I chose an Xterra for a number of reasons...
First, I'm a Manufacturing Engineer by education. I live by Lean Manufacturing, KISS and related principles. In a conversation, I'm always the ass saying, "there is an easier and cheaper way to do this." In auto manufacturing a significant portion of the price tag is R&D for designing the rig. If I bought a base model Chevy or Ford I'd still be paying for the R&D on the leather seats and super cool stereo system. With Nissan, they went back to basics with everything. I'm buying what I drove home....
Second, I have property that can only be reached by dirt road so I needed a car that could handle mud and steep roads. The car-based SUV's w/o a real four-wheel drive system would just bog down and die.
Third, take a look at any other similar SUV on the market. A fully loaded X will set you back $25,000. Last time I checked you couldn't even get into a base model Chevy, Ford or Toyota for that (excluding their car-based rigs). To get a rig with the same type of options from another automaker would put you between $32,000 and $35,000. Yes, the Ford might have better fit and finish, but I'll take my X and $10,000 in my pocket any day of the week.
Finally, I'm a sucker for toys. Its in my blood, so there isn't anything I can do about it. A rig with 10 tie-downs, a rocking roof rack and true four-wheel drive system doesn't have to sell its self to me...I'm already sold....
Shit this reply is huge...Red Hook Brewery treated me good tonight so please excuse my ramblings.....
:monkeypis