Hi,
I love my 01 Celica but I am moving to the snowy mountains and pretty as she is, she ain't gonna cut it. So I've been on the hunt for something that can handle all of that and still be as fun to drive as my car. After amounts of research that I can only sum up as "eye-bleedy" an Xterra seems to fit the bill. The only issue was that the only 4WD I can find close to me is white. I've never been a fan of white vehicles. Luckily before my eyes completely popped out of my head I stumbled onto this: http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16627
Completely turned me around. Those are some damn good looking rides.
Now I'm psyched to test-drive one tomorrow. I know I should ask if the timing belt has been changed (it has 110K on it). Is there anything else specific to the X that I need to know? My father-in-law is going with me, he's ASE certified and he's been in the car business for over 20 years (I've been in the car biz for 5). I'm pretty sure he'll catch any big problems but I'm still a little nervous. My first car was brand new and my Celica was purchased new from the dealership where I work and had been maintained there religously (I know, I pulled the records).
Thanks!

Welcome to Club Xterra!

The timing belt is the big thing. Other than that, cracked exaust manifolds are rather common, so you might ask if the seller has had any problems with that.
Whenever I test drive a vehicle, I listen to the radio stations that are pre-programmed. If they are all acid rock, chances are the driver drives a little more aggressively.

Good luck!

Wellcome!

Thanks, it's comforting that you've got an Xterra and live in Colorado; that's where I'm moving (Ft Carson). Good tip about the radio stations. But it makes me wonder what people will think of mine (NPR and Metal) when I trade the Celica.

Welcome to the club; hopefully.
What year and model X did you find?
Ha, I like the idea of checking the radio stations. Will be filing that away.

It's an 01 SE automatic 4WD

In regard to the snow, Xs tear it up. I have H/T tires and even in 4HI in the snow I have a hard time breaking them.

my x handles like a dream in the new england weather i experience daily. def a good vehicle. and easy to trick it out.

I've got a 05 and always have to turn the traction control (VDC) off when I'm in snow. Don't know how the 1st gens are though. Tires make a big deal as well. Make sure to check the front end. I was lookin at a 04 and it drove nice and straight. I jacked up the front end and the upper control arms bushings and idler arm were shot.

Welcome to the club! You won't have the pep of the Celica, but I doubt you will miss it the first time you have to get somewhere in the snow. If you stick around here (hope you do), you will find all sorts of things to do it that will put your 5 years of experience to work. It will become an addiction of sorts.

welcome

Welcome to CX Glad my Stormtroopers page pulled you in... Ive had two white suv/trucks
I never thought id like white but I dont have to wash it as much as a dark color.. :D
X2 on the Timing belt after 105K it needs to be re done as well as the water pump.

Thanks so much for making me feel so welcome. Driving the X tonight but we may have hit a snag. Dad was researching the VIN and the originating dealer was in New Orleans. So that means we're going to have to look it over extra-close for flood damage. Nissan does have some warranty exclusions for those vehicles but so far none show up on this particular rig. Either way, now I know what I want and if I have to keep looking so be it.

Welcome!

Flood damage should be pretty easy to find on the X. Check the seat frames, and see if there is any rust there that looks out of the ordinary. That is one of the best clues that will indicate that the vehicle has been swimming. If you are feeling frisky, pull the door panels off and feel around in the shell. If the Gulf waters found their way up that high, you will find silt built up at the bottoms.

Don't trust Carfax on this one. There were so many vehicles hit by Katrina that I'm sure lots of them fell through the cracks. However, it might have an entry that would provide evidence that it wasn't near the flooding at the time, like possibly being involved in a bump up in Montana or something.

Just curious, but what tires/rims are on it? the 235 15"s, 265 15"s, or the 16" rims?

If you get the crappy mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain, etc we get here in central PA you'll want a nice set of tires for the winter season. Run the all seasons until it starts getting crappy out and throw the winter tires on. 4-wheel drive will help some, but it won't help if you're rolling down the road and have to maneuver or brake. That's all on your tires lol.

Our first gen came with the 265's on 15" rims. Crap ass size to try to find a nice set of snow/ice/whatever the hell mother nature can throw at you to cover the mountain between you and work tires. Ended up getting some WinterForces (would rather the Blizzaks but hey they're cheaper!) and some flat black 16" rims. Other than having should have slimmed down the tire width on the winter tires, the thing will handle any winter weather you can throw at it. And with how much ice we get around here I had the tires studded for some of the back crap roads we have to take. (Again, Blizzaks don't need/can't use studs)

If it's mostly snow, you could get a good set of tires with deep cuts that are siped and you should be all good.

Again, just my personal 2 cents that have made the X a beast in the snow/ice

So, I went to drive the X today and the guy who runs that dealership is an idiot. I decoded the VIN and it said 2wd. So I called the GSM, specifically asked and told him I was driving an hour. He said there may be a typo on the site but that it is definitely a 4wd. Lo and behold I pull in and he says he was mistaken and that it's 2wd. It's not like he goofed the color of the interior or the number of cupholders-- this is important information. On the brightside I looked it over and drove it and now I'm sure I want an X. I just have to find one in the next 33 days- ugh! Thanks for helping me make up my mind. Off to scour the interwebs for my new vehicle.

Good luck! It took me the better part of three months to find mine, but if you don't mind an automatic, I'm sure you'll find one in no time.

Welcome!

Good luck on your search for an X.

Welcome to the club!

Yeah, I'm out in CO too, up in Steamboat Springs.

Hi there. I'm in the same boat. Looking for a nice X myself. I used to live right by ft carson. In the winter watch out for ice on north academy. If you aren't going up in the mountains in the winter you will be fine with all terrain tires.

youll be happy when you find the one you wanted....i was in a tight bind and i had to get auto over stick....next time i wont wait till the last second to get a new whip

Welcome from Maine :)