Death knell for the Xterra. Is the 4Runner soon to follow?

[MuddyButt]

I've always liked xterras, since I grew up in one, and it was my first truck. Also drove my Dads hyundai accent hatchback that ended up being mine when the xterra had to be parked for awhile. I loved that xterra and after I fixed it up i decided to sell it with 250,000 miles on it and also gave the shitty hyundai back to my dad. (Seriously worst car ever) worked all summer for my dad for no pay because my dad agreed to help me get a 4runner/tacoma. I put the $2000 from the xterra towards my current 4runner and my dad payed the rest. My only regret is not waiting a little longer for a better deal better condition 4runner to come along.

Anyways that xterra was put through hell multiple times and always Brought me home. For it to last 14 years with my mom is a true achievement. And a year of me beating the hell out of it.

 

[T4R2014]

I've always liked xterras, since I grew up in one, and it was my first truck. Also drove my Dads hyundai accent hatchback that ended up being mine when the xterra had to be parked for awhile. I loved that xterra and after I fixed it up i decided to sell it with 250,000 miles on it and also gave the shitty hyundai back to my dad. (Seriously worst car ever) worked all summer for my dad for no pay because my dad agreed to help me get a 4runner/tacoma. I put the $2000 from the xterra towards my current 4runner and my dad payed the rest. My only regret is not waiting a little longer for a better deal better condition 4runner to come along.

Anyways that xterra was put through hell multiple times and always Brought me home. For it to last 14 years with my mom is a true achievement. And a year of me beating the hell out of it.

You should've dumped the shitty Hyundai and kept the Xterra.

 

[pauldavis]

I drove a infinity qx4 for about six years. It is a Pathfinder with all the fixings. It was the best car I have owned and I put over 100,000 miles on it. Never had a problem and looked great. It is one of the reasons I own a 4runner now.

I couldn't believe what they did to the Pathfinder. Completely feminized it. Going to miss the FJ and the Xterra.

 

[Dalko43]

The demand for BOF, robust, off road SUV's isn't going anywhere.

Just look at Jeep Wrangler/Sahara sales and Toyota 4runner sales numbers. Look at Ford F-150 and Ram pickup and Toyota Tacoma sales. I see plenty of BOF trucks on the road where I live, though I suspect most of them never venture off pavement.

I think BOF SUV's, though much more of a niche market than it was 10-15 years ago, will stay in demand (and thus production) for the years to come, both here in the US and internationally.

The Nissan Xterra, while a great offroad vehicle, had several things going against it:
- Noted reliability issues in the early years: Front Diff breaking during hard off-roading, Auto Transmission fluid mixing with Radiator fluid (known as SMOD), rear leaf springs were known to sag after a few years. Some of these issues were fixed in the later years, but the Xterra never got the same reputation as something like the 4runner or Wrangler.
- Nissan essentially sold the same SUV for 10 years straight, with minimal changes. Same engine, same chassis, same frame, same transmissions. 10 years without a major update/refresh is too long, for any vehicle.
- Horrendous fuel economy and range. With a max of 20 mpg highway and only a 21 gallon tank, the Xterra was lucky if it could get 330 miles out of a single tank...not cool for the exploratory types.

If Nissan had actually made an attempt to keep the Xterra up-to-date, I think it might have garnered more respect and sales #'s. I think instead Nissan headquarters assessed that the competition in the small to mid-sized BOF market was too tough (4runner and Wrangler gulping up most of it) and so decided to milk and old design for everything it was worth before closing up shop.

 

[T4R2014]

The Nissan Xterra, while a great offroad vehicle, had several things going against it:

- Nissan essentially sold the same SUV for 10 years straight, with minimal changes. Same engine, same chassis, same frame, same transmissions. 10 years without a major update/refresh is too long, for any vehicle.

But bro! It's got some Bilsteins and rad wheels!

 

[Dalko43]

But bro! It's got some Bilsteins and rad wheels!

Yeah Toyota has been putting that thing out for a decade, but people have continued to buy those things because:
1) it's a Toyota
and
2) it's a pickup

This is something that I have noted in other threads. Toyota really doesn't have to change their formula that much because they know there are plenty of loyal consumers who are eager to buy their products. Nissan, IMO, doesn't have the same market benefits, at least not when it comes to SUV's like the Xterra.

 

[T4R2014]

Yeah Toyota has been putting that thing out for a decade, but people have continued to buy those things because:
1) it's a Toyota
and
2) it's a pickup

This is something that I have noted in other threads. Toyota really doesn't have to change their formula that much because they know there are plenty of loyal consumers who are eager to buy their products. Nissan, IMO, doesn't have the same market benefits, at least not when it comes to SUV's like the Xterra.

Never saw your posts on that. My apologies. I still pity the fools that fall for brand loyalty, especially the ones that fall for the Tacoma.

 

[Jernik]

So I just recently rented a car for business travel and they gave me an Xterra to drive. I have no idea the specs, etc but I was pleasantly surprised with the pep in the engine. I certainly could feel more power in it versus my 4Runner. Overall, thought it drove well. I am not going to go out and buy one but was impressed with the truck.

IIRC, the XTerra's 4.0 V6 put out similar HP and TQ numbers as the Toyota 4.0, although I felt the throttle response was better with the Nissan. I think it was a bit lighter too, so yeah, it did feel a bit more eager to get up and go than the 4Runner, but not by much. Seats in the XTerra were not good, IMO. I would not like them for anything longer than an hour, but that's my personal opinion.

As for the Taco... Toyota hasn't really had any competition for the last 10 years, so they didn't HAVE to update it. The Tacoma is (IMO) superior to the only other truck that was in the midsize segment in that time - the Frontier. And Nissan didn't spend money updating that one much either. Only recently with GM re-entering the market with the Colorado/Canyon twins has Toyota had a reason to make any significant changes.

 

[JeffMerr]

Never saw your posts on that. My apologies. I still pity the fools that fall for brand loyalty, especially the ones that fall for the Tacoma.

Is there another mid size truck option better than the Tacoma? I'd gladly take a Tacoma over the frontier or canyon/Colorado. I don't think it's brand loyalty as much as it is reputation and resale value.

 

[T4R2014]

Is there another mid size truck option better than the Tacoma? I'd gladly take a Tacoma over the frontier or canyon/Colorado. I don't think it's brand loyalty as much as it is reputation and resale value.

What reputation? These things are plagued with issues. Frame rust, crappy 6-speed manual just to name a few. They are insanely overpriced as well. The Frontier is nowhere near perfect either, but at least it has a better frame and more responsive engine. No issues with the manual transmission from what I understand either.

 

[JeffMerr]

What reputation? These things are plagued with issues. Frame rust, crappy 6-speed manual just to name a few. They are insanely overpriced as well. The Frontier is nowhere near perfect either, but at least it has a better frame and more responsive engine. No issues with the manual transmission from what I understand either.

The newer model is not supposed to have these issues, and if you're comparing it to the new canyon/colorado it would only make sense to compare the 16 Tacoma. 4Runner has the same frame rust issues as the Tacoma. Fact of the matter is none of them are perfect. But if you're going to spend 35 grand on a mid sized truck I can't think of any reason to get a frontier or canyon/colorado.

 

[MuddyButt]

What reputation? These things are plagued with issues. Frame rust, crappy 6-speed manual just to name a few. They are insanely overpriced as well. The Frontier is nowhere near perfect either, but at least it has a better frame and more responsive engine. No issues with the manual transmission from what I understand either.

being a fan of both Nissan and Toyota. I like the Toyota Tacoma but honestly it got old (and the new model doesn't look much different). I would have rather bought the old model Tacoma if they weren't so expensive of course. I like the look of the frontiers and cant speak of their quality but they seem like solid trucks only thing I didn't like is that Suzuki had pretty much the same exact truck if not the exact same truck as the frontier besides the front grill and it was significantly less. That was just a punch in the face of the Nissan frontier.

one difference about the two is that I can honestly say I've had better experience with Nissan's service department at the dealership. I've yet to find a Toyota dealership that had good service. maybe that's just where I live though.

That being said Toyota needs to step its game up with their trucks and SUVs because FORD, Chevy, and DODGE are coming out with some really cool stuff.
Which reminds me. Anyone remember the old Dodge Dakotas(2002 yr.)? That was a nice lookin truck IMO and with a V8.

 

[Jernik]

Yeah, I had a 2000 Dakota with the 4.7 - it was an ext. cab 2wd with 3.92 gears and a 6.5' bed. I think they changed to that body style in 98, and the interior was updated around 2002 or so. I liked the earlier interior better - it had rounded (smoother) edges, and IMO looked more upscale than the flat, square edges they went to.

I still think that style looks good. Too bad they completely ruined it in 2005 (I think it was). Whoever thought that styling was an improvement needs their eyes/head checked.

 

[T4R2014]

The newer model is not supposed to have these issues, and if you're comparing it to the new canyon/colorado it would only make sense to compare the 16 Tacoma. 4Runner has the same frame rust issues as the Tacoma. Fact of the matter is none of them are perfect. But if you're going to spend 35 grand on a mid sized truck I can't think of any reason to get a frontier or canyon/colorado.

The 4Runner has not been recalled by Toyota for rust issues. Let's see how the new gen Tacoma is. As of now I know it makes less torque at a high RPM than the outgoing 4.0L and it still doesn't have a boxed frame which Toyota mysteriously decided to drop for the NA market in 1995 but keep in the rest of the world. The Frontier had it beat in those areas 10 years ago. Aside from the radiator issue, which can happen to a 1st Gen Taco as well, these trucks aren't bad at all.

 

[T4R2014]

being a fan of both Nissan and Toyota. I like the Toyota Tacoma but honestly it got old (and the new model doesn't look much different). I would have rather bought the old model Tacoma if they weren't so expensive of course. I like the look of the frontiers and cant speak of their quality but they seem like solid trucks only thing I didn't like is that Suzuki had pretty much the same exact truck if not the exact same truck as the frontier besides the front grill and it was significantly less. That was just a punch in the face of the Nissan frontier.

one difference about the two is that I can honestly say I've had better experience with Nissan's service department at the dealership. I've yet to find a Toyota dealership that had good service. maybe that's just where I live though.

That being said Toyota needs to step its game up with their trucks and SUVs because FORD, Chevy, and DODGE are coming out with some really cool stuff.
Which reminds me. Anyone remember the old Dodge Dakotas(2002 yr.)? That was a nice lookin truck IMO and with a V8.

The Chevy Colorado came with a 5.3L V8 at some point. They are rockets. Toyota has no real reason to step up the game since they are pretty much living off brand loyalty. The FRS was probably the most surprising thing they have done in a long time.

 

[Jernik]

I may be wrong, but I don't recall a V8 being offered in a Colorado (nor S-10/S-15). The S-10's had a 4.3 v6 that was pretty solid. Didn't the old/original Colorado have that 5 cylinder engine?

I think the Cyclone was an AWD turbo 6? Memory is a bit fuzzy on that one.

On edit, I was wrong. Beginning in 2009 the 5.3 was offered in the Colorado at 300 hp/320 tq. The 1991 Cyclone did have a turbo 4.3 v6 that made 280 hp/350 tq.

 

[cashmoney]

A 5.3 in a Colorado would have to be one helluva ride. To bad I don't fit in mid and compact trucks very well. Cam, long tubes, and a decent lift would make for a sweet truck.

 

[T4R2014]

I may be wrong, but I don't recall a V8 being offered in a Colorado (nor S-10/S-15). The S-10's had a 4.3 v6 that was pretty solid. Didn't the old/original Colorado have that 5 cylinder engine?

I think the Cyclone was an AWD turbo 6? Memory is a bit fuzzy on that one.

On edit, I was wrong. Beginning in 2009 the 5.3 was offered in the Colorado at 300 hp/320 tq. The 1991 Cyclone did have a turbo 4.3 v6 that made 280 hp/350 tq.

Yup, if you can get past the cheap GM interior, this is one of the best powerplants to be put into a midsize truck. I'm not huge on lowered trucks, but I really want a Syclone or Typhoon. I always felt that the regular 4.3 was a turd for how much displacement it had, even in the mid-90s.

 

[Jernik]

Yup, if you can get past the cheap GM interior, this is one of the best powerplants to be put into a midsize truck. I'm not huge on lowered trucks, but I really want a Syclone or Typhoon. I always felt that the regular 4.3 was a turd for how much displacement it had, even in the mid-90s.

Yeah, the mid 90's 3.8 V6 used in their cars was making around 195 hp - or 240 with the SC on it, while the 4.3 was around 190. But on the other hand, the 5.7 in the Camaro was only rated at 305 hp. Vette got what, 330-350?

The Typhoon was bad. I remember the Car and Driver article where they ran it in a 1/4 mile against a Ferrari. I think the Typhoon got it off the line, but succumbed to the laws of aerodynamics/physics and lost in the end. Read the Typhoon had a 0-60 of something like 4.3 seconds!

 

[T4R2014]

Yeah, the mid 90's 3.8 V6 used in their cars was making around 195 hp - or 240 with the SC on it, while the 4.3 was around 190. But on the other hand, the 5.7 in the Camaro was only rated at 305 hp. Vette got what, 330-350?

The Typhoon was bad. I remember the Car and Driver article where they ran it in a 1/4 mile against a Ferrari. I think the Typhoon got it off the line, but succumbed to the laws of aerodynamics/physics and lost in the end. Read the Typhoon had a 0-60 of something like 4.3 seconds!

That 3.8 is a well respected engine too. I'd swap one into a Fiero if I had one.

Yeah, those trucks were lowered bricks with turbos slapped on, but man they are awesome. Every vehicle has its cons. Think of the Delorean, shitty performer but I still need to have one.