra way more than the 4Runner, which is why I drive one!
Here’s Redditor huckyourmeat2:
They don’t have the name recognition of Jeeps or Toyotas. They aren’t converted into dedicated wheelers as often, so stock vehicles in good condition are easy to find, driving the price down. They are basically just Nissan’s budget truck (Frontier) with an SUV body. The engine, while solid, is an old design, hasn’t been updated since the 2nd gen was introduced, gets crap fuel economy, and isn’t particularly powerful. Early 2nd gens have a rep for radiator problems.
Having said all that, I love mine. I only wish that aftermarket accesories were cheaper and easier to come by…
Here’s sarge21rvb:
It’s simple supply and demand. More people want 4runners or jeeps, so they command a higher price. It’s also kinda meh as an on-road SUV. Very little creature comforts and the gas mileage leaves a bit to be desired. It is very large inside, though (can fit an entire queen sized mattress inside the car), and its off road capabilities make it very practical for bad weather, too.
And here’s WombatWithFedora:
It’s not a Toyota or a Jeep
I think branding is indeed a big part of the equation; it’s not exactly easy to make inroads into the off-road mainstream. The old Toyota FJ Cruiser, for example, didn’t exactly sell in droves. In fact, in the off-road scene, the top dogs have always been vehicles that have had a certain it factor. Obviously, there’s the Jeep Wrangler, which is descended from the World War II Jeep, and has a convertible top; there’s the Toyota Land Cruiser, which has been legendary around the world for 70 years; there’s the Bronco, which has a long-established name and a convertible top; and there’s the 4Runner, which built its reputation for reliability over the last four decades.
The XTerra isn’t exactly as bulletproof as the Land Cruiser or 4Runner; it doesn’t have the pedigree or convertible top of the Jeep or Bronco; and its styling isn’t out of the world, so it doesn’t make up for those deficiencies. The Xterra just doesn’t have an it factor to sling it over the top and into the mainstream, even if — on paper — it seems like a wild bargain. And it really does seem like a smolderingly hot deal; here’s a look at all the Xterras on the front page of my Facebook Marketplace search:
Hot damn those are all cheap. And here’s the thing: Though they may not be Toyotas or Jeeps, though they may get terrible fuel economy, they may be a bit primitive as on-road drivers, and though they may require a decent amount of upkeep, they’re still absolute beasts off-road, especially with a slight lift and some 32s or 33s.
They’re tempting. Very, very tempting. Especially with a stickshift.
[Ed note: You’d better buy an Aztek first, is all I’m saying – MH]
I’ve always had a soft spot for the Xterra, and I don’t want an SUV because of the MPGs, but hot damn those prices are enticing…
I’ve always had a soft spot for the Xterra, and I don’t want an SUV because of the MPGs, but hot damn those prices are enticing…
We have a family friend with a pristine early second gen Xterra. She is an older lady with a matching Rogue (same color and pinstriping), and is very meticulous about maintaining her cars. I have wanted to offer to buy her Xterra from her if she ever decides to sell it, but she has said repeatedly that she plans to keep the car until she goes into the grave, so that offering to buy it seems too close to implying I hope she dies soon – which is definitely not the case.
We have a family friend with a pristine early second gen Xterra. She is an older lady with a matching Rogue (same color and pinstriping), and is very meticulous about maintaining her cars. I have wanted to offer to buy her Xterra from her if she ever decides to sell it, but she has said repeatedly that she plans to keep the car until she goes into the grave, so that offering to buy it seems too close to implying I hope she dies soon – which is definitely not the case.
I drove a ’13 Pro-4X MT Xterra for 6 years and it was rock solid, fun to drive, surprisingly capable off road, pulled my raft trailer like a champ and had overall low coat of ownership. It eventually developed a weird, undiagnosed starting issue that only occurred at high altitude and extreme cold, but unfortunately I live in the rockies and enjoy winter sports, so it was major problem. After three or four go around with the dealer and independent shops I had to get rid of it, but still miss that truck…and still curious what failure mode was causing the starting issue.
I drove a ’13 Pro-4X MT Xterra for 6 years and it was rock solid, fun to drive, surprisingly capable off road, pulled my raft trailer like a champ and had overall low coat of ownership. It eventually developed a weird, undiagnosed starting issue that only occurred at high altitude and extreme cold, but unfortunately I live in the rockies and enjoy winter sports, so it was major problem. After three or four go around with the dealer and independent shops I had to get rid of it, but still miss that truck…and still curious what failure mode was causing the starting issue.
Non-oem distributors are available on rockauto for $130, and OEM are $300….fairly reasonable in my book for a part that’ll last 200k.
Non-oem distributors are available on rockauto for $130, and OEM are $300….fairly reasonable in my book for a part that’ll last 200k.
All body-on-frame (and the Unibody 96-04 pathfinder/QX4) Nissans were built better before the F-alpha platform. Before anyone attacks me, I’m not talking about performance, I’m talking about every little thing not fucking breaking on them all the time. Exhaust manifolds, interior plastics, radiators ruining transmissions, finicky electrical stuff, etc..kinda like how the GMT800’s were great, the GMT900s that followed… not so much.
So, pre Alpha Xterra’s (1st gen) are built very well. Yes the VG33 is slow, but you know what, they last longer than VQs with normal maintenance.
And yes..that maintenance includes the timing belt on the VG which the VQ doesn’t have.
VQs are good, but they do have their issues.
All body-on-frame (and the Unibody 96-04 pathfinder/QX4) Nissans were built better before the F-alpha platform. Before anyone attacks me, I’m not talking about performance, I’m talking about every little thing not fucking breaking on them all the time. Exhaust manifolds, interior plastics, radiators ruining transmissions, finicky electrical stuff, etc..kinda like how the GMT800’s were great, the GMT900s that followed… not so much.
So, pre Alpha Xterra’s (1st gen) are built very well. Yes the VG33 is slow, but you know what, they last longer than VQs with normal maintenance.
And yes..that maintenance includes the timing belt on the VG which the VQ doesn’t have.
VQs are good, but they do have their issues.
The Xterra is almost as good as a Toyota but at a much lower price 🙂
Nissan still makes an Xterra for the middle eastern market. It’s based on the Navara. They need to sell it here.
The Xterra is almost as good as a Toyota but at a much lower price 🙂
Nissan still makes an Xterra for the middle eastern market. It’s based on the Navara. They need to sell it here.
I have shopped the Xterra and Frontier a few times and each time I went with something else. I wasn’t aware of the VQ40 in the 2nd gen, because I never liked the look of the front end compared to 1st gen. The VG33 always seemed way under powered, and inefficient, especially when supercharged.
I have shopped the Xterra and Frontier a few times and each time I went with something else. I wasn’t aware of the VQ40 in the 2nd gen, because I never liked the look of the front end compared to 1st gen. The VG33 always seemed way under powered, and inefficient, especially when supercharged.
Pretty much why I ended up with a ‘12 manual frontier last year instead of a taco – literally half the price.
Pretty much why I ended up with a ‘12 manual frontier last year instead of a taco – literally half the price.
…can someone clarify “the pink milkshake of doom”? and what’s the “SC” to be rebuilt?
SC is a Puffer.
Stop talking like my hero! He was a God, you are just a Taco…/s
The Pink Milkshake comes from Alpha platform Nissan trucks/SUVS (Frontier all the way up to Titan/Armadas) had the transmission coolers inside the radiators break so transmission fluid mixes with coolant. Happens to a lot of Titans/Armadas with age. If I got (another) Alpha platform Nissan I’d replace the radiator if it was original.
Thank you! I guess the boys that milkshake brings to the yard are mechanics who then charge you out the wazoo to fix everything. [I mean, rightfully, but definitely a poor design.]
The best option is a simple bypass. Get an aftermarket transmission cooler, stop using the factory trans cooler. Problem solved.
…can someone clarify “the pink milkshake of doom”? and what’s the “SC” to be rebuilt?
SC is a Puffer.
Stop talking like my hero! He was a God, you are just a Taco…/s
The Pink Milkshake comes from Alpha platform Nissan trucks/SUVS (Frontier all the way up to Titan/Armadas) had the transmission coolers inside the radiators break so transmission fluid mixes with coolant. Happens to a lot of Titans/Armadas with age. If I got (another) Alpha platform Nissan I’d replace the radiator if it was original.
Thank you! I guess the boys that milkshake brings to the yard are mechanics who then charge you out the wazoo to fix everything. [I mean, rightfully, but definitely a poor design.]
The best option is a simple bypass. Get an aftermarket transmission cooler, stop using the factory trans cooler. Problem solved.
I always figured it was b/c of a lesser-known corollary of the Michael Scott – PT Cruiser phenomenon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmySnudIny8
I always figured it was b/c of a lesser-known corollary of the Michael Scott – PT Cruiser phenomenon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmySnudIny8
“I found a rare, manual, supercharged model for a song”
So is it a holy grail?
My former boss had this ‘holy grail’ from new…supercharged failed pretty early on. He never bothered to fix it. As long as it hauled his kayaks, he didn’t care.
Yeah, figured as much…I never liked these much…I was playin around since David calls a lot of things holy grail
“I found a rare, manual, supercharged model for a song”
So is it a holy grail?
My former boss had this ‘holy grail’ from new…supercharged failed pretty early on. He never bothered to fix it. As long as it hauled his kayaks, he didn’t care.
Yeah, figured as much…I never liked these much…I was playin around since David calls a lot of things holy grail
Family had two, a first gen and a 2nd gen, The 1st gen never had an issue, 2nd gen after 120K miles had the passenger side cat pack in and needed to be replaced. Other than that they were reliable AF.
Family had two, a first gen and a 2nd gen, The 1st gen never had an issue, 2nd gen after 120K miles had the passenger side cat pack in and needed to be replaced. Other than that they were reliable AF.
They’re an underrated gem for sure. Keep hyping them, maybe my ’02 will go up in value.
If you look hard you can even find them in orange!