NISSAN X TRAIL 2003

Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 21:47
ThreadID: 54021 Views:10095 Replies:6 FollowUps:4
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Ok how about this car?

2 people, no towing and a mix of on road and off road.

good option?
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Reply By: Crackles - Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 22:05

Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 22:05
What are your offroad expectations & where do you hope to take this vehicle?
Cheers Craig.........
AnswerID: 284403

Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 22:08

Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 22:08
Best year for Xtrail was 2005.
But I'll give you the bad news first.
Early models (2001/02) had the odd problem with catalytic converter disintegrating and dust getting into the motor (precat was on the manifold). But Nissan did recall this, so its not a problem on later models.
Next hassle was with the butterfly valves - the screws could work their way loose, and get sucked in and damage the motor. Nissan did a recall in USA in mid 2005. Rare cases have occurred in Aus.
Then in Nov 2003, the Series 2 was released - some minor changes, but the biggest plus was that the ST model got factory cruise control.
Then in Jan 2006, the motor was detuned from 132Kw to 123 Kw because of emission laws.

So a 2005 model gives you the best model, and is the best sorted.

We own two in the family now - a 2005 ST Manual and a 2007 ST-S auto. They are brilliant vehicles - heaps of power and fuel consumption on the highway is around 8.5 l/100k. Great size. And I can't notice any difference between the 132Kw and 123Kw models.

But when it comes to offroading, theres no low range, and the 4wd mechanism can get hot on the hard slog on sand, and revert to 2wd - so they really are no more than a good softroader.

Cheers
Phil
AnswerID: 284406

Follow Up By: Willem - Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 22:13

Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 22:13
Phil. you have become and Xtrail Fundi......hahahahaha

Our 2003 model goes well, having had all the recalls and also the butterfly screws glued in. 132kw and when overtaking B-doubles or Roadtrains it very quickly gets up to 160kmh!!! Must say I haven't wound it out yet with pedal to the metal.



Cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 22:36

Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 22:36
Gday Willem,
One day I'll be in the dog house for speeding in my wife's Xtrail. She's always winging that it's going too fast - I blame the car and not the driver :-))
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FollowupID: 549166

Follow Up By: madfisher - Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008 at 07:27

Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008 at 07:27
We have 4 at work. one of the hardest vehicles to keep on the speed limit. Great cruise control though
No issues with any of ours
Pete
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FollowupID: 549204

Reply By: Member - lyndon K (SA) - Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 22:48

Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 22:48
Hi
Could be wrong here but heard of the xtrail coming to grief in the gulf of carp, nice low air intake. Heard they like to take a drink from time to time :)
Is this correct?
Cheers Lyndon
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AnswerID: 284415

Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 23:02

Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 23:02
Air intake is not too bad. Sure it sucks it high at the front behind the LHS headlight, but the aircleaner box is a nice design, so the water sits below the pleated air filter. Looks as good as any other softroader (not a scrap as good as a troopie though :-)) hehe
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FollowupID: 549178

Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 23:09

Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 23:09
Also, if you've got about 15,000hours spare, you can have a look in the archives in http://www.australianxtrail.com.au/
AnswerID: 284423

Reply By: Briar Tuck - Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008 at 17:52

Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008 at 17:52
Xtrailers have their own forum. Have a look at this one.
http://www.australianxtrail.com.au/Forum.htm. You might find out more about this type of soft roader there.
Briar
AnswerID: 284551

Reply By: HowdyDoody - Thursday, Jan 31, 2008 at 07:57

Thursday, Jan 31, 2008 at 07:57
Some time ago I was doing the research on an xtrail as a second vehicle. We have a jeep and I was looking for a car for myself - see thread 52122 for the feedback. In the end for me it came down to the crv or xtrail. I prefer xtrail for far better off road ability (but we are talking current model here so can't comment on the '03).
AnswerID: 284651

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