Stone, Not trying at all to be a smart ass. I'm genuinely curious because this is a question I have allways had of manufactureres.

Does the manufacturing of a 250HP V6 cost significantly more to produce than a 170HP V6? Or is it the marketing that creates a more expensive vehicle. Possibly it could be a little bit of both.

You can say that , "Well the R&D of the new engine has a cost attatched to it so therefore that cost is factored into the cost of the new vehicle."

But doesn't that same engine appear or will appear in no less than FIVE different vehicles? By utilizing this engine and getting maximum return on their R&D dollar, wouldn't that , or shouldn't that effectively reduce the costs associated with producing the vehicle? And now consider how much long term usage Nissan has gotten from previous engines and it isn't hard to think that we will be seeing this engine in various incarnations for AT LEAST 10 years.

So, I ask again: Why would this engine be any more expensive to produce? What other aspects of the vehicle would drasticaly (remember there are many who purchased their X's in the neighborhood of $22-$25k) increase the cost?

It does look more solid. We'll probably be seeing thicker sheet metal, thicker glass and you have to figure the rear disks might cost a little more. Outsourcing Dana rear ends take away an in house product thus is marginally more expensive. The interior doesn't look drasticaly more expensive or elaborate and the tires are a bit bigger but when you are purchasing thousands of tires the associated costs are not going to be significant.

Look at a $32k vehicle in real world numbers. With a couple of grand down you are looking at a $500-$600 monthly payment after tax and title depending on your credit rating. How many people here would be X owners if their nut to own it was $550+ a month. $550 a month is a LOT of change.

The question of "how much would you be willing to pay" should not be based on the highest possible denomitor but on what would you consider a great value. Nissan shouldn't be trying to get the absoulete top dollar they can with each vehicle. They should be concentrating on bulding value, customer loyalty and creating customers who are going to graduate trough their line of cars.

The bottom line is that if Nissan puts this at a hard $30k merely because they feel that they can justify it they are going to be losing a huge segment (including the people on this board that have commented time and time again that price and value were two major factors in their purchase descisions and in doing so have opined the the 4runner, although a nice vehicle, was too expensive for their budget at $30+k) of the potential X demographic.]

BTW If anyone at Nissan is reading this , my services are available at a very reasonable consulting fee.

Socal put it exactly right. Besides, as of right now pricing is mere speculation to anyone. Nissan learned it's pricing lesson with the early 90's generation 300ZX. (At least I would hope)

Someone was wondering what a quick photo-chop would look like of a 3" lift, 35s and a bumper...

Stock:

Lifted:

Looking at one of your shots, it looks like it might be possible to take the whole front sway bar off, rather than just disconnecting it.

[img]http://www.njax.org/image/id-3332/fpThumb-large[/img]

Did you get a look to see if that was possible? Just curious.

Coolest idea ever:

I hope they have a locking feature to it...

- Air B

If the Nissan people make it through all 14 pages so far, I'll add my $0.02 on the price issue.

The V6 4Runner can be had in the neighborhood of $30K, and it has some interesting advantages. Its torsion limited slip center differential (which can be locked) allows it to be driven in 2WD, 4WD (unlocked), and 4WD locked (as well as 4LO both locked and unlocked). It also gets upwards of 20 MPG with similar power. This is not to mention that, in-general, Toyota's are percieved to be better built (higher resale).

So... if the 05 Xterra gets too close to $30K, you'll not only be competing with the Pathfinder,
you'll also be in 4Runner territory. I like your 6-speed manual, but at $30K I'd get the 4Runner.

I bought my X because of the value. If I can get an 05 4x4 manual (base) near $23K, I'll be back on the Nissan lot. Much more $$ then that and I won't be able to justify it.

I also want to say "good job," from what I've seen so far, the 05 represents a nice evolution of the nameplate.

I'd rather buy a 2005 Pathfinder, looks way better.

[img]http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=19d016c0-6038-365b-6820-1d65158a4e62&size=lg[/img]

Do you see a key hole?

Also speaking of locking, why did they take away the locking glove box?

You know that has an IRS, right?

Whats an IRS?

Independent rear suspension.

Great for trips to the mall, piss poor for offroad use.

i dont like it. why make it any bigger i am 5/10 and i cant reach the roof with ease on my 2003. 2005 2 inches taller worst for the trail. longer wheel base worst for the trail. the price will be more then the 2004s. i bet it will weigh more. and i bet the mpg will be the same. i see a jeep liberty in my future. but the 2005 x does look nice.

Thats what I thought. It just looks sharper. The 05 X dosen't have any trim or anything, looks plain.

Independant Rear Suspension. As opposed to the X that has the nearly extinct live (straight) axle.

Cushier ride, definately NOT for off-roading.

X - Wants to go tow to toe with Jeep!

I'll stick with the 02 X.

They're pretty looking, though.

A couple of intersting notes. The X interior looks similar if not identical to the Fronty photos I've seen thus far.

Does the rear fender well, the way it is squared off along with the angle of it resemble the Avalanche to anyone else? Or is it just me?

At 3.5 liters this engine makes 285HP in the Z. At 4.0 liters It wouldn't be very hard for the X to be hovering in the 275+ range with torque numbers to match. It probably wouldn't be too hard to squeeze out 300HP.

I really hope Nissan just lets the engines do their thing instead of "de-tuning" the X's output to increase the divide between the X and the Pathfinder.

I hope they see the benefits of having an affordable high horsepower vehicle without all the luxurious frills. (See WRX/WRX STi.)

Remember that the 350Z isn't tuned for offroading and towing either. With trucks it's all about torque so 250 HP will be more than enough; especially with 270+ ft. lbs. of torque. HP numbers are only good for advertising, where Americans think that's all that matters. I'll take torque over HP any day of the week!

I like it. A little more square, looks a little too much like a Frontier in places, but overall, it's not bad. And it's no Jeep Liberty.

What ever happened to car-line recognition? They're supposed to look similar.

Did anyone see if it's easy to somehow remove the basket & deflactor....when you have to clean the crap behind the deflactor?

Wow, this morning there were like 5 posts to this thread, I hadn't seen any pics yet, so I just waited. Now... Damn!

As for my thoughts, I think I like it. I know I'm rare in the automotive world in that I care more about the mechanical specs than the apperance, but hey, thats what years of being a mechanic does to you. I'll withold final judgement until I see some hard specs. But overall, I'm glad they didn't ugly it up like the Titan...
MV

Chuck, you're right about torque and the usability of power throughout the powerband but it seems that we are in the midst of a HP war and with Toyota on deck to unleash a 300hp Tacoma , you just know that Nissan will fight for bragging rights.

Ruger1022, what do you think of the electronically controlled transfer case?