Talk me into/out of Xterra

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LBOIV001

New member
I will be posting a very similar thread on the Xterra forum to balance bias, so feel free with fact biased opinions..... I welcome them all.

I am really on the fence with deciding to buy an Xterra or a 4Runner, and I could use help deciding.

First off, does/has anyone here ever owned BOTH an Xterra and a 4Runner? Your opinions will be the most prized.

I am looking to buy a 2005-2009 Xterra with less than 90k miles OR possibly a 4runner V6 (possibly older, of course, if I spend roughly the same money) with less than 140k miles.

I know that Toyotas are famous for reaching the high mile club, and Nissans are not that far off the mark (I have a 2000 Frontier with over 200k right now). The mileage may slightly edge towards the 4Runner, but thought that's important, it won't be the final deciding factor.

I will be daily driving about 30 miles round trip to work, and plan to make long road trips, (road trip comfort IS an issue) as well as doing some light off-roading (no boulder bashing). My parking lot spaces are anemic, so I know that will be a prob for either vehicle, so I am curious about size and turn radius as well.

One question is how well do the Xterras do at around 200k? Would it be time to look to sell or trade in?

I like the look of the Xterra far better than the 4Runner, but I am a little concerned about road trip comfort and long term reliability. I don't THINK that the 4R would be worth the significantly higher price, but I could be wrong.

I look forward to your opinions.

Thanks in advance.
 
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I drove an Xterra a few years ago and I had it until it reached 150k. Only problem we ever had was an oil leak and a thermostat(which was very cheap). We sold it to my dads friend who is still driving it to this day. It got me through 2 dirty, salty winters in Colorado. It was a great SUV to drive and very fun. I would drive one again if need-be, but I am on this 4runner forum for a reason.

Edit. I also drove the truck to and from school everyday about 20-25 miles round trip. It was reliable
 
Last edited:
limamike said:
You should buy an XTerra.
Click to expand...

And after that, get a 4R.
Skip a step and get a 4th gen v8 4runner, and you will win. Hp+tq+awd= DUH. only Nissan ill buy is a skyline, which is also HP+tq+awd= Duh, just for the pavement....
My 05 4r was the best vehicle I have ever owned. Never considered an xterra.
 
3rd gen 4runners are nice and skinny, and have a great turning radius. My friend has an xterra and my t4r is way, more comfortable IMO, that all coms down to personal preference though.
 
I'd get a 4th Gen 06+ with the V8. That's going to be my next vehicle. I currently have a 3rd Gen, and she has a 2nd Gen Xterra. I honestly like my 3rd Gen more than the Xterra. The Xterra is a little sportier, but some parts of it just seem sorta cheap. I really like the 4th Gens, they really grew on me over the past few months and I plan on buying one soon. I'd recommend the same.
 
LBOIV001 said:
I will be posting a very similar thread on the Xterra forum to balance bias, so feel free with fact biased opinions..... I welcome them all.
Click to expand...

I'd probably shop both and just look hard for the best situation regardless of which one.

I saw two things mentioned that should not be ignored, though. Roll down rear window and good forum. Both of those are pretty valuable.
 
Chicks drive Xterra's, dude.

When I was shopping for my 4Runner a month or two ago I looked at the 4Runner and some 2000-2004 Pathfinders. People over on the pathfinder forums had a thread going on which they'd rather have: A 4Runner or A Pathfinder. Most of the Pathfinder owner's said they take a 4Runner over their Pathfinder if the resale value's weren't so high on the 4Runner. Just food for thought. I know it's not an Xterra.

Honestly, what turned me off about the Xterra's was the plastic. It looked cheap to me and the ones I kept seeing weren't color matched (I don't think any come like that). It's like the 4Runners with the "cladding". To me it just seems unfinished. I couldn't get past that so I stopped looking at them.
 
in reality they are both very good vehicles. I found the 4Runner slightly more comfortable (seats wise). Milage was about the same. Space wise was about the same. I liked the headlight output better on the 4Runner. Both motors (v6) felt good. You could be very happy with either option.
 
Based on my years of working on consumer vehicles, and having lots of friends that still do work on consumer cars, I'd buy the Toyota simply for their better record of reliability.
 
rinkman07 said:
Chicks drive Xterra's, dude.
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Even more chicks drive 4Runners, Dude.

@OP. I've owned 2 Pathfinders and 2 Maximas, but never an Xterra. All were good vehicles. I suspect tho, like most above, that the 4R will be more comfortable, and most certainly hold value better.
 
Driving home from Crystal Mountain Friday afternoon I saw a XTerra rolled over in the ditch from driving on clear, but wet roads. Since I didn't see any 4R's rolled over in the ditch, they are better.
 
rinkman07 said:
Chicks drive Xterra's, dude.
Click to expand...

philsey said:
Even more chicks drive 4Runners, Dude.
Click to expand...

You guys are retarded lol, do you have hard facts saying one gender drives one vehicle more than the other? :whipping2

As for Xterra vs Runner, I get the impression the 4Runner has more aftermarket support than the Xterra but that is only founded on the fact I see more modified Runners and have only seen one article about an Xterra vs numerous 4Runner articles, though I might be making that up.

Also, wasn't Nissan saying they weren't sure of the future of the Xterra since the market was shrinking (similar to the FJC going away)? Where as it seems like the 4Runner will still be going strong for a few more years at a minimum, so it'd have a bit better support, but that's another assumption. Both seem like good vehicles regardless.
 
This is more of an apples to orange comparison. The 4Runner and Xterra were never really meant to compete. That's what the Pathfinder was for.

Also, the 4Runner is made in Japan while the Xterra is made in the states.
 
Another thing to consider is that the 4th gen 4Runners have full time 4wd systems (can be left in 4wd even on dry pavement) while the XTerras only have part time systems as far as I know (no center diff -- will bind if used on dry pavement).
 
My Dad owns an 07, that what I drove when learning how to drive. Don't get me wrong, I love my 02 4R, but love the Xterras power-train.
 
Are you guys high!?!? Xterras are garbage. You can't compare mc Donald's to red lobster, if your on the fence go buy a Volkswagen beetle and call it a day. Only real men walk into a dealership and say "4runner, all black and have it washed and in 4wd" :flipoff:
 
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