My First Test Drive Today

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Drove a Pathfinder just before Thanksgiving but wasn't really satisfied. The salesman told us about the new Murano and we decided to go back and test drive one. I fell in love with the way it drives! I'm not so much in love with the price...but I'm hoping to work with the dealer on that! I test drove a white with the cafe latte interior....great look, very classy, and if highway safety is a concern, white is always good. They also had a gold with the "football" leather as my husband dubbed the cabernet color. Looked more like basketball to me! and that combination just doesn't do it!! Too much yellow-gold and orange together. They had a silver but it was in the back and not ready...it was an AWD. The other one on the lot was a silver with the cabernet leather interior. This is a sporty look, but not to my taste. I'm far more conservative and tend to keep a vehicle a looooooong time. I just don't want to see that cabernet everytime I jump in a car.

Driving was really a dream. I liked the seamless shifting...made me want to take off and see what it would do in the stretch, but we weren't close enough to an interstate for that.

A dealer in Duluth had four new Muranos....the bright copper color (Yuk) shiny like a new penny, though! One was pewter with the charcoal interior. I'd really love to have the pewter with cafe latte interior...would make a nice combo. We also checked out CarMax, they have a few in South Carolina, Greenville, if anyone in that area is looking and their prices are good....better than we found at the dealers around Atlanta.

My husband's thoughts....not sure about the untested engine. Thought the price was a bit high...did I say "bit"...lol. But he was sold on the Pilot, which I test drove also a couple of weeks ago, until today!

Will let you know if I get one!
cc

[Nizzan]

Good luck! You will win no matter which vehicle you choose! I would wait until they get more in so you can get a little better selection. Keep us posted on how your purchase is going. Welcome to the FA forums! It's nice to have you here! http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I live about 60 miles away from Carmax of Greenville. I will be stopping by there soon, very soon!

[dklanecky1]

The Murano engine is far from untested. It's basically the same V6 VQ model engine that has earned rave reviews from almost the entire automotive press for the last 9 model years. I have two of them in Maxima's one with 195,000 miles and another with 112,000 miles. While they are not trouble free, they are pretty darn close!

[squid]

Statistically speaking, nothing is trouble free at that level of mileage. I also have two Maxima's; a 1992 SE 5M with 153,000mi and a 1994 GXE auto with 110,00mi. While neither are truely trouble free, they're better than some of the newer "domestic" vehicles my family always seems to by. The VQ35 is a great engine, you can't go wrong with it. http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif

[yidal8]

What problems did you have wit these high milage Max's ? mostly with the motor , or drive train , or other systems ?
This is very important , because Nissan / Infiniti are sticking these motors all over the place .

[squid]

The only issue I've had was a front crank-case seal/gasket-thingy. That wasn't a very high dollar item. The only issue I'd say Nissan has with this stuff is the occasional oxygen sensor going to pot.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

OOPS! I didn't actually mean the engine....I meant the transmission system without gears...hope I got that right! But its good to hear all the great things about the engine too!

Tonight I took my daughter back to college and passed by a dealership in Carrollton, GA. They had one Murano out front so I pulled in to show my daughter what the car looked like. It was dark and pouring rain, but the salesman ran out "in the rain" to talk with us. I know it was mean but I stopped, put down my window and told him how much I loved the new Murano, that I had test driven it and was really sold on it as my next purchase. He looked so excited...and wet! until I told him that I didn't live in that town...was just driving thru to show my daughter the car...and that I didn't need a business card.

Well, maybe now that I think about it, it was a bit mean...but I always feel like I'm being attacked when they run out in front of your car!
cc

[memnoch]

talking about quality, the very first Murano that a dealer here in my area got spewed an error code during PDI (pre-delivery inspection). a salesman told me that Nissan immediately flew in a couple of guys from HQ to check the vehicle. last time i seen the car, it was hoisted with its engine removed.

[squid]

Well, that's the first application of a CVT in Nissan's lineup, in the North American market. It should be fine though.
As far as feeling "attacked", you shouldn't. Remember, I you don't want a salesperson aproaching you, don't go when they're open. Granted, it was pretty stupid of him to go out when you weren't even out of your vehicle. You are in his/her workplace, and that is their job. http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif

[M_TYPE_X]

I always visit the dealers after they are closed unless I have a reason to talk to them.

http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/ooo.gif M Type X http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/ooo.gif