Hello everybody. Ok, I've read the collected threads on the subject, but have a question about my specific situation...

I’m looking for some advice on purchasing an xterra – specifically which model to chose.
Here’s the background – I’ll be living in Toronto, Canada (am in the process of relocating from Boston right now, but I’m from Ontario). I have a cottage up near Algonquin park.
Weekdays, I may be driving the X in the city, but will be using public transportation, my honda civic and my bike as much as possible. Weekends will often be spent up north (3.5hr highway drive).

The reasons I’m looking for a vehicle like the xterra are:

1) In the winter the roads can get quite bad with ice and snow since the cottage is in quite a remote spot, and it often takes quite a while to get plowed out after bad storms. Terrain is quite hilly.
2) In the spring, summer and fall, I do a lot of fishing. Some of my trips will take me back in through old logging roads in the Canadian shield. The roads can be steeply hilled with loose rock, washed out in spots, muddy, and full of rocks that could scrape out the bottom of lower hanging vehicles. We’re definitely not talking Rubicon trail here, or 4 foot deep mud pits, or boulder crawling though, just some rough stuff that can get boggy after a rainstorm or if a beaver decides to damn a culvert, or loose and steep on some hills, with protruding rocks. Basically abandoned, un-maintained, kinda grown-in logging roads. Also, I may occasionally tow a light trailer (small aluminum boat) on the paved and maintained gravel roads.

So, what I can’t decide is whether I should go for the S, OR or SE. I’m looking to buy a used vehicle, between model year 2005-2007. Obviously the S’s are going cheaper, somewhere around $25-28,000 Can. OR’s seem to be very rare in Ontario. I’ve only found one for sale, a 2005, and the owner is asking $30,000 Can (2007 NEW go for $37,000!). The SE has some nice perks with the much nicer stereo (a plus for in-city and highway driving), and a few other minor details including the wheels and fog lights and transmission cooler. Used S’s are by far the most common xterra around the T.O area. Also, I want an automatic tranny.

I’d like comfort and road handling for city and highway use, but am not sure if I really need a locking diff for the occasional described off-road and winter snow/ice forays, especially with the electronic bags of tricks in the xterra (4 lo, ABLS, TCS, VDC are in ALL xterras 2005 onward right?). I will never get interested in doing truly heavy off-roading on very difficult trails, so it seems like good ground clearance and the electronic stuff are all that I might need, but I’d like an opinion from those experienced with the X.

Finally, any suggestions on a good dealership in the metro T.O. area?

Many thanks!
Troy

Welcome A Board!

OK - for what you describe, any of them will work.

You might want to upgrade to tougher/larger tires, the oem's are a bit anemic, albeit not useless....and removal of step rails, mud flaps, and the rear sway bar will keep things from breaking on the way to your fishing hole.

Once you have a 4wd, and the bag of E-tricks mentioned, you'll be amazed as to what you can do.

So, for you, its really just about what creature comforts you want...you'll be able to get where you have to go regardless of trim level.



PS - My youngest is in Canada, say hi for me.

Hello, Anytime you can get a limited slip model...go for it. Especially for the mud and slippery areas you will be travling in.

When you do get stuck (without a LSD)...you are going wish you had one in the front and back rear ends. You still can get stuck withone too!

Off roading LSD do make a differance here. We do alot of off roading on sands beachs and dirt roads, lava roads, loose rocks....GET ONE w/a LSD...Aloha (Helps with resale too)

PS:It snows on top of Mauna Kea mountain...we go up there too! (On the BIG ISLAND)tallest mountain in the world from below sea level and up!

All Gen IIs are front and rear LSD stock, with traction control. This is excellent for most snow driving. The off-roads rear locker would be ideal for those steep hills when the snow is very deep. For ice the improvement over the electronic LSD would be minimal on the Xterra. Just remember, no aftermarket locker exists yet, so if you decide you want it later, youll be waiting. I am building a house with nasty hills and will only use locked rigs with mud terrains so I can get out on deep snow days. For normal icy days we plan to get a Subaru with studded snows.

We bought our 06' OR at the end of Oct. at Willowdale Nissan. We got it for $34K and we love it by the way.

I have seen a couple of 06' S models at Dermac Nissan in Brampton, ON you might want to give them a call and check it out.

For more local info, try the Ontario Club