Ever changed the spark plugs on a nissan motor??? When you can't see the plug and its between intake runners on the back of the engine adn you are fishing for a hole to put a plug back in you might curse your decision. I've worked on nissans before, hated it. Only did it for a church vehicle, would never own one. The engines are efficient and powerful for the size, and jeep motors are definately lacking in both areas, but consider everything. Wranglers are much more off road capable and MUCH cheaper to make EVEN more capable. Exterras, with the locking diff options are fairly capable, but still limited on the ground clearance. Also much more expensive to lift a IFS xterra comapred to a solid axle wrangler.
What is the vehicle purpose?
In my opinion you have these basic categories:
Car than can off road occasionally, usually only have a awd or 4high option, no 4 low range- best economy of the 3 classes: Subaru forrester, Subaru outback, toyota rav 4, ford escape, etc
Suv than can go most places, usually have a 4 low range - medium economy: Xterrra, 4runner, FJ cruiser, Grand cherokee, Hummer H3, land cruiser, land rover, etc
Off road vehicle that can drive on the road, have the most factory ground clearance and most capability out of the box, but are not the most comfortable or practical daily drivers - economy whats that???: Jeep Wrangler, Hummer H1, H2
If considering the xterra, I would consider others in thee same category like the FJ cruiser, 4runner, or Grand cherokee. These all have optional lockers or limited slip axles. Personally, depending on teh year, the 2011 GC Overland or FJ cruiser would be my top choice over the exterra but theres a good price gap there depending on year range you are looking in.
- Mark
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