2001 Nissan Xterra Review

My thoughts on the 2001 Nissan Xterra, with the 3.3L V6, and 5 speed manual transmission.
Tried and true sport utility vehicles are going away. Jeeps went from body-on-frame bare-bone offroaders, to spec'd-out leather-filled shopping carts. The original Xterra retains the old fashioned idea of a sport utility vehicle.
The first think I noticed about the Xterra was it's comically tall shifter. Sitting at the height of a two year old, there is no avoiding it. That being said I was skeptic of how I'd like it. I expected the throw to be long, and the clutch to be heavy. I was wrong, and I couldn't be happier. The shifter felt right. Paired with a torquey v6 and light clutch, the Xterra is a lot of fun to shift, and forgiving to novice drivers.
I struggled to enjoy the over all ride of the Xterra. While it wasn't harsh, I felt top heavy and willing to tip if I took a corner too hard. While it didn't compromise the car, I was weary of corners under hard acceleration.
Over all, I enjoyed the Xterra. The engine and transmission are exciting, engaging, and user friendly. Although the vehicle suffers from excessive body roll, I wish more SUVs stuck to this bare-bones sort of morals.

[@justing255]

The Xterra is all I’ve driven over the past 12 years. Definitely recommend. I’ve had 3 and cherish them all!

[@josephhecht2439]

You have had (3) within (12) years.... that’s not really helping those who are looking for reliability.

[@maineindividual5202]

Once my 2000 conks out ill upgrade to a newer one. Love the interior of the first few years models

[@jscott7432]

@@josephhecht2439 I have a 2001 Nissan Xterra 3.3l SE with 187,000 and it runs like a top. Im about to have the belts and timing belt/water pump replaced. 4 brand new shocks and 4 brand new tires. Recently had the 20 year old exhuast rebuilt also due to the northeast rust. Im hoping it will at least run another 100k miles.

[@Ricky16317]

I really appreciate your desire for a more bare bones truck/suv, it's hard to find people like that with all this fancy tech and materials around now

[@wyattbishop9286]

Nissans are great to mod for off road because they’re built on a truck frame with leaf springs in the rear. They are super capable off road and having a manual transfer case adds to offroad dependability. The xterra with a 3 inch lift and sone decent tires can be very capable offroad.

[@phanith3368]

Wyatt Bishop

[@djsantiagornfl7264]

Great review. I was in 🇭🇹 too while serving the the Military and you’re absolutely correct on the vehicles they drive. Im considered an Xterra, stick, and I keep coming back to the 2001. Out here in Arizona there’s a big off road community. I think the Xterra is a perfect fit for me financially and for what I need. I considered an older 4Runner but finding a decent one under 280k miles is tough.

[@barefooboy17]

Good review! I bought the 2005, second Gen Xterra with the 4.0 V6 and had it for 12 years and then bought a 2012 PRO 4X with the 6 speed manual. I love them both

[@DARIVSARCHITECTVS]

The only think I don't like about the XTerra is the poor gas mileage.

[@jrmiss4167]

It’s so shitty

[@maineindividual5202]

Typical of a v6 heavy truck based suv with 4x4 . i have one. These tbings are tanks

[@DARIVSARCHITECTVS]

@@maineindividual5202 I agree. The XTerra is a TANK! It will last forever if you take care of it. The same is true of my Toyota 4Runner. Mine has 275,000 miles on it and still runs like new (and looks like new too!)

[@r.emp1re]

2000 Xterra with 389000 kms ... Only thing that broke down are normal things you need to change on a vehicle this age with this mileage. I tow heavy, go off road with it and I like to abuse it ... Those are bulletproof man

[@NickTarterOKC]

I actually own an 01 Xterra with a 5 speed. It’s a beast. I also own a 97 Jeep Wrangler. They are both great and are actually surprisingly similar in many ways. If I had to pick one, it would be the Xterra. Capability is similar but the Xterra is bigger and easier to carry my gear in.

[@oreomodz5197]

True but if I had the cash to get a 2022 new car I would ether get a Ford bronco or a jeep wrangler but for older cars nissian xterra is better for older years and much more affordable especially if using like a work horse

[@dleblanc3592]

I’ve commented before but I will add this. I’ve been driving stick for over three decades. I have an 02 Xterra non-supercharged 3.3 L V6 four-wheel-drive five speed manual. High shift at low RPMs. It’s called hyper mile. I get close to 30 miles per gallon when I do that

[@bombis1112]

I love my 2001 nissan xterra

[@dleblanc3592]

It’s a hydraulic clutch my friend. My hydraulic clutch on my first generation has 120,000 miles original to the truck 2000 to 120 on the odometer very forgiving you cannot stole it cannot stall out it’s impossible to stall out on my truck. I teach manual transmission lessons to all my neighbors kids everybody on my block can drive my Xterra I have random keys at random neighbors houses and they take it when they please and they drive it when they please I have six more Xterra‘s waiting to be driven all with the five speed manual

[@alexgallegos7582]

That's the same engine my 93 Pathfinder has, only thing you ever have to worry about is the timing belt but those last forever too I'm on the original at 193k

[@sekekamawow5386]

Alex Gallegos changed mine at 190k , my mechanic was surprised lol.

[@insmileyfacemur4242]

There are great engines they don't make engines like that anymore

[@dleblanc3592]

The shift linkage comes out from underneath the compartment below the radio, and that linkage is bolted to the longer shifter

[@georgewkush542]

Have you never been in an old manual truck before? They all have big shift levers my guy....

[@AlexA-ef9tb]

I was looking at the Nissan Xterra as a replacement for my Pontiac Aztek that was totaled. I liked the size and the generation i was looking at came with the VQ35 from the 350z. I ended up getting a Trailblazer SS, which offered a little more space and a LS2 upfront.

[@the.malinski]

Great review, thank you!

[@shadowing48]

Not to be rude but the 300 had a vg30tt not the vg33e that's in the Xterra. Pretty much the same motor but the vg33 has slightly more displacement and a few internals are different. Now the Nissan Hardbody/d21 had the same vg30 that the 300z had. Just clearing things up!

[@strato_5459]

my 97 pathfinder has the same drive train setup. same engine and same 5 speed. that engine is a pretty decent engine for what it his honestly. and smaller automatic suvs like that and that era were shit anyways they always blew. these cars are fun manual

[@djqjmix4624]

Im here because im about to buy one

[@wryyysespieces]

Yeah, the most simple cars in production today seem to be more affordable compact economy cars such as the Mitsubishi Mirage, Chevrolet Spark or Nissan Micra

[@djqjmix4624]

Lol xterra runs the streets of Haiti 💯💯💯

[@japowers99ify]

I've never met anyone who thought the 4wd shifter made it a straight gear.

[@samcartwright5910]

I can't wait to get my licence so I can drive mine

[@perryingraham]

Nissan rouge does the stadium seating

[@457rick]

They have a 2 foot long shifter

[@williambreeze2659]

Love this suv!

[@victorcreed8856]

Great job man!!

[@457rick]

Never drove a 60s 70s 80s 4 speed pick up? apparently not

[@Fearice7]

W

[@adobooffroad]

280k km 2001 xterra buy or not?

[@bwehm1]

jose martinez yeah buy it I got one it’s awesome

[@autofiras]

Keep going 👍🏻

[@keeganpetersen6928]

Would you recomend the manual over the auto?

[@nathanc2222]

Keegan Petersen honestly if you can drive a manual, always go that route. The reliability of a manual is second to none.

[@s3rg457]

Lmaoo i actually took my first gen crv on a few off road trails

[@MultiSpencerc]

Hey Zach, I have the opportunity to buy a 60000 mile 1997 Ram Sport 2WD with a 5.2L V8. Can I ask for your opinion on yours?

[@ShootingCars]

Spencer Christiansen my truck has been great, my only complaint is the body rust is bad. We plan on scrapping the truck later this year just because we can't keep up with the rust repairs. Other than that it's been a great truck. I still use it to trailer my rx7 around

[@MultiSpencerc]

Shooting Cars the one I found is actually extremely clean, being a Canada truck that's uncommon. Only rust on the truck is on the front left fender, and it's covered by a flare for the time being. Just not sure about gas for it!