Road Tests: Long-Term Test

Our Xterra spent one more month in Chicago, its Aztec Red paint blending well with the crimson and orange autumn leaves. Camouflaging in our natural surroundings is fine, but we wanted to stand out from the ever-popular silver that everyone seems to be buying straight off the billboards. We wanted attention, and that's what we've been getting. Several people asked us what this fresh-looking truck was, while others simply stared.

Passengers who otherwise would have had difficulty getting into and out of the high truck found the two large handles inside quite helpful for hoisting themselves aboard and assisting them out. The seats are fairly firm and supportive, with the only question mark pertaining to the nonadjustable driver's seat height. Our drivers this month found the seating position to be fine, but we'll speculate that future drivers of differing builds and heights might not agree.

Our first impressions of the Xterra were limited mostly to highway driving, leaving us wanting more power from the somewhat wheezy engine. This month, city driving told a different story, with the 170- horsepower V6 providing ample power at around-town speeds. In fact, from a standstill the Xterra even has a bit of grunt.

Even when the power isn't put down in full force, we found the Xterra to oversteer a bit even when only minimally wet. This quality, though, was easily curbed by placing the transfer-case lever in 4-Hi. Still, we're left wondering why the truck wags its tail so easily.

We took a trip north to America's dairyland, Wisconsin. There we picked up a couple dozen folded cardboard boxes, which fit easily into the rear storage area. In fact, just about everything we needed to carry fit in the rear, not requiring us to fold down seats or stow items inside the passenger compartment. This month didn't prove to be a huge hauling month, but nonetheless, the Xterra met our needs quite nicely. Lifting the rear hatch over and over revealed the first-aid kit, something obviously intended for those who venture off the beaten path and are unfortunate enough to be injured. As far as we're concerned, it's a cutesy marketing gimmick.

The Xterra made one more jaunt, this time to Kentucky. The 1,000-mile round trip went without a hitch, but the annoying location of the cruise-control on/off switch made itself apparent again, as did the lack of engine power at high speeds. However, the wheeziness was not nearly as apparent on the flat plains of the Midwest as it was during our drive through some mountainous sections of the West last month.

This month it was time to take the Xterra for its first oil change. In addition, a problem had developed that we wanted the dealer to look at. While shifting the transmission, we noticed a clanking noise that wasn't present before. Performance was not impeded, but something wasn't as it should be.

We phoned JK Nissan in Downers Grove, Ill., and set up an appointment for the next morning. Finding the service entrance was no problem. Everything was organized and clean, and a service advisor came to help us immediately. The advisor inspected the transmission and thought all was as it should be. We assured him that the noise wasn't present previously and insisted that someone check it out.

Later that day we got word that the Xterra was repaired and ready. We picked up our vehicle, and sure enough the transmission was no longer making strange noises. Apparently an exhaust tube clamp had worked its way loose. The dealer had replaced the clamp under warranty. Our oil change came to $26.88, but they also threw in some free inspections. Even though Nissan doesn't recommend any inspections at 3,750 miles, it was a nice bonus.

It looks like our Xterra will leave Chicago before the first snow, so the inclement weather report is gonna have to wait for a later point in time. For now though, the Xterra appears to be even more at home stoplight to stoplight than it does during long-distance cruising.


Total Odometer Reading: 5,862
Best Fuel Economy: 16.6 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 14 mpg
Running Average Over Life of Vehicle: 16 mpg
Body Damage Repair: $0
Maintenance Costs: $26.88
Problems: Clanking noise while moving the transmission lever through the gears.