No, it's not difficult. The real question is whether or not you would LIKE to off road with a manual. I've done both and would choose an automatic every time, but a manual has it's advantages.
It's not difficult to learn the engagement point of a clutch and not burn it up. Combine that with the fact that Xterra's have a hand lever for a parking brake and it becomes more manageable, where you can hold the truck still with the parking brake while you engage the clutch - not nearly as easy when you have a pull release down by the pedals. A manual will allow you to help control your speed with going down hill a little easier, but the X's auto trans is pretty much just as good.
For me, the driving/wheeling experience is much better with a manual.
It's not difficult to learn the engagement point of a clutch and not burn it up. Combine that with the fact that Xterra's have a hand lever for a parking brake and it becomes more manageable, where you can hold the truck still with the parking brake while you engage the clutch - not nearly as easy when you have a pull release down by the pedals. A manual will allow you to help control your speed with going down hill a little easier, but the X's auto trans is pretty much just as good.
For me, the driving/wheeling experience is much better with a manual.
