2011 Xtrail... good, bad, indifferent?

[wakychapmans]

hey all

the wife's 2005 turbo diesel Astra has broken down for the final time...

we're going to trade it in. We'd like a small SUV and really don't want to spend much more than $16k.

We've found a nice looking 2011 Xtrail ST (petrol) for $15,990.

We've got the 105 series for real off-road travel. But was thinking that the Xtrail might be nice for shorter trips up and down the coast and so on.

Thoughts?

Anything we should look out for?

Scary stories?

Thanks.

[paull]

I had a 2008 model X-Trail before my current JK Wrangler and had a ball in it.
Comfortable to drive, stacks of space, and great fun for some mild off roading. It got a damn site further than it ever had a right to if I'm honest. Careful wheel placement and a few wheels in the air and it can climb mountains..........OK I'm getting a bit carried away.
About the only thing I didn't like was the CVT transmission. It had software issues that could cause it to go into limbo mode and at the time Nissan were turning a deaf ear. Probably sorted by the time the 2011 models came out though.
 
Best resource for anything X-Trail related is the australianxtrail forum. What isn't on there isn't worth knowing.

2 things I'd advise if you're planning on taking it off road............firstly get a front bash plate (Jalal on the forum used to sell them) as mine paid for itself 100 times over. After that, take a knife to the rear bumper. They had a 1" high vertical lip running right under the bumper at the lowest point and lots of guys either used it as a sand scoop or got it caught on rocks and ripped the bumper in two. Cut that off and there's a lot less chance of needing a new rear bumper.

[Bird]

if your thinking beach driving, the autos have a habit of overheating easily...

[wakychapmans]

thanks for all the feedback paull, Bird.

it will never get near a beach. or anywhere even remotely serious off road. Maybe the occasional dirt road but that's abut it.

Basically it's an option to a Forester. A comfy car for the wife to drive to work that could also double for short weekends away and perhaps, the occasional hwy run to Melb from Sydney to visit the inlaws.

Wife would LOVE a Forester. But for 4K less... the Xtrail is more roomy inside for our *ahem* "larger proportions". (and dog)

Test driving both this weekend.

[scblack]

I have a Forester, so I vote for the Forester.

They are both good cars which will more than do what you need from it.

[4runnernomore]

We had a fleet of petrol X Trails hired for work in Espernce back in 2013 in  temps above 40 regularly Travelling to and from Esperence on the highway and out to the firing range on farm tracks and corrugated dirt. Usual people drove them like they stole them.

Apart from flat tyres and range we didn't have any issues (450-500 max) see previous ref driven like stolen.

Visiting some of the tourist stops representing our defence history required driving up sandy hills and on to cement tops which were often dug out with a bit of a step. They handled this type of work better than the big work 4wds (105's, 76 series).

I was quietly impressed with them.

Like others said a decent skid plate to protect the vulnerables underneath and you will go further than you think possible.

Subaru another great quiet achiever.

Cheers Chris.

[wakychapmans]

well... looks like the wife has bought a bright red 2011 XTrail

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Nissan-X-Trail-2011/OAG-AD-12039549/?Cr=0

Loan approved, deposit paid.

Now to spend the rest of the day cleaning the toys (pre-school teacher wife) out of the Astra.