Pretty simple I didn't see anything when I searched but just wondering if the SC is really worth having to put the premium gas in the X? I have found a few and the added HP sounds nice but with gas up and down the way it is just wondering.

Anyone owned both or experienced both?

Paul
IMO, No it's not worth the cost of premium gas to have the SC. If you have a knock sensor go out, you must replace it because the engine gets retarded by the ECU but if theres no SC, the engine will still run normal.
Before my SC fronty I had a non-SC xterra so yes I would go non-SC now.

Paul, are you not interested in a slightly used '05? I'm sure they're around . . .

265 hp, on 87 octane.

Excellent! Exactly what I was looking for. 5 trucks for you

Yeah I am just not sure they will be in my price range at this time. Possible just looking at all options.

Fair enough. Good luck, hope you're on the road, and the trails, soon!

I think the SC is worth it... my X is such a dog... but having owned one you should be an excellent judge. If the lack of power didn't bother you before then go N/A. If it did, go SC.

Really, though, I agree with stepping up to an '05 if you can swing it. I don't like the looks nearly as well - but the POWER!!!

Having driven both, I am still pleased that I ended up getting an SC. The extra power and torque is nice.

But then again, I don't have to commute in my X, so I don't rack on the miles like many people do. Someone here once did the math and overall, the costs -- for my usage -- weren't enough to dissuade me from the SC.

Hope this helps.

Love my SC. Of course, I have a 5 speed too, so some of the fun is from the 5 speed, and some from the SC. There is quite a difference. I was dead set against getting the SC when I was first looking. I was also going to get an automatic tranny.

Then I test drove a 5 speed SC - that was all it took.

Oh, I commute - and other than the occasional pain of rush hour traffic, it's not a big deal at all.

As others said, it's about what you want. Test drive one - or if you can, rent one (although I think it would be hard to find a rental with a supercharger) and see.

When I was looking to buy, I figured that the S/C would require $1200 additional dollars to drive over 120,000 miles vs. the non-supercharger. Looking back, I think I would have went with the S/C. My N/A avg. 17 to 19 mpg, alot of S/C drivers say 15 is common. Not that big of a difference. I have drove both and thought that the S/C was worth the extra cash.
The one thing I do see with the S/C is alot of knock senser/superchargers needing replaced, something to think about. Good Luck.

In my opinion it was WELL worth it. My gas milage is actually better than the guys who didn't get the SC because I don't have to shift in to overdrive nearly as much.

Trust me, one day you will be kicking yourself because you didn't get it. I know I did when I had a non-SC frontier.

I've had both, and yes the SC is worth it. I drive like an old lady and don't get the SC wound up too often, but it is really nice to know its there when needed.

I like to know that when I pass someone on a two-lane highway, I don't have to worry about the X getting up to speed in a timely fashion. With the NA X, this was more of a concern.

In a sick and twisted way, the whole thing about buying premium is becoming less of an issue. No matter how expensive gas gets, it looks like premium is always going to be just 20 cents more...

Drive one and see what you think. Glad to see your staying with the X.

Thanks for all the replies so far. Might try and test drive one and see.

I have never driven a non S/C. But I was getting on avg 17.5mpg when it was stock. now it's between 13-15 depending on what i'm doing. I also drive 80miles round trip every day with it. Non was never an option for me though...i'm a power hog. and I just put a bottle of octane booster in once every 3-4 fill ups and run 87oct

I own a supercharged and have driven my sister's non s/c. I prefer mine and I don't think buying premium gas is that big of deal. I only pay an extra 10 cents a gallon more than I would if I bought regular. So if I fill up a 15 gallon tank its only an extra $1.50 for premium over regular. So I would say the S/C is worth it.

IMO, I had an '03 S/C SE and traded it in for the '05 back in Aug. '05. I really liked it except for the fact that I had a ton of problems with it and the Dealer never really seemed to get it completely fixed.

I haven't looked back, I really like the additional horsepower and functionality of the '05 and on 87 Octane to boot. Really when I started looking at what it would take to get the locker, etc. I decided to bite the bullet and trade in, besides what's a couple more years of payments?

Edited to add: Link of MY S/C Issues