Nissan X Trail buying advice?

Nissan X Trail buying advice?

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bluetone

Original Poster:

2,047 posts

220 months

Sunday 2nd August 2009
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Hello All,

Not an 'Off-Road' topic as such, as we don't do much muddy stuff but looking for a decent AWD family car to cope with wintery conditions in rural Wiltshire and an X Trail is currently front-runner. Looking for something decent spec. (leather etc) up to 5 years old/60,000 miles and £10k tops. The X Trail SVE fits our requirements, just wondered if there are any particular areas to watch out for when viewing used examples. I prefer petrol (2.5L v6) and have read there were some problems with early diesels anyway.

Any hints/tips on X Trail purchasing gratefully received smile

Cheers!
bt

rhinochopig

17,932 posts

199 months

Sunday 2nd August 2009
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Petrols are very thirsty - the diesel is a nicer drive. That said, the inter-coolers go as do the turbos - usually together.

I have to say as well the handling isn't brilliant either IME (having driven several). They are very crashy over poor surfaces.

The good points. Nice size - fits two adults, two dogs and a child with ease. Good MPG ~ 40mpg. The rear seats fold completely flat creating a massive load space.

If asked would I have another one, I'd have to say no TBH. I'll probably opt for an Mitsi Outlander or diesel Forrester for our next load lugger.

Rum Runner

2,338 posts

218 months

Sunday 2nd August 2009
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Go for a new shape Grand Vitara . You will get a low mileage much newer car. Driven both, the Zuki handles much better.

3216

43 posts

179 months

Sunday 2nd August 2009
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The turbos have a habit of going on the 2.2 DCi engines. The older Di (pre 53 plate) and newer 2.0 engines don't seem to have the same problem, having said that the turbo on my 2.2Di will probably fail tomorrow just to prove me wrong smile. IIRC Nissan did increase the warranty on the dodgy turbos to 5 years to compensate.

Apparently the petrol engines aren't so great, but I've not actually driven one to compare. I think the test ones tended to be mated to the rather naff auto box which spoilt things a bit.

I'd quite happily replace mine with another one when the time comes. The 56 plate 2.2DCi I had as a loan car when mine got remodelled by a Yaris was a nicer drive due to the extra power, but the seats seemed to have been covered with sandpaper. It's definitely worth paying the extra for the leather.

ian_c_uk

1,247 posts

204 months

Tuesday 11th August 2009
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Rum Runner said:
Go for a new shape Grand Vitara . You will get a low mileage much newer car. Driven both, the Zuki handles much better.
Agreed, as I'm selling mine http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1137463.htmlaugh

Seriously tho, drove the 2.2dci and 2.5 petrol X-trail, the petrol felt a bit gutless low down, whereas the diesel was pretty smooth <for a diesel>. It does feel very FWD tho, as it is until it detects slip.