About your trucks?

[DVSNCYNIKL]

I just had to ask everyone in this Xterra forum, What is it about this truck that you guys are so into them? I'm not looking down on them, just curious. I've never seen or heard so much until this forum. What do you like about them?












Logical answers only, all smart asses will be dealt with accordingly.

[i_rebel]

It's a nissan . . . why ask anything else?

[Schludwiller]

The Xterra was designed as a "back to basics" SUV. It came out when the trend in the SUV market was more gadgets, and higher price tags. That trend was making SUV's the grocery getter, soccer mom, and phallically challenged executive transporter that you see on the roads now.

99% of which never get off the pavement.

Most of the owners you find on this board are college educated, mid20-30 somethings that were able to buy their first new vehicle, and wanted something unique looking to get them outdoors, and they wouldn't be afraid to "use". Many offroaders are amazed at where we take our brand new $25,000 vehicles, and what we do with them. Most SUV owners think we're nuts.

The first Xterras were very hard to get, many of us waiting 30-90 days just to pay MSRP. Because of that the first owners were fanatical about getting this vehicle that finally was targeted at their needs. Also because there are very few, we have had to rely on the internet to exchange information, swap ideas on modifications, and in many cases fabricate our own equipment to make the truck go even farther offroad.

To me I think it's just a natrual extension of what Nissan started. They bucked the expensive and large SUV trend and targeted a new audience with a vehicle that appealed to owners who want to separate themselves from the mainstream. Modifying their trucks is just a continuation of that.

Of course it is just a truck. But sometimes we forget that.

[DVSNCYNIKL]

I see. Well, that would explain the phenomenom of the Xterra. Thanks for the response.

[ToeJam]

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

[ChuckH]

Originally posted by ToeJam
Yes, the Ford might have better fit and finish

Yep, I think you had too many beers!

Hmmm, I bought my Xterra to tow my boat and carry my bike, but I don't have the boat anymore and I never ride my bike. So, why did I buy my Xterra again?

As it turns out, I'm really glad I bought the Xterra. I wanted something with enough room to carry stuff and I had to have something that could tow and had AWD or 4WD.

I didn't really look at other SUV's (I generally don't like them except Land Rovers). I will not drive anything with an automatic transmission, so that pretty much cleared all the mainstream SUV's out, and the Xterra looked the best. It also had the best handling and brakes out there and was less expensive. A friend of mine had an '88 Pathfinder with 160K miles on it and never had any repairs done on it, so that sealed the deal.

Admittedly I sometimes miss all the electric gadgets my other car had, but the reality is that the Xterra isn't lacking anything important and I really, really like it.

OK, the best part about owning the Xterra is the people I've met and the trips we've been on. I never thought 4 wheeling could be so much fun and couldn't ask for a better group of people to go with.

What I use to drive: