Looking at getting a used Nissan Xterra or Lexus RX300

[maniacalpha1-1]

Was looking at buying a 2001ish Nissan Xterra or Lexus RX 300, there are several in the area that are around 150,000 miles and $5,995 or so. This would let me get the kind of vehicle I want and pay cash.

The question then is catastrophic maintenance. I mean if I have to pay $1000 or so to fix a radiator and a couple of belts, no problem.

But, what kind of costs could be reasonably anticipated for a major engine or transmission problem? $3,000? $5,000? I'm trying to decide if I can simply plan on such an expense and then there won't be any surprises.

 

[manimal]

You would be fine with either. Both are easy to work on and have an abundance of parts available cheaply.

I would try to find the best example of either and let value dictate your final choice.

RX a little more comfy. Xterra will probably be a little cheaper.

 

[rommelrommel]

They're quite different, the xterra is a competant 4x4, the RX is very much a cushy crossover. I think both are fairly reliable but when you're looking at $5-6000 cars you never really know how far off some major repair bills could be.

 

[phucheneh]

Yep, RX is more luxury car, Xterra is more truck.

I think the Nissan equivalent to the RX would be an [Infiniti] FX/EX (though they are RWD).

Nissan has the Pathfinder to Toyota's 4Runner. Xterra's closest mate is the FJ cruiser, probably. Certainly not the FWD-based RX300.

 

[Demo24]

The RX is going to be much better to drive on the road and overall be more comfortable. Xterra great if you need to go off road, mpgs will be worse than the RX though. Having driven a friends xterra from that year range, its OK, unstoppable off road but on road its much less comfortable. Also there is a surprising lack of space, which I attribute to the high floor, which also means you effectively sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you. I don't find it a comfortable vehicle to sit in for extended periods of time.

If commuting and grocery running, get the RX, off the beaten path xterra. Both are quite reliable and relatively cheap to repair.

 

[cardiac]

2 guys I work with have Xterra's, 1 is an '02 and the other an '04. They both have had severe transmission troubles. Both needed rebuilds.... Is this a common problem?

 

[jlee]

2 guys I work with have Xterra's, 1 is an '02 and the other an '04. They both have had severe transmission troubles. Both needed rebuilds.... Is this a common problem?

Heh, I used to work with a guy who had one (early 2000's, I think). I just heard that his transmission failed earlier this year.

I used to work with another guy who had one and loved it. Sooo I dunno, my sample size is pretty small.

 

[Black2na]

You would be fine with either. Both are easy to work on and have an abundance of parts available cheaply.

I would try to find the best example of either and let value dictate your final choice.

RX a little more comfy. Xterra will probably be a little cheaper.

This!! my sister has owned 2 RX trucks and have loved them and as someone who does family maintenance that truck was really solid.

 

[virtuamike]

The 3.3 in the Xterra is kinda underpowered. For the same price you should be able to find a Pathfinder or QX4, they switched to the 3.5 VQ mid 2001.

 

[Throckmorton]

The RX300 is like the ultimate chick car

 

[evident]

rx300 has a pretty reliable engine. i believe it still uses the 1mz-fe engine or some variant thats found in some older camry's. wife has an rx350 and it's been easy so far to do basic maintenance to. nothing yet catastrophic in 77k miles

 

[CraigRT]

They are quite different. If it were me, I would be looking for an X for sure.

 

[maniacalpha1-1]

The dealer that has the xterra and Lexus has some complaints on the net so I'm broadening my search. What would you all think of a 1999 4runner @185000 for listed price of 5995 and 2002 Isuzu rodeo at 125000 listed $4995? I know the rodeo isn't made anymore and parts are an issue but it looks nice.

 

[JulesMaximus]

The RX300 is like the ultimate chick car

Get a minivan? Or a Miata instead?

 

[JCH13]

Looked up the reliability charts on Consumer Reports (very much worth the subscription, BTW).

To me the choice is obvious.

Xterra:

RX 300:

 

[maniacalpha1-1]

I found myself a 99 RX 300 with 159500 miles, liking it!

Can a Toyota dealer do most of the service? There's one close.