Used 2004 Nissan Xterra XE 4WD 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 5M) Consumer Reviews
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Xterra Del Fuego, Tahlequah, OK, 12/18/2020
Nissan Xterra XE 4WD 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 5M)
13 of 13 people found this review helpful
If I wasn't in to upland game bird hunting, fly fishing, mountain biking, and such-like, I wouldn't own anything as truculent as a truck. Since I am into those things, I've had some kind of low range, four-wheel drive vehicle since I was 21 years old, starting with an '87 Samurai, followed by an '89 Isuzu Trooper RS short-wheelbase 2DR, a '73 Bronco, an '88 Montero 2DR, and '87 Pathfinder, a '97 TJ Jeep, a 2007 4X4 Ranger, and, finally, my 2004 Xterra. I have a 2002 Mustang to drive every day. I only use the Xterra when my motoring plans require four-wheel drive, or I need to pull my M-416 cargo trailer to the home improvement store for a load of fertilizer for my garden, or get my boat to the water, in the water, and out of it. I was in the market for a gen-one Discovery or Discovery II when I came across my 2004 Xterra with 160,000 miles on it for $3,000.00. It had the same "command seating" position that I like in the Discovery/Discovery II. It has a similar "stadium seating" arrangement for the rear seat, too. It's a little narrower and less tall, which is nice on some of the trails I run, and it has a tighter turning radius, too. My Xterra also presents near-new, inside and out, and unlike pretty much every Discovery / Discovery II I've been in that wasn't new, my Xterra has zero squeaks and rattles. It also has the ground clearance I need to get where I want to go on the stock 31" tall tires and stock suspension and can take a 32" tall 265/75 -16 with no lift. A Discovery / Discovery II can't. PROS: Trail-friendly dimensions, command seating position, stadium seating for rear passengers lets them see what's coming on the trail; trail-worthy ground clearance, approach, departure, and breakover angles, in stock form; tight turning radius, good interior room, plus useful cargo capacity behind rear seat; highly functional factory roof rack; limited-slip rear differential; sufficient capability to handle majority of legal, open routes on BLM and Forest Service land; easy to clean, durable interior materials; a very easy to shift transfer case lever; a sweet-shifting five-speed manual gear box; acceptable 19-20 mpg Interstate fuel economy; comfortable ride on all road surfaces; currently enjoys good parts availability for a near 20 year old vehicle. Cons: The factory LSD could do a better job of sending torque across the rear axle. I wish it had 4:1 or even 3:1 low range gears instead of 2:1 as a lower low range would make my life on the trail a bit easier with my five-speed manual gearbox. Steering components, like tie rods, seem a little undersized and weak. It could use about 40 more horsepower and 40 more foot-pounds of torque. The engine bay is an unorganized mess of excessive wires and hoses and is a bit cramped for D.I.Y. wrenching. Stop and go city fuel economy is dismal and I average about 11 mpg when putzing along trails in low range and first, second, and third in the main box. Automatic freewheeling hubs kinda suck. Will replace with Warn manual units at some point. Not keen on factory location of spare tire. Common Problems I Know About: Leaky valve cover gaskets (mine were replaced by prior owner shortly before I bought my Xterra) that piss oil on the starter and cause that to fail, too. Exhaust manifolds crack and fail, catalytic converters fail ($3,100 in genuine Nissan parts to fix, plus another grand in genuine Nissan dealer labor); knock sensor failure; distributors sometimes eat themselves alive; plastic-tank radiator is no more or less reliable than Ford's. The engine is an "interference type" with belt-driven overhead cams. If you buy one of these, get proof (like I did) that the "front of engine service" was done at the recommended interval or budget to do it or have it done as soon as you buy. A broken cam drive belt in an interference engine can lead to serious internal engine damage. The Xterra isn't the sort of vehicle I'd personally want to drive every single day of my life. But, if you are the kind of person who has a use for the low-range four-wheel drive capability the vehicle has, the Xterra is something of a bargain considering what they go for now compared to how well they perform on the trail in stock form. Figure about 3K to get in to one, and another 3K to catch up on prior owner neglect, and you'll have a vehicle that will do everything a new Toyota 4-Runner will at a mere fraction of the price. As one of the last of the true off-pavement capable, body-on frame SUV's with low-range four-wheel drive, I expect that we're at the bottom of the value curve on these and clean, well-cared for ones will soon start seeing a rise in asking prices. Mine is worth a whole lot more to me than what I am into it for.
Everything you need, nothing you don't
Musher, Doylestown, PA, 10/28/2016
Nissan Xterra XE 4WD 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 5M)
28 of 31 people found this review helpful
I bought my 04 new over 12 years ago. It now has 188,000 miles and still has the original clutch and rear brakes. It has been extremely easy to maintain and is the best vehicle I have ever owned and it may last another 100,000 miles. Only complaint I really have is the poor acceleration in the quarter mile and for passing. If you want a back to basics SUV that is tough, affordable, and cool the X may work out for you. It's a good little beast in 4wd.
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2004 Nissan Xterra for sale near you
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- XE 4dr SUVMSRP: $5,700190 mi away
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2004 replaces the 2000
Patrick, Spring Grove, IL, 03/28/2020
updated 03/04/2024
Nissan Xterra XE 4WD 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 5M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Well I sold my 2000 with 300k and it was still running great and now its time to run the 2004 Which is basically the same vehicle with minor changes cosmetically to front end and instrumentation. This one has163k on it so far so good, its seems like it could be just as great as other one but I miss the steel front bumper and this one doesn't have the sunroof. UPDATE: 2004 with the 3.3 /automatic. I drive it 106 miles per day 5 days a week, I change oil every 3-4 thousand miles, all major components still operating as they should. This is not a 4 runner you will put money into it but for what I paid it evens out. I bought it with 132k it now has 285k during this time besides normal maintenace Ive put injectors, 1 convertor 1 starter and rear springs on it.They are notorious for check engine light being on. If you are somewhat mechanically inclined they are pretty easy to work on 2000-2004 are best ones to own
Xterra!
lancedotjpeg, Robbinsville, NC, 02/04/2012
Nissan Xterra XE 4WD 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
This is my primary car. I have owned the car only for a couple months. I really enjoy how the SUV is a manual, which makes it really fun to drive! The gas mileage is not too horrible, but could be improved. The car seems a bit basic, but I LOVE the 4x4. This car has been the best car I have ever had.
Solid 4X4
Mr. Dog, 08/28/2006
Nissan Xterra XE 4WD 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought my Xterra after carefully researching the vehicle, and scrutinizing the condition of the car itself. For the most part, I agree with most of the reviews. The ride is a bit stiff, which is good for a true SUV. The steering can be a bit squirrely, especially at lower speeds, but it is fine once you adjust to it. One point I wholly agree with is the underpowered engine. A truck like this should have a 4.0 as base, not an upgrade. The interior is comfortable, if a little sparse, save for the power windows and locks. I'd also like more up front storage. So despite it's few shortcomings, it's a great truck. I really, really like it. After all, Dogs love trucks!