Please sell me on 05 T4R over 05 Xterra

[MichaelEliis]

Re: Re: Re: I was in a Similar situation as you

I'm not sure what you're talking about there.

The Xterra has LESS rear leg room than the 4Runner... ALOT less in fact. :bash:

In a 4Runner I can sit in the back WITHOUT my legs touching the seats up front. In the Xterra my knees poke into the drivers seat alot and in fact I have to sit with my knees to the sides in order to be even close to comfortable.

The Xterra does have more headroom in the back but I still have an inch or 2 clearance in the 4Runner.

You might want to go back and re-check you info. I've got a tape measure and will get the exact numbers if you need the help. :

Are you comparing 2005 4Runner vs 2005 Xterra? The Nissan was definitely more comfortable in back as far as legroom. Not a huge difference, but noticable. I don't know if it was physical dimensions or sitting position.

 

[DaveS]

If you are looking at issues beyond headroom etc like value for money etc, check out this site

http://www.intellichoice.com/search/New/Nissan/Xterra

The Xterra will potentially cost you more in the long run. I am 6'2" also but short in the leg - I could not fit in the sport with the moonroof but the SR5 was fine. Make sure you try sitting in the passenger seat - it has less height adjustment - my wife is fairly tall and we found neither of us could fit in the passenger seat with the sun roof hence we picked the SR5 (she loves the truck also btw and keeps pestering me to get her one as well!)

 

[Kanab]

Re: Re: Re: Re: I was in a Similar situation as you

Are you comparing 2005 4Runner vs 2005 Xterra? The Nissan was definitely more comfortable in back as far as legroom. Not a huge difference, but noticable. I don't know if it was physical dimensions or sitting position.

Michael, I feel for you. It sounds like based on your vertical disadvantage (in this case) that you can't fit in the 4runner. You really need to be looking at a Full size SUV or even the giant size SUV's like the Expedition. The 4runner and the especially the Xterra will look like your riding around in a clown car, not cool. Your trying to shop in the suit department that sells 38 regulars to 46 regulars and you need to be in the Big and Tall man department.

 

[Thai]

Here is another thread on comparo between these two SUVs:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9509

 

[DaveS]

If you are prepared to compromise on a soft-roader you should look at the Honda Pilot btw - it has a lot of head and leg room

 

[MichaelEliis]

Thai: Yep, read that thread. The Xterra should work for the simple offroading I do. Although the question of whether the X's 4WD is part-time or multi-mode is a good question. Reading the 4WD section of the Xterra user manual online, just about every page says "Caution: Do not drive the vehicle in the 4H or 4LO position on dry hard surface roads. Driving on dr, hard surfaces in 4H or 4LO may cause unnecessary noise, tire wear, and increased fuel consumption." So a lot of warnings, but nothing about damaging the drive. One of the things that first attracted me to the 4Runner was that you can leave it in 4H.

Dave: I looked at the Pilot a while ago, I think around when it first came out. Maybe it's changed since then, but while it did have more headroom that the 4R, the legroom didn't seem as good. It might have just been the driving position, but my leg felt like it would cramp up right away, and my knees were hitting the dash.

 

[Thai]

I think that the Xterra's 4wd system is part-time...you canNOT use it on dry roads. If you want the AWD system, then you have to upgrade to the Pathfinder.

So, if you want AWD along with 4-LO, then the 4runner or Pathfinder are your choices. Xterra does not have it.

 

[darktiger]

I am 6'4" almost 6'5", and I do not have any trouble in my 04 4runner sport. The only trouble I have is the accelorator is to close to the brake, I have big a$$ feet...I did not like the Xterra. My friend just got rid of his 04 Xterra because he was having problems with it.

 

[MichaelEliis]

I was wrong!

I was testing a Kia Sorento (which actually seems like a pretty decent vehicle, even with the [light] offroading I need), and the dealer is immediately across the road from the Toyota one. So to compare I stopped by and looked at the 4Runner SR5 (no moonroof) again.

I don't know what I did this time that I wasn't doing before, but I got the seat into a very comfortable position. Had plenty of headroom, and my legs were in a comfortable enough position to drive that I don't think the lack of "stretch space" behind the pedals matters.

So 4Runner's back at the top of my list. Now I just need to decide between pulling the trigger now or waiting to see if the 2006 adds anything compelling.

 

[azskyrider]

M- if you mistaken the Kia for an X then you already ruled out the X for the wrong reasons. Nissan changed a lot on the x for '05 so you really can't compare on past X's.

It really comes down with what you want to do with it. As for reliability I think both are better than GM, FORD, and CHRYSLER.

I think the biggest draw to the X rather than the T4R is the electronic rear Locker and the little bit of extra horsepower (V6). Plus you can run with 87 octane with out pinging and the price difference is enough for some. You can also fit 33' tires with out a suspension lift.

The '05 tacoma has had some paint problems in its early production. The main draw back of the '05 taco is the rear old fashion DRUM brakes and the plastic bed. They did away with the steel bed for '05. There are already owners complaining of cracked beds. Plus if you plan to mount anything then expect the composite bed to crack at the joints. They do offer a supplemental engine and tranny cooler, higher amp alternator along with a rear locker. For the off roader it has me really thinking.

I haven't pulled the trigger yet. I am in the same boat but mine will be abused so I am going for price, most options stock, and off road performance. The lower the price the less I will probably cringe if it scratched. I am going to wait for the '06's.

I will buy the T4R if the locker came standard, the taco if it comes with disk brakes all around and a steel bed. The Xterra to me is perfect but I want to see the FJ Cruiser before I decide.

Really you can't go wrong but I would check out the 05 X's before you rule it out.

good luck,

 

[MichaelEliis]

To clarify: I was wrong when stating that I could not get the T4R seat into a position where it was comfortable to drive.

It was indeed the 05 Xterra I had testdriven when I first posted this thread a month ago.

 

[vandert]

Alright

This is going to sound a little shallow, but the 4Runner, and the X are pretty much the same, BUT aimed at slightly different markets.

The X is for the 18-30 yr olds, young, energetic, a little absent minded, etc... That would be my generation. I had a hard time with the X and the Runner, I liked the ruggedness of the X over the Runner. But the plain truth was even with the rugedness of the X, the Runner was a better offroad vehicle.

It was such a hard decision, it almost came down to the dealers, and Nissan dealerships suck compared to Toyota, at least in the SouthEastern area of the United States.

I've had both brands, the aftermarket supports Toyota better and that helped the decision as well.

It'll come down to you, and for the record, the Kia you mentioned, is not even in the same league, it'll depreciate about 8,000 bucks the day you drive it off the lot, toyota is only about 2,000. My 2004 Runner blue books for more than I paid for it in April of 2004 right now. Just some food for thought.

 

[Kanab]

I think the biggest draw to the X rather than the T4R is the electronic rear Locker and the little bit of extra horsepower (V6). Plus you can run with 87 octane with out pinging

The V6 will ping on 87 octane before the V8. Check out the compression ratio of both engines.