Since I started my last thread, I've been looking into this: what about a 2000 Xterra? Yeah, more expensive than a 96-98 Pathfinder, but wouldn't it be much easier to find a 5 spd X SE (limited slip is standard, correct?) than a Pathfinder with a manual and LSD? And wouldn't it be more reliable than an older Pathfinder (fewer miles) and more capable offroad when I bought it? I want to avoid throwing another $1000 on tires and other parts at a vehicle I just purchased, and maybe that would be easier with an Xterra.

I spent almost 6 months in 2003 driving someone else's 2000 Xterra 4x2 and really enjoyed it (well, not the 4x2 part. I had it on my family's farm at one point and nearly slid it into a pond, knocking the fake plastic manual hub lock off the back wheel in the process).

I don't know if the bank will give me that much $$$, but I don't plan on buying another vehicle for at least 5 years so maybe I should bite the bullet and get something newer...

Feedback, please. Thanks.

The advantage of an Xterra is that its a body on frame construction.. The rigidity of the body/frame will be a little better than the unibody pathy I think. Also, its easier to mount rock sliders, underbody armor, and you can do a bodylift on it if you want.

Looking at prices here, 2000 Xterras are going for about the same prices as late 90s pathfinders. You can get a 5 speed Xterra pretty easily.

Personally, I'd go for the Xterra. They really arent that much more, cost wise. I think it would suit your needs a little better than the pathfinder, which although just as capable, is a little more luxury-oriented

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"Go that way, really fast; if something gets in your way . . . turn."

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The rigidity of the body/frame will be a little better than the unibody pathy I think

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I disagree with the rigidity portion, but agree with the rest. I own a 98 pathfinder and wouldn't give it up for the world because it's a challenge to modify, but out of the box the x will probably provide you with a better trail/road rig....

Texas Nissan Trucks President

tinyfrogs- based on the description of your needs in both this thread and the other, it seems like you don't plan to do a whole lot of hard-core off-roading, so the body-on-frame advantages and better aftermarket support for the Xterra aren't as important to you.

The Xterra is a great truck, and is likely to be more easy to find equipped with a 5-speed and LSD than a similarly-priced Pathfinder.

The choice between a 2000 X and an early 2nd-gen Pathfinder really comes down to what goals you have for using the truck while you own it. If you plan to keep the vehicle for 5+ years, then buying a newer vehicle is a better choice, merely for cost-of-maintenance reasons. For example, a higher-mileage Pathfinder is going to need a timing belt sooner than a lower-mileage Xterra, and other things will need replacing sooner, too, such as shocks, struts, etc.

Frankly, if you can afford the slightly higher cost, you'd probably be better off with an Xterra than buying a Pathfinder. However, you'll be wanting to install new tires on either vehicle for your needs, unless the previous owner took care of that for you!

My 97 Pathfinder

FYI, the LSD (not that it's much good) is NOT standard on the Xterra. It is standard on the SE trim, and came with the Utility Package (fogs, tow hook, etc.) on the XE but there are a lot of XEs out there without the U.P. and no LSD.

A unibody is more rigid that a body-on-frame unless the frame is really well-braced. I don't find that it's really all that important though, the X is pretty rigid as it is. I just saw a picture of Nissanboy's near-stock 97 Explorer flexed out yesterday that showed the gap between the bumper and the rear hatch differing by a good 2 inches from one side to the other. My X might have a 1/2" discrepancy at full flex tops.

Brent

My pathy's body/chassis barely flexes when the suspension fully flexed out.. mabye 1/4"-3/8" at the MOST. When i first got it, even completely flexed out nearly lifting a tire, the doors all would open and close as if it was sitting on level ground. Its loosened up a little since i got it though. The fully boxed frames on these trucks are so stout that the flex is not apparent. But any flex that is there doesnt hurt the body much, since they are two seperate structures.

I saw a unibody Jeep get strapped up off a ledge.. It was so badly tweaked that the doors were 3" out of alignment.. even the rear hatch and hood were so skewed that they had to duct tape everything down to keep it closed. Granted, the Nissans are better than that, but a boxed frame does make a big difference.. especially when you start opening and closing doors.

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"Go that way, really fast; if something gets in your way . . . turn."

Body flex....if you have a Del Sol then don't take the roof off.

I'd get the X just cause there's more aftermarket. Actually, I'd get a WD21 Pathfinder

Mr. Will

SHIFT_into a rock

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I saw a unibody Jeep get strapped up off a ledge.. It was so badly tweaked that the doors were 3" out of alignment.. even the rear hatch and hood were so skewed that they had to duct tape everything down to keep it closed. Granted, the Nissans are better than that, but a boxed frame does make a big difference.. especially when you start opening and closing doors

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Jeeps have that problem.... R50s generally don't

I have had mine up on 3 with one rear way off the ground, the back gate would not close, but it was only off by a little bit about 1/4". I could have forced it closed but decieded not to. After some unibody reinforcment for sliders and skids I don't think my R50 will flex even that 1/4" anymore.

Don't get me wrong I know that a frame is way better for offroad than a unibody constructed vehicle.

Usually vehicles with a frame allow felxing of the frame, but the body can stay still since it is not mounted solidly to the frame. The frame is way stronger than anything on a unibody, though. For Unibodys on the road there is no play between the body and frame since there is no frame. So unibodys generally drive and feel better, but who really cares about on the road?

Texas Nissan Trucks President

Well, it looks like I might be getting an Xterra through the broker guy, after talking with him yesterday. He is now trying to seal the deal with the wholesaler. Based on my description below, I hope someone who reads this will have an opinion to share on whether I should go through with the deal or not.

It's a 2000 XE 4x4, 5-spd, loaded including the utility package/LSD, with about 61K on it (high, yes) but it's supposed to be well maintained, with records. Here's the thing, it looks like someone went crazy with the aftermarket bling-bling. It has fancy rims, 30 inch tires, some crazy audio system with a DVD and mp3 player, one of those semi-useful grill guards in front of a stock bumper, and so one. I haven't seen the vehicle in person, but I have three pics he emailed me that I'd post here if I could figure out how.

If this happens, I'd get it at about $500 below blue book (for a loaded XE 4x4 with 61K = $14,500) with the aftermarket craziness not entering into the equation. I'm not thrilled about the color (white), or the high miles, or some of the add-ons. The miles and gear make me worried about what the vehicle might have been through. But the broker guy is supposed to be trustworthy and he seems confident to buy it and sell it to me (though my search seems to have worn him out and made him pretty frustrated). The rims and tires are a plus, though I can't recognize the tire brand or tread pattern from the pictures. The crazy audio system, I'd find useful. The poseur grill guard, I'd remove almost immediately and try to sell, same with the ski rack (I bike and canoe, no skiing for me).

Were I to get it and then successfully sell off the junk I don't want, I'd try to funnel the $$$ back into the most pressing (and cheapest) improvements or maintenance it needs. Any thoughts, you folks with more 4x4 knowledge experience than me?

The Xterra is basically the same vehicle as the original Pathfinder - which is a good thing. Positive differences are a more powerful engine and more cargo space. And I assume better HNV (noise) control. The only negative is the rear leaf suspension instead of the original's multi-link/coil springs. I also prefer the original PF's styling over the Xterra, but that's probably because of which one I have.

The Xterra has higher minimum clearance than the second generation PF, but the approach and departure angles are very similar, depending on wheels/tires.

I suspect you'll be happier with the Xterra because you won't have any doubts if it was the right choice for your work, while you may always wonder about whether the PF was the right choice.

And I notice the next Pathfinder has gone back to body-on-frame.