Drove a AWD Murano today...

[HARDDRIVE]

I went to a Nissan Salesperson Murano training today, here in Honolulu.
I'll just say that, this "Cross-over" is a ABSOLUTE, 'hit'!!!! The interior is very nice, not "cost-cutting cheap"...I was on the H-1 Hwy, and people were switching lanes to get a closer look at it and waving, 'thumbs-up'! It has a good 'ride-height' w/ great visibility out thru both the front windshield and the rear cargo-gate window...a real quiet ride and the power is, right then and right now-strong, continuosly, everytime! It handled, SUPERB. Its so damn roomy, too...I'm 6'-2" 210lbs and I had plenty of extra room, top to bottom and side to side...I just kept thinking to myself, that this car is *#*@#*%#** AWSOME!!! First-rate, all the way and so many small "attention-to-the-details" features and all very innovative, like the HID's have a tilt-down feature ( for when the vehcle is loaded down, it'll maintain optimal level-dispersion of the beam from the Murano's frontend position).
Too much to tell, really...they go on sale Nationally Nov22.

You got questions, I've got answers...

http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif

[Zed]

I hear ya. The Murano has everything and anything anyone in this class and above it could ask for, and more! Look anywhere. Styling, features, equipment, value, specs, performance, innovation, safty features, etc, etc...It will be the Benchmark for Toyota (Lexus), Honda and Acura products. It makes even ME want one.

[jberger]

Great news,
How did it handle?
What did you think about the CVT?
Did the dash look better than the orange gauges?

Hate to ask 1 million questions, but heck, you da man.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Great to read your review. Regarding head room, was there a sunroof in your test ride vehicle? Glad to hear its so roomy. I can't wait to drive one myself.

[HARDDRIVE]

jberger, my man...It was very stable at 100mph!!!! all the while only pulling around 2800RPM's!!! I was like, whoah!
Even thru curves and corners, almost no bodyroll or lean. The CVT is most definately the tranny of the future...as for the instrument panel lighting, I drove the Murano in the daytime and it looked just fine viewing the panel (also the windshield is UV rays protected) which helps. It should view even better at night!
http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif

[HARDDRIVE]

Oh, Moltar the Great... http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif Yes, it did...the model I drove was a SL AWD which M.S.R.P.-maxed out @ 35,000 loaded to the 'hilt'. I guarantee this car is a winner, on all fronts where its competitors will falter http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif

Later dude

[jberger]

Now THAT's my kind of test drive! You aren't really testing, unless you make the sales guy pucker up!
I guess you've earned that nickname HARDDRIVE.

Thanks!

[HARDDRIVE]

Uh, jberger....uh, I don't know how to break this to you but
I am a Sales Rep for a local Honolulu dealer...I did this demo-drove for 26 mins as part of my new Product training for the Murano. We were allowed to go off by ourselves(as it should be) so that we may experience the vehicle in a "dynamic" way. Hey, hope this doesn't mean that you don't love me no more.. http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/smirk.gif http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/smirk.gif http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/smirk.gif hahahahaha

[jberger]

Well, I guess I'll let you keep the nickname anyway. . .
http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Our local dealer here in Victoria BC just got a AWD, SE with black leather, nav system and sunroof. The exterior is that copper color we've seen. The interior is the best thing Nissan's ever done and certainly far superior to the Infiniti G35. The rear is so cool..the pictures don't do it justice. I'll be taking my test drive tomorrow. First impression is that it beats anything around plus or minus $15K!

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I just went and saw the one at victoria tonight. I was amazed at how much leg room there is in the rear, and the power pedals are definatly cool. Im not sure about the display though. When the navigation is on, there is only a small display at the bottom of the screen that shows your radio station. The styling is amazing, and that orange colour is really cool. I was amazed by how much room there was front and rear.
It was really easy to get in and out also. Perfect hieght.
Id have to say that my favorite feature is in the back, on either side, there are grab handles, and if you pull them the rear seats fold down without you even touching them. Scared me at first when i pulled them. Who needs power ones (ie navigator) when these work just as well and 2 times as fast.

PS nissancanada, did you see the list price on it? it didnt have a sticker on it when i saw it.

[fatddyslam69]

exactly. power ones take too long. AND THEY WILL HAVE PROBLEMS. cost more too! THERE ONLY PURPOSE IS TO SHOW OFF AND LOOK NICE! I think the public will respond better to the pull handles in the murano vs. the power ones which will, i garauntee it, have problems!

[Hawaii200sx]

Enjoy http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/laugh.gif
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~marcnaka/Murano_front1.jpg
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~marcnaka/Murano_back2.jpg

http://www2.hawaii.edu/~marcnaka/Murano_int1.jpg
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~marcnaka/Murano_int2.jpg
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~marcnaka/Murano_int3.jpg
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~marcnaka/Murano_maroni.jpg

http://www2.hawaii.edu/~marcnaka/Murano_rim1.jpg
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~marcnaka/Murano_side1.jpg
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~marcnaka/Murano_side3.jpg

[Hawaii200sx]

muano vid (http://www2.hawaii.edu/~marcnaka/murano1.AVI)

[jastevenson]

HAWAII PEEPS REPRESENTIN http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif

I drove by the Nissan Factory center up near the airport/Infiniti dealership to look at the new G35c last week and saw all the Muranos behind the fence. I am not really in the market for one, but I am dying to drive one--they look great http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Is it just me, or do you like the 5 spoke alloys on the cheaper model more than the more epensive ones? I think they should switch the SE wheels with the SL wheels. I went to the nissan dealership tonight, and they have about 6 in. That brick interior is really cool in my opinion. After looking at it a little more closley, there are alot of cool features. I LLOOVVEE the dual zone climate control in it, because all you have to do it press dual, and then turn up the passenger side temp. In my g35, it take about 2 minutes just to changed the tempurature on the passenger side, because there are so many buttons to press. I dont care what anyone says, turnable nobs are better than buttons. The sunroof was another thing i noticed. Its got different settings, so if you want it half open, you slide the button back halfway, or if you want it all the way open, then you slide the button all the way back; kinda like audi's sunroof.


I think that this car will be a huge success for nissan. If only i liked the front more......

[ownersite]

I see a "SAT" button on the audio system, like in the G35. Any news on whether XM or Sirius will be available when the Murano first hits the dealers?

[jberger]

I've been told that the Sat Radio options are port installed and can be either XM or Sirius.
I assume that if it can be port installed, then it could also be dealer installed.

[ownersite]

I cannot seem to find any specific technical information on Nissan, Infiniti, Sirius or XM's websites. Ideally, the head unit would be XM (or Sirius) ready and a 3rd-party (not FM modulated) receiver and antenna will be available. Because of my financial concerns with XM & Sirius, I would not want to be tied in to only a single source for this functionality, nor would I want to have to purchase it at the time of vehicle purchase. Did that make sense? (it sounded good in my head http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif )

BTW, sorry to drive this off-topic...and thanks for the GREAT pics!

[jberger]

Well, since we are drifting off topic, more Sat Radio thoughts.
There's been a lot of cold water thrown on the topic of sat. radio lately. I honestly believe it's FUD by the terrestrial broadcasters, not a legitimate debate.

First there's the concern over burn rates. Of course there is a significant burn rate with these technologies, just as there was and is with Sat TV service. Look at the projections and actuals on the original DBS broadcasters, very similar.

It's entirely possible that one or both of the companies will enter bankruptcy. That's not the end of the company or technology. It's simply an effective means of restructuring debts and operating expenses to continue operations. In the event of total insolvency, then some other party (probably Clear Channel) will scoop up the remaining assets and start again with a significantly lower debt/expense load.
Again, the technology will continue and the radios will still work.

Then there's the subject of digtal radio which was just approved by the FCC. Lots of reports say this is the death of Sat. Radio becuase now the OTA broadcast can have the same quality as the Sat. providers. This is a silly arguement. The reason most people choose sat radio is to obtain programming which is not presently available in thier area or because thier travels take them thru multiple markets and between markets. I don't see digital radio changing those needs. And the terrible programming of most radio stations creates a lot of room for well programmed stations to succeed.

I've been using XM radio and I really enjoy it. My main objections have been the per month charge per receiver. If they would just allow me to bundle my recievers into a pool and pay a single charge I'd be a much happier camper.

Just a few thoughts on Sat. Radio, feel free to comment!

[memnoch]

i too am curious about the satellite radio option. salesmen tell me that the Bose unit is compatible with XM or Sirius and you only need to activate with one. i know both service can share antenna, but how about for the tuner? also, from the pics above, will the song/artist info display on the 6.5" (or 7" with nav) screen? that will be cool!

[ownersite]

Check out this link at the XM website: http://www.xmradio.com/cars/nissan.html
According to the information there, the artist and title of the song is displayed...and since the only display appears to be the large console mounted unit, I would imagine that is where it would display.

As for its sat readiness, because it is a $400 option on Infiniti models (I think), I am going to guess that they have to install a tuner (either XM or Sirius) and an antenna. The question for me is whether I can purchase that tuner in the future.

In other words, is it like I am buying an aftermarket XM-ready Alpine head unit that will support satellite add-on hardware in the future?

Someone out there has to know the answer to this...