I completely agree with max6spd. I ordered mine on April 8th, was scheduled to come in on July 8th but actually came in 1 week early. It was a long wait mostly because I wanted an OR, 6 speed with side curtain airbags and that combination was later in the production cycle. (The manufacture date on the door sticker is early June). In the interim, my dealer let me take other Xterra's out for a "test" drive which kept me going and also let me learn more about it.

It sounds like your region (So. Cal.) works against you more so than mine (New Hampshire) where 4x4 are more common than 4x2.

You could always order like I did and than you know that your getting exactly what you want.

-mark