by "CodyVella" (codyvella)
Published 09/29/2017 at 17:57
by "CodyVella" (codyvella)
Published 09/29/2017 at 17:57
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STARS: 0
I’m looking for something to daily for the winter instead of the Xterra. I know that’s a little ass-backwards, but I really like my Xterra and my last Xterra had zero rust when I bought it, but was a rot box within 3 years of commuting to Toronto and back. That brings me to my second point. I’d like something a little more economical than the Xterra to commute in (it runs on 91 octane and maintenance isn’t exactly cheap). And since the 944 isn’t done yet, I can afford a second vehicle along side the Xterra.
I’ve become really fond of the Nissan X-trail in the last little while. I think they’re nice looking little, uhm, I guess they’re crossovers? Anyways, I like it as an alternative to the CR-V & Rav 4. I also like that you can get them in a 5-speed stick and with selectable 4-wheel drive. And from my experience with Sentra SE-Rs, the 2.5L QR25DE engine is indestructible.
Do any oppos have much of an opinion on the X-trail. Primarily, have any Canadian oppos here ever driven one? Does it drive similar to an older CR-V? I’m not looking for a mint example. Just something like this that isn’t rotted:
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I do have two other options for winter vehicles right now. I have a 2008 Civic Sedan with a 5-speed stick available to me in good shape for $1500. I’ve owned several Civic’s over the years (‘87, ‘93, ‘98, ‘12) so I know that would be a fantastic second car. I also already own a loaded one owner 2005 Chrysler Pacifica that needs very little to be put back on the road (exhaust and tires). But that kinda negates the point of having an efficient second vehicle. I’m also not too sold on the reliability of a Chrysler product that isn’t a Neon.
Anyways, anyone here have any experience with the X-trail? I know they’re niche vehicles but it’s worth a shot!
"Wacko" (wacko--)
09/29/2017 at 18:04, STARS: 0
Never had one, but all the ones I saw had rust. Don’t remember seeing one in a while now since they replaced them with the rogue in 2007. Guess they mostly rusted away here in northern Quebec
Never saw them a niche since they were fairly common.
"jasmits" (jasmits)
09/29/2017 at 18:13, STARS: 0
I mean the (rather underdeveloped) rational portion of my brain thinks the Civic seems to make the most sense here as a commuter car. Reliable, efficient, cheap, not bad to drive.
I don’t think we ever got the X-Trail in the states so I don’t know much about it but it seems like it would be a bit redundant with the Xterra, no?
"CodyVella" (codyvella)
09/29/2017 at 18:16, STARS: 0
They seem to have become fairly common in central Ontario around where I am in recent years. But I’ve found a few that are decently priced that don’t have any rust. But rust seems to be an issue with any Nissan product ever built.
"DasWauto" (DasWauto)
09/29/2017 at 18:16, STARS: 0
Sell all other vehicles and acquire a WRX.
/totally biased and completely unhelpful
"Probenja" (probenja)
09/29/2017 at 18:17, STARS: 0
I know that the X-Trail beat the Rav4 and CR-V in a Fifth Gear test ages ago so they are good cars a neighbour has one and he’s never had a problem, my guess is that rust it’s the biggest and maybe only problem.
"vicali" (vicali)
09/29/2017 at 18:36, STARS: 0
Why not a R50 Pathy as a winter beater..?
"ThePlasticOne - no diggities expressed nor implied." (theplasticone)
09/29/2017 at 18:36, STARS: 0
50 smiles per gallon (of US 89 octane!). Don’t second-guess yourself.
"ThePlasticOne - no diggities expressed nor implied." (theplasticone)
09/29/2017 at 18:45, STARS: 0
But for realsies, I’d daily an X-Trail if I had access to one. The integrated roof rack lights alone are so interesting, I wish Nissan had done that across the SUV line.
It’s effectively a Rogue - the models were merged into the same vehicle in the current gen. The 4wd sounds a little more interesting though.
"CB" (jrcb)
09/29/2017 at 18:54, STARS: 0
A former coworker had one that he loved. Beware that parts will be expensive (he learned after another car crashed into his and he had to find new suspension parts).
"Birddog" (maintmgt)
09/29/2017 at 18:58, STARS: 0
“my last Xterra had zero rust when I bought it, but was a rot box within 3 years of commuting to Toronto and back”
Really?! That’s surprising. My 01 X was a Chicago car most of it’s life (I bought it used in 2013). It looked like new until I got my claws on it.
Don’t know much about the X Trail. Sorry.
"CodyVella" (codyvella)
09/29/2017 at 19:09, STARS: 0
I used to have an R50 Pathy. I had a 2000 and loved the thing to death. Unfortunately it was the subject of a recall in which the strut towers rot at an alarming rate from the inside out. Mine had no visible rust but Nissan said that because they detected some rust inside access holes, they had to buy the truck back for liability reasons. The dealer which bought mine back said a lot of them are being taken off roads by Nissan in Canada because the subframe & strut towers rot so quickly.
"CRider" (crider)
09/29/2017 at 19:22, STARS: 0
You don’t have to go full David Tracy to get a cheap XJ.
"Discerning" (discerning2003c5z)
09/29/2017 at 19:26, STARS: 0
The US didn’t get the X-trail unfortunately. I say unfortunately because I always thought an X-trail GT would be an amazing project! The sr20vet would be a blast to tinker with.
The X-trail didn’t overlap with any Nissan US vehicles until 2013. Same thing as the most current Rogue.
"Discerning" (discerning2003c5z)
09/29/2017 at 19:43, STARS: 0
Not entirely. It’s basically a crv by Nissan, but better. You could even get one with a 6 speed manual, sr20vet with 280hp, and locking 4wd.
In theory, it could make more sense than a civic if they see a lot of snow and ice and steep inclines or rough roads.
I know, I know, it mostly comes down to the tires. But a locking 4wd can be nice if things get rough enough.
"dogisbadob" (dogisbadob)
09/29/2017 at 20:17, STARS: 1
The X-Trail is awesome! I wish they sold them down here.
I like it when Canadian Oppos have Canada-only cars that we don’t get down here. Like the X-Trail, Orlando, 2nd gen Rondo, current Mazda 5 manual, Micra, non-electric B-class, Echo hatchback (especially the sporty RS version), 323 Neo, CSX Type-S (I don’t care if it’s a rebadged Si sedan, it’s got heated seats and mirrors plus the JDM cred and luxury and prestige dammit!)
"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
09/29/2017 at 20:19, STARS: 0
T31!
buy it, good vehicle.
not aware of any issues with the petrol units.
"Wacko" (wacko--)
09/29/2017 at 20:30, STARS: 0
With any product ever built in the rust belt
Everything rusts here. My protege5 had rust under the dealer rust proofing in less than a year.
So far my only car without surface rust was my suzuki sx4 and i didn’t get dealer rust proffing when i bought that.
If it sees winter use it rusts here. But the worst is mazda. Any mazda before 2010 has rust
The first mazda 3s and 6s even have rusted out badges and 3 rd brake lights
"BaconSandwich is tasty." (baconsandwich)
09/29/2017 at 21:39, STARS: 1
You guys never got the 2nd gen Rondo? Huh, I never knew that.
"SpeedSix" (speedsix)
09/29/2017 at 22:23, STARS: 1
The 323 Neo was a 1 or 2-year-only thing, so I’ve yet to see one - that, and rust.