Stories behind your vehicles!

[AaronsX]

So I have 2 stories behind my two vehicles I have owned. Just how I ended up owning then because of the previous owners. Not all of us will have a story (if you don't know or you bought it new) lol but I'm interested to hear some.

On my jeep: I found it on craigslist and drove to a small town right across the mississippi river. The guy was a first responder for the fire department. With the jeep being a manual 4cy with 33's it didn't accelerate quickly or have a good top speed (75mph). They guys wife was also expecting another kid, he said he wouldn't have room for 2 kids and his fire gear in the jeep and it didn't get him to calls quick enough. He owned it for 3 months and said he had done no mods to it just put gas in and drove. The day before I bought it he responded to a car wreck, he said this women's feet had been cut off in the collision and he had to cut her out. Needless to say there was some blood on the seat covers so my first stop was walmart where i purchased new seat covers. After making the purchase I later found out it had 11 owners...yes 11! The floor was caked with mud and the top was falling apart. I put a lot of work into that thing, and I mean a lot! I loved driving the thing it was my very first car at 16! I was sad to see it go but made a promise what ever I got next would be 4x4...hahaha not! The guy who owns it now is also a first responder for the EMS not to far from me, I have people tell me all the time they think its me when Ive owned my xterra since April.

On my xterra: The story isn't as long which is a good thing cause it wasn't abused.
I was going to nashville to buy a red 2000 4x4 5speed xterra...on the 45 minute drive to nashville the dealer took it to auction!! And I called to tell them I was on my way to get the X!! Within the time of them selling the red on and me driving to nashville they got my blue X. The xterra had 2 owners and I made 3. The first owner owned it 10 years, I know nothing about them. The second owner was a foreign man from africa (I assume from looking at his name) They said he sold it because he was going back to his country for some reason. Thats about all I know on my Xterra

 

[Macland]

Story on my first truck.
My papa had a 71 Chevy Cheyenne long bed and a pretty decent 4x4 bronco and I got to pick between the two for my first vehicle. Being 15 years old at the time I picked the pickup in order to mow lawns easily to make money in the summers. Sometime during that summer after he'd given me the truck my dad and I began sanding the whole thing down in our spare time. The pickup was a two tone yellow and white and we went back with a nice blue color. Mechanically the truck was in good shape for being as old as it was. My papa was the original owner so I knew it'd been taken care of. I had some gas tank issues and the gauge was woefully unreliable. I ended up stranded on multiple occasions which would have worked out a couple times, with a girl, except the cops showed up because we looked suspicious I had 10" glass packs on that truck and it was LOUD That was probably my favorite part of the truck.

Ultimately I sold the truck because it was unreliable and I didn't have anywhere to put it I'm still bummed about it.

Next up my parents bought me a 2006 Mustang GT in exchange for me going to college and graduating completely on scholarship. That car hauled butt! I loved having the Shaker 1000 system and the dual exhaust on this car as well. I took it too 135mph only once and 130 another time and wouldn't recommend it to anyone with half a brain. It was very foolish and I look back on it now thinking "how crazy was I?"

After meeting my wife, she was actually the one that was interested in the Xterra and by researching it I became hooked. About 2 years ago I helped a friend put a car seat in the back of the stang and after that I knew it had to go. It's just not kid friendly and I had every intention of having a family (hence baby on the way.) So I put it on craigslist and put a sign in the window until a nice gentleman from the Air Force decided he needed a more reliable rig. He was being shipped out to Seattle and was driving a piece of junk pickup that barely made it here from Minnesota. After taking a short test drive with me he told me he'd have his financing ready and his rig sold in a week. He actually sold his truck that night by listing it on craigslist for just a $1000. The vice principal at the high school jumped on it for his daughter and this guy was $1000 richer. Unfortunately we both did business with Wells Fargo and Oklahoma doesn't have WF. So we had to drive an hour and a half just for him to get the cashiers check and me to turn around and immediately deposit it. Being the nice guy I am I told the guy I wanted to buy him lunch and after that, being the nice guy he was, he let me drive it home

Two weeks later my wife and I found the perfect X for me and we drove 3 1/2 hours to Dallas to buy it. I took a quick test drive on the highway and back around to the dealership before we went back inside and wrote up the paperwork. The rest is documented well on the forum

 

[Ricel]

My best friend, a fire fighter owned a 1st gen black Xterra. He loved it for the cargo room and the gear transport, but moved to southern mass where he worked for a district. Living in the boonies, and visitingne in college all the time, he put a ton of miles on it. I drooled over that car for years. Oh the college drunk stories I could tell in that car. (at that time I would have never though that I we piling onto what would be my door pocket...) so after driving it for a while and wanting another car, he was going to put it up for sale. That day I told him I'd buy out his loan and take it off his hands... So $3500 later and a RI DMV visit I was the new owner of the Xterra i've known for years.

Now, after she's been wheeled hard, jacked up, and then parked next to my roommate/best friends explorer, (yeah same guy) he's getting jealous of what could have been his Xterra.

 

[AaronsX]

haha great stories! I also forgot to add, my dad pulled me out of school in the middle of the day. It was pouring down rain, and we met the guy at the bank to see my jeep. We ended up in a powersports parking lot trying to remove my license place with a nickel! Lol. Then that day after school me and my dad were driving to nashville to go look at a 4x4 red xterra! I was stocked it was red and 4 wheel drive just what I wanted! On our way there we got a call saying they took it to auction that day (after my dad called that morning saying to hold it and they agreed to old the X) it had been sold at auction...$%*! But they had another xterra that came in that day, which I now own. They also had a 4x4 4runner but it had close to 200,000 miles on it and my dad didn't want that since I most likey won't get a new car for the next 4 years. The X had 125k miles so we went with it, I was upset since it was only 2wd and since it was a automatic. But it has a sunroof and it my favorite color in a car...blue.

 

[Cyclemut]

My first X I got after it was rolled. But get in wayback machine a couple of months before that to Moab, Utah.

My father and I were wheeling in my '83 HiLux. I was out there at the same time as one of the original goneMOAB trips, but because I was in my Lemondrop (the Yota), I wasn't allowed. After getting into town and picking up my dad, we went out to get some food. After parking my rig and starting to wait to be seated at the Moab Brewery, I noticed more and more Xterras pulling into the parking lot. But no one was getting out. Odd. I was telling my dad about the X's and all of a sudden, everyone got out and started walking towards the entrance of the brewery, where my father and I were standing. I was surrounded.

A buddy of mine (at the time) popped out of the group and asked if I could go with them. I told him "Why? I'm going to eat dinner with my dad and hit the sack." He looked at me weird and then began to grin. He realized I didn't know what was going on and that a couple of X'ers had seen me drive in. Someone, Jorge, had rolled his X on the Golden Stairs on Golden Spike trail. Since I didn't have my CB on, I didn't hear anyone calling for me after they had seen me.

They couldn't get his truck started after they recovered it and it was still on the trail. They were also trying to figure out who they could get to go out there and tow it off the trail when they saw me rolling into town. Now they had a mechanic that they knew could get it going and had sent a search party out into Moab to find me.

So, after getting the whole story from Ian (originator of XOC and the entire X thing as we know it, IMHO), my father and I agreed to go out and get Jorge's truck running. Which we did.

After that, the truck was paid off by insurance (amazing, but true! It was on a designated trail and a designated obstacle) and it was towed to Salt Lake City, then to Denver. Jorge bought it back for $1200 and wanted me to take all of his goodies off of it and replace them with stock stuff. I agreed as long as I could buy the resulting wreck when it was all said and done. Which is what I did. I paid him more than he paid for it from insurance and started to modify it from there.

Here's a pic shot by a guy in a Bronco forum just after I got it back on the road, back in Moab. I was dating my now wife at the time and we drove from Denver to Moab just like you see it, no windows. It snowed on us going over Eisenhower and Vail pass. She married me anyway. I rolled it a day before the picture was taken, in the Black Hole hot tub on Hell's Revenge, the cage held up nicely.

The Xterra I have now is my wife's old 2002 X, 2WD. Converting it 4WD via SAS hopefully before goneMOAB this coming year. If not, then I'll be driving my wife's current Xterra, a 2011 Pro4 X that's fully Shrocked, armored and winched.

We like Xterras.

 

[hoplesshumansrus]

Well the complete story of my Xterra is a long one that involves scandals, sex and coverups. Well sort of. After graduating from undergraduate in Maine, I immediately got a job and started working at a Boy Scout Camp as the Conservation and Ecology Director on Catalina Island. Every week there was a new batch of kids and new troop leaders. One particular leader, a female leader of a venture scout crew and one of the long term beneficiaries of the camp, took quite the liking to me. Being as my uppers were idiots and I had ample time to slack off, I spent many hours sitting on a porch drinking coffee and joking around with this lady. A few days after her troop leaves I receive a call from her asking if I would like a $2000 grant to get my program going. I gladly accepted the money and use it while starting the program. After about 5 months of work there, I began to get island fever, did not like my uppers or any of my co-workers that much. So I quit once I had been accepted to Grad school in Indiana. I stayed in contact with the venture scout leader via email, chat and the occasional phone call. One day I get a call from from her saying that she still had checks that were going to be used as grants but had my name alone on them and not the organizations. She asked if I wanted them and I said sure. Latter on in the year I get invited to go to Vegas with her, This lady is quit my elder. One night in vegas, after blacking out at a club, I apparently had sex with her and it must have been good. When winter came I got invited to go skiing and went, but brought a friend with me for protection from this horny old cougar. I told her that while I did enjoy her company I was not interested in her sexually and denied any advances. After this, I began to receive monetary help on a very regular basis. One day, after mentioning my current car was shiatting the bed she said she would help me purchase a new vehicle. I didn't think this would actually happen until I saw that $22,000.00 had been wired to my account. SO I began the search for a vehicle. At first I never even thought about an xterra as I had only noticed the horribly ugly yellow xterras. But after researching vehicles for a while for my needs, I really started to notice the 2nd Gen xterra. I searched for about two months before finding my xterra ( 2009 s; and I bought it summer of 09') used with only 12,000 miles. When asked about how I would like to finance it, I looked across the street saw a chase bank and said I would be right back. One cashiers check latter, I was driving away in my new x. And now I guess its no guess about who sends me things such as >$1,000.00 aluminum skids. AMERICA F**K YEAH

 

[drbandkgb]

Best story ever


Sent from my iPhone that doesn't crash like the android did...

 

[Xterradude05]

^ I agree.

 

[Macland]

That's like something straight out of a movie. Can you see about getting me some sliders? Jk

 

[AbuseTheElderly]

Yes! This.^^^^^^^

My Xterra's original owner was my wifes aunt Sabrina who purchased it used with 30k on the odometer. She owned it up to 130k miles and the SES light popped up on the dash, so she took it up to a mechanic to have it diagnosed. Turns out the mechanic didn't know what he was talking about and said that it came on due to the knock sensor being faulty. He quoted her $1600 to get to it and replace it, Sabrina loved the X and had wanted one since they came out, but only using it for commuting was costing a small fortune. A week later she purchased a 2nd gen Prius and called my wife and I to see if we wanted to drive to Sacramento for a visit. When we got there she was pulling everything out of the Xterra and bringing it inside the house. To our surprise, she was cleaning it out to send it back with us. She explained the situation to me with the SES light and what the mechanic said, she just didn't want to fix it after buying the Prius. The Xterra's smog check was coming up soon and it would not pass with the SES light on.

While driving it home after visiting, the SES light went off and stayed off. I told Sabrina and she was glad that it had gone off but was skeptical as to if it was going to stay off. Two months later (SES light still off) we took it down to have it smogged, passed with ease. So, we got our 2001 X because a mechanic mis-diagnosed the SES light and over-estimated the repair. We have kept my wife's aunt in the loop with what has been going on with the X and even sent her pics of the first time we took it wheeling (seXTERRA Fall 2011 Run). She was extremely happy with how everything turned out, not having to pay for it to be fixed and all. Now, any time I do a new mod I send her pics. Sabrina is my favorite aunt!

 

[AbuseTheElderly]

That's like something straight out of a movie. Can you see about getting me some sliders? Jk

I dunno, I would be worried about what he would have to do to get them!:concern: lol

 

[hoplesshumansrus]

^^^^^what he said^^^^

 

[AaronsX]

Lol some awesome stories here, keep them coming! I love laughing at some of these ha.

 

[TJTJ]

I dunno, I would be worried about what he would have to do to get them!:concern: lol

Ironically, ABUSE THE ELDERLY is worried about having to bang a cougar for mods.

 

[AaronsX]

Ironically, ABUSE THE ELDERLY is worried about having to bang a cougar for mods.

hahahaha

 

[AbuseTheElderly]

Awesome!

Sent from my Galaxy S Showcase

 

[hoplesshumansrus]

Shoot I think there needs to be an additional avatar banner available, the "Cougar Acquisitioner" Status

 

[AbuseTheElderly]

If there were, you would have it! lol :lols:

 

[NOXIOUS007]

Well the complete story of my Xterra is a long one that involves scandals, sex and coverups. Well sort of. After graduating from undergraduate in Maine, I immediately got a job and started working at a Boy Scout Camp as the Conservation and Ecology Director on Catalina Island. Every week there was a new batch of kids and new troop leaders. One particular leader, a female leader of a venture scout crew and one of the long term beneficiaries of the camp, took quite the liking to me. Being as my uppers were idiots and I had ample time to slack off, I spent many hours sitting on a porch drinking coffee and joking around with this lady. A few days after her troop leaves I receive a call from her asking if I would like a $2000 grant to get my program going. I gladly accepted the money and use it while starting the program. After about 5 months of work there, I began to get island fever, did not like my uppers or any of my co-workers that much. So I quit once I had been accepted to Grad school in Indiana. I stayed in contact with the venture scout leader via email, chat and the occasional phone call. One day I get a call from from her saying that she still had checks that were going to be used as grants but had my name alone on them and not the organizations. She asked if I wanted them and I said sure. Latter on in the year I get invited to go to Vegas with her, This lady is quit my elder. One night in vegas, after blacking out at a club, I apparently had sex with her and it must have been good. When winter came I got invited to go skiing and went, but brought a friend with me for protection from this horny old cougar. I told her that while I did enjoy her company I was not interested in her sexually and denied any advances. After this, I began to receive monetary help on a very regular basis. One day, after mentioning my current car was shiatting the bed she said she would help me purchase a new vehicle. I didn't think this would actually happen until I saw that $22,000.00 had been wired to my account. SO I began the search for a vehicle. At first I never even thought about an xterra as I had only noticed the horribly ugly yellow xterras. But after researching vehicles for a while for my needs, I really started to notice the 2nd Gen xterra. I searched for about two months before finding my xterra ( 2009 s; and I bought it summer of 09') used with only 12,000 miles. When asked about how I would like to finance it, I looked across the street saw a chase bank and said I would be right back. One cashiers check latter, I was driving away in my new x. And now I guess its no guess about who sends me things such as >$1,000.00 aluminum skids. AMERICA F**K YEAH

This was the best story to hear over beers. When I heard I had to ask if the name Lil' Debby was in honor of the cougar who laid the golden X. Answer is no.

Now hopeless share the story of how the X cheated on you if you haven't already.

 

[AbuseTheElderly]

Hmmm, now this could get interesting! :rollineyes:

 

[hoplesshumansrus]

This was the best story to hear over beers. When I heard I had to ask if the name Lil' Debby was in honor of the cougar who laid the golden X. Answer is no.

Now hopeless share the story of how the X cheated on you if you haven't already.

Well, Within the first year of owning the x, it was violated in a major way. I was staying the night at my girlfriends apartment and the x was parked out back in the parking lot. I get a call from my mother at about 1 in the a.m. (my permanent address and phone for my license are at my folks place since I tend to move all the time), asking if I knew where my vehicle was. I said, yes outside the apartments. Next she says, nope its gone, and gives me an officers number to call. I call the officer and he tells me they have recovered my vehicle, had it towed and asked if I let two 16 year old african americans (not that it matters, just verbatim what the cop said) borrow my vehicle. I said no and the officer comes to the apartment to talk to me. After searching the area we notice that my gf's (at the time) car had been rummaged through as well, which she left unlocked and had my spare key in her glove box. I can only imagine the kids hit the button and saw my x light up like a Christmas tree and thought they hit the jack pot. The kids only got pulled over because they pulled out of a liquor store with no lights on (how two 16 year olds bought liquor I don't know), when the cops tried to pull them over the kids got in a high speed chase then parked the truck and took off running. The cops caught the kids and recovered my ipod and gps. The cop did compliment the x and said it was a very quick suv. I ended up getting the x back the next morning after having to pay the tow company 120 bucks to get it out ( which the police station said they were not allowed to reimburse). My laptop ended up missing, but I think the tow company figured since it was a stolen car they could take the laptop without being accused. It took me along time to get over that, I felt like the x cheated on me and I felt violated every time I drove it. It took a solid detailing and a few months to feel normal again and not be angry at my cheating vehicle. At least she came home the next morning but it was a tough time in my xterra's and myself's relationship. Me and lil debby (the truck) are doing fine now fine now but it was a real rough patch.

 

[AbuseTheElderly]

Lol, I could imagine. Cheating X, and with 2 black guys to boot (not that it matters, you know what they say. . .). Your X was an unwilling participant though, not that she didn't enjoy it. :fufu

Really though, glad you got it back in one piece. In California, a stolen car not recovered within 24 hours is usually found later, stripped and burned. Really happy for you that you got it back.

 

[xearth]

Started with a 1990 astro van, decked out the sound system and then my brother wrecked it. Parents picked up a 98 grand am and I drove that until I decided I liked speed, but I wanted more of an off road / utility vehicle. I narrowed it down to either a jeep or an xterra, then taking into consideration 5-10 hour drives with 5 guys in the ride and all their stuff for the weekend..... I went with the Xterra! Bought it after an internship with Marathon oil and I haven't looked back!

This story continues writing itself on a daily basis

 

[AaronsX]

#1 thing I hated about my jeep, space.... with two doors and trying to haul friends around it was tough. In the summer its easy because you can jump right in with no top or doors but winters a different story. I love the space my xterra has!!

 

[BigMeanTam]

Well the complete story of my Xterra is a long one that involves scandals, sex and coverups. Well sort of. After graduating from undergraduate in Maine, I immediately got a job and started working at a Boy Scout Camp as the Conservation and Ecology Director on Catalina Island. Every week there was a new batch of kids and new troop leaders. One particular leader, a female leader of a venture scout crew and one of the long term beneficiaries of the camp, took quite the liking to me. Being as my uppers were idiots and I had ample time to slack off, I spent many hours sitting on a porch drinking coffee and joking around with this lady. A few days after her troop leaves I receive a call from her asking if I would like a $2000 grant to get my program going. I gladly accepted the money and use it while starting the program. After about 5 months of work there, I began to get island fever, did not like my uppers or any of my co-workers that much. So I quit once I had been accepted to Grad school in Indiana. I stayed in contact with the venture scout leader via email, chat and the occasional phone call. One day I get a call from from her saying that she still had checks that were going to be used as grants but had my name alone on them and not the organizations. She asked if I wanted them and I said sure. Latter on in the year I get invited to go to Vegas with her, This lady is quit my elder. One night in vegas, after blacking out at a club, I apparently had sex with her and it must have been good. When winter came I got invited to go skiing and went, but brought a friend with me for protection from this horny old cougar. I told her that while I did enjoy her company I was not interested in her sexually and denied any advances. After this, I began to receive monetary help on a very regular basis. One day, after mentioning my current car was shiatting the bed she said she would help me purchase a new vehicle. I didn't think this would actually happen until I saw that $22,000.00 had been wired to my account. SO I began the search for a vehicle. At first I never even thought about an xterra as I had only noticed the horribly ugly yellow xterras. But after researching vehicles for a while for my needs, I really started to notice the 2nd Gen xterra. I searched for about two months before finding my xterra ( 2009 s; and I bought it summer of 09') used with only 12,000 miles. When asked about how I would like to finance it, I looked across the street saw a chase bank and said I would be right back. One cashiers check latter, I was driving away in my new x. And now I guess its no guess about who sends me things such as >$1,000.00 aluminum skids. AMERICA F**K YEAH

That story was freaking awesome - all the way up until the part where you called the Short Bus Yellow X's "horribly ugly." I'm not sure I can get past that part.... sheesh, how COULD you think that? ;-)

LOL

 

[AaronsX]

bump!

 

[BlckHwk13]

Mine is lame.

Ever since I saw an Xterra for the first time on the road I knew I wanted to own one because I thought it looked unique.
..... Found one in a pretty color and bought it. (The blue sparkles in the sunlight ^_^ )

 

[Muadeeb]

For me, it was one of a boy and his need for a new vehicle.

It was November of 2003, I had recently moved out and was driving my mom's 97 Geo Prism (yes, still Geo then) to work in heavy traffic. One stop not short enough, rear ended some random person and it was totaled ($2700 by the way). So I need a replacement vehicle. Because of my job, I would occasionally have to carry speakers, rack case, random audio gear so I knew I needed something that could do that, laugh at driving through the muddy field at the tower, and be less than $400 a month. I tried an S-10, but didn't like the truck feel. Went to the Nissan dealer and they had three used X's on the lot: two 2wd and a 4wd. I wasn't interested in the 4wd, so that left two '01s, one with 30K and the other with 40K. Both were silver and 2wd, so the only real difference was the mileage; I came home with the 30K and spent about 16,000 for it. It was supposed to be a 5yr note, but somehow it took until early 2009 to pay it off.

Today, I can't imagine giving it up. It's the vehicle I've learned to work on vehicles with, fits the whole family, and still runs at 199,500. Dunno what I'll do when it's too expensive to maintain, maybe the 3rd gen will be out by then?

 

[SnickerDoodle]

My story starts with my best friend CrashDan. He and I have been friends going on 10 years now, what started out as a possible dating future quickly went to just friendship as we both realized that we were better off that way. Dan got his xterra and was on the forums, he was talking to some of the locals here (XterraMike) and there was a camping trip so he asked if I would like to go, knowing i love camping. So we go camping- sh*t in the woods camping up in PA. We all had a blast! I met CMD, XterraMike, Broden21 and a few other friends.

A month or so passes and the Kixx Run comes up. So i get invited to this with crash as well. Mind you at this time i had a 2002 Jeep liberty, bone stock. I loved my Myrtle girl but a situation happened and i ended up giving her back to an ex bf. This left me without wheels. At the Kixx run i really got to see what the Xterra had to offer and i was HOOKED! I set out for my hunt of a 1st gen. While all the hunting was happening i really got to know XterraMike. I was there for him in a time of need when he needed a opinion out of someone who wasn't biased or a really good friend. The friendship grown into something i look forward to having the rest of my life with him. He's a great egg in my opinion. Some time passes and Mike hit a rough patch and needed some new tires. A group of GPAX'ers got together some loot and got him some new tires. He then decided to play if forward. And with the help of CrashDan and many of my X friends and non X friends he started a collection.

On Tuesday we all used to meet when we could for Taco Tuesdays at a local Don Pablos here in Deptford NJ. There was an unusual amount of attendees this one particular Tuesday, although i never thought anything of it. Although Mike wasn't able to make it Crash took the reins. They presented me with close to $900 to put towards my down payment on the Xterra that i found. Now for those who know me, I never EVER cry. But these guys brought me to the brink of tears. I have never felt so loved and cared for.. ever! If it were not for these men and women I have never had my X in time for the March 2011 GPAX Shocker run! Temp tag and all.. Bone stock.. she went to Rausch just two days after signing for her. It has been a true love story ever since!

Now to further the story... I also paid it forward to another fellow X'er, CMD. Sean and i became great friends and snuggle buddies... no not in the sexy sort of way, When ever we went camping he shared my tent. Geez, get your minds outta the gutter! lol. Any who, Sean is in college, working when he can but was in need of new tires. So from April thru to EXCX 2011 I started collecting to get him tires. At EXCX before the raffle started i was able to give him a check and some cash from fellow X'ers for him to get new tires.

We like to keep the Paying it forward game going. So who knows where Sean-CMD, will take it next.

 

[Le Loup]

I bought my X in Hawaii back in Apr 06. The purchase happened to coincide with my promotion to Major. Yes; one of those, "I have extra money time for a new vehicle", kind of things. LOL I drove my X for about 6 months before I deployed to Iraq for a year. Upon my return my nice, low mileage, shiny nearly new X was there waiting for me. What a nice way to ease back into life after a tour in a warzone.

A few months later I happened to me a lovely young lady (the daughter of a Colonel none the less). We took a liking to one another and soon we were cursing around Oahu seeing the sights, both on and off road. One night I decided to take my lady fair on a little adventure to Ford Island, which is in the middle of Pearl Harbor. It was well after dark as we crossed the bridge to the island and made our way down to Battleship Row where the remains of the USS Arizona rest.

The tropical night was warm, the breeze slight and the sky ultra clear as we pulled up along the island’s shore, not 30 yards from where Arizona lay with her graceful white monument that spans her wreck site aglow from the monument’s soft lights. At first my “new friend†was amazed by the beauty of it all but soon she began to tremble and felt very faint. As I helped her back to my X she explained how she could feel the presence of the men who had lost their lives here and felt like we should leave some token so the ghosts would be aware that we felt them. Who would have ever guessed my date was also very susceptible to psychic vibrations and had a history of encounters with ghosts. Having nothing fitting to leave behind we headed out.

As we drove away she said she was feeling better and would like to take some pictures before we left the area. We stopped and walked back to the shoreline, only this time we were a bit further away from Arizona than we had been before. After she made her pictures we went back to the X. After we climbed back in it was obvious something wasn’t right as the interior light was on but the doors were all closed. I stated to my companion that her door must not be closed and asked her if she would close it again. She replied it was totally closed and it must be my door. I check, my door was also fully closed. So with all the doors securely closed I reached up to check the interior light…the switch, which neither of us had touched, had been moved from “Door†its previous setting to “Onâ€. Funny that switch has never done that since then... Guess the ghosts of Pearl Harbor we indeed making themselves known to us. (que Twilight Zone music)

 

[Le Loup]

My story starts with my best friend CrashDan. ... We like to keep the Paying it forward game going. So who knows where Sean-CMD, will take it next.

Wow! That is indeed a great story. I've done a few "pay it forward" things and been a recipient as well but nothing like your tale.

 

[SnickerDoodle]

The GPAX group is amazing! I never would have thought in a million years i would be surrounded by a group of men like them. The Xterra Community alone is fantastical! I'm just glad I have become a part of it as well!

 

[mdphotos]

I got my Xterra the winter of 2008-09, the first car I've ever owned. I had started attending Kent State University with a focus on photo illustration and photo journalism, and was looking for a four wheel drive vehicle that I could use in all weather and have some fun on the weekends with. I had looked at a few jeeps and found nothing reasonably priced. Searching dealerships online inventory for 4WD vehicles I stumbled upon this yellow Xterra. After test driving it, and some persuasion from my girlfriend at the time, I was able to talk them down a couple grand and purchased my first car.


Unfortunately I had to head back to school and wasn't able to pick it up straight from the dealership. I didn't get to pick it up until my next visit home. But that weekend I found an undeveloped neighborhood (just the dirt layout of the streets, no actual houses built yet). And for the first time, I took my X off road, completely stock.
For the next half of the semester, my X became my main source of transportation. It was during that semester that I was diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression, I had gotten to a point where I was no longer able to focus on school, and had come extremely close to hitting rock bottom (those who have been unfortunate enough to experience the world of depression and suicide know what I'm talking about).


Needless to say I did not finish my first year of college, and I moved back home. And this is where my Xterra first became a point of refuge and support. Not only did I have my entire dorm rom to move back home, but I had a friend who was moving home as well without a car. So we loaded the X up with two dorm room's worth of stuff, but that isn't all an Xterra can handle… I also had $600 left on my prepaid meal plan, so we raided the closest food mart on campus and filled an entire laundry cart with food. I had no earthly idea so much crap could fit into an Xterra! After driving home with a stuffed X through a snowstorm, I knew I made the right choice in buying this 4-wheeled-hellcat.
Unfortunately for this hellcat, she needed a new set of shocks and tires, so my first mod was the Calmini 3in suspension lift and a set of 33in BFG all-terrains. And not to long after that my friend and I took the X to a trail-cutting event at a brand new off road park in southern Ohio. It was there that we were introduced to the real world of off roading; imagine trails at Rausch Creek but without any marked trail designations, and covered in a super slick layer of wet fall leaves. Needless to say my Xterra needed to be winched out a few times...


A year went buy and I had started attending Miami University (the one in Ohio) when our family was struck with another hardship, my father passed away from small cell lung cancer (a week before my little sisters homecoming dance). The time from diagnosis to chemo, to his passing, was about two months. It was at that point I decided to stay at home and help out, and after regaining some stability in our lives I needed something to occupy my mind, something that could keep me company, my Xterra.


I began tweaking things here and there, but nothing too drastic as I didn't have (and still don't have) very much cash… so now after countless mechanical problems, rusted parts, engine wire harnesses being devoured by squirrels, and other problems here and there, I have learned a lot about car repair and car mechanics in general (growing up I never had anyone teach me how to do anything auto related).
Hopefully, after I complete medic and fire school I will be able to devote more time, attention, and $ into my Xterra and will be able to enjoy it for years to come.

 

[Macland]

That's an awesome story. It's amazing what a vehicle can do for you.

 

[drbandkgb]

My story starts with my best friend CrashDan. He and I have been friends going on 10 years now, what started out as a possible dating future quickly went to just friendship as we both realized that we were better off that way. Dan got his xterra and was on the forums, he was talking to some of the locals here (XterraMike) and there was a camping trip so he asked if I would like to go, knowing i love camping. So we go camping- sh*t in the woods camping up in PA. We all had a blast! I met CMD, XterraMike, Broden21 and a few other friends.

A month or so passes and the Kixx Run comes up. So i get invited to this with crash as well. Mind you at this time i had a 2002 Jeep liberty, bone stock. I loved my Myrtle girl but a situation happened and i ended up giving her back to an ex bf. This left me without wheels. At the Kixx run i really got to see what the Xterra had to offer and i was HOOKED! I set out for my hunt of a 1st gen. While all the hunting was happening i really got to know XterraMike. I was there for him in a time of need when he needed a opinion out of someone who wasn't biased or a really good friend. The friendship grown into something i look forward to having the rest of my life with him. He's a great egg in my opinion. Some time passes and Mike hit a rough patch and needed some new tires. A group of GPAX'ers got together some loot and got him some new tires. He then decided to play if forward. And with the help of CrashDan and many of my X friends and non X friends he started a collection.

That wasn't just gpax that kicked in some cash... I know I gave and a few others from down south

 

[NismoFire]

I thought I did this already, but I guess not..


As most of you know, my dad is a manager at the Nissan plant here in Smyrna. Needless to say, Nissan blood runs thick through my veins. I've owned 3 Hardbodies (best damn vehicle on the road), an Altima (lasted 4 months before buying another HB), a POS Pathfinder, and now my X. But you want the FULL story...


So the XTerra passion started in high school when Daddy brought home the launch tshirts in April 1999. OH MY gobble, I was in love. I wanted one SOOO bad. So, in 2001 (the week before 9/11), my parents decide to trade in Mom's old POS Aerostar for HER white 2wd X. At the time, my mom was having seizures and was told she wasn't allowed to drive, so HER X became mine. I put the first 60k on the odometer. She gets released to drive again and decides the lease program through the plant is MUCH better than driving a 4 year old SUV. So, in 2006, her X was sold and replaced with a Maxima. Can't say that I blame her, really.

During this time, somewhere around Sept 2003, I bought a 1995 5spd 2wd Hardbody. That was my present to myself for enlisting in the Army Reserves that summer (delayed entry). I leave for Basic Sept 2004, come home and sold my 2wd HB. Turned around and bought a 1994 4x4 HB (5spd) and wheeled the ever living piss out of that thing. Ranchos and 31" Mastercrafts took me in and out of LOTS of places. Even the nasty sand pits of South Carolina.

While living in South Carolina (playing JuCo softball), I fractured my tibia coming down the 3rd base line. Just happened to be my left leg, aka the clutch leg. I had a 5spd. So, I put my HB on eBay and sold it to a guy out of Chicago in Jan 2006. I regret that to this DAY. I needed an automatic transmission to get me through the next couple months of recovery, so I bought a 93 Altima that was lowered and sat on 16s.

It lasted all of 3 months in my possession before getting totaled by hail damage. Insurance let me keep it, and then 2 months later I melted the tranny in it because I was used to driving a MANUAL (going from Reverse to First without coming to a complete stop). Then I bought my black 97 HB.

Flash forward to Sept 2008, I get hired on a career fire department full time. My dream job. For the first year of employment, probies/rookies rotate stations and are the ones to fill-in when someone calls in sick. So, having all my bedding, groceries, AND my fire gear in the cab of my HB on a rainy day pissed me off to the extent that I sold my HB for a 96 4wd AT Pathy. *Facepalm* Yep. Dumbest idea I've ever had. That thing was a PIECE. I drove it for almost 3 years before getting tired of sinking money into a vehicle with 215k miles on the odometer. So I somehow managed to sell it and bought my X. I searched for 3 months looking for the right one, and I found it in Clarksville, TN. Apparently, I have an obsession with manual transmissions, because my X has one too.



....and as Paul Harvey said, "And now you know the rest of the story."

 

[SnickerDoodle]

That wasn't just gpax that kicked in some cash... I know I gave and a few others from down south

You are correct. It was also some of the folks from that other site. Either way you all are amazing people! I wouldn't be here if ya's weren't lol.