So today I finally got my silver 2005 Xterra! I had a 2002 Mini Cooper S, which was fun to drive, but was very expensive to maintain, unreliable, and for some reason always repaired wrong as no one understood how to properly service them. Plus, the paint is very soft and weak and I was starting to notice serious chipping and some fading.

The 2005 Xterra I got was an Offroad trim level, which is the only one I've seen for sale in the Columbus (or Ohio) area since I started looking. Honestly, I should have spent a fortune, but I got it for only 12,400 and I got some add-ons that I wanted for free. She's in great condition, mechanically and cosmetically other than a large scratch that they are repairing on the driver side.

I'm very happy with it though. The upgraded shocks feel great, and it's a stark difference to the Mini Cooper which had me feeling every bump in the road making it extremely uncomfortable, especially since Columbus is littered with potholes.

It's a manual and a 4X4, exactly what I wanted. Honestly, I'm just so happy I got the newer body style model and all the options and specs I wanted. I would have wished for a solar yellow one, but the only one was a low trim model Xterra that was only 2x4.

Anywho, I hope I made the right decision.. it feels right. I look forward to talking with you all and hearing your advice and sharing my own. I'll have pictures up soon.

Welcome, and from how you are talking, I would say that you have made the right decision.

Welcome to the X world. Enjoy the ride.

Thanks guys. I've always wanted an Xterra, actually. I test drove a new one in 07, but I couldn't afford the gas as then I had over 1.5 hours of driving a day to my job and back. I'm actually glad I didn't buy it because this one is much nicer. Sure back then I could have afforded a new one as I didn't have our home yet, but it all worked out.

I can't tell you guys how happy I am. I'm just excited it fit in my garage, haha. Not much extra room, but it gets in there. My wife's Mini Cooper (which has served us much better than the other Cooper) looks like it could park inside the Xterra haha.


All in all, I learned a valuable lesson. Test drive a vehicle before you buy. The last two cars I've owned were crap because I bought them from dealers out of state. Each of them, including the Mini Cooper I sold, weren't in good mechanical condition and I got screwed. My Cooper had problems all the time, and for me to repair the things needed to buy to maintain it would have been at least 4 thousand dollars or more. I got the Xterra from the same dealer I got my wife's Mini Cooper, so I feel safe in the fact that I got a truck that will last me.

The only "bad" thing is that it's mileage is a bit over 90k, but honestly, it's one owner, no accidents, and the guy who owned it was a senior citizen who only did highway driving to go to and from work. It's been very well taken care of, and and SO excited to play around with my new Xterra.

Are there any local chapters of the group in Columbus, Ohio? I'd love to get together and see what can be done with this beast.

Welcome!! Do you have any pix of the X?

welcome

It's late, and dark out, but I have just one picture of the Off Road Xterra. It'll have to do until tomorrow when I can take more :).

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x290/TA3202/xterra.jpg

Welcome to CX :)

Welcome to the club!

welcome

Welcome in... Looks like you stepped up to the big time now... You bought the King of Xterra's

Here are some better shots. :) I'm loving it so far. Taller than the other Xterras I pass in the area haha.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x290/TA3202/IMAG0361.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x290/TA3202/IMAG0360.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x290/TA3202/IMAG0359.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x290/TA3202/IMAG0362.jpg

Welcome to CX!

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welcome to the club..thats a really nice Xterra! I am actually swapping a locker into mine to make it into an Offroad trim X...well kinda..lol.

the OR's are just that sweet!

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the support and compliments. Btw, I was wondering, I'm looking for a brush guard, but not one that I need to take the front bumper off for. I know they don't help much, but it would be still nice to have. Are the ones (ill get a link to one that looks well made) on eBay worth the money, or is there a list of ones you guys recommend to get instead?

here is the link

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Nissan-Xterra-05-06-07-08-2005-2007-Grille-Brush-Guard-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ290465773370QQptZMotorsQ5f CarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Welcome!

Nice pics.

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the support and compliments. Btw, I was wondering, I'm looking for a brush guard, but not one that I need to take the front bumper off for. I know they don't help much, but it would be still nice to have. Are the ones (ill get a link to one that looks well made) on eBay worth the money, or is there a list of ones you guys recommend to get instead?

You're not going to find much love for brushguards here... they actually make impacts worse by increasing the amount of damage. A damage-less low speed bump could turn into thousands in damage to the hood, etc. You can spend your money on something that will actually protect your X like sliders or bumpers, or replacing your factory skids if you wanted. But it's definitely your rig so do what makes you happy.

welcome, nice truck ;)

Welcome from Maine :)