FJ vs. Xtrerra

[wesel123]

Im a Toyota guy so I'm posting this here cuz I dont know where else to post. The boss want's to either get an FJ or an Offroad Edition Xterra. Now you FJ owners be nice.

So what are the pros and cons fo each. I've worried about Nissan reliability over the years but they seem to have come a long way. I get more goodies on the Xterra but can see much else. I need to knwo about reliability and such.

Not really worried about aftermarket cuz I aosnt fixing it up. It stays bone stock.

So now I open the floor to you fine gentlmen.

 

[Cypher]

Well... Since I own both an FJ and a 2nd gen Frontier (brother of the Xterra) I think I can make a pretty good comparison.

First off, you say no mods. What is the truck going to be used for?

Foremost I can say that Nissan definitely does not have reliability issues or I wouldn't be driving one. Toyota has of course a rich history of reliability, but I personally think Nissan is on the same page now (we won't talk about Nissan early years). Many members of ONAZ have 2nd gen Xterras and I have to say the visibility factor is significantly better in the X than the FJ. In fact that is my biggest complaint about the FJ, bad visibility, which takes some getting used to in the city. You will cut off a number of poeple if not careful If the truck is going to be hauling people all the time get the X. The back seats are easier to get in and out of vs. the FJ and the suicide half doors. The X has a little more power and get-up-and-go than the FJ but this is not a significant difference. The FJ can out maneuver an X all day long whether it is on the trail or in a parking lot. The FJ feels like you are driving a golf cart and no u-turn is undoable. I do like that you feel like you are sitting in a truck with the X, since it has more head room and the seats are higher off the ground. The FJ you are sitting on the floor. Hands down the FJ takes the cake for styling and functionality. The X's suspension rides more like a truck were the FJ rides a little softer and is more comfortable, this aspect is opinion based as to what is better. The ATRAC in the FJ is flipping awesome. The X version of the traction control is not as refined or as useful. Both have rear e-lockers which work great. The FJ has a lower geared 4lo (I forget the numbers). On a trial the FJ will out wheel an X consistently. However, the underbelly of the X is awesome. Everything is tucked up above the frame rails and with the addition of a few skid plates it is bomb-proof. I am not sure what the hell the engineers were thinking when building the FJ, which has one of the worst underbellies I have ever seen. Lots of low hanging cross members and junk.

Either way, both are great trucks and will keep on keepin on for many miles down the road. Hope this help!

 

[GTKrockeTT]

one major plus about the FJ is it's availability of aftermarket parts, but since you've already stipulated that the vehicle will remain stock, the argument here carries very little merit.

stock for stock, the 2 vehicles are definitely quite capable to one another...payload, towing capacity. cypher has already touched upon some pros/cons of the 2 already, and the physical aspects...look, 4 doors vs suicides are obvious, so i won't dive into that. one thing i dislike about the FJ is the gas tank size, and the extra 2ga or so in the Xterra would be advantageous for me.

 

[Cypher]

Good point GT. I should also mention I was getting better gas milage in my Frontier when it was stock compared to the FJ stock. We won't discuss my current gas milage on the Frontier :yikes: The Frontier is also about 450 lbs heavier stock than the FJ. Take that for what it is worth related to the Xterra.

 

[Rev]

I do not own an FJ, I own an Xterra, but from what I know the two trucks are very similar. As has been well described, the FJ is a little better on the trail, but I've been told the Xterra is more comfortable on road. At least that is what I've read in articles and heard from people who have driven them both. Mind you, they both do either very well, so sometimes it is splitting hairs. I wanted to buy an FJ because I love the look, but the wife did not like them so I bought an Xterra. Although I do love the look of the FJ, I love the power, agility, and comfortable ride of my Xterra (and there are a lot of guys at thenewx.org who have some bad @ss rigs). The Xterras are amazingly reliable with an award winning VQ engine with plenty of power. The only main problem people experience with the Xterra is a weak front differential, but that really applies to those going hardcore off road. You won’t have a problem there.

Ultimately I think you should drive both and see what feels better, at least that is what I would do. Either one will get the job done, and have fun doing it. But I’m sure you (or your boss) would like one over the other when you get behind the wheel. That is my two cents.

 

[wesel123]

Perfect!!!!! Thanks Cyper, thats exaclty what I wanted to know.

I dont plan on mods because the UZJ will do most of the camping and offroad work.

The X will be back up. But I want to get the fully optioned one just incase I want to take it out.

Thanks Guys

 

[Cypher]

You are very welcome! If I were you (along with the boss) test drive the two of them back-2-back so you can get a feel for the difference sitting behind the wheel. As I was saying they are both great vehicles and I love both the FJ and Frontier. Post up what you end up getting...

 

[Rev]

with pictures! :sombrero:


You may be pleasantly surprised what a stock offroad Xterra can do.

 

[Martinjmpr]

How do they compare price-wise? Last time I did any casual searching on Autotrader you couldn't touch an FJ for under $25k even if it had 30,000 miles on it.

As much as I like my Toy I think right now they are overvalued for reasons that have more to do with emotion than reality. As a current Toy owner, of course, I benefit from that but if I was shopping for one the premium price you pay for that "T" emblem would be a cause of concern for me and would probably push me towards the X.

 

[wesel123]

How do they compare price-wise? Last time I did any casual searching on Autotrader you couldn't touch an FJ for under $25k even if it had 30,000 miles on it.

As much as I like my Toy I think right now they are overvalued for reasons that have more to do with emotion than reality. As a current Toy owner, of course, I benefit from that but if I was shopping for one the premium price you pay for that "T" emblem would be a cause of concern for me and would probably push me towards the X.

The X is 29200 out the door. the FJ is about 31000 out the door. Nissan Has 2k cash back and Im getting the X for Invoice. Far deal seeing as how there are only 5 09 4x4 OrrForad Edition X's in California and were trying to beat the tax and double registration increase.

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

Buy the X...there are enough FJ mall crawlers in this world already! :sombrero:

 

[wesel123]

Buy the X...there are enough FJ mall crawlers in this world already! :sombrero:

Heh I resemble that remark!!!!! It's not gonna be a........oh wait it IS gonna be a mall cruiser......dang it.......Maybe shell let me um....have fun with it:victory:

 

[Cypher]

The X is 29200 out the door. the FJ is about 31000 out the door. Nissan Has 2k cash back and Im getting the X for Invoice. Far deal seeing as how there are only 5 09 4x4 OrrForad Edition X's in California and were trying to beat the tax and double registration increase.

You should be able to get them both cheaper than that. I got both the FJ and Frontier for less than 28K out the door. I realize there is a difference between CA and AZ but you should still be able to get a better price. The Frontier has everything it can have with the Nismo Offroad package, and the FJ had everything you could get (Option pkg 1 & 2) with out being a special edition and the TRD components option. Also, don't get the Nissan warranty at the dealership. You have 36K to get one if you want it and then you can buy it on the internet for way cheaper, it just won't be financed in the loan (if you are financing that is). Not sure if you can do the same with Toyota.

Buy the X...there are enough FJ mall crawlers in this world already! :sombrero:

Ohhhh snap!

 

[wesel123]

You should be able to get them both cheaper than that. I got both the FJ and Frontier for less than 28K out the door. I realize there is a difference between CA and AZ but you should still be able to get a better price. The Frontier has everything it can have with the Nismo Offroad package, and the FJ had everything you could get (Option pkg 1 & 2) with out being a special edition and the TRD components option. Also, don't get the Nissan warranty at the dealership. You have 36K to get one if you want it and then you can buy it on the internet for way cheaper, it just won't be financed in the loan (if you are financing that is). Not sure if you can do the same with Toyota.



Ohhhh snap!

Unfortuanlty I cant shop around anymore. Tomorrow April 1st the tax goes up 1% and the Registration fees double. So I could try to shop a little more but the savings would be nullified by the additional cost in the good ol' state of California....with a "C" (sorry had to do that).

 

[Cypher]

I hear ya... I am not sure it would be worth the wait. I also got both our our truck through the Fleet departments, which anyone can do. I just called up and said I want to speak to a fleet salesmen, told them what I wanted (low ball) then met in the middle. Worked like a charm.