I finally picked up a new...(well newer) truck! Its an 07 Nissan Xterra SE, 70K, one adult owner, bull bar, running boards, roof rack, tail light guards, new tires, SUPER CLEAN inside and out. The best part about the deal was that I got the truck for $1000 under list and $3500 under what the dealer was asking all because someone made a mistake and listed it online for $11,000 instead of $14,500 lol! Its silver with black trim and I cant wait to tow my Tracker PT17 to the lake with it. This is my second Xterra, my first was an 01 and went STRONG for 250k miles before it gave out, I sold it for $1000 and the next guy got another 40k out of it. I hope this one lasts as long.

I think I'm on the same trajectory as you, but with 4Runners instead. My current one has got 210K miles on it and still running strong. Driver seat is ripped up though (Needs recovering). I love getting my money's worth out of trucks! Glad to hear you got a good deal. 

I have an suv and without a doubt my next vehicle will be another full size truck. I dont just fish, my life besides work and family revolves around the outdoors. I need the bed.

I researched for months before I pulled the trigger on this truck. I needed something really rugged but with a 6 cylinder engine to save on gas costs. It came down to a Jeep Wrangler or an Xterra. My Father has a 2010 4door Wrangler Sport which I used often and like, but when I drove the Xterra there was no question. The 4.0 VQ engine has tons of power, is extremely reliable, and the hard poly plastic in the back is really useful. I can get it as dirty as I want and just wipe it clean or hose it out, its like having a small truck bed in the back. Plus everything folds flat including the front passenger seat. Not to mention the Xterra sits on the F-Alpha frame that the FJ cruiser, Titan, and Frontier share. I can definitely understand the need for a full bed if your truck is going to be used for more than daily driving and fishing.

One thing you need to worry about with the Nissan SUV's is the catylitic converters. In IL we have to pass a smog test to renew the plates. My sons Pathfinder had 4 converters. At 275k it wouldn't smog because 2 converters were bad. Repairs were $1500. More than the truck was worth.

That's awesome! Congratulations!

One thing you need to worry about with the Nissan SUV's is the catylitic converters. In IL we have to pass a smog test to renew the plates. My sons Pathfinder had 4 converters. At 275k it wouldn't smog because 2 converters were bad. Repairs were $1500. More than the truck was worth.

In NJ we have pretty strict emissions inspections too. I have the truck under warranty for the next 2 years and by then hopefully I'll have most of it paid off. Sorry to hear about ur sons truck, 275k is a lot of mileage to get out of any vehicle though. What did you guys end up doing with the Pathfinder?

That's awesome! Congratulations!

 

Thanks Glenn!

In NJ we have pretty strict emissions inspections too. I have the truck under warranty for the next 2 years and by then hopefully I'll have most of it paid off. Sorry to hear about ur sons truck, 275k is a lot of mileage to get out of any vehicle though. What did you guys end up doing with the Pathfinder?

They offered me $400 as a trade in. I ended up selling it to a friend of a guy I worked with, who is a mechanic, for $1500. The drivetrain could probably have lasted another 275k. The interior was shot and it had some issues with the power windows going up and down at will and a rear seal leak. The guy who bought it flips cars but said he was going to keep it for himself. The car had been in the family since new. Aside from basic maintenance and tires, the only repair it needed prior to the end was the computer replaced at around 100k