Nissan Xterra

Price Paid:  $16000.00 from NISSAN DEALER

Year / Model Reviewed:
2009 NISSAN XTERRA

Strengths:
ENGINE
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING
ERGONOMICS

Weaknesses:
FRONT SEATS
GAS MILEAGE
SOFT SUSPENSION

Summary:
MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED THE XTERRA AFTER HAVING A DODGE RAM AND TJ FOR OVER 8 YEARS. IT HAS TAKEN A FEW MILES TO GET USED TO BUT SO FAR WE LOVE IT. THE ENGINE IS VERY CAPABLE AND WITH OUR TWINS COMING SOON I AM SURE WE WILL HAVE ENOUGH SPACE TO TRAVEL. THE INTERIOR IS DESIGNED WELL AND ALL CONTROLS ARE EASY TO FIND AND USE. THE RIDE CAN BE HARSH BUT IT IS A TRUCK AFTER ALL.

Similar Products Used:
02 JEEP WRANGLER TJ
02 DODGE RAM 1500

Price Paid:  $0.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2009 Nissan XTerra Off Road

Strengths:
Pros: just about everything; engine is responsive, exterior is sharp-looking, and overall performance is impressive. Exhaust sounds throaty. Suspension is wonderful.
Interior is made to be used; the upholstery fabric seems tough and cleanable; no cheap velour in this baby!

Weaknesses:
Cons: My own pet peeves with this vehicle are:
-No 6-sp trans available anywhere for test drives.
-right side blind spot is HUGE(I am not tall)-forcing me to use the right outer mirror. That outer mirror is deceiving; cars are much, much closer than they appear!
-Steering is overly sensitive on the freeway; spend one second too long looking at those mirrors/ blind spot & I might end up off-road unintentionally.
-Roof rack looks cool & works great, but has lots of wind noise and resistance because there is no venting in the front between the off-road lights.
-No metal grille/brush guard is available.
-Lastly (this is small but irritating) the underbody spare tire mount is noisy when driving in the city-it clinks like change in someone's pocket-but loud enough for all to hear -inside and outside the vehicle. Noise keeps returning soon after adjustments.

Summary:
I FINALLY have the vehicle I've always wanted! 4x4, 6-sp manual transmission. Had real difficulty locating a 6 speed anywhere; Nissan tried hard to make me settle for an auto, but finally & grudgingly built it for whatever reason.
Haven't taken it off road (yet), nor driven it in our hard winters -that will be a true test. We'll see how it rates in 4 months or so.

Price Paid:  $22900.00 from Dealership

Year / Model Reviewed:
2008 Off Road

Strengths:
Power; handling; comfort; ease of use; and value.

Summary:
When looking to purchase a new vehicle, I came accross the XTerra by accident when looking at the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota Highlander, Toyota FJ, Hummer, numerous cross-overs, and almost all other mid-sized to large SUVs. I knew nothing about the XTerra at the time, but in the price I paid, the XTerra was nice in appearance and by far the best value. I'm writing this review because when searching autos I also came accross some consumer complaints with earlier models of the XTerra. My 2008 XTerra has not had a single problem. Its performance and handling have been terrific both on the road and off the road. Amongst the many cars I've owned (i.e. 3 Jeeps, a Saab 9-3, Infiniti G35x, VW Golf, and a Honda Accord), the XTerra is by far my favorite of the lot.

Similar Products Used:
Jeep CJ 7.
Jeep Wrangler.

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $33000.00 from Kingston, Nissan

Year / Model Reviewed:
2008 S

Strengths:
Power, Looks, Reliability, Ease of cleaning, Ground clearance, Ride - This veh feels like a truck which we love.

Weaknesses:
fuel economy

Summary:
It is difficult to beleive that Nissan has improved an already great product, but they have. This is my second Extera, having just traded my 2004 S Model in on a 2009. Let me tell you, the difference in power is incredible. The 3.3 liter engine was very adequate, but at times lacked punch. This veh is made for someone who wants the feel of an Off Road machine. It is a solid, no frills package. The plastics in the cockpit and cargo area, wipe clean in a snap.

Similar Products Used:
2004 Nissan Extera

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $26542.00 from Nissan dealer

Year / Model Reviewed:
2008 Nissan Xterra Off Road

Strengths:
utility and flexibility of use.
Great upolstery: tough fabric.
absence of frills and luxury touches
full size spare
full curtain airbags
killer audio system

Weaknesses:
clutch, clutch, clutch
gas mileage, but reasonable for weight
excess decals on rack (easy to peel off)
no outside temperature reading available

Summary:
We are (were) extremely happy with this vehicle until the clutch failed at 20.5k miles (6-speed manual trans). My wife and I have driven std trans vehicles for 40 years, and have never had a clutch failure. We wanted the versatility of a mid-sized SUV with 4WD for the snow and occasional desert trips, and were extremely happy with this Xterra as an excellent compromise between trips and daily driving needs. And we bought Japanese for their reputation of reliability and durability.
Then the clutch failed. Of course it is not covered by warrantee (a "wear item"). The dealer said they have been seeing other Xterra clutch "problems", but was non-specific. So I Googled Nissan Xterra clutch problems, and was shocked to find many others who have had the same experience: total clutch failure at an avg of 20k miles on 2006 and newer models. No news of any Nissan recall or quiet reimbursement, or a redesigned replacement. Very un-Japanese.
Bottom line of this post: DO NOT BUY A MANUAL TRANS XTERRA UNLESS YOU HAVE $3-4K TO BURN EVERY 20K MILES.
I would assume the auto trans models are fine, and overall this is a great daily utility and highway vehicle combo.

Similar Products Used:
none