So, what was your 2nd choice?

Rockford · Jan 10th, 2006, 10:04 AM

Most everyone who posts here is obviously an X-Trail owner so we all share a common bond. I'm curious though, if you pulled the trigger on an X-Trail, what was your second choice? What swayed you to Nissan? And do you ever wonder what if and wish you went in another direction?

For us the second choice was the Honda Element. We ultimately decided on the X-Trail for a few reasons: Better AWD system, seating for 5, more amenities (but less utility), better looks (a personal thing). Basically the Element was a little too ultilitarian for our needs. Do we regret it? No, the X-Trail's been great so far (11,000kms).

We were also considering waiting for the new Suzuki Grand Vitara but the fact that it's a 1st-year, all-new vehicle scared us off. That and the lousy mileage it gets.

So let's hear it. What was/were your also-ran(s)?

XtrailRookie · Jan 10th, 2006, 10:45 AM

We actually started out looking at larger SUV's. We had our choice narrowed down to getting a used Nissan SUV, either a Pathfinder or an Xterra.

Then, in May/05, when we were close to pulling the trigger on a deal, the gas prices began to rise which made us rethink our strategy. I remember seeing a write up on the Xtrail when they first brought them out in Canada. Saw one in the dealer lot one Saturday, popped the wife and 2 kids in, and took it for a test drive. It was exactly what we needed. I kind of knew after that drive that the Xty was the one. We then decided to look at other "small" SUV's. The Rav4 had the quality Toyota name behind it bit it was too small and underpowered. Took a good look at the CRV. A quality Honda product but we didn't like the look as much, nor the rear door. Plus, it was also more $'s.

Bought the Xty in May/05. Have put 20k trouble free km's (knock on wood) on it. Has performed well in the little snow that we have had so far this year. Have a 9 year old boy who plays Select/HL hockey as well as an 11 year old daughter who plays rep basketball. Add to that my oldtimers hockey, soccer, golf, etc. and you can see that the XTY gets well used.

We are still very happy with our choice. The only problem ... when I go on this board to see the additions/mods by Jalal, Valboo, Roger et al, it costs me money. Already have the sill plates, rear bumper scuff plate, Cloud Rider screens and tinted windows. Spring time will bring the side steps and possibly an upgraded sound system.

Rookie

Rockford · Jan 10th, 2006, 11:24 AM

Not to hi-jack my own thread, but the sidesteps - I saw these on another X-Trail yesterday for the frist time and the first thing I thought was "Why?".
I mean, the X-Trail's not very high off the ground to begin with. Are they functional, or are they more for show? I guess they might be usefull for really small kids but if an adult used them I envision them stepping up and then having to stoop down to get in the vehicle. Also, in the snow and dirt they'd effectively lower your ground clearance a bit wouldn't they?

aussietrail · Jan 10th, 2006, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockford

Not to hi-jack my own thread, but the sidesteps - I saw these on another X-Trail yesterday for the frist time and the first thing I thought was "Why?".
I mean, the X-Trail's not very high off the ground to begin with. Are they functional, or are they more for show? I guess they might be usefull for really small kids but if an adult used them I envision them stepping up and then having to stoop down to get in the vehicle. Also, in the snow and dirt they'd effectively lower your ground clearance a bit wouldn't they?

Sorry, a bit off-topic here, but to answer your question and in my case having side steps, I found the following benefits:

1. It helps protect the door sills from getting smashed in an off-road situation where exy's ground clearance isn't enough. So, having the side steps is like my insurance against damaging my car and they also act as an indication that my exy is in trouble. I'd rather damage/scratch the side steps than my door sills.

2. The side steps help me a lot when I wash the car to reach the roof.
3. They look great too.
4. Depending on the type of side steps, not that much ground clearance is lost. In fact with any sort of side steps, your stock muffler will still be the lowest point on the exy.

TjC · Jan 10th, 2006, 04:37 PM

now if only in vancouver they had side steps for the XT

my second choice was the element, i really liked the way it drove but there was 2 things that pulled me away from it

1. the A pillar is so big that it gets in the way when u are making a left turn

2. the plastic on the inside and outside, the outside espcially. now i see that the 06 elements have fully painted panels, but the inside still looks the same

the XT had way more options than the element
and im lovin my XT at this moment after 18 000 k

ron519098 · Jan 10th, 2006, 05:51 PM

When I was looking at X-Trails first time around back in 2002 I considered the Honda CRV but didn't like the tailgate arrangement or the bizarre handbrake. Also at the time Honda didn't do a diesel version of the car which was pretty important and the four wheel drive system was/is nowhere as sophisticated and effective as the X-Trail.

I also considered the Hyundai Santa Fe but it drove like a barge and the quality of the interior was decidedly low rent. Depreciation was also a worry.

When considering the replacement for that X-Trail in the Spring of 2005, I looked again at the Honda as there was now a diesel option but the car was still not ringing any bells with me.

Another contender was the Kia Sorento which has had some very favourable reviews in the press and by users, but is rather old-fashioned technologically and has comparatively poor fuel economy.

So it was another X-Trail for me.

x-toba · Jan 10th, 2006, 07:27 PM

I actually leased a Mazda 3 GT and drove it for a couple of months, only to find out it wasn't a good fit for our family. I also have a Jetta Wagon 1.8T so I thought a small compact would finish the lineup; boy I was wrong. The way I had to contort my body to put my son in the back was impressive. I thought this would be a second 'backup' vehicle, but turned out to be just as important to our day to day life as the VW. So I looked to flip it. I know what you're thinking. Our dealer had an incentive, and Nissan Canada had one where they make your first 3 payments on the XE, so I really only took a $1000 hit. It's paid for itself already and i've only had the Xy for 1 month. I had taken the Xterra out and loved the look and ability, but my wife wouldn't drive it due to it's sheer size and then don't even mention the $$ to fill it. I wished I would have gotten the SE for the rims and sun roof but it would have cost me the $1500 plus the $$ difference between the two models (Nissan wouldn't have paid the first 3 months).

So I was limited to where I could go, but there is no doubt now that the Xy was the best choice. When the VW is up in 2 years, it's another SUV for us.

Canada's Far East · Jan 10th, 2006, 07:58 PM

First time I saw the X-T at my dealer, I thought it was the “ideal” vehicle for our needs / life style.

At that time we were driving an ’02 Sentra GXE (leased) and an ’04 Mitsubishi Lancer that we had bought outright.

So, it would be about 1 year before we would make any vehicle changes. During that time I did “extensive” research on the X-T and it’s competitors and this only reinforced my belief that the X-T was the best choice for us – I neglected to inform my better half of my conclusions.

When the time arrived to pass back the Sentra, my good wife informed me that she would like to go back to a Honda – we previous had several Hondas, which she liked and knew their quality, dependability, good service and resale value.

We had already agreed on a small size SUV (for a host or reasons), so it was off to the Honda dealer to test drive the CRV. I was not “overly impressed” and was surprised at my wife’s very negative reaction to the vehicle. At the top of her list of “dislikes” were the placement of the shift lever (auto) and the sideways opening of the rear tailgate.

Additionally, we had agreed to become a “one car” family (needs changed) and therefore offered the ’04 Lancer (less than 18,000 kms.) on trade. Honda dealer “insulted” us with his offer.

Off to Toyota (in the same vicinity as the Honda dealer) for a look at the RAV 4. “Seemed” too small – didn’t even test drive.

Saved the best ‘till last – test-drive the X-T. I loved everything about it (because of my extensive research, I knew the vehicle inside out and upside down before I even drove it). Wife’s only dislike was the centre mounted gage cluster.

Time to crunch some numbers – Nissan offered us $4000 more on trade for the Lancer – you read that right, $4000 more than Honda – my wife’s dislike for the centre gage cluster disappeared rather quickly

So, 2 significant elements lead us to the X-T and away from others:
1.the research proves that the X-T is a better “all around” vehicle than the others – CRV & RAV 4.
2.The “numbers” were right.

A comment on XTRAIL ROOKIES point on additions/mods:
“The only problem ... when I go on this board to see the additions/mods by Jalal, Valboo, Roger et al, it costs me money.”

I’m both surprised and flattered to be included in such an elite group. In relative terms, I thought my additions/modifications paled in comparison to others – particularly SCHESBH.

If Jalal is the King of Bling down-under, Stephen is Canada’s King.