That said, the SC runs great, and I have had no problems (12,000 miles logged) with it. Though the X is geared really low (so off the line acceleration is inherently good), the SC really kicks butt off the line! As well it tows excellent.
So.... what is on line, off line acceleration?
(scratching head). I'm a novice at this terminology. Thanks.

You asked: So.... what is on line, off line acceleration?
(scratching head). I'm a novice at this terminology. Thanks.

Off line means from a standstill, an imaginary line. The S/C accelerates well from a stop, but at 3000RPM things get real fun...whoosh and it's hauling some booty. I drive rather conservatively, so when it kicks in I am still pleasantly surprised.

Just picked up mine on 6/18/02....Def. worth the extra bucks!
c

As everyone on this post had said the supercharger has been well worth it - especially if you like to take it offroad. The added torque really helps when you are trying to crawl up rocks. buy it!!

This is entirely the opinion of each individual making the Xterra purchase.

Here is how I made my decision:

High octane gas is recommended for use in an X with a supercharger. Around here the unleaded "supreme" gas runs about $.30 more per gallon.

Lets say that an Xterra goes for about 200,000 miles in it's life (remember this is just hypothetical )

If your X gets 15mpg then over the course of it's life (200,000) miles, you will have purchased 13,333 gallons of gas. At $.30 more per gallon for the high octane gas, you will be spending an additional $4,000 for the extra 40 HP. Add to that the initial cost of the supercharger which is about $1000 dollars.

All in all, the extra 40 horsies is going to cost you about $5,000 over the life of your vehicle. And this is assuming that you don't have any additional repairs or maintenance issues with the supercharger.

We didn't end up getting the supercharger. My wife drives the X more than I do and she doesn't give a rat's ass about power. She just likes the way the X looks.

I thought the supercharger was cool but just not worth the $5,000 extra IMHO. People who are really infatuated with fast acceleration will probably consider it worthwhile.

Just my $.02

Nice summation - I'm in a similar thought process - when I feel the need for speed, I can always hop in the Miata

However, I thought I absouletly wanted an automatic in my soon to be new X - now I am thinking of driving a manual around for a while to get a feel for it...

I rented (by chance - a good chance though!) a 2002 V6 auto 4x4 in Florida for a week near the beginning of the year and was more than happy with the way the X performed on the freeway and while driving around. Did it take off the line like the Miata or the 240sx? Heck no! but for what the X is, I was happy.

Also we are all assuming the price of gas is going to remain constant - with all the crap that is going on over there, I wouldn't bet on it.

Sigh - waiting for the 2003's is going to drive me insane...

So i have a question to add to this cause i was debating getting the SC but had decided against it.

I plan on keeping my Xterra a while(buying it in 3 weeks) and i have heard that the supercharger takes a lot of life out of the vehicle. Some people have told me that on other vehicles they had to replace the engine after 100,000 miles and the charger itself after 50,000 miles.

any thoughts on this?

e-

E -
Statements like that are more 'urban legend' than fact. When friends with non-SC cars(same model) try to keep up with me they report using 3rd and 4th gear while I'm up in 5th! Whose motor do you think will wear out sooner? The SC in my car has 48,000 miles (engine 72) on it. Fail at 50? Ridiculous.
I suppose if someone screws around with the SC then anything *could* happen. Few have the balls to admit they messed-up. Rather they blame the object that can't defend itself.

dave and xtoy - no fun without a SC

The SC package it comes with the cool mirror that auto dims and temp gage and also it comes with the front fog/driving lights.

not according to nissan it doesn't. the SC (which is my X) has the temp/compass unit, but a regular (non-dimming) rear-view mirror.

thats what i thought.

At what level does the warrantee cover the charger? Id ask nissan but i'm afraid i would get a sales person response, i trust the people who actually own them instead.

I'm leaning towards the SE-S/C but i may need a little more convincing.

You know this is exactly what I thought when buying my X but have since changed my mind. See when off-roading I am in 4-lo and the rpms are just barely above idle. I know I do not have more torque then the other NA X's out with me. That being said, on the dunes last weekend you could tell who had more torque. I was able to climb hills that howler was not from the same starting point. This being said I drive the mountains in Colorado in 4-5 gear rarely breaking 4000rpm and am still passing people.
(see XOC's post for comparison with a NA X)

ALAN

I'm still in limbo about the SC. I got it on mine because I wanted to tow a trailer (I havent done it yet - If anyone has, please let me know how it went) but I sure am happy with the extra power. I'm not a power freak, but it sure is nice to boot it up the hill.

The mileage is hiorrible, as others have said - but if it will do what you want, maybe its worth it.

By the way, do we HAVE to put premium feul in for everyday use? What if we dont?

yeah if it's Ford.

I've put an intake and exhaust on my Xterra (3.3L N/A), and it has plenty of power. While I haven't tried a S/C Xterra, I have to say that the naturally aspirated version performs well if you open up the restrictions.

While driving from California to Texas about two weeks ago (on the 10), I kept it in 5th almost the whole way there. Up steep hills, I had to use 4th once in a while, but I was also carrying 2,000-2,500lbs of stuff in the back of my X and using the A/C on a steep grade. I also have 31" tires and had a Con Ferr 6" tall rack on at the same time. I think it had plenty of power.

Of course, there are always those who need more. That's why I'm getting a WRX soon.

I love my SC it gaves me more off the line and pulling torque and HP on highway. You just have to remember for any car that has force induction there will be a sacrifice. I know this i have three cars thats has force induction my honda civic, WRX, and finally my Xterra SC. Engine life depends on how you maintain your car and for any engine performance mod you make it will increase your gas consumption...

As far as the towing question on the S/C it performs better there too! It is only a nominal difference because of the low gearing. However, when I tow my boat I have passing power. If you are debating whether or not to get the S/C then get it, grandma always said "better to have than to have not"

You could downshift from 5th to 4th and miss shift into 2nd, that would make your engine reach those "damage causing RPMs."

If you have a S/C X it's great. If you have a N/A X it's great. If your going to purchase an X, get all the bells and whistles that are available. Will you need a S/C? Who knows, but when you do need it, it will be there. Will you need 4x4? Wouldn't you at least like to know it's there for when it starts snowing and you NEED to get to the grocery store? :p Seriously, get the S/C X, it at least comes w/ more umph, and it's one more item to point out to your friends when you pop the hood.