2005 Nissan Xterra

[RawrImAMonster]

Well I decided to go ahead and pick up a new daily since I'm going to be selling the BMW before too long. I found this thing in Fredericksburg. It has only had 1 owner in 130k miles and overall looks to be in really good shape for the mileage and age.

It's a 2005 Nissan Xterra SE w/ 4wd. Surprisingly not all of these have 4wd. Not really sure why you'd want one without, but I guess some people don't care.

The SE package is the top of the line one for this year so it comes with all the creature comforts like a rockford fosgate stereo system. It actually sounds pretty good. Maybe not quite as good as the harmaan kardon system in my 135i, but it's also not much worse. The factory subwoofer has a pretty good punch actually, but I may end up throwing in my spare basslink sub at some point.

Right now, the immediate plans for it include a good brake bleed and doing something about the factory trans cooler. The brakes are miserably soft compared to my 135i, but I'm pretty sure they shouldn't be this soft. The trans coolers on these cars tend to develop a leak over time and end up mixing the trans fluid and antifreeze. This kills the transmission. The cheap method of fixing this is bypassing the trans cooler altogether, and it wouldn't be a problem for most people. The trans really only makes a lot of heat when you're in offroad situations based on what I've been reading. The proper way to do it is to replace the whole radiator/trans cooler with an aftermarket one or to just get a small add-on trans cooler to compensate for losing the factory one. I'll probably go with the add-on trans cooler at some point. For now, I will bypass the factory one just so I don't ruin my trans.

Otherwise I probably won't do a whole lot to this mod-wise. I'm going to throw an in-dash navigation unit in since I'm going to be moving to a city I'm not super familiar with here in a few months. The factory radio is already double din so this will be super easy.

[Senor_Taylor]

The offroader in me frowns a little at an Xterra, but I've never heard anything bad about them as a DD. Really, I've only heard good things. Good pick up! I hope you enjoy it.

[RawrImAMonster]

What's wrong with them when it comes to off-roading? Not that I will be doing much of that.

[Senor_Taylor]

It's just that the Xterra community isn't really there so parts and information is harder to get to. Don't get me wrong, there IS a community, but nothing on the scale of Jeeps or Tacomas. Plus, the wheel wells are tiny, and there isn't much room for bigger tires.

As far capabilities, I'm not sure, so I won't speak on that, but the general consensus is it's the bottom of the barrel in it class. I did see an Xterra on the trails once and it was very well done. The President of Core4x4 drives one.

Edit: Also, that spongy brake problem is pretty common on Xterras. Not sure if bleeding will help it.

[Beej]

My brother in law has a first gen, and I like it - it's a fun SUV.

Still, keep the 135. :twisted:

[RawrImAMonster]

Edit: Also, that spongy brake problem is pretty common on Xterras. Not sure if bleeding will help it.

There is no way it is normal for this to feel as spongy as it is. I'm almost scared to drive behind people. I'll be taking care of bleeding it this weekend so hopefully that improves it enough.

Still, keep the 135. :twisted:

Nah, the 135i is going away probably before I move to Richmond. I just don't like owning newer cars. They lose too much value to appreciation. Too much stupid unneeded bullshit to break.

I do plan on getting another sporty car once I get settled in. Maybe another ///Mistake of the e46 variety.

[Jake]

Congrats on the new whip! I really like the nav unit I got for the Denali and would recommend it (or if there's an updated version, get that). Mine's a Pioneer NEX-5000, give that lineup a look.

[RawrImAMonster]

I'll have to check them out. I've been leaning heavily towards Kenwood just because they use garmin navigation which I've really liked in the past.

[CaptainHenreh]

out of the box an XTerra holds its own VERY well offroad.

But yeah, the aftermarket's pretty limited.

[ScottyB]

nice grab :thumbup:

nothing on the scale of Jeeps or Tacomas

almost nothing is, and jeeps are almost a small nation unto themselves. xterras have enough of a community for anything a normal offroader will need.

I'm not sure, so I won't speak on that, but the general consensus is it's the bottom of the barrel in it class

lol the headline
"there are only a handful of SUVs on sale right now that are capable of pounding over inhospitable terrain with any reliability. Rigs like the Toyota 4Runner and Nissan Xterra are the last of a once proud breed of crawlers."

granted that's the offroady version, but shocks/springs and a locker will get you to the same level.

anyway. hope it treats you good, just take care of that trans cooler and drive on.

[Senor_Taylor]

out of the box an XTerra holds its own VERY well offroad.

But yeah, the aftermarket's pretty limited.

IF they have the rear locker, which doesn't seem very popular. Wheeling open-open is a joke.

lol the headline

Why would you ever equip an SUV with Rugged Fails? Ugh.


Also, I hope I don't seem rude completely crapping on the new car you just bought. I genuinely approve of the purchase and I hope you enjoy it, Stephen.

[RawrImAMonster]

out of the box an XTerra holds its own VERY well offroad.

But yeah, the aftermarket's pretty limited.

IF they have the rear locker, which doesn't seem very popular. Wheeling open-open is a joke.

That would be the off-road package in my model year. Newer ones had something called a pro 4x I think.

I opted for the SE over the off-road for better creature comforts. Mine will likely never see intense off-roading duties.

[SlimKlim]

Also, I hope I don't seem rude completely crapping on the new car you just bought. I genuinely approve of the purchase and I hope you enjoy it, Stephen.

I thought that's how MM worked?

[WRXtranceformed]

"Sweet pick up but should have bought a 5 speed euro diesel wagon."
- MM

[*insertusernamehere*]

"Sweet pick up but should have bought a ///Mistake of the e46 variety."
- MM

FTFY

[RawrImAMonster]

That will come in time. For now, I just need a vehicle that's actually useful for something other than going fast.

I'm also happy to report that the factory sound system in this is actually way better than my 135i. When I posted the original post, I hadn't listened to anything but the radio since it doesn't have an aux port. I found a CD in the disc changer that the previous owner left and put that on just to see what he was listening to and was incredibly surprised at how hard the factory sub hits. All of the other speakers sound great as well. Rockford Fosgate apparently knows what they are doing. Definitely one of the best factory sound systems I've heard.

I'm hoping to get the brakes bled today and maybe even put in a in-dash nav unit.

[V1GiLaNtE]

out of the box an XTerra holds its own VERY well offroad.

But yeah, the aftermarket's pretty limited.

IF they have the rear locker, which doesn't seem very popular. Wheeling open-open is a joke.

Oh really? I've been to Rausch Creek for the last 3 years running open/open and traversed high blues/low blacks just fine on AT's. :bootyshake:

Anywho, congrats on the new rig!

[Senor_Taylor]

You're a braver man than I, Cab.

[RawrImAMonster]

Also, I'm pretty sure I read that these have the fake limited slip differential where it just uses brakes. So I would guess that helps off road at least somewhat.

[*insertusernamehere*]

Lol whew. I was low key judging the fuck out of you on your hearing when you said the sound system wasn't that great cause my friends Dad has the same Xterra and he wouldn't shut up about the Rockford Fosgate sound system, his dad finally gave us the keys so we went for a drive and all of a sudden I understood what he was ranting about lol, they're damn impressive!