So happy I rescued my 01 Xterra XE with the 2.4L 4 cylinder and a 5 spd manual transmission from its date with the crusher. Got it the literal day before it was to be hauled off. It only had 153K (and it's the "Gold Rush Metallic" paint code). I got it for $550 back in 2018 with a partial external head gasket leak, rusted in half EGR valve, plugged catalytic converter, and inches of sludge buildup around the engine. Bought all the replacement parts (a lot of it came from junkyards) and did all the work myself over the span of a year, but that engine is running perfectly now with no codes. It passes emissions testing, it has 0 leaks at 22 years old, 0 fault codes, and it doesn't overheat randomly now. Fuel economy is also closer to 18MPG once again (before it was closer to 10MPG). I took the time to degrease and paint my valve cover and timing cover while I was there; I went with a metallic cast iron basecoat, with the raised lettering for the valve cover hand painted with Ford Blue (because it complimented the shade of blue used for the NGK spark plug wire jackets), before sealing it all with a gloss clear topcoat. I even replaced the aftermarket worm gear hose-clamps with factory tension-hoop ones pulled from a junkyard truck, along with all the missing brackets and mounting hardware deleted by the previous owner. Also replaced several lengths of cracked wiring conduit tubing and re-taped the entire wiring harness before re-running the wiring to the engine using the factory mounts that were ignored in favor of zipties to whatever was closest. Now the engine bay looks just like one of these rolling off the factory line (instead of the sad, leaky backyard hackjob it once was when no one but me wanted it). 179K and climbing daily.
Saw the new 2000 in Yellow. It had 45 miles on it at dealership. I still am driving it. 167,000 miles on it. Rather keep it going than buy something new.
I got to get away. I have a 2002 first generation five speed stick V6 non-supercharged 117,000 miles I put 12,000 miles on it. Since November, I am in love with my Nissan Xterra.
Looking back now, it’s truly amazing for what they left out versus what they included, especially as the years went by since it was largely ignored by Neeson, and then just when Overlanding became extremely popular, they killed production.
I had a 2001 that I got rid of in 2023. It had 275k on it. It still ran fine. Great truck, except for changing that #6 spark plug. But it was just time for a change, so I bought a newer Xterra which I have plans on driving for at least another decade.
Matt Perkins:. I have a 2005 like yours, with 230k kms. 6speed 4liters. Just rebuilt diff. and driveshaft n transfer case, $5000. and clutch $1200. Not lucky but it's cheaper than buying a new one.🤔👍🤗 I like my Exterra besides that.🙉🇨🇦
I love the sentiment that this vehicle wasn't made for "going to the opera." It was a bold bet to make such an SUV in the 2000's. Its sad to see that the market trended towards "opera" SUV's over the following 20 years. In my view, this was the last generation of "serious" small trucks ever made. And I don't just mean the image. This was literally the last full-box-frame "true" 4WD truck with a manual transfer case and mechanical locking hubs.
Purchased my 2004 was purchased in 2005, amazing vehicle, yes still own it in 2023. One complaint is the dash gages, they are sunk in and with sunglasses difficult to read. The dash lights are not bright enough. The background music over the announcer's voice is extremely annoying. I want to hear and understand what his saying, not fight the music.
I have had 3 xterra's. Have a 2011 now. Such a great story. Thanks for posting.
So happy I rescued my 01 Xterra XE with the 2.4L 4 cylinder and a 5 spd manual transmission from its date with the crusher. Got it the literal day before it was to be hauled off.
It only had 153K (and it's the "Gold Rush Metallic" paint code).
I got it for $550 back in 2018 with a partial external head gasket leak, rusted in half EGR valve, plugged catalytic converter, and inches of sludge buildup around the engine.
Bought all the replacement parts (a lot of it came from junkyards) and did all the work myself over the span of a year, but that engine is running perfectly now with no codes.
It passes emissions testing, it has 0 leaks at 22 years old, 0 fault codes, and it doesn't overheat randomly now. Fuel economy is also closer to 18MPG once again (before it was closer to 10MPG).
I took the time to degrease and paint my valve cover and timing cover while I was there; I went with a metallic cast iron basecoat, with the raised lettering for the valve cover hand painted with Ford Blue (because it complimented the shade of blue used for the NGK spark plug wire jackets), before sealing it all with a gloss clear topcoat.
I even replaced the aftermarket worm gear hose-clamps with factory tension-hoop ones pulled from a junkyard truck, along with all the missing brackets and mounting hardware deleted by the previous owner. Also replaced several lengths of cracked wiring conduit tubing and re-taped the entire wiring harness before re-running the wiring to the engine using the factory mounts that were ignored in favor of zipties to whatever was closest.
Now the engine bay looks just like one of these rolling off the factory line (instead of the sad, leaky backyard hackjob it once was when no one but me wanted it). 179K and climbing daily.
3:11 The view you have really is amazing. I can see everything unlike out of some of these new giant trucks 😂
Saw the new 2000 in Yellow. It had 45 miles on it at dealership. I still am driving it. 167,000 miles on it. Rather keep it going than buy something new.
I got a 2002 with 50k original miles love it, like a time capsule, built during a time when people lived extreme
I got to get away. I have a 2002 first generation five speed stick V6 non-supercharged 117,000 miles I put 12,000 miles on it. Since November, I am in love with my Nissan Xterra.
20200 2002 x 3.3 stick 117k miles
nissan x for life 45 years old outdoors 4 life xxxxxxxxx
really makes me wish mine had 4wd lol
I like the First Generation so much I bought two, one manual, one automatic
I’ve owned a 2001 and a 2008. Xterras were so good.
The silver 2001 is so goated, mine has been driven to hell and back and the only repairs it’s ever needed were a new alternator and battery
They definitely had a hit with the Xterra. They probably would again if they chose to bring it back.
Looking back now, it’s truly amazing for what they left out versus what they included, especially as the years went by since it was largely ignored by Neeson, and then just when Overlanding became extremely popular, they killed production.
2022 20 years old still runs mint silver ice baby ice xxx
I had a 2001 that I got rid of in 2023. It had 275k on it. It still ran fine. Great truck, except for changing that #6 spark plug. But it was just time for a change, so I bought a newer Xterra which I have plans on driving for at least another decade.
I have a 2005 Xterra and love it!
Just had to trade my 00 w/ 278k for an 05 w/ 93k. Hope to have good memories.
Love the vid.
Back before CVT’s when Nissan’s were reliable.
Matt Perkins:. I have a 2005 like yours, with 230k kms. 6speed 4liters. Just rebuilt diff. and driveshaft n transfer case, $5000. and clutch $1200. Not lucky but it's cheaper than buying a new one.🤔👍🤗 I like my Exterra besides that.🙉🇨🇦
Wish Nissan would bring this back…
it would never be the same :(
Nope. More than likely will be smaller and all electric. No thanks
That is a great line " a backpack on wheels." I am a mountain biker I like to get a fully loaded sunshine yellow one for my next SUV.
The yellow ones come with 50 more HP than the other colors.
I ve seen a few yellow xterras in offerup..check them out.
I have a 2013 with 128 thousand i want them to bring it back please only suv I love, I would drive this care for the rest of my life if I could…
My dad used to drive this car when I was little.
Back in the day you see them everywhere very good SUVs
I love the sentiment that this vehicle wasn't made for "going to the opera." It was a bold bet to make such an SUV in the 2000's. Its sad to see that the market trended towards "opera" SUV's over the following 20 years. In my view, this was the last generation of "serious" small trucks ever made. And I don't just mean the image. This was literally the last full-box-frame "true" 4WD truck with a manual transfer case and mechanical locking hubs.
Titan V8 in mine. Love it
Purchased my 2004 was purchased in 2005, amazing vehicle, yes still own it in 2023. One complaint is the dash gages, they are sunk in and with sunglasses difficult to read. The dash lights are not bright enough.
The background music over the announcer's voice is extremely annoying. I want to hear and understand what his saying, not fight the music.
Amazing how far NISSAN has fallen these are epic commercials this is how it's done but instead they wanted to capture the soccer mom and killed the X.
My silver 03 has a 6" lift and 35s