3rd Gen-What would you want in one?

[Macland]

Like the title says, what would you want in a 3rd Gen X?

What do you think Nissan should do logically?

What options should be available that wouldn't necessarily be on the base model?




Nissan should totally jump on Ford's 3.5L EcoBoost V6!

 

[civicjoe]

Tell them I want it to have a removable hardtop, just for the summers. Lol. And a rear bumper with spare mount.

Well if anything they could always follow the Toyota Rj model and keep building them as long as people keep buying them. The trick is finding the magic number to produce


Sent from the Nighthog mobile command unit.

 

[ItsmeWayne]

I hope they do build a new one and I hope that it does not grow bigger, like the Pathy, or it will die quick!
They need to keep them off road size! I even feel the gen 2 are getting too big!
There are many tight trails, that still need to be run!

 

[Ricel]

Looks like a murano... How are you suppose to toe your trailer?

 

[drbandkgb]

Your not lol


Sent from the satellite of love..

 

[ryandavenport]

Your not lol


Sent from the satellite of love..

Actually, many crossovers still have extremely good tow ratings due to their longer wheelbase. The Dodge Durango (a unibody vehicle) can still tow 7400 lbs. The GMC Acadia/ Chevrolet Traverse/ Buick Enclave can still tow 5200 lbs. Which is 200 lbs more than the 2nd gen X. I would venture to say that no one here uses their X to tow that much weight regularly. The only thing that could potentially hinder the newest Pathfinder's towing capacity is possibly the CVT. Otherwise, I see no reason why it wouldn't be able to do a good job towing. Most people have no clue about the weight that they tow anyways. Many people assume that what they are towing is much heavier than it actually is. I would be interested to know how many people here have "really" approached the towing capabilities of the Xterra.

 

[drbandkgb]

If you want to know the towing.. Look up the infinity jx..
It's the same crossover..


Sent from the satellite of love..

 

[ryandavenport]

If you want to know the towing.. Look up the infinity jx..
It's the same crossover..


Sent from the satellite of love..

Numbers aren't there yet.

 

[drbandkgb]

I'll see what I can find out


Sent from the satellite of love..

 

[J Everett]

Speaking of Muranos and all hope being lost, has anyone laid eyes on the Murano Cross-Cabrio? I never thought I'd say this, and certainly not about a Nissan, but it's uglier than a Pontiac Aztec.

 

[drbandkgb]

See I like it...


Sent from the satellite of love..

 

[ryandavenport]

I agree with Jason. That thing is hideous lol. I guess to each his own, but I see no point in having an AWD half-*** SUV/sedan convertible. Its like a Starburst or a Scottish-Asian, its just a complete contradiction all the way through.

 

[Kris&HerX]

Speaking of Muranos and all hope being lost, has anyone laid eyes on the Murano Cross-Cabrio? I never thought I'd say this, and certainly not about a Nissan, but it's uglier than a Pontiac Aztec.

Yeah I don't know so much about the whole "convertable crossover" idea - but I was in love with the Aztecs back in the day. coughcough ok maybe like 5 years ago.



I took am very excited to see a new X - but keep this in mind too, there are the different versions of the Xs already. With the first gen you've obviously got the XE, SE, [I figure I'm missing one] What do you guys think they'll keep on the cheapest version - and what would you like to see added to the OR or PRO-4X as they call 'em now?

 

[J Everett]

Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike the Aztec. It's definitely not pretty, but it's so strange it's quirky and has personality. I like that. The Kia Soul and Nissan Cube are both like that. The Murano Cross-whatever is not like that.

But you raise a good question, Kris. I'd like to see Nissan keep the line down at three versions, An entry level S or X (whatever they wanna call it), an OR version (Pro4X sounds ridiculous; I like Off-Road better) with the current OR options of locker, skids, roof lights, Bilsteins, AT tires, etc., and the SE, available with the premium stereo, leather, fogs, maybe HIDs, 17" alloys, all the little things that currently make the SE what it is.

But there are a couple of things I'd like to see across the range: A direct-injected version of the VQ40, tuned for about the same power but we'd get a nice bump in economy. OK, maybe a little more power. I want the M226 to be the only rear axle available. Also, and this should be standard in every single new vehicle on the market, USB audio/iPod support and Bluetooth connectivity. I know that adds a bit to the base cost, but with a lot of states making hands-free mandatory for commercial vehicles, I wouldn't be surprised if we start seeing it made mandatory for all drivers in some places. Just a few thoughts.

 

[Macland]

I completely agree with you on your last paragraph. I think that if the X can be brought up to date while still retaining its purpose then Nissan will be doing the right thing. Whenever you fall behind the curve you lose a whole market. They really need to do two things.
1. Attack Jeep with a truly off road capable Xterra.

2. Make the interior nice enough to satisfy women drivers who DO make a big difference in sales of this vehicle. I know that there are a lot of women out there that want the versatility of an SUV without driving a minivan or some sissy looking/running crossover. BUT they still want a comfortable ride, hence your SE option available again.

 

[Cyclemut]

With electric heated butt scratchers as an option.

Men aren't the only ones that want their buns warm in the morning. The neoprene seat covers in my X feel like a board when I jump in during freezing temps.

Gimme warm buns and I'll show you a man singin' to the radio first thing in the morning!

 

[civicjoe]

I completely agree with you on your last paragraph. I think that if the X can be brought up to date while still retaining its purpose then Nissan will be doing the right thing. Whenever you fall behind the curve you lose a whole market. They really need to do two things.
1. Attack Jeep with a truly off road capable Xterra.

2. Make the interior nice enough to satisfy women drivers who DO make a big difference in sales of this vehicle. I know that there are a lot of women out there that want the versatility of an SUV without driving a minivan or some sissy looking/running crossover. BUT they still want a comfortable ride, hence your SE option available again.

yup, my wife's favorite part of the X is the "comfy" passenger seat, she does however wish she we had heated seats only because she has them in her car

 

[Kris&HerX]

Heated seats sounds like a great idea to me!

How about floorboard lights - like Chevy has with most of their trucks?

I swear I have better ideas - I'm just drawing a blank right now.

 

[NismoFire]

Heated seats sounds like a great idea to me!

How about floorboard lights - like Chevy has with most of their trucks?

I swear I have better ideas - I'm just drawing a blank right now.

.....Kris, you just gave me an idea for a mod!!!

 

[TheFauxFox]

How about floorboard lights - like Chevy has with most of their trucks?

This is a fairly simple mod, depending on the color you want. Red is by far the easiest option, but when you realize what parts you can use, you'll find it to be a little redneck... which is not a problem.

 

[Kris&HerX]

Yeah, but if they were stock on the truck and came on when you opened the doors - that'd be great.

 

[Macland]

Thread added to clean up another thread and serve a separate purpose.

 

[AaronsX]

A solid axle up front.

 

[J Everett]

A solid axle up front would more than likely kill the sales numbers. The vast majority of buyers aren't looking for a hardcore off roader; they want something that looks bad ass and safely and comfortably gets the kids to school in any and all weather conditions, with maybe the occasional camping trip to justify buying a 4wd.

The rest of us, the enthusiasts that want hard core off roaders, depend on the other 20000 buyers a year to keep the model alive, and those folks want a vehicle that rides and handles well, hence the IFS. Lifts, solid front axles, heavy duty armor....that kind of stuff is best left to the aftermarket. It keeps vehicle purchase costs down, allows each of us to personalize our Xterras, and better yet, specialize them to the type of off roading we want to do.

Personally, I don't want 5 inches of lift and a solid front axle. This is my daily driver, and it's already kind of tall and hard to get in and out of with 2" of lift. And since I spend 95% of my time on pavement, I'd prefer the handling of the IFS.

I'm not saying that an SAS is a bad choice for everyone, it just doesn't fit the needs of most of the people that would buy Xterras.

But, it does stir up thought and discussion, and since that's what this thread is all about....well, you get the idea.

 

[Xterradude05]

I would only consider purchasing a new Xterra if they included Auto stick. Just saying. I love Mazda because they have them and I would love to have a SUV with one as well. Of course, a better suspension would greatly improve performance and make me want one even more. I just hope they do a complete revamp of the X. New engine, trans, susp, ect.

 

[J Everett]

New engine/trans would be sweet, but I'll settle for an updated VQ40 with freer flowing heads and direct injection. A mid size V8 option, in 4.5-4.7L, would be really nice to see. And with whatever transmission they go with, a stand alone trans cooler instead of one built into the radiator. Personally, I haven't had any issues with the SMoD, but I still worry about it. It would be nice to not have to worry.

And for the manual, a beefier clutch.

 

[dhyde79]

as for a third gen...I have a small laundry list of required changes.

#1. optional FUEL EFFICIENT V8
I'm talking something with more beef to it than the 5.6 does in the titan, if they can get the power they do out of the VQ40DE, then they should be able to get more out of the 5.6L than they do.

To illustrate this, the VK56DE puts out 58.7hp/L and 71.3lb/ft of torque/L
the VQ40DE in the pathfinder actually tops what the 2nd gen X puts out 67.5hp/L and 72.8lb/ft of torque/L

whatever they did get the X and the pathy to get their numbers up could be done to the titan's VK56DE...if they got the VK motor up in the neighborhood of the per liter numbers of the VQ40DE's numbers, it'd be a much better match... that'd bump the horsepower up to 378hp and 408lb/ft of torque, which, in a rig like the X, would be truly impressive.

#2. CHANGE THE FRONT DIFF!
there's gotta be a way to make it happen, put a front diff in that matches the rear diff, it doesn't have to be a solid axle, just get a D44 front diff in there! jeep did it for a while in a couple of theirs, D44 based IFS front axle. Then get off the tails and throw a front e-locker in to match the rear.

#3. Follow me here guys...FACTORY INSTALLED ARB AIR LOCKER OPTION
we all know that having lockers is great, lets get an optional upgrade from the e-lockers to a nice tough arb air locker.

with either way it goes for lockers, MAKE THEM WORK IN 4H instead of just 4L

#4. DELETE THE THROTTLE LIMITER!!!
at minimum, set it so that the throttle limiter is disabled when you have the vehicle in 4H or 4L....I've had mine in almost stuck moments too many times because of the throttle limiter. Do away with it!

#5. Give us a bit of extra clearance in the wheel wells...
the ability to get 35's on with a small lift without having to do any trimming, very important to offroaders.

#6. Move the stock tire size on the OR/Pro4X up to full 33x12.50's instead of 32x11's in which the tires that come on it are really 31x10's

#7. Make the OR/Pro4X with some better skids, I know that having the stock ones now is better than not having any at all, but, how about some upgraded ones? they can't possibly cost THAT much more to manufacture than the cheap stock ones.

#8. Fuel Economy Please?
I realize, that's a lot to ask for something that has decent power to get good fuel efficiency, but, make it happen!

#9. While we've got an "out on a limb" request list, lets try this one....
DIESEL ENGINE OPTION!!!

#10. if #2 pulls through, make sure it bolts into the exact same manner as the 2nd gen diff and titan diff so those of us that have older vehicles can get a good upgrade!

 

[Xterradude05]

New engine/trans would be sweet, but I'll settle for an updated VQ40 with freer flowing heads and direct injection. A mid size V8 option, in 4.5-4.7L, would be really nice to see. And with whatever transmission they go with, a stand alone trans cooler instead of one built into the radiator. Personally, I haven't had any issues with the SMoD, but I still worry about it. It would be nice to not have to worry.

And for the manual, a beefier clutch.

I would consider a V8 option or just a twin turbo V6 GTR engine would be nice and simple.

 

[dhyde79]

I would consider a V8 option or just a twin turbo V6 GTR engine would be nice and simple.

I don't even want to imagine the cost hike on the Xterra if it has a "hand built, clean room assembled, shipped from Japan" motor. I can't find the price tag on a new crate VQ40, just a used one and it's $2500+ but a rebuilt VR38DETT is $9000 without any turbos, it's $10K for a rebuilt with rebuilt turbos, they say it's over $25K for a new crate GT-R motor. Say hello to your $60,000 offroad model Xterra with the GT-R motor

Aside from that, if you're going for a non-naturally aspirated V6, just supercharge the VQ40DE I bet it'd do fantastically, and it'd likely be better for all around on and off road performance.

 

[Xterradude05]

HAHA, yeah. But at least it would have all the power I would ever need. 265hp is just not enough for me. Granted, it does fairly well with the 350z inspired transmission, just not enough power. I feel they could easily hit 300 in a V6.

 

[NMTerras]

Flux capacitor!

 

[dhyde79]

HAHA, yeah. But at least it would have all the power I would ever need. 265hp is just not enough for me. Granted, it does fairly well with the 350z inspired transmission, just not enough power. I feel they could easily hit 300 in a V6.

they could, I've got a hair over 300 hp with just a tune job...headers, throttle body spacer, exhaust, and CAI are on the list, I'm aiming for 325hp and at least 350 ft/lb, which I'm running 325 ft/lb right now.

 

[Xterradude05]

they could, I've got a hair over 300 hp with just a tune job...headers, throttle body spacer, exhaust, and CAI are on the list, I'm aiming for 325hp and at least 350 ft/lb, which I'm running 325 ft/lb right now.

That is really sweet dude. I'm going to do the CAI when everything stops breaking on the X and can afford to do so. Maybe a turbo? Not to sure about that just yet.

 

[dhyde79]

the downside to turbo is that it has to spool up, at least with a supercharger it's on demand power with the RPM's...your cheapest mod you can do to get more go go is to grab yourself a bullydog GT or a superchips cortex, either one is a great addition, will teach you to drive in a way that gets you better fuel economy, as well as getting you more power. In addition, you can delete the throttle limiter with either one, and that'll help immensely while wheeling.

speaking of....lets make that a new point of desire on the next gen X...

Onboard Tuner for Street/Sport/Offroad, that modifies fuel management profiles, like whatever the other car that nissan makes has onboard. offroad profile would disable throttle limiter and completely disable traction control. That'll actually be something that one-up's the jeep wranglers and cherokees

 

[TheFauxFox]

Onboard Tuner for Street/Sport/Offroad, that modifies fuel management profiles, like whatever the other car that nissan makes has onboard. offroad profile would disable throttle limiter and completely disable traction control. That'll actually be something that one-up's the jeep wranglers and cherokees

Do you mean other than the '05+ GT-R?

 

[dhyde79]

Do you mean other than the '05+ GT-R?

yeah, I'm pretty sure that it's one of the small sporty things....I keep thinking it was the juke, but I could be wrong....I know there was one of those little things that had a commercial that talked it up....the one where the temp goes after coffee and donuts and comes flying back to the meeting at the last minute....and all the while he's in some little red thing....


**edit**

yes, it is in fact the juke, here's the commercial that it was shown in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RdALFkwvHg

 

[Heavus]

Front and rear lockers. definately not bigger. i want to see them do something cool with the roof rack. and Projector headlights! maybe a V8 option?

 

[dhyde79]

not fond of projector headlights, unless they do separate bulbs, one for low beams and a big bright flood type for the high beams instead of just a tilt of directional aim...speaking of, I wonder how hard it'd be to get something like that down in the fog light enclosure on the bumper....actual driving lights instead of fogs....

 

[AZhiAZiAM]

A rear window like 4runners were they are able to roll them down. my dog likes to stick his head out of windows and was almost the reason i bought a 4runner over an X.

 

[Kris&HerX]

A rear window like 4runners were they are able to roll them down. my dog likes to stick his head out of windows and was almost the reason i bought a 4runner over an X.

That's what I've really wanted too, but it's really crossing over into the Toyota community & being more of a copy cat than anything [this includes my comment about the floor board lights]. Or if they could do something with a window hatch opening..... many SUVs have it... so it's not exactly copying.