why I got an objectively worse car

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
08/23/2020 at 22:15 • Filed to: None

Why would you get a car that gets such bad fuel economy?

Why would you get something slower?

Why would you get something older?

Why would you get something with higher miles?

Why would you get something with less features?

I’ve had several people ask my why I got rid of my car and the answer is pretty simple, but also not.

First off, I got bored. I’ve owned 3 different cars over 4 years, but they were all similar once you boiled them down to their basics: high-mileage luxury sedans. I get bored of cars fast, but that’s expedited by the fact that it’s mostly the same experience, just with different features and levels of speed. I live in the Ozarks, my fiancee and I want to do more hiking and exploring and this fits that much better than a probably soon to be lowered sport sedan.

Second, my G37 needed work, a lot of work. It needed new front pads and rotors, a transmission mount, a lot of paint work, all new fluids (oil, transmission, both differentials, coolant, and power steering), and a full exhaust, likely including cats. Sure that’s a lot of stuff I can DIY to save money, but that’s a lot of time and that’s something I don’t have much of. Not including paint work, that would have still been close to $1500, not including any labor. It still ran and drove great, but I was at the threshold of losing a very small amount of money or investing a lot into it. I was into the G37 for $4500, this Xterra is worth about $4000, possibly more in Illinois (my home state) since it’s completely rust free.

Third, this is exactly what I wanted. Mechanically, it’s excellent, with no leaks or drips to speak of. The suspension is all super solid. It’s very quiet and smooth, considering it’s a truck based Duplo block on wheels. I’m actually pretty sure it’s quieter than my G37, due to a much lower idle on the highway (2100 RPM vs 2800 RPM). It’s comfortable and easy to drive and just eats up the miles. The interior is in very good shape, with minor wear on the seats and steering wheel, but no rips or tears. The body work is solid with no dents, just a couple of hail dings, some normal scratches, and some swirl marks. Everything perfect for a daily that will get some trail time and likely get scratched and scuffed during its use. Everything is super easy to work on and parts are cheap and abundant. Sure, fuel economy isn’t great but with it taking regular VS premium, fuel costs are very similar to the Infiniti’s. Insurance is less, oil is less, brakes are less, everything is at least equal but usually less.

And I’ve already put it to good use. I’ve already taken it down 5 different trails and I’ve got plans to take it to more. I’ve got a few minor maintenance issues to take care of, but once I get those done it’ll be ready to go for a long time. I’ve upgraded the stereo with some Kicker speakers and a Pioneer head-unit. There’s plenty of other things I want to do to it, but nothing crazy. I plan on keeping this a while because I know once I inevitably get bored of it, I’ll just let my soon- to- be- wife have it.

DISCUSSION (19)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
08/23/2020 at 22:32

I think buying a totally different class of vehicle (sporty sedan to SUV) is the best way to do it. You can focus on what the new one offers that the old one never could. Everything the Xterra offers you, you’ve already laid out nicely. I get bored very quickly as well, but there’s nothing I want to buy that I’m willing to pay for at the moment. I’m glad you found what you wanted for a killer price and lost almost nothing on the last car.

Seems like only yesterday you owned that GS300...

dogisbadob > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
08/23/2020 at 22:33

glad you like your new car

jminer > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
08/23/2020 at 22:35

This is solid rationalization. I’m thinking seriously about a similar trade down to a SUV from my TDI for the same reasons.

Where in Il are you? I’m on the Missouri side about 30 min south of St Louis. That truck is the perfect vehicle for these Ozark roads with little challenging around where decent clearance and 4x4 will get you almost anywhere!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
08/23/2020 at 22:41

I get it. I had a long string of FWD, compact cars, all naturally aspirated, all safe.

So I sold my 01 Civic to buy something different. I wants more power, and something more fun on dirt roads, so red, or AWE. I Ended up with my Galant VR-4.

I hope I don’t have have to buy anything with 4 wheels for awhile, but when I do it’ll probably be a truck or SUV. Something that’ll tow/haul better than my 3 series, and something to take on offroad Adventures.

Speed > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
08/23/2020 at 23:16

I absolutely love this generation Xterra and Frontier. They don’t have the cache of a Toyota on the #gram, but they have the capability, reliability and are just solid rigs. When you factor in the money, it’s crazy. I’m a big fan of the beefy, boxed chassis and the fact that you can swap in a full Titan front differential and suspension if your heart desires a wide stance, beefed up parts and longer travel using OEM parts. That’s the coolest thing about them. They call it “T swapped”. Keep sharing your adventures with this rig! I’d love to run my project Silverado through some of the Ozarks once I finish enough of it’s issues to get it trail worthy.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
08/23/2020 at 23:26

I really can understand the trade. It saves you money on replacing a whole bunch of wear items that were due while allowing you to experience something new. I always liked the Xterras - nearly bought a beautiful earlier one in green myself - but I also wasn’t trying to shake anything up.

Also, it’s quite hard to find one with 4x4 optioned, much less find a place to take it around here. For some reason, dirt doesn’t exist in middle Georgia. Like, there is actually no stretch of publicly accessible unpaved road, trail, whatever, short of 2 hour drive away and you’d have to go further to get anything good.

Those headlights seem a little clouded. Maybe do the toothpaste trick or buy a kit?

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/24/2020 at 00:15

Crazy to think I got my GS300 over 4 years ago. Also crazy to think I only put 5000 miles on it haha, I now do that in about 3 months. Who knows what I’ll end up with next, but probably something along the lines of Miata, MR2 Spyder, or Mini Cooper S.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Speed
08/24/2020 at 00:16

Yeah, you can basically swap any drivetrain part from the Titan, the VK56 swap is pretty popular. I may do that at some point, who knows. It’s as close to plug and play as an engine swap gets.

It’s a much better value than a 4Runner, despite being basically identical on paper and on the road. For the same years and miles, an Xterra is usually around 1/2 the price.

And that’d be a lot of fun! You should let me know, it’d be a fun Oppo trip to hit the trails in the Ozarks

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > jminer
08/24/2020 at 00:20

I’m from Springfield IL, but I live close to Springfield MO for my school. If you don’t mind my asking, what area are you in? I’m familiar with the area, my fiancée is from the Festus/Hillsboro area.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
08/24/2020 at 00:23

They’re not bad, but a little clouded. I’m gonna try toothpaste and then a kit, I’ll definitely be getting better bulbs too. The ones it has are super basic halogens that are basically a couple of candles vaguely pointing to the road. I’m also considering painting or bedlining the front and rear bumpers, they’re both faded and that’d do well against whatever nature throws at it.

jminer > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
08/24/2020 at 00:30

That’s a pretty corner of the state down there - enjoy exploring.

I live between Imperial and Arnold so about 15-20 minutes north of Hillsboro.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
08/24/2020 at 00:35

Do you have a bottle of ATF laying around? Rub that into the bumpers. Do it periodically as needed. Takes 5-10 minutes and can last months. Test a small spot if you don't believe me.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/24/2020 at 00:36

No but I was planning on going to Walmart tomorrow anyway, so I’ll give it a try!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
08/24/2020 at 08:35

Yes, I noticed the faded bumpers and clouded headlights in the initial photos. Looks like you've armoralled them since then but that wouldn't be a bad idea.

Taylor Martin > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
08/24/2020 at 10:40

They’ll never understand you like we do. It’s easy for an outsider looking in to not see all the good things the X-Terra brings to the table, including the trailblazing features a luxury sedan could never match.

Nice pictures by the way, looking forward to seeing more!

The Ghost of Oppo > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
08/24/2020 at 23:01

Damn I think I am gonna go check out some Xterras. I’ve been wanting a change from my Mazda3 and have my heart set on a new Tacoma but I don’t feel financially motivated to make that move. I’ve never been an SUV person so I never paid much attention to the Xterra, but the value compared to a 4runner or any truck is crazy good. With off roading and overlanding becoming so popular I wonder if prices will hold/go up in the next few years.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > The Ghost of Oppo
08/25/2020 at 09:58

I don’t see them getting much more expensive, but I also don’t see them getting cheaper. The availability of used offroaders is ever dwindling, with them being discontinued or neutered, a la Pathfinder. They’re one of the best deals for what you get IMO, especially since you don’t have to pay Toyota tax. The Frontier is the same way if you want a pickup.

The Ghost of Oppo > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
08/25/2020 at 11:06

I found a 2010 Off-road trim with a manual near me with 125k miles on it. But it’s at a stereotypical shady used car dealer and they’ve had it since April so I don’t know what to think. Manuals are not popular in my neck of the woods so that might be the reason it hasn’t sold, but who knows.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > The Ghost of Oppo
08/25/2020 at 12:34

Worst case scenario, test drive it to see if you like it! But that’s the 2nd best combo, right after the Pro-4x with a stick