After doing a lot of searching, I decided to bite on a 2012 Nissan Xterra S for $10,500 with 158K miles on it:
I needed a 2012 or later to get financing through my credit union but was trying to keep the cost low; I would still, eventually, like to get a Ford Maverick to replace my 03 Frontier, but that will have to get pushed back a couple of years. The Xterra was found on a small, used car lot in not the best section of Richmond, VA. The metallic blue paint, which I would probably hate on almost any other vehicle, really made the Xterra "pop!" I was really impressed with the CARFAX report: one owner that purchased it in Frederick, MD, and took it to the selling Nissan dealer for all it's service work up to the end, including oil changes every 3000-6000 miles. No accidents reported and paint all looks original and in great shape. Inside is pretty basic compared to my Pathfinder, but it's all stock and in great shape. I took it for a ride and all was good except for a noise in the rear, which I suspected was either the tires, bearing or rear diff. It turned out to be the rear diff and they are in the process of replacing it. It's "as is," but the agreed to give me a 30 day warranty on the rear axle. NADA clean retail value was $13K, so I was okay with the price. Without asking, they even included the processing fees in the cost. It doesn't have a tow hitch, so it was never used for towing. Being a 2012, it's beyond the years of upper timing chain issues on the VQ40DE and failed radiator coolers are pretty much non-existent on 2012 Xterras, although I'll definitely check the part number on the radiator for peace of mind. I'll grab some parts off of my Pathfinder, such as the DT mid-pipes and the skid plates. I'm not sure about the DT headers as they are a lot of work to get off and on without a lift? If I want to use the V8 Pathfinder front brakes from my 06 Pathy on the Xterra, I'll also have to swap the wheels with my LE's 17". I'm not sure about that, yet, but I could end up putting those brakes on my 08 Pathy. I'll see if I can swap the Xterra rear view mirror for the LE's which has the temp and compass. I believe the aFe CAI will swap right over to the Xterra. I can also swap the tow electronics over and I'll pick up a tow hitch for the Xterra. I'll strip some parts off of the Pathfinder before finally sending it to the old scrap yard.
As far as remaining here, I probably will, although some of you may have noticed I haven't been on the forum as much, lately. That can be said for the ClubFrontier.org and NissanForums.com forums that I also contribute to and/or moderate. It'd be tough squeezing in an Xterra forum membership! I've just been pretty busy with the constant drafting at work; for those that don't know, my current profession is a correctional officer in VA, being retired from auto mechanics. So, that's what's going on with me! Hope you are all doing well in the meantime! I gotta chop some firewood off my Pathfinder as we got a snow storm moving in on Sunday!
