Love my 6spd '08 Xterra ... that trans is one of the key reasons, too. Sleeping: no real dedicated platform needed, 8gal Rubbermaid Action Packers work perfect in the rear seat footwells, with the seat bottoms removed. I'm pushing 6'4" and fit that way just fine. Having the fold-flat passenger seat is a nice to have, if you're going to be doing that a lot, but not strictly necessary. The Action Packers are great storage (I have one in the back all the time for stuff that stays with the truck) and sit at exactly the right height to extend the sleeping area, when used in that capacity.
