3rd Gen 4Runner or '02-'04 Xterra?

[FormerBroncoman]

I realistically drive 30-35 miles a day. With those mods, what MPG can I expect?

 

[JWaldz]

I don't know how much this was mentioned in the previous few pages, but I'll just state that while I don't know much about the performance of an xterra, I do know they're made very cheaply. When I worked for a fab shop and we installed lifts, bumpers, skids, etc.. on one I always felt like the next bolt I pulled on it it was going to all fall apart. Very flimsy plastic moldings all over and tin can metal. I always thought they look great lifted and what not, hell even decent looking all stock. But after working on them, I would never question whether or not I'd own one. It's a hard pass lol.

Speaking from experience with a daily driven 3rd gen with 35's and like an additional ~1000lbs I get roughly 13 mpg city driving.

 

[Hepar]

I don't know how much this was mentioned in the previous few pages, but I'll just state that while I don't know much about the performance of an xterra, I do know they're made very cheaply. When I worked for a fab shop and we installed lifts, bumpers, skids, etc.. on one I always felt like the next bolt I pulled on it it was going to all fall apart. Very flimsy plastic moldings all over and tin can metal. I always thought they look great lifted and what not, hell even decent looking all stock. But after working on them, I would never question whether or not I'd own one. It's a hard pass lol.

Speaking from experience with a daily driven 3rd gen with 35's and like an additional ~1000lbs I get roughly 13 mpg city driving.

I'd agree that comparing the older Xterra's to 4Runners is comparing apples to oranges. My friend has an '01 and even he agrees that there's no comparison in quality to my '01.

OP - I would say that your decision should be more on if you want to DD that particular one or to find one that may be a bit more user friendly for day to day use. But to stick with a 4Runner!

 

[AntleredRuin]

Nissan engines are done around 160 - 200 K miles. I got two cousins who got a 96 sentra and a 99 pathfinder. Both started giving blue smoke from the tail pipe around 170K. Both of those even started burning engine oil too! Compared to my 265K, 210K and 227 K toyota's, no blue smoke!

I heard Nissan trucks have a solid drive train like the ring gear and pinion. In Australia, they use toyota engines and nissan drive train.

I really like how when this thread was created in 2010, the Xterra comparable thread (which was linked to earlier) kept saying that the Xterra is just as reliable because they could reach 200k.
Well now, 7 years later, the bar has been continuously raised. Can they reach 300k, or even 400k, or more, like a 4runner?

It's getting difficult to find a 4runner BELOW 200k.

 

[FormerBroncoman]

I am really thankful for the input and politeness of everyone who has responded. I will go with buying TR4. The X has 143,000 doesn't seem to be as reliable as the TR4 with 214,000.
I'm so used to comparing the money pit I have in my 1990 Bronco with 218,000. That started having problems at 130,000.