Hello everyone! I don't own an Xterra yet, but I wanted to get some advice before I buy. My son wants a Toyota FJ Cruiser or a Nissan Xterra. We found a 2007 Xterra for sale and want to go look at it. I was just curious what we should look for when we go to look at used Xterra's. Problems that they have? Options that we should hold out for? What is the deal with the "Off-Road" package and how can you tell if it has it? Thanks in advance. We should be getting one in the next couple weeks. Does the Xterra have a truck frame like the FJ Cruiser does?

Both trucks are great. But us being Xterra guys you know we will tell ya to go for the X. Yes the Xterra's are full frame trucks. Xterra's have a 4 star safety rating for front impact and 5 for side. The FJ is the opposite. The off road edition offers an electric rear locking diff which is awesome, hill start assist and VDC for steep downhill. The E-Locker is strong too but can only be applied in 4lo (unless you do a mod then it can be locked in 4hi also) If your son is gonna be a hard core off roader then i would say to be careful with the front diff. they are the weak spot on the truck. For mild off road he will be fine. Of course you can swap out a front diff for the titan front diff and pathfinder axles and be totally fine. The Off road edition with have "Off Road" emblem on the front driver and passenger door. The 2nd Generation Xterra's (2005-10) have great HP (265hp) and good for towing. (5000lbs) I don't know alot about the FJ's and their options. i do know that people have complained about the vision obstructions out the rear. sounds like its hard to see and you have to really rely on the side mirrors, other than they do look pretty good but after the throttle sticks how good is it gonna look on a flat bed? Good luck with your choice.

Having seen both in action a lot, they perform similarly, with the front diffs of both being IFS, and a weak point off road relative to a live axle, etc.

The X's frame is very strong, fully boxed, not C channel like the FJ is in places.

The X has more power.

The brake based locker on the FJ doesn't work as well as the mechanically engaged locker on the X....as the FJ is just stopping wheel spin by applying the brakes...and the X is mechanically locking the 2 sides together...a much more effective solution in practice.

IE: Propelling the rig with a locked axle pushes you forward more effectively than your brakes can propel you.


The FJ has horrible visibility in use, at lights, you can't see up to see if its changed, on the trail, you can't SEE the trail, its like looking out of gun slits due to the high belt line...so its very slow going in an FJ on the trails...spotters are a must.

Generally, the woman that get the FJ go for the styling, as its heavily styled/fashionable...which leads to sacrifices such as visibility, which may not matter to them, as they are used to sacrifices like that anyway, such as high heels, which are harder to hike in, etc.

:wink-big:

LOL! Great advice TJ. That's good stuff. :)

As the others have said, both have their pro's and con's but for me, the lack of visibility in the FJ is a big strike against it. Some refer to the FJ as like driving in a batting helmet. My passengers also really like the stadium type seating in the xterras backseat which allows them to actually look out the front window rather than straight into the back of the front seats. For those prone to motion sickness, it is a huge help from what I've been told. Both I think are close in mpg's but the X has more oomph under the hood like TJ had mentioned.

One thing the FJ has is much more aftermarket support but the Xterra is gaining on it. In just the past year or two there have many many more options for suspension components and armor come on the scene for the xterras.

If you go to an FJ forum you will likely get a completely different story obviously. Owners will defend their vehicles to the last breath and few will admit their weaknesses. But what the others have mentioned thus far is actual fact and not opinion.

Good luck on your purchase! Oh... and get the X! ;)

Guess I'll be the first 2nd gen owner to weigh in. I really like the FJ. I test drove it and was about to buy one until I tried to parallel park it. I dunno why I even decided to do that, as I may parallel park two or three times a year. I couldn't see anything. So I decided to check out the Xterra.

I had wanted an Xterra when they first came out, but I was only 17 and couldn't afford it. This time was different. I test drove it, checked out the engine bay, opened every door and checked it out top to bottom. It was more comfortable, easier to get in and out of, much easier to see out of, drove better, has a more powerful engine and better brakes, and is much roomier inside for both passengers and cargo.

The FJ has a few places that in my mind beat the Xterra, mainly aftermarket support, appearance (which is entirely subjective) and the rear tire carrier, which in my opinion is more convenient and looks better. But a rear tire carrier can be had on the X in the form of an aftermarket bumper (on my list of future mods).

What it will ultimately boil down to is for you and your son to go and drive both, check out the aftermarket support for both, decide just how much time it's going to spend off road and in what type of terrain, and then decide which truck you like best. I went with the Xterra, but it was very close.

One other thing to consider is the suicide doors on the FJ.
I've talked to many people with safety concerns about them Ie. if you were to get in an accident and the driver/front seat passenger were incapacitated, the rear seat passengers would not be able to get out easily.

Like others have said, the X has more power and better visibility. It also has the rooftop basket, a very convenient feature if you use it.
Other than that, they are very similar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qsw3M5hhwzU

I love that video. It always gives me a chuckle. Skinny pedal is not always the answer. :)

welcome

Thanks guys! Lots of great information here. We're going to go drive both, and I will report back what we do.

Welcome to the club.

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Online since 2000.

Good luck on your choice!

Got any more pics of that F250 in your sig!?