2009 Nissan Xterra SE 4X4

Pros

low maintenance costs

Cons

poor gas mileage

Purchased As Used

I've loved my xterra. it's been hassle free for the 140,000 miles I've put on it. And as my friends will tell you, I haven't been gentle on the car. Whether I'm in the Sierras chasing trout, or hauling my dog to the beach & back, this car has been a reliable friend. My only complaint is that the gas mileage is not so great....read morehide

Pros

Good fuel economy for its size, good engine power, nice interior

Cons

Access to rear seat is a bit tight

Actually, this is my wife's car. I have a small 2000 Frontier. It's all I need to go back and forth to work. The Xterra is our vehicle for long trips. We've had it for some time now. It is a 2005, the first of this style. I've talked to owners of older models, and the most amazing fact about this thing is that its fuel economy is far better, even though the vehicle is larger, and the engine is larger. I believe this represents a good match of the vehicle suspension to its power plant.
This vehicle needs a tune up soon. The Service Engine Soon lights comes on from time to time. But, it still gives my wife 23 mpg on the highway, and 17 in town. To me, that is impressive.
We purchased it at West Texas Nissan in Odessa, TX (Good company) after we found that we were moving back east to a possible snow area. We are not off roader types, and it seldom leaves the pavement. On the few times it has its performance was exceptional. Based on my experience of 22 years in the U.S. Army, mainly in tank battalions, It does what we need with ease. I do not normally take a personal vehicle off road because I understand the potential extremes these things suffer. Those of you with these problems, I think, are because when used in an off-road situation you have to conduct a whole lot more preventative manitenance to keep it running good.
My wife loves it because of the availablility to see from the driver seat. This is the ONLY car she has ever been able to parallel park with no difficulty. This is the largest vehicle she has ever had, and she drives it like a pro.
This vehicle has nearly 60k miles on it, and all we've done is change the oil every 3k miles, and normal maintenance. It still has its original brakes! I expect these to be changed real soon.
This thing is a no frills package. As the commercial says, "Everything you need. Nothin' you don't." I agree with this. For our use it is near perfect. We've not had much snow where we live in Stafford, VA, but that is why we have the 4x4 in it. I turn it on every now and then to exercise it. When we have used it, it was quite capable, and completely agile in its performance. I do not think we will ever wear it out.
If you are looking at it remember this. It is a TRUCK. It will not be like a little sports car. But for what it is it is hard to beat. Thank you.

Norman Prevatte
Stafford, VA...read morehide