bpeers

Hello X-Trailers,
By way of introduction here's a little background about myself and how I came to register on the Nissan X-Trail Forum.

After months of looking at the alternatives, I selected the X-Trail which I leased (for 4 years) at the beginning of September '05. Before this vehicle I have owned an 87 Toyota 4WD Pickup (10 years), a 97 Suzuki Sidekick 4WD (4 years) and an 02 KIA Sprotage 4WD (4 years). My criteria for a new vehicle were: 4WD/AWD, 4 cylinder, MT availability, largest interior length and volume for the lowest monthly payments. All the other important factors like dependability and appearance were considered. I'm happy that I paid a little extra for the SE package's heated seats and if it ever gets sunny and warm again I'll probably enjoy the sunroof as well.

Three months and 6000Kms later I'm happy with my choice. I think that the X-T will be a keeper just as the old 22R Toyota PU was. If the vehicle turns out to be as dependable and economical as posters to this forum suggest then I will buy out the lease and go for my ten-year previous best.

I appreciate that this forum has posters from Australia, Mexico, UK and SE Asia because they already have several years experience with the X-T which is still relatively new in Canada. And it must be said that I am looking forward to my first trip to the land of mega SUVs to the south to see the reaction (if any) the X-Trail gets. On the other hand I once got stranded for weeks in the U.S. waiting for parts for a vehicle not imported there. The off-road photos from Oz on this forum are great.

The closest thing to off-roading I do is a couple of kilometres on the road into the cottage. But there is enough snow and ice on the streets of Ottawa to make AWD a necessity for 5 months of the year. Besides the luxury of heated seats I really appreciate not having to get out of the truck to lock the wheel hubs. A couple of times while towing a utility trailer full of rocks from a dead stop up a hill I have missed not having a low gear but it's a fair trade-off for auto-AWD.

And did I mention that the Golden Retriever and Springer Spaniel consider the X-T best mobile kennel they've had so far.

b.