Yes, X-Terra is a good choice - only thing is to consider whether it will be discontinued in the next few years. Nobody knows for sure, but looking at its declining sales, the fact that X-Terra production was stopped at the main Mexico plant in order to build another model, which basically means it's no longer produced for North America, and that Nissan's line-up includes the Pathfinder in similar price range (USD 3k more than X-Terra), plus the fact that the smaller Rogue is being pushed, it's a tough time for SUVs...

They are no longer building the Xterra at they Smyrna, TN plant?

Thanks everyone for you comments, i was initially looking for a FJ but later was seeking advice.
Now i know i have atleast 2-3 options to compare but first thing first.
I don't know how much should i spend on my first 4x4 of off road with almost no off road experience!?

When i was thinking of FJ i was thinking to buy it and forget it...
Now i am also thinking of Jeep but i think it will be very poor performer on road (Office).
I don't know how good Cherokee is in doing off road trips?
And What you people think about H3?

I guess i might be left with two options; FJ or XTERRA!

Lets See...

Another question...
Are we only talking about sand or all terrains.

I also recommend the X-terra ... It's good for all purpose, on-road, Off-Road and also rock crawling (If you can do it here in UAE)

If you were to choose between the X Terra and FJ ..the FJ is by far the more comfortable car and an all around winner ....X Terra is a great car but like I said before the suspension at the rear really puts it off my list.

FJ has better resale value too and will sell in a snap if you have to

shahzad wrote:Thanks everyone for you comments, i was initially looking for a FJ but later was seeking advice.
Now i know i have atleast 2-3 options to compare but first thing first.
I don't know how much should i spend on my first 4x4 of off road with almost no off road experience!?

When i was thinking of FJ i was thinking to buy it and forget it...
Now i am also thinking of Jeep but i think it will be very poor performer on road (Office).
I don't know how good Cherokee is in doing off road trips?
And What you people think about H3?

I guess i might be left with two options; FJ or XTERRA!

Lets See...

Another question...
Are we only talking about sand or all terrains.

If you're thinking new, then the new Jeep Grand Cherokee looks very capable. Get the one with the adjustable air suspension. Very good on road, and hit a button and it lifts 8cm for offroad. Great V8 engine, and the v6 is almost 300bhp, so that would work too. Good 4x4 system choices too. I might be a little biased, though

Outlaw wrote:If you're thinking new, then the new Jeep Grand Cherokee looks very capable. Get the one with the adjustable air suspension. Very good on road, and hit a button and it lifts 8cm for offroad. Great V8 engine, and the v6 is almost 300bhp, so that would work too. Good 4x4 system choices too. I might be a little biased, though

x2, x3, x4, x5, x6, x7, V8!!!

pseacraft wrote:They are no longer building the Xterra at they Smyrna, TN plant?

Not sure, but can find out. I just know they re-tooled the Mexico plant away from X-Terra to build a smaller SUV crossover - I'm going to guess it's something like the X-trail (but called something else, and maybe different specs, but basically taking the X-Trail segment - 4-cylinder crossover) Thing is, X-Terra sales in North America have not been going well, even though it is a capable off-roader, and adding to that my amateur analysis of their SUV line-up, and they pretty much have not yet found the right mix-and-match. Pathfinder is solid, so that should stay. Armada takes the big-boy spot. Murano the sports SUV... Smaller 4-cylinder is what they want, and also what the market demand is moving towards. Make it hybrid and you might have a winner... I say that's what they're thinking. 4.0L X-Terra I feel is on shaky grounds. But, that's just me, I might be completely wrong and Nissan might decide to upgrade the X-Terra to challenge the FJ... that would be cool 8)

EDIT: according to wikipedia, "By 2012, Smyrna will be a manufacturing site for Nissan's electric car, the Nissan Leaf." Hmmm, another indication the X-Terra's days are counted...

.. well, seriously dunot believe that X-Terra will leave soon. It is very popular in Asia and Aussi-land due to the simple, straight forward setup. Yes, the US-market is an indicator but so is the European market and there you find no X-Terra or FJ in big numbers. Even the new Patrol is not introduced yet and Toyota will cut completly the Landcruiser (named LC100 over there) and rising the sales-price of the Prado sky-high to get the people move to the RAV-segment (THIS IS NOT A JOKE!!!) thus avoiding penalties from EU for high pollution-fleet.

And even if X-Terras destination is to vanish, the spareparts will be available for a long time since the major parts are from the standard Nissan/Renailt shelf what will not be closed.

I would go with the Xterra, I am biased as I owned a 2000 X back in the US. Visibility was great, comfort was great and you could and I did beat the snot out of it and it asked for more. It survived 3 years of hurricane storm chasing loaded down with comm gear and fuel with not a scratch. The Xterra came out of the Nissan's La Jolla California Design Bureau in response to customer demand for a vehicle like the original two door Nissan Pathfinder. I had one of those too, 1987 for over 10 years. Towed many a Jeep with that thing in Southern California. The Xterra may have a small nitch market share in the US but the owner loyalty is tremendous.

As nice as the FJ is I think its just too clumsy and really requires an excellent driver who knows the car to really show what an FJ can do in the sand.