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anyone go from xterra to wrangler?

21K views 30 replies 23 participants last post by  zephoria 
#1 ·
After the release of the 2012 models I've really been following everyone's experience with the new wranglers. I've got an 06 xterra and I am curious how the '12 jk compares with normal everyday driving. I'd most likely get a sport model and not do any serious offroading.
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#6 ·
Still have a 2000 Xterra, I'm loving my much newer Wrangler. I still have a soft spot for the Xterra though since it has given me 120k miles and all I've done is basic maintenance and changed the distributor, all while driving it like I stole it. I've only put 2200 miles on the JK so far and I dont have(nor do I expect) any issues with it. I can say that I do miss my Xterra, (I live in NC, the X is in FL) but only when I haven't been in the Jeep recently. You just have to consider a few angles here: do you plan on modifying the JK? What is serious offroading to you(mudding, rock climbing, snow, adverse weather situations etc..)? How much are you looking to spend (you can spend much more than ~21k Sport base price on a nice JKS)? Then again, I don't wanna be the guy talking you out of buying a Wrangler in a Wrangler forum....:hide:
 
#8 ·
I do like my xterra and my only complaint is gas mileage which is 15 MPG all city. I like the smaller size of the wrangler as well as the new motor/interior. The power train was always a deal breaker for me with wranglers. Still not sure if I would get a standard or auto as both seem to have problems or annoyances. I wanted a stick but many people talk about quality issues with the 6 speed.

I need to go test drive one but am not in the position to buy yet and hate waisting peoples time. I've been critical in the past of Chrysler but they've done a great job with the wrangler this year.
 
#9 ·
Hmmm, well last September I started out looking at Xterras. Then I drove over to the Jeep lot and found out the Wrangler now came in a 4 door and had better handling than my Dad's old early 90's YJ that I'd driven a few times. So after 5 months of debating and waiting, I ended up with the Jeep. Does that count?:rofl:
 
#10 ·
I probably wouldn't do more than light trails with $20+k vehicle for the first couple of years at least. I'd probably never go beyond 33" tires and small lift. I do like the avenger title top though but not sure I could modify my new wrangler that severely. The options are limitless which is a huge selling point.
 
#11 ·
:whistling: I went from an '06 Xterra OR and it was a great cruising/power/locker/4hi/4lo But-

I didn't want the aluminum front diff/bottom hung alt./ and the warranty coverage after 3 years, so-




I miss the hiwy comfort/power and mileage, but thats all-

:dance::rofl: JIMBO
 
#13 ·
I have a Frontier Pro-4x Crew cab.. pretty much the same thing and will make the jump just as soon as I find what I want. I bought an automatic (only trans available with leather and sun roof) and it seems to always be searching for gears.. my 05 Pathfinder didn't do that... If I get a Jeep that gets 17.. its better than 16...
 
#14 ·
Had an 04 xterra and traded it in on a 09 jk. On the plus side for the xterra-went 60k miles without an oil change. I couldn't kill the thing, and got 80k miles out of the original tires. It also rode much, much smoother than the jk. On the plus side for the jk, it was more fun, had a better stereo, convertible, and held its resale. I ended up ditching the jk and got what I paid for it on dealer trade. Went with an lj...rides worse than the jk, but I like it much better. More jeep-like to me but that's a matter of personal preference.
 
#16 ·
I went from a '97 TJ to a '05 Xterra to a '11 JKU. I obviously can't speak to how the miracle engine compares to the Xterra. But I was happy with the Xterra and the Wranglers. There are differences about each but I was happy to own them all.
 
#18 ·
I have had both a 2010 off road edition Xterra and a 1999 Wrangler Sport. Much to say, I still have the Wrangler. I found that I just did not feel comfortable driving the Xterra. It felt blocky (irony here) Also, even though the cabin was quiet, for sure there was much more "plastic" vibration of the dash etc of the Xtrerra. I will add that I found more blind spots as well on the Xterra.

On a positive note, I will say that the Xterra for sure had a lot more pick-up than the wrangler. Now compared to a wrangler with the new engine, i think it will be close.

-=007=-
 
#22 ·
I still have my 03 Xterra, I'm handing it down to my son. My 12 JKU is much more fun to drive and I love it! The Xterra is a great vehicle and as others have said, I have about 80,000 miles on it and I've changed tires, air conditioning compressor and that's about it other than oil changes. It is bullet proof.
 
#23 ·
After my wife's parents bought her 09 jku I was stuck with the vehicle she "always wanted..." the 2002 xterra. I hated that thing from the get-go. but she wanted it and our previous vehicle was totaled so I bought it for her. we have shared a vehicle our entire marriage of 12 years and I thought I would suffer for her happiness. bad idea. I spent more money keeping that piece on the road than I had any other vehicle that I've owned. and then my wife calls me one day 2 years ago and said that her mom bought her a jeep (the vehicle I started yearning for at 5 years old) and that I could have the x. my heart sank, I was happy that I didn't have to rely on such an unreliable vehicle and that my wife got something she could be proud of in the beginning of our darkest time together (it was all job related, we are still very much in love!). on the other hand, that meant that I was stuck driving the single worst vehicle I have ever driven... and I used to own a pickup that you had the hold the accelerator down at night to keep the lights from going out! my x has been on the market since I got my yj in November and no one even wants to look at it.

I know, I know, you say "my x wasn't that unreliable, it must have been just yours, or the way you drove it." FALSE. I have driven several if them and they were all the same, low on power low on fun. I had 3 friends that have owned xterras and all 3 of them spent more time in the shop than on the road. I am so thankful that I don't have to drive that thing anymore, and if it doesn't go in a year I am taking it to a junk yard.

sorry if any of you guys liked your x's I don't mean to offend, I just have had nothing but horrible experiences.

I am off my soap box now... YAY JEEP!!!
 
#24 ·
I traded my 2000 Xterra with 187xxx on it for my Wrangler... I would say I miss my Sturdiness of the Xterra and reliability *I didnt put one cent into the Xterra other than routine maintenance* I love that the Wrangler is a Convertible and *fun* to drive, but its been in and out of the shop more than I Have driven it and its only 7months old. The Security system freaked out and fried leaving me stranded *Little red light turned on above temp guage then car turned off and wouldnt start* Had to be flat bed towed and new system installed. Mind you have the stripped version, no power locks, no power windows nothing, but that still fried. Rattles like a station wagon, Has a noisy lifter engine but the Dealer said I have to wait to get the *code* before they will fix it. My drivers seat has that SQUEAK that everyone complains about has been in there 4 times for that. There is a odd rattle under the Stick Shift that the dealer cant figure out so I just have to listen to it rattle upon acceleration .. there are a lot of Red flags for me on keeping the Jeep past its warranty. But In the mean time, its fun to drive when its not in the shop :)
 
#26 ·
Old platform, old engine, etc. Consider it weighs about the same as a JKU, and has a 4.0L V6 vs. the 3.6 in the 2012 & up. The Nissan VQ series engines are good, but they're not exactly fuel efficient. My old 350Z with a VQ35HR engine (3.5L 306HP) averaged about 18-19mpg if I was lucky, on premium no less, and that's a lot lighter vehicle than an Xterra or Wrangler.
 
#27 ·
I don't have an XTerra (never have...) but a good friend of mine does. I've never driven it but it seems much more stable on the highways than what my JKU is. In comparison, the XTerra is a limo. It's quieter, has a better ride, less wind-noise, etc. It's just a much more refined vehicle.

...And then there's the "fun" aspect. I find myself bored while riding in his XTerra. I don't feel like I'm on an epic adventure to the destination, I feel like I'm on a ride to the destination. When I'm in my JKU, it doesn't matter if I'm just going to the bank, it feels like an adventure.

The XTerra is a nice vehicle, but I find my JKU to have far more character. I have 10,800 miles on my JKU and no problems. I think his XTerra has been pretty good to him reliability-wise. He's done some minor offroad adventures in it and said it has been okay, but nothing great.
 
#28 ·
...And then there's the "fun" aspect. I find myself bored while riding in his XTerra. I don't feel like I'm on an epic adventure to the destination, I feel like I'm on a ride to the destination. When I'm in my JKU, it doesn't matter if I'm just going to the bank, it feels like an adventure.
This is exactly how I feel vs. the '08 Tacoma Doublecab my JKU replaced. :dance:
 
#30 ·
Had a '06 Offroad 6 spped. Wrangler is better.

Xterra would bottom out the rear suspension in every little bump.
 
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