2000 Xterra SE for sale a good idea?

Unless it is in pristine shape, I wouldn't feel comfortable paying that much for a 23-year-old rig. At 96K miles, if the t-belt was never changed (a distinct possibility), then it's due. They are supposed to be changed every 105,ooo miles or 7 years.

They are pretty much a mechanical 4x4 with a fully boxed frame. The Gen2 use electronics to shift the transfer case, which adds complexity and more points of failure. But they also have a 4.0L engine that's stronger than anything in Gen1.

If I saw $11K at the dealer and wanted to talk to them, they'd have to come down to closer to $5k or $6k. And I have even less budget than you do.

It's hard to gauge a vehicle's value without looking at it in person. Just doing a quick Kelley Blue Book search...with that mileage and even if it's an SE in excellent condition, it's still at best only a $4700-ish vehicle...even in California, that's way too much. Even though I have a soft spot for them, because I own a 2000 SE 4x4 X, that seems way overpriced.

11,000 is insane for a vehicle with 23 year old parts.

MeToo said:

Unless it is in pristine shape, I wouldn't feel comfortable paying that much for a 23-year-old rig. At 96K miles, if the t-belt was never changed (a distinct possibility), then it's due. They are supposed to be changed every 105,ooo miles or 7 years.

They are pretty much a mechanical 4x4 with a fully boxed frame. The Gen2 use electronics to shift the transfer case, which adds complexity and more points of failure. But they also have a 4.0L engine that's stronger than anything in Gen1.

If I saw $11K at the dealer and wanted to talk to them, they'd have to come down to closer to $5k or $6k. And I have even less budget than you do.

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RacerXXL said:

11,000 is insane for a vehicle with 23 year old parts.

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Thank you...I think I need to hear other people say it, too.

jnh82 said:

Hey all,

I'm a huge fan of the xterra's and am hoping to buy. Unfortunately, my budget isn't too impressive. I'm hoping to keep it at around 12k. I found a 2000 Xterra SE 4x4 with 96k miles for $11,000. No accidents and 1 owner. Even with the miles being under 100k, I feel like this price is steep, but I live in CA and it's at a dealership, so I'll see if I can't get them to go a bit lower.

I've done some research and it says the first gen xterra's were solid trucks, but just want to confirm. Most everyone around me is telling me this is a bad idea and I should pass. What are y'all's opinions?

Thanks in advance.

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$11k for a 2000 is some form of "California Dreamin"!
Browse carfax and you will find newer Xterras available for less than the $11k. With a Gen2 [2005-2015] you can bypass the timing belt and distributor maintenance.

Age is the big problem. With that many years you will have problems with rubber parts being dried out/shrunk. This is a big problem for the window seals and they are unfortunately very difficult to find. A lot of the parts for these vehicles are no longer made, so you have to do junkyard pulls.

As mentioned. You can find newer vehicles with the same or less miles for less than 11k. I love my 2003. I bought it in 2018 with 68k miles on it and paid around $6k for if I recall, but I also live on an island, and that inflates the prices significantly. Also keep in mind that you have to have it SMOG tested in California, and there's no guarantee that they won't change the regulations on you in the next year or two as they try to push for electric.