The 2016 Nissan lineup: Xterra Axed
08-23-15, 08:26 PM
#17
As for the Xterra, I still maintain that it was a cheaply built pos. Being a body on frame truck doesn't give you the excuse of not updating it for 10 years, having self destructing transmissions, very cheap/cheesy interior, and those hideous grey plastic body panels that fade and look like hell after 3-4 years or so.
08-23-15, 09:08 PM
#18
Lexus Fanatic
So Nissan goes from having 2 truck based mid-sized SUVs to none after converting the Pathfinder to a crossover. It was the right move to go crossover for the Pathfinder although in my opinion they didn't do a good job with it. I wish it was more in line with the Highlander's proportions. But they should've kept one body on frame mid-size SUV in the stable. The biggest automakers should.
The problem is that Nissan dragged the xTerra on way too long without a real redesign and naturally sales died. An all new model as good as a 4Runner would find plenty of sales. There is indeed room for truck based utes.
The problem is that Nissan dragged the xTerra on way too long without a real redesign and naturally sales died. An all new model as good as a 4Runner would find plenty of sales. There is indeed room for truck based utes.
I personally liked the styling and the rough riding was refreshingly uncivilised as it was obvious that the XTerra was a real SUV.
What a lot of people do not realize is that the XTerra was the real deal, it was more of a FJ Cruiser for the the time/Jeep competitor. Where could you get a locking diff in the rear, serious off road approach/depart angles, meaty BF Goodrich tires, a heavy duty Dana rear, and best of all, a manual transmission.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 08-23-15 at 09:12 PM.
08-23-15, 09:32 PM
#19
Lexus Fanatic
I personally liked the styling and the rough riding was refreshingly uncivilised as it was obvious that the XTerra was a real SUV.
08-24-15, 12:40 AM
#20
Lexus Test Driver
There's still a market for the truck-based off-roaders, but the market has shifted much more to car-based crossovers. I can't blame Nissan for putting resources elsewhere. However, the Xterra could have easily continued on if the company gave it the attention it needed. Kind of a rough comparison to Lexus dragging on the original SC without a re-do all those years and Acura doing the same with the NSX. All these models had great appeal, but did not modernize and refresh enough to maintain people's attention. The standard company excuse for all that will be that the market has changed.
As far as that tacky 4Runner front styling, someone already posted a pic of the cleaner Limited version. I saw one of those trim levels in a parking lot the other day and considered it quite handsome. Also surprised to hear sales are up, as I rarely see any in L.A.
As far as that tacky 4Runner front styling, someone already posted a pic of the cleaner Limited version. I saw one of those trim levels in a parking lot the other day and considered it quite handsome. Also surprised to hear sales are up, as I rarely see any in L.A.
08-24-15, 07:32 AM
#21
Lexus Fanatic
08-24-15, 08:52 AM
#22
Lexus Test Driver
For city slickers like yourself, I can see why the XTerra would not work.
But for someone who would use an XTerra for what it was designed and for what it's worth, the XTerra is a good buy. To many people comment based on a daily driver viewpoint.
The off-road credentials are sound. More mechanical than electronic, the XTerra would go far, far, far farther than even a current MY Toyota Land Cruiser. The XTerra is cheap to maintain and the leaf springs at the rear and cheap to modify.
Any SUV that offers a locking differential in the rear gets a thumbs up IMO.
But for someone who would use an XTerra for what it was designed and for what it's worth, the XTerra is a good buy. To many people comment based on a daily driver viewpoint.
The off-road credentials are sound. More mechanical than electronic, the XTerra would go far, far, far farther than even a current MY Toyota Land Cruiser. The XTerra is cheap to maintain and the leaf springs at the rear and cheap to modify.
Any SUV that offers a locking differential in the rear gets a thumbs up IMO.
Maybe--but not enough to support continued Xterra sales. Or else Nissan would keep selling it.
08-24-15, 02:37 PM
#24
Lexus Fanatic
08-24-15, 04:29 PM
#25
Lexus Fanatic
Most, if not all, of the Nissan/Infiniti uses of the CVT have been in vehicles with a transverse-engine and FWD/AWD layouts. The Xterra, like the Frontier pickup, uses a RWD/4WD layout with longitudinal engine layout.
Last edited by mmarshall; 08-24-15 at 04:32 PM.
08-24-15, 04:35 PM
#26
Lexus Fanatic
08-24-15, 04:42 PM
#27
Lexus Fanatic
No, it's not necessarily irrelevant. One cannot redesign a transmission simply by snapping one's fingers. While CVTs are not as complex as traditional multi-speed torque-converters or dual-clutch transmissions, it still takes time and money to do major revisions. And, if a profitable market is no longer there for the Xterra with other transmissions, it's not likely to be there for a CVT-equipped Xterra, either.
Last edited by mmarshall; 08-24-15 at 05:00 PM.
08-24-15, 04:47 PM
#28
Lexus Fanatic
No, it's not necessarily irrelevant. One cannot redesign a transmission simply by snapping one's fingers. While CVTs are not as complex as traditional multi-speed torque-converters or dual-clutch transmissions, it still takes time and money to do major revisions. And, if the market is no long there for the Xterra with other transmissions, it's not likely to be there with a CVT, either.
08-24-15, 06:42 PM
#29
I wonder how a CVT would hold up in a truck, where its constantly abused with heavy loads, towing, off roading(aka spinning tires in the mud, rocking a stuck truck back and forth between reverse and forward). I'm betting that's the reason why Nissan hasn't stuck them in their trucks.
08-24-15, 07:03 PM
#30
Lexus Fanatic
I wonder how a CVT would hold up in a truck, where its constantly abused with heavy loads, towing, off roading(aka spinning tires in the mud, rocking a stuck truck back and forth between reverse and forward). I'm betting that's the reason why Nissan hasn't stuck them in their trucks.
