need a new truck soon

[Buzzman]

It's probably been talked about before, but I haven't seen any discussions lately.
My 2002 Pathfinder is on it's last legs. I'm pushing it to get through this winter, but that will probably be the last one it sees.
It has 320,000 KMS on it, and it shows.
It hasn't broken down or cost me any money, but that's only because I'm choosing not to do anything to it anymore.

I still need a vehicle similar to this one, for my business, but nobody makes anything like it anymore.
Every freekin' SUV is a hockey mom mobile now. The current Pathfinder is garbage.
I'd love to be able to buy a brand new 2002 Pathfinder, but they don't make them anymore.

Anyway, does anyone have any ideas for a replacement?
I'd get an Xterra, if they still made those, but alas, no luck there either.

Cheers.

[AlanAZ]

Are you looking for new, or used? If used, do you have a target age?

[Buzzman]

I was originally thinking new, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense to go with something almost new, like maybe only 2-3 years old.
I don't drive it nearly as much as I used to, and don't anticipate increasing my usage.
I did less than 10,000 kms this year (about 6,000 miles), so a new truck/suv might be overkill.
At the same time, I'm leery about inheriting someone else's problem child when buying used, so I want to be careful.
FYI, I'm not interested in a pick up truck. Don't like them.

[AZhitman]

We bought a '14 Xterra 6speed Pro-4x last year and love it.

Our "shop truck" is a 2004 Xterra with 320k miles. They're simply bulletproof. You're not "inheriting someone's problems" by buying used, IF you do your homework.

I've owned new cars that went to the dealer WAY more times than my used cars did.

[Buzzman]

We bought a '14 Xterra 6speed Pro-4x last year and love it.

I've been thinking about trying to find an Xterra from the last model year (2015?), but they are few and far between around here.
I remember looking at them a few years ago at the dealership, just before they stopped production, and it looked and felt an awful lot like my Pathfinder.
What about a used 4Runner? Any thoughts?

[AZhitman]

4runners and Xterras are holding their value very well.

A few-year-old 4R will be substantially more pricey than a comparable Xterra. They're really not competitors.

No reason to limit yourself to 2015, as it was a short run. Look for a 2012+ with low miles and the goodies you want - they're damn near identical anyway, no sense in paying for "newness."

[Buzzman]

Thanks for the advice.
Big problem I have here is the environment.
Canadian winters take their toll, so even though a 2012 model may be good in theory, unless it's been put away every winter, it will have seen 6 seasons of ice, snow and salt. Even a low mileage vehicle driven in winter will rust the same as a higher mileage unit around here.
That's why I'm probably going to try and stick to something that's 3 years old, or newer.
My Pathfinder was oil sprayed almost every year for the first ten years of it's life, but it's rusting badly now.
That's why I need to replace it. The engine is still solid on it, and it runs well, but everything else is deteriorating quite badly.

[AZhitman]

Why not get one from the desert?

Even with a $1000 in transport fees, that's still a deal.

[Buzzman]

There's a lot more to it than just transport fees if I'm bringing in a car from the U.S.
If it's 15 years or older, the process is much easier, but if it's newer, it's a major PITA.
We spend a fair bit of winter time in Florida, and I have looked into bringing back a rust free 15 year old pathfinder or QX4, so I may still pursue that avenue.
To buy a five year old southern Xterra and bring it back would probably be more trouble than it's worth, especially given our current exchange rate.
Thanks for the idea though.

[AZhitman]

Gotcha. I forgot you were in CAN.

A good friend is here for the winter (he's from NS), he transports a lot of older Z cars (and other desireable, 15+ year old) vehicles up there each year.

You're right - it would only make sense if it was financially feasible. An early QX4 with super-low miles might be nice though!

[Buzzman]

Gotcha. I forgot you were in CAN.

An early QX4 with super-low miles might be nice though!

That's where my heart is, to be honest.
I check the internet (Craigslist, etc) every couple of weeks to see what's available down there, and sometimes a really nice sounding low mileage unit shows up for sale.
I'd do it in a heartbeat, but I get push back from my wife every time I mention it. Sigh.