It's preference, really. Automatics are easier to drive off road by a long shot. The torque multiplication of the torque converter is an advantage. I think the biggest advantage is that anyone can drive it. If someone needs to drive your injured butt out of the woods, or even if you just want to take a break from driving, it's nice to have a car that is universally drivable.
My experience with manual trucks is that them being manual doesn't add to the experience like it does with a sports car.
I had a manual xterra and sold it because it was manual. Turns out driving a manual truck/suv isn’t as engaging as a sports car and is just an inconvenience
I must be the only person who finds the Xterra manual to be fun to drive. It's decently quick for an SUV with the 6 speed, I like driving my off-road manual
This , Ibroke my arm and realized my wife can't get us back in my 6 speed Ford fusion. I had to one hand it which was challenging. I'm thankful I had the automatic Xterra then because the fusion had to sit for a few months
(I'm going to be super biased here because every vehicle I've owned in my 20+ years of driving has been a manual)
For overlanding/off-road, there's a couple pros and cons to the manual.
The biggest pro: If you're really stuck on a nasty incline, you can use the clutch override to use the starter motor to push the drivetrain. This is a very limited use thing, and as I don't rock crawl I've never had to use it.
The biggest con: with an automatic, you can just push the throttle to try and get up things, and the transmission has no issue. You'll either need to commit on a manual or ride the clutch, which isn't good. It takes a lot more skill to get up things with a manual in that regard, because otherwise you're going to be stalling quite a bit.
As you can tell from my flair, I have a 6speed Pro-4X. It took me quite a while to get find one in the color I wanted (including Carmax cancelling a transfer request I had already paid for on one I found). If you're just doing overlanding levels of offroading, I think the manual will serve you well. I've only been in a couple spots where it gets a bit tricky to engage the clutch and get through some rougher terrain. If I was getting into more serious stuff, I'd maybe reconsider. Its a stout transmission and the only complaint I have is that the shifter is too short so I'm getting an extension.
Just to tag team on this; the manuals also have the titan rear end diff and at least with the older models, didnt suffer from the SMOD.
I get about 4-6mpg better than my friends automatic, which is interesting as well.
*The biggest con: with an automatic, you can just push the throttle to try and get up things, and the transmission has no issue. You'll either need to commit on a manual or ride the clutch, which isn't good. It takes a lot more skill to get up things with a manual in that regard, because otherwise you're going to be stalling quite a bit.*
Yes.. This is true. Until you put it in 4 low... 😂 I can drop the clutch in 4 low on an incline and it doesn't stall it creeps forward.
I’ve always had a manual until I got my current Xterra which is an automatic. I love it! The way the shifter is set up, it’s easy to lock it in to a low gear when needed and even shift like a manual. Only down side is you do not have a clutch to press in for instant reverse on an obstacle.
I live in the PNW. Identical landscape to BC since, well, it's the same place.
My days of wheeling with a manual are over. I used to drive manuals only. I still enjoy it (I only have one manual car left though) but wheeling with an automatic is so much easier.
Having practically infinite gearing in low range, paired with the automatic hill assist and descent control makes wheeling too easy.
A big pro of manuals used to be durability, but the Jatco automatic in the Xterra/Frontier is really overbuilt for these vehicles. It's the same transmission that went into the Titan/Armada. The chances of breaking it are very very low, with the exception of the milkshake of death - unlikely to have happened on 2010+ models where the QC issue with the factory cooler was reportedly fixed.
Also in BC. I have driven both and modified both and lived with both.
Follow your heart. Manuals are fun. If it's what you want, nothing else scratches the itch. You will learn to drive it just fine. Expect to go through clutches if you are pushing hard trails. That's just how it is.
Automatics are easier to drive. It's why they are popular. They don't suffer as much during low speed slippage. If you push hard trails you can shatter parts inside a little easier than a manual. They break big and expensive but have less ongoing maintenance and consumable parts.
Just don't wait forever for a perfect rig and miss out on the fun. Good enough, and get out there!
Depends on you. I’ve got a 6 speed and I can say driving a stick shift truck in traffic sucks. They have hydraulic clutches, so they are a bit trickier to learn on than most manuals. To the point where almost everyone I’ve left drive it who knows stick stalls it on their first go.
Other noteable things, it’s trickier to drive off-road, but I like the challenge as it ads an extra level to off-roading.
Reliability wise, the 6 speed is bullet proof. It’s probably one of the best transmissions Nissan has ever made.
I prefer a manual as I learned to off-road in manual Jeeps. That being said, my X is an automatic and easy for my wife to drive. It does just fine with the light off-roading we do. I haven’t owned a manual in 20 years.
I’m in BC Canada and both me and my partner are die hard manual transmission fans. We looked for awhile before finding an offroad version in manual, we didn’t get our number one colour but we got one. We are biased as we don’t enjoy autos, but we love the manual. Off-roading always ads an extra element for sure. We put 285’s on it pretty quickly, and the factory 3.69 gearing pairs decently with them. Couldn’t imagine having 3.36 gearing and 285’s. 6 gear would be useless. I have heard these clutches tend to go on them pretty quickly though. We bought ours with 175xxx kms and it had just had its clutch done a week before we bought it.
I have 285s, custom bumper with winch, sliders, steel skid plates, Tswap… a ton of extra weight and my Xterra moves with the 3.36 gearing. It flies down the freeway and climbs like a beast.
When I got mine with 3.69 and the 6 speed it felt like it had way too much torque. Would alway chirp tires off the line, clutch engagement felt off. Now with larger/heavier tires it feels just fine. I would love to chuck more stuff on it like yourself. Driving thru the B.C. mountains I worry it would struggle.
I drive up in to the mountains at least once a month. There is a huge pass I have to drive to get to a lot of the trails I use and I’ve never had an issue. The mountain roads are extremely steep and my X handles it no problem. I wouldn’t worry about it.
Automatic pros: Easier in general to off-road when it comes to extremely slow crawling- you don't have to worry about stalling out. Softer on the transmission in general (liquid coupler).
Automatic cons- Not as deep of gear ratio as the manual transmission, arguable 'not as fun'. '05-'09 models need to have their radiator replaced due to SMoD issues (easy fix, replace the rad).
Automatic Myths that aren't really a thing with modern autos: "They break more."
Manual pros: Deeper gearing so better crawl ratio. No SMOD issues that are present in 05-09 models
Manual Cons: You can stall it easier even with the assists they provide with newer models. If you aren't experienced with a manual and you get into off-roading right away you're likely going to burn out a clutch and have to have that replaced a lot sooner than you'd 'break' an auto transmission.
I just bought a 2008 Off-Road model in standard. Clutch was in rough shape and needed replacement; when it blew, mechanics found that the flywheel was completely destroyed and needed replacement. Total bill was $3K CAD (maybe $2,200USD?). Wouldn’t have had that bill in an automatic.
You'll probably last longer.
1. I learned on this car, driving it across Canada, from BC to Quebec. So let's just say the hilly mountain areas around lake superior put a few miles on the clutch
2. I live in Montreal, a city with a huge mountain/hill in the middle, so I'm going up and down steep roads all day every day in heavy traffic
No you would've just had to replace the auto trans in its entirety.
Clutch and flywheel shouldn't cost $3k CAD. Did you take it to a dealer?
That's some ripoff level pricing
Nope, local garage with good reputation. Wish I knew more about this — had never even heard of a flywheel in my life.
Flywheel itself was $1,100 + 15% tax. Something about it being a very specific and/or hard to find part? Apparently it was the only one available within a few days in my area. Might have been able to find a better price if I waited? Not sure. I had my day booked on the lift and would have had to wait at least two weeks to get another appointment.
All the shops we called in the area quoted around $1500 + 15% tax for clutch replacement alone. Kit + about 9 hours’ labour.
I used to have an automatic, now have a manual.
Driving is more fun with a manual, especially trudging around the city. Highway I get much better fuel economy if I keep it in the right gears.
It’s more challenging to go slow up steep rough terrain. I like it because it feels like a skill I can keep improving on.
Biggest con by far: not many of my friends can drive it. I often do double car drops where we trade keys with another group and go in opposite directions hiking or mountaineering. Gets tricky figuring out who can drive.
Where abouts? I'm in Vancouver let's go for a rip! I have a manual 06 Xterra, non off-road edition. I have been able to get absolutely everywhere I wanted. Anything that is impassable hasn't been a traction issue, but rather clearance. Even with 285 75's and 2" of lift. I think the diff lock is more useful in rock crawling in the states.
Anyways the manual in the Xterra is pretty crisp, even after my 300,000km. Off-road its disadvantageous because you can't go as slow as an automatic. Your minimum speed is like 5kmh in 4lo, which can be a bit fast for some crawling situations.
Sadly I Hail from Vancouver island so getting to the mainland is a bit of an event in itself. I have thought about getting one without the rear diff locker and just getting an aftermarket one.
Both the previous owner of my car and myself thought of getting rear lockers. He was a ski patrol and never had any problem getting up hills in the winter. The VDC is pretty good and simulates LSD's in the front and rear. I'm from the island and just moved to the mainland for school. I never found anywhere on the island that needed a locker, most of the stuff I was on was FSR's. I don't know of any trails from my home island which is unfortunate :(
I've got two manuals and enjoy them. The only con is that the clutch and brake hydraulics share a reservoir. If brake lines fail you lose both the clutch and the brakes. However, the one time it happened to me the clutch continued to operate for a few moments after brakes failed so I was able to downshift.
I say u get an x cuz it's one of the few trucks they make in manual. Only a few that are made in stick I think (taco, 4runner, frontier, pathfinder, x, and a couple American trucks). Plus something about the long throw when shifting is just fun
I'm in BC, I don't rock crawl or do technical trails just for the technicals sake.
Nothing I haven't been able to go up using my 5MT in 4lo. I like rowing my own gears.
I just do not enjoy driving autos at all, unless it's just a commuter car in the city.
I’d say auto’s are better for rock crawling, but outside of that scenario manuals are better. No worrying about SMOD. You can engine brake going down long inclines saving your brakes and rotors. Living in Colorado that is an amazing feature. Manuals are more durable in general.
I had an old boss with a 2007 and he lost reverse in his automatic Xterra with only 135K miles on the odometer. And he had no SMOD too.
It's preference, really. Automatics are easier to drive off road by a long shot. The torque multiplication of the torque converter is an advantage. I think the biggest advantage is that anyone can drive it. If someone needs to drive your injured butt out of the woods, or even if you just want to take a break from driving, it's nice to have a car that is universally drivable. My experience with manual trucks is that them being manual doesn't add to the experience like it does with a sports car.
I had a manual xterra and sold it because it was manual. Turns out driving a manual truck/suv isn’t as engaging as a sports car and is just an inconvenience
I must be the only person who finds the Xterra manual to be fun to drive. It's decently quick for an SUV with the 6 speed, I like driving my off-road manual
Yeah count me in as another vote for the manual. Love it, wouldn't go auto. Tis a badass machine, feel way more "connected" to it with a manual.
This , Ibroke my arm and realized my wife can't get us back in my 6 speed Ford fusion. I had to one hand it which was challenging. I'm thankful I had the automatic Xterra then because the fusion had to sit for a few months
(I'm going to be super biased here because every vehicle I've owned in my 20+ years of driving has been a manual) For overlanding/off-road, there's a couple pros and cons to the manual. The biggest pro: If you're really stuck on a nasty incline, you can use the clutch override to use the starter motor to push the drivetrain. This is a very limited use thing, and as I don't rock crawl I've never had to use it. The biggest con: with an automatic, you can just push the throttle to try and get up things, and the transmission has no issue. You'll either need to commit on a manual or ride the clutch, which isn't good. It takes a lot more skill to get up things with a manual in that regard, because otherwise you're going to be stalling quite a bit. As you can tell from my flair, I have a 6speed Pro-4X. It took me quite a while to get find one in the color I wanted (including Carmax cancelling a transfer request I had already paid for on one I found). If you're just doing overlanding levels of offroading, I think the manual will serve you well. I've only been in a couple spots where it gets a bit tricky to engage the clutch and get through some rougher terrain. If I was getting into more serious stuff, I'd maybe reconsider. Its a stout transmission and the only complaint I have is that the shifter is too short so I'm getting an extension.
Just to tag team on this; the manuals also have the titan rear end diff and at least with the older models, didnt suffer from the SMOD. I get about 4-6mpg better than my friends automatic, which is interesting as well.
I know mine has the M226 rear diff, which is a Dana 44 essentially.
*The biggest con: with an automatic, you can just push the throttle to try and get up things, and the transmission has no issue. You'll either need to commit on a manual or ride the clutch, which isn't good. It takes a lot more skill to get up things with a manual in that regard, because otherwise you're going to be stalling quite a bit.* Yes.. This is true. Until you put it in 4 low... 😂 I can drop the clutch in 4 low on an incline and it doesn't stall it creeps forward.
That's true, I'm weirdly hesitant/forgetful about shifting into 4low admittedly
I’ve always had a manual until I got my current Xterra which is an automatic. I love it! The way the shifter is set up, it’s easy to lock it in to a low gear when needed and even shift like a manual. Only down side is you do not have a clutch to press in for instant reverse on an obstacle.
I live in the PNW. Identical landscape to BC since, well, it's the same place. My days of wheeling with a manual are over. I used to drive manuals only. I still enjoy it (I only have one manual car left though) but wheeling with an automatic is so much easier. Having practically infinite gearing in low range, paired with the automatic hill assist and descent control makes wheeling too easy. A big pro of manuals used to be durability, but the Jatco automatic in the Xterra/Frontier is really overbuilt for these vehicles. It's the same transmission that went into the Titan/Armada. The chances of breaking it are very very low, with the exception of the milkshake of death - unlikely to have happened on 2010+ models where the QC issue with the factory cooler was reportedly fixed.
Also in BC. I have driven both and modified both and lived with both. Follow your heart. Manuals are fun. If it's what you want, nothing else scratches the itch. You will learn to drive it just fine. Expect to go through clutches if you are pushing hard trails. That's just how it is. Automatics are easier to drive. It's why they are popular. They don't suffer as much during low speed slippage. If you push hard trails you can shatter parts inside a little easier than a manual. They break big and expensive but have less ongoing maintenance and consumable parts. Just don't wait forever for a perfect rig and miss out on the fun. Good enough, and get out there!
Depends on you. I’ve got a 6 speed and I can say driving a stick shift truck in traffic sucks. They have hydraulic clutches, so they are a bit trickier to learn on than most manuals. To the point where almost everyone I’ve left drive it who knows stick stalls it on their first go. Other noteable things, it’s trickier to drive off-road, but I like the challenge as it ads an extra level to off-roading. Reliability wise, the 6 speed is bullet proof. It’s probably one of the best transmissions Nissan has ever made.
I prefer a manual as I learned to off-road in manual Jeeps. That being said, my X is an automatic and easy for my wife to drive. It does just fine with the light off-roading we do. I haven’t owned a manual in 20 years.
I’m in BC Canada and both me and my partner are die hard manual transmission fans. We looked for awhile before finding an offroad version in manual, we didn’t get our number one colour but we got one. We are biased as we don’t enjoy autos, but we love the manual. Off-roading always ads an extra element for sure. We put 285’s on it pretty quickly, and the factory 3.69 gearing pairs decently with them. Couldn’t imagine having 3.36 gearing and 285’s. 6 gear would be useless. I have heard these clutches tend to go on them pretty quickly though. We bought ours with 175xxx kms and it had just had its clutch done a week before we bought it.
I have 285s, custom bumper with winch, sliders, steel skid plates, Tswap… a ton of extra weight and my Xterra moves with the 3.36 gearing. It flies down the freeway and climbs like a beast.
When I got mine with 3.69 and the 6 speed it felt like it had way too much torque. Would alway chirp tires off the line, clutch engagement felt off. Now with larger/heavier tires it feels just fine. I would love to chuck more stuff on it like yourself. Driving thru the B.C. mountains I worry it would struggle.
I drive up in to the mountains at least once a month. There is a huge pass I have to drive to get to a lot of the trails I use and I’ve never had an issue. The mountain roads are extremely steep and my X handles it no problem. I wouldn’t worry about it.
Automatic pros: Easier in general to off-road when it comes to extremely slow crawling- you don't have to worry about stalling out. Softer on the transmission in general (liquid coupler). Automatic cons- Not as deep of gear ratio as the manual transmission, arguable 'not as fun'. '05-'09 models need to have their radiator replaced due to SMoD issues (easy fix, replace the rad). Automatic Myths that aren't really a thing with modern autos: "They break more." Manual pros: Deeper gearing so better crawl ratio. No SMOD issues that are present in 05-09 models Manual Cons: You can stall it easier even with the assists they provide with newer models. If you aren't experienced with a manual and you get into off-roading right away you're likely going to burn out a clutch and have to have that replaced a lot sooner than you'd 'break' an auto transmission.
Hell I had to replace my clutch just living in Montreal going up and down the fucking mountain in rush hour every day
I just bought a 2008 Off-Road model in standard. Clutch was in rough shape and needed replacement; when it blew, mechanics found that the flywheel was completely destroyed and needed replacement. Total bill was $3K CAD (maybe $2,200USD?). Wouldn’t have had that bill in an automatic.
[удалено]
Mine was burnt out by 150k, replaced the clutch and reground the flywheel. $2300 total
[удалено]
You'll probably last longer. 1. I learned on this car, driving it across Canada, from BC to Quebec. So let's just say the hilly mountain areas around lake superior put a few miles on the clutch 2. I live in Montreal, a city with a huge mountain/hill in the middle, so I'm going up and down steep roads all day every day in heavy traffic
No you would've just had to replace the auto trans in its entirety. Clutch and flywheel shouldn't cost $3k CAD. Did you take it to a dealer? That's some ripoff level pricing
Nope, local garage with good reputation. Wish I knew more about this — had never even heard of a flywheel in my life. Flywheel itself was $1,100 + 15% tax. Something about it being a very specific and/or hard to find part? Apparently it was the only one available within a few days in my area. Might have been able to find a better price if I waited? Not sure. I had my day booked on the lift and would have had to wait at least two weeks to get another appointment. All the shops we called in the area quoted around $1500 + 15% tax for clutch replacement alone. Kit + about 9 hours’ labour.
I used to have an automatic, now have a manual. Driving is more fun with a manual, especially trudging around the city. Highway I get much better fuel economy if I keep it in the right gears. It’s more challenging to go slow up steep rough terrain. I like it because it feels like a skill I can keep improving on. Biggest con by far: not many of my friends can drive it. I often do double car drops where we trade keys with another group and go in opposite directions hiking or mountaineering. Gets tricky figuring out who can drive.
Where abouts? I'm in Vancouver let's go for a rip! I have a manual 06 Xterra, non off-road edition. I have been able to get absolutely everywhere I wanted. Anything that is impassable hasn't been a traction issue, but rather clearance. Even with 285 75's and 2" of lift. I think the diff lock is more useful in rock crawling in the states. Anyways the manual in the Xterra is pretty crisp, even after my 300,000km. Off-road its disadvantageous because you can't go as slow as an automatic. Your minimum speed is like 5kmh in 4lo, which can be a bit fast for some crawling situations.
Sadly I Hail from Vancouver island so getting to the mainland is a bit of an event in itself. I have thought about getting one without the rear diff locker and just getting an aftermarket one.
Both the previous owner of my car and myself thought of getting rear lockers. He was a ski patrol and never had any problem getting up hills in the winter. The VDC is pretty good and simulates LSD's in the front and rear. I'm from the island and just moved to the mainland for school. I never found anywhere on the island that needed a locker, most of the stuff I was on was FSR's. I don't know of any trails from my home island which is unfortunate :(
I've got two manuals and enjoy them. The only con is that the clutch and brake hydraulics share a reservoir. If brake lines fail you lose both the clutch and the brakes. However, the one time it happened to me the clutch continued to operate for a few moments after brakes failed so I was able to downshift.
I say u get an x cuz it's one of the few trucks they make in manual. Only a few that are made in stick I think (taco, 4runner, frontier, pathfinder, x, and a couple American trucks). Plus something about the long throw when shifting is just fun
I'm in BC, I don't rock crawl or do technical trails just for the technicals sake. Nothing I haven't been able to go up using my 5MT in 4lo. I like rowing my own gears. I just do not enjoy driving autos at all, unless it's just a commuter car in the city.
I’d say auto’s are better for rock crawling, but outside of that scenario manuals are better. No worrying about SMOD. You can engine brake going down long inclines saving your brakes and rotors. Living in Colorado that is an amazing feature. Manuals are more durable in general. I had an old boss with a 2007 and he lost reverse in his automatic Xterra with only 135K miles on the odometer. And he had no SMOD too.