Nissan XTerra SUV

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2815 messages, Last post on Jun 25, 2012 at 8:03 PM

You are in the Nissan Xterra Forum.

Your Hosts are steve_ & kyfdx

What is this discussion about? Nissan Xterra, SUV

#2307 of 2815 Xterra-ble Update! by m1garand

Mar 11, 2003 (2:04 pm)

Follow up to my post #2290, 21 Feb 2003. My 2002 Xterra still sits awaiting another engine. After numerous calls to Nissan in Calif. over the last month I got no place, it was almost as if the Cust. Rep. used a recording? Weekly calls and visits to the dealer were sympathetic and reassuring at best, but no real answers other than to be patient and Nissan would make good. Incidentally the new engine has been ready to be installed but they can't seem to locate one of the head gaskets required??? I was literally one phone call away from the N.Y. AG's office as well as some private legal advice when the dealers' Gen. Mgr. called yesterday and wanted to set up a time so we can discuss options and see about "getting me out of my present 2002 and into a new 2003 Xterra". My salesman called today and said he had been OK'd to go ahead and try and locate a comparable 2003!! I will be getting together with them this week as I have quite a few unanswered questions, i.e. payments already made, our low finance rate & rebate, plus ~$2500 off because our 2002 was a left over with 5-spd. manual transmission. We are by no means out of the woods yet as I don't for one minute think this won't cost me something. We still may have to get legal involved?? Against advice from here, friends and family I held off pursuing the legal path until well past the eleventh hour. Either my faith in a large Corp. doing the right thing will be restored or my nomination for chump of the year hang in the balance! I'll keep updating.

#2308 of 2815 XTERRA Suspension/Cruise Control Problems by fiberlaw

Mar 25, 2003 (6:37 pm)

I have a 2002 XTERRA with 15,800 miles, 4x4. Shortly after I took delivery I noticed various metallic clanging noises in the suspension on rough roads. This most often occurs when I am applying the brakes slightly on a rough surface. It basically sounds like a 1970's Oldsmobile going down the road with a very loose suspension. Also, a high pitched metallic scraping noise is heard when I turn the wheel--similar to brake wear indicators. The cruise control surges and the transmission gets stuck in gear when the cruise control downshifts to maintain speed up hills. All of these problems are intermittant, but occur often. The dealer continues to state they cannot reproduce any of these problems. It has been in 3 times for service with no success. Has anyone ever heard of these types of problems. Thanks.

#2309 of 2815 Maybe by xcanuk

Mar 26, 2003 (12:22 pm)

>various metallic clanging noises in the suspension on rough roads.

1) Check the screws holding the skid plate. dealers love to crack them during oil change.. fix is to swap them for heavier ones

2) check for a rock inside the A-arm (yes..it has happened)

>a high pitched metallic scraping noise is heard when I turn the wheel--similar to brake wear indicators.

Check/grease the steering stops (looks like bolt heads that limit the amount you can turn the wheel.. total 4, 2 per side, on in front and behind the wheel)

>The cruise control surges and the transmission gets stuck in gear when the cruise control downshifts to maintain speed up hills.

Hills are hard on cruise as it tries to maintain speed.

#2310 of 2815 Fuel Mileage by jf067

Apr 04, 2003 (12:56 pm)

I'm the new owner of an '02 XT, about 26k miles. I know that you sacrifice fuel economy when you buy an SUV, but this is nuts. Has anyone had any luck improving gas mileage with aftermarket products, such as open ellement air cleaners?

I'm not a fast driver, and usually average only about 60 mph highways with it (trying to get a little distance from a tank). Best I can get is around 17mpg. Any thoughts from experienced XT owners?

#2311 of 2815 M1garand's "X-terrable" by KicKMan1

Apr 17, 2003 (3:17 pm)

m1
You're now in a situation where you should be thinking seriously about your legal rights and the financial harm you ARE going to suffer as a result of your apparent lemon vehicle. Nissan North America will do everything in their power to avoid a buy-back. I've litigated a lemon law case against Mitsubishi; believe me when I tell you, they take this seriously and fight hard to avoid the public perception of "giving in".

Get your legal ducks in a row and consult with respect to an attorney. The idea that they want to get you out of the old one and into a new one is theoretically BS. Check your state's lemon laws (look in the consumer protection area) and familiarize yourself with the definition of a lemon as well as the remedies. In most states, if you have a lemon vehicle, the manufacturer is obligated to take back the bad one and replace it with a new one (mileage charges may apply) or refund the money you've paid to date.

In any event, don't let them get you to the dealership and play games. Anything other than "here's your replacement vehicle" or "here's your money back and a voided finance agreement" constitutes game playing.

Feel free to e-mail me off line with questions.

#2312 of 2815 Should I buy/not buy 03 Xterra? by seann2003

Apr 21, 2003 (1:42 pm)

I copied this over from another discussion board I created. Steve (the host) suggested I check in this area, so I've pasted my comments in here for your feedback. Please forgive my confusion as I'm new to this process. Thank in advance!

I'm looking at getting a new SUV. I'm leaning toward the Xterra because it's the most truck-like of the SUVs I've found. It's also affordable. I currently own a 93 Explorer that's been nothing but problems for me. Now, I'm looking to get something new to avoid frequent repair bills, and want an SUV that rides like a pickup.

I'm looking for some constructive feedback. Are these really good vehicles? Are there better ones out there? What do owners like/dislike? What's a good price to pay for one of these (or another selection)?

I've done enough research through normal channels. Now, I need to hear from people who own this and other SUVs for advice before I make my decision.

I looked for a similar discussion and couldn't find anything. So, if this is repetitious and another discussion exists that answers my questions, please let me know. Thank you in advance for your help!

#2313 of 2815 Love my X-Terra by romulandmz

Apr 22, 2003 (7:34 pm)

I have an 03 SE/SC. This is my second one. I had an 01 SE and traded it in on the 03. The only thing I disliked about the 01 was the lack of passing power and it tended to get asthmatic on ramps to the highway. More a function of gearing than anything else I think. The supercharger takes care of that problem handily. The normally aspirated makes 10hp more than previous ones and moves better than the older ones, but I wanted the Supercharger.

It is very capable off road and in snow and both of them have been trouble free for me. The only maintenance I ever had to do were the standard things. Routine service and oil changes. As for mileage I have gotten above the EPA ratings on both of them.

One thing I have to say is that the roof rack on the X is the most useful rack I have ever had on any vehicle. Buy an extra crossbar if you want to increase the weight capacity on it. The weight carrying is limited by the crossmembers.

It definitely rides like a truck rather than a car

I prefer the harsher ride myself, a soft ride makes me feel like I'm driving a boat.

I can't recommend it highly enough, the only product out there right now I would consider replacing the X with is the Murano but it is a different type of SUV altogether.

My baby is Granite, the replacement for Gold Rush in previous models. More of a pewtery shade rather than pure gold. By the way, it is surprisingly maneuverable given the size of the vehicle and the brakes are amazing.

#2314 of 2815 Give me the low down! by sparkylawgrrl

Apr 22, 2003 (9:25 pm)

Hi, I currently own a 97 V6 Pontiac Grand Am, a far cry from an SUV. I moved to Eastern Washington and am in desperate need of something with 4WD to get me up those pesky forest service roads and over the pass in the winter to get to snowboarding. I love the looks of the XTerra and was pretty much set on it until reading some of these posts.

Does anyone have some comparison information on the XTerra, the Ford Escape, the Hyundai Santa Fe (yikes, could it be legitimate?? not to put down Hyundai, but this is their first attempt at something SUVish) and the Jeep Liberty?

I really want a small SUV with good/better gas mileage that isn't horrible to park or get stuff in and out of. But it needs to be able to handle and act like a real SUV, not a car.

If you have any comments I'd love to hear them!

#2315 of 2815 the low down! by steve_ HOST

Apr 22, 2003 (9:30 pm)

Here's a comparison topic on the competition:

Subaru Forester vs Hyundai Santa Fe vs Jeep Liberty vs Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute vs Saturn Vue

Remember that people tend to post more when they have a complaint than when the SUV works right when they jump in it everyday and go (Romulandmz being the exception <g>).

Enjoy shopping!

Steve, Host

#2316 of 2815 Dynamic Control Package by newb2k

Apr 23, 2003 (4:28 pm)

I've been looking all over, but can't find a more detailed description of this package beyond what nissanusa.com says.

- I understand what Traction Control is, but is the Vehicle Dynamic Control a stability control system?
- How does it work?
- Basically, how effective is it in helping control a lateral slide or hydro planing through a puddle on the pavement?

Thanks in advance for any help.

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