Thinking of buying an Xterra - any advice?

I am thinking of buying a new Xterra. Any advice on options I should or shouldn't get.

As of now I am looking at a 4x2 SC. Leather if I can get it, and a Fosgate system. Any other options I should consider?

I live in Los Angeles, and I surf and snowboard but I don't think I need a 4x4, unless anybody can give me a good reason to get one.

Also, I have thought about getting the Supercharged, but people have told me it's a waste of money. Any input?

Sorry, I mean 4x2 SE, not SC

I own a 2002 XE, V-6. i love the truck. mine is Silver. i have the utility package which means i have 12volt outlets all through the truck, which is nice for portable TV's for the kid and portable refrigerated coolers for the beer on beach trips. I also have a retractable tonneau cover for the cargo area, and 16in rims and tires. i have a 4x2, and unless you off road alot, a 4x2 will serve you just great. definately go for the supercharged engine if you can afford it. more power and torque is always good. you will have more then plenty room for the surf and snow boards. i would definately go for the waterproof custom covers they make for the seats, since you will be wet alot. i hope that you purchase one. i am very happy with mine.

Pass on the leather interior and get the neoprene seat covers since you surf. Spend the money that you save on the leather and get the 4x4. SCCX prides itself on being the only Xterra club that is friendly to 4x2s. alot of the trails that we do are capable of being done with 4x2 but you will have more fun with a 4x4. Check us out at www.sccxterra.com or join us on one of our excursions. You will get a feel of what an xterra can really do and meet a great group of people than can educate you on all things xterra.

That's not true... There are several that are 4x2 friendly...

HOWEVER... SCCX really does go out of their way to make sure the 4x2's have a good time.

The SWXC is trying to get some interist back in the club from 4x2's. Seems the trips we do plan that are 4x2 friendly, no body shows up but we try.

Skip the Fosgate system - put your $ towards aftermarket stuff. Just my .02

I would recommend a 4X4 XE with all 3 option packs. That way you spend about the same cash except you get the 4X4 hardware (which you cannot add later) and you don't get the sunroof which is blocked by the basket anyway. You still get power everything, cruise control, fabric doors, all the plastic moldings, rack, good stereo, step rails (cough cough), limited slip rear differential, 4 wheel abs, airbags... etc, on and on...

Then again, if you know you are not going to take it off road in the next 20 years, skip the 4X4, save cash and get better gas mileage. The truck still looks and handles the same either way.

my .02

p.s. [THE BLUE ONES ARE THE BEST]

4x4 and 4x2 Xterra owners are going to tell you their own advise on what is a better drivetrain, respectively...we can't tell you what to buy, just use your own personal judgement according to your financial status and future use of the X ...but you can't go wrong with the XE with all 3 packages and go for an aftermarket stereo and speakers instead of the Fosgate System...Good Luck..

Get the SC engine, and the leather wrapped steering wheel!

Probably got this "advice" from a non-SC owner. :p

Options to consider really depend on what you're going to use the X for.

I would agree to not get any premium sound system; save the money and get an aftermarket system. It'll sound better and probably cost less.



Welcome to XOC.

I am also in LA, and here's my suggestions:
- If you will be driving a lot and your Xterra will be your primary method of transportation, you should note that the SuperCharger requires Premium fuel. Personally, I didn't think it was worth it, but that's up to you... and your wallet.

- I picked the SE version. This might be because I used to have a SE Altima. I like the extra stuff like different seat fabric, coloring of gauges, 6-CD changer (perhaps not the best, but I like it) with controls on the leather wraped steering wheel, LSD, and wheels. A XE with all the options would be a bit cheaper but it was hard just trying to find a 4x4 in Los Angeles... let alone one with all the options. One reason why I went through a sucky dealership experience was because I wanted a 4x4.

- As for 4x4 or not, it depends maybe if you will be in the sand or not. 4x4 will provide you better traction if you will be playing in the sand versus a 4x2. Otherwise there is no real reason to pick a 4x4 here unless you plan on going offroading.

Just my $0.02 worth...

The 4X2 will do you fine untill the first time you get stuck on the beach or in the snow and wish that you had gotten the 4X4.

The 4x2 is fine until you decide you want to take her offroad -- and wish you had more capability. You can add the leather later, however you'll be stuck with a 2WD.

Jason if you think you would EVER need the 4x4 spend the money and get it now.
I bought a ford ranger 2 wheel drive and have regretted not getting the 4x4 since the first time I got stuck in wet grass.
I have a se 4x4 and can do without the useless sunroof although I love the leather wrapped steering wheel.
Save your money on the se and get a xe with everything including 4x4. Just my .02

Wade

I go the SE because I intend to keep this truck for a long time and the SE does come with some options that you can only get on the SE. Not all SE's come with the sun roof, mine didn't (nor did I want it - same exact sunroof as came in my '90 240sx and like all sunroofs, it whistled!)

As others have pointed out, 4x4 vs 4x2 is a permanent selection. I got the 4x4 "just because" but ended up using it several weeks this winter due to snow. When you need it, you need it and it is very nice to have it. If you don't have it, you can't use it - all it takes is one time of needing it to justify it

As for the SC, it does require premium fuel. This is in an SUV that gets 15-18 MPG, allot less in heavy traffic. If you can afford the gas, great - get the SC - it's tons of fun If you are having problems paying for gas with your current vehicle, skip the SC - bottom line. Again, the SC REQUIRES premium fuel. Think about it before you get it I have the 5 speed with the SC (not an option for '03 ) and absolutely love it.

The SC also gets you an upgraded interior, different color roof rack and some very nice looking rims (if I do say so myself ) - mine with the blue paint, black cloth interior with the blue highlights makes a very nice looking truck. Sure looks doesn't have much practical impact on performance, but I still have to drive and look a the truck, and I really like the way the upgraded SE SC trim and interior matches the Just Blue paint - I get compliments and comments from everyone who rides in my X and I am extermly happy with it so look around and make sure YOU are happy with YOUR X

Lastly, read up on a good site like http://www.carbuyingtips.com, fax as many dealers as possible in your area to get the best price and most of all take your time and get exactly what YOU want.

Good luck!

Thanks for all the great advice guys. I think I am going to get the Fosgate system rather than an aftermarket. Had too many problems with aftermarket installations on past cars.

I like the idea of getting the XE with all 3 options. Not sure yet if I am gonna get 4x4 or 4x2. I do live in LA and doubt I will use the 4x4 often. I do surf, but I don;t know any beac hes in LA where you are allowed to drive on the sand. And I do snowboard, but it never snows heavy enough to need a 4x4.

I am a little concerned about the gas mileage though. How is it?

Again, thanks for all the great advice, I'll keep you posted on what I decide.

Also, are any of you dealer savvy? I see Nissan is offering .9 percent until the end of April. Does anyone have any idea if this will continue into May? If not I have to get going and buy one in the next 2 days.

What are the regular seats of an Xterra like? Aren't they made of a wetsuit type material? Or are those special ones. And isn't there some sort of special charcoal option or something? Thanks. Maybe gonna get mine tonight.

Nissan seats are fabric the wetsuit material that you have seen are nissan seat covers which sell for about 250.00 from any dealership, sometimes you can find a set in the buy and sell forum. As for 4x4 I have used both up in wrightwood and in big bear when I went skiing, it just adds piece of mind in my opinion.

Go with the 4X4 since you snowboard your going to want to drive thru the pow when it comes and since you surf you may find a beach where you can drive and clain your own stake at a point and your gona want 4X4 for that as well. The neoprean (wetsuit material) are seat covers for the xterra i dont have them yet but iam planing on getting them, you might also want to consider the rubber flormats. DaKine makes some nice roof pad systems for surfboards. Also just go with the aftermarket sound system nissans dont come with good sound systems and from what i hear the rockford isnt as great as it looks.