Used Nissan X-Trail, things to watch for?
Discussion
Looking to buy a larger family car and toying with the idea of either a Nissan X-Trail or the Honda CRV, wife won't go much larger size wise, but I like the Japanesey reliability and boot size of both. Is there anything I should watch out for specifically on this cars when assessing a used one?
Only problems I've had (2004 dCi Sport, from new)
- the well-known diesel turbo problem. This was sorted by a redesign around 2005, so either it will have failed and been replaced by a "good" one, or it was OK from the start
- brake calipers can seize after a few years. The sliding pins need to be lubricated but this isn't a service item.
Other than that mine has been fine - certainly the most reliable car I've had in 40 years, and I really like the driving position with good visibility and very comfy seats.
- the well-known diesel turbo problem. This was sorted by a redesign around 2005, so either it will have failed and been replaced by a "good" one, or it was OK from the start
- brake calipers can seize after a few years. The sliding pins need to be lubricated but this isn't a service item.
Other than that mine has been fine - certainly the most reliable car I've had in 40 years, and I really like the driving position with good visibility and very comfy seats.
Edited by Nimby on Tuesday 3rd July 13:03
Wouldn't be much off roading, maybe a track or two and a field. prefer the look over a CRV although they are both in the same market, Mrs Tox didn't get on with power on Quashqui, felt it was sluggish (relative I know in this market as an X-trail is hardly going to be doing burnouts)
I've got a 54 plate 2.5 petrol automatic. No turbo issues! MPG not wonderful but unless you're doing north of 12k p.a not a big deal IMO.
Comfortable and reliable. Cheap to service. Never any complaints when all 5 of us are in it, bikes on the roof, boot fully laden. And with 160bhp on tap it's not sluggish either.
Only unexpected issue was a seized front caliper. New set of pads and an hour or so of labour and it was all sorted. BTW, it's the wife's car and she loves it.
Comfortable and reliable. Cheap to service. Never any complaints when all 5 of us are in it, bikes on the roof, boot fully laden. And with 160bhp on tap it's not sluggish either.
Only unexpected issue was a seized front caliper. New set of pads and an hour or so of labour and it was all sorted. BTW, it's the wife's car and she loves it.
Honda and Nissan never really made it in the "lifestyle 4x4" world imo. Nissan is the school run special and the Honda is driven by white haired caravan owners.
Honda seem to have acknowledged this by making each successive CR-V look less and less like a 4x4 and more like a Hong Kong taxi.
The X Trail has always looked the part and the two that ran as company cars were reliable and comfortable.
If looking at an X-Trail I would look for evidence that it had ever been off road. Engine and transmission faults are expensive to put right, bodywork must be clean and undamaged - and check everything electrical - EVERYTHING.
Honda seem to have acknowledged this by making each successive CR-V look less and less like a 4x4 and more like a Hong Kong taxi.
The X Trail has always looked the part and the two that ran as company cars were reliable and comfortable.
If looking at an X-Trail I would look for evidence that it had ever been off road. Engine and transmission faults are expensive to put right, bodywork must be clean and undamaged - and check everything electrical - EVERYTHING.
Considered a Freelander 2? Loved mine.
It was replaced last year with a new X-trail which while really good, is nowhere near as fun or interesting. It's pure white goods on wheels, basically. That being said, the X-trail is the better car than the LR for most stuff - I've had no reliability problems at all, it's been faultless. It's got just about every toy I want, it's very comfortable, the nav/entertainment system makes the LR's feel like it's from the dark ages, and it's slightly better on economy, miles better on depreciation (or rather the lack of), and the interior is generally much nicer quality. The FL2 was more fun to drive, but the Nissan is the better equipped and doesn't feel like a crashy, over-sprung car over the bumpy stuff. Depends on what you want really, but the X-trail is by no means a bad steer, quite the opposite, it's just boringly competent and well specced, while the LR was hilarious to pitch into corners at speed and throw around.
Only things I don't like are the autoboxes are utter turd as per most non-fruity Nissans, and while my manual one is pretty decent, it's completely gutless at the lower rev range even and the first gear is laughably short on them. Great for everyday smoking around and dog transport though. I did try a CRV briefly before deciding on the Nissan, but at the tender age of 28 I wasn't ready to feel like I'd given up on life and chosen the most boring vehicle on the planet.
I'd also try an XC90, and if you're in no way interested in feedback or fun and it's purely a comfort and daily driving thing, the Lexus RX is stunning value for money second hand.
Edit: d'oh, just seen your budget, I can't say I know anything about the first generation ones, but you might find an older RX in the sub-10k price bracket. Seriously, they're great.
It was replaced last year with a new X-trail which while really good, is nowhere near as fun or interesting. It's pure white goods on wheels, basically. That being said, the X-trail is the better car than the LR for most stuff - I've had no reliability problems at all, it's been faultless. It's got just about every toy I want, it's very comfortable, the nav/entertainment system makes the LR's feel like it's from the dark ages, and it's slightly better on economy, miles better on depreciation (or rather the lack of), and the interior is generally much nicer quality. The FL2 was more fun to drive, but the Nissan is the better equipped and doesn't feel like a crashy, over-sprung car over the bumpy stuff. Depends on what you want really, but the X-trail is by no means a bad steer, quite the opposite, it's just boringly competent and well specced, while the LR was hilarious to pitch into corners at speed and throw around.
Only things I don't like are the autoboxes are utter turd as per most non-fruity Nissans, and while my manual one is pretty decent, it's completely gutless at the lower rev range even and the first gear is laughably short on them. Great for everyday smoking around and dog transport though. I did try a CRV briefly before deciding on the Nissan, but at the tender age of 28 I wasn't ready to feel like I'd given up on life and chosen the most boring vehicle on the planet.
I'd also try an XC90, and if you're in no way interested in feedback or fun and it's purely a comfort and daily driving thing, the Lexus RX is stunning value for money second hand.
Edit: d'oh, just seen your budget, I can't say I know anything about the first generation ones, but you might find an older RX in the sub-10k price bracket. Seriously, they're great.
toxgobbler said:
Probably an older one as it will be the family car so maybe £5-8k hopefully being realistic.
can you stretch a little to a new car?http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Guy at work has the 2.2 DCi Sport X-Trail on a 55 plate.
He loves it, he's covered 60000 miles and the only thing he's had to get fixed is a seized brake caliper. Otherwise, the car has been faultless especially considering he doesn't generally service his cars very well.
Very comfortable too from the one time I've been in it, although I'm not a fan of the dashboard layout.
He loves it, he's covered 60000 miles and the only thing he's had to get fixed is a seized brake caliper. Otherwise, the car has been faultless especially considering he doesn't generally service his cars very well.
Very comfortable too from the one time I've been in it, although I'm not a fan of the dashboard layout.
toxgobbler said:
Looking to buy a larger family car and toying with the idea of either a Nissan X-Trail or the Honda CRV, wife won't go much larger size wise, but I like the Japanesey reliability and boot size of both. Is there anything I should watch out for specifically on this cars when assessing a used one?
They are very good value and quite robust (tougher than a CRV or Rav-4).Have had 2.0 and 2.5 petrol auto's with Fsh and nothing really to mention to look out for.
The keys tend to wear out (fob).
Front tyres wear quickly.
The 2.0 petrol is awfull on the motorway compared to the 2.5 16v 4cyl petrol which is not too bad on fuel v's the 2.0. Not tried a diesel.
Try and get one with big spec, ie leather, big sunroof, roof bars, rear park etc plenty to chose from and much cheaper than equivalent CRV or Rav-4.
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