I’ve been in the market for a new vehicle for some time now… just couldn’t really decide what. Truck…of course…. well, SUV more likely. I’ve loved my little 4runner for the past 18 years, but it’s on its last legs. I keep thinking maybe we should do the body and bring it back to life…. but we’ve sunk so much money into it… maybe it’s a kindness to let it move on….
But now what?
Another 4runner? So expensive! And I’ll play the endless comparison game.
Pathfinder? Too low to the ground.
FJ Cruiser? Crappy visibility…but a nice package!
Element? Hate them!!
Escape? It’s a Ford…not likely!
Dodge Durango? Yuck!
Kia Sorento? Disposable vehicle…
Everything else looks like a minivan and is little better than a tall car, shaped like an egg, or only comes in automatic (eeew…!!)
Except the Nissan Xterra….
Comes in an Off Road package, with full skid plates, solid rear axle, leaf springs, reinforced rear structure, six-speed manual transmission (I’m in heaven!!) with fully locking rear differential…. 60K km, 2005, still with one year warranty on it. The interior looks like no one has ever sat in it…not a scuff to be found! Outside, a small rock chip in the windshield, three small chips on the passenger side, and a few hood chips. Highway rock chips. One owner, no accidents, low mileage. Fuel economy pretty much on par with the 4runner, so no surprises there.
Perhaps this is my new baby….
We will make the offer on Friday… I may have a new truck by the weekend….very exciting….
But is it ever BIG compared to the 4runner! A whopping 900 lbs heavier! A good six inches wider, a three inch longer wheelbase, and about 12 inches taller. We “borrowed” it from the dealership today to make sure it would actually fit into the underground parking! (It did)
It’s a bit stubby for my liking, but rides well, corners better, and has more power than my old 4runner… and there just isn’t anything else out there that I like.
I smell a road trip……