New Truck Time, opinions

mantis

Whats up everyone?
I'm in the market for a new Truck. I'm a Nissan guy and I currently have a 2011 Murano SV. I love my Murano and looking for a replacement.
Now I drove the new Pathfinder Yesterday and it's nice roomy but a bit big. I had a 2008 Pathfinder SE and it was awesome. This new one drives more and feels like the Murano but bigger.
I want to check out the Rouge SL loaded with the Premium package and with a Tow Hitch for my Bike Rack. I have not driven it yet and I'm a bit worried about the less power. It's a 4 cyl with 170 HP which is a lot less then both the Pathfinder and Murano.
The new Murano is coming out this fall and I'm not sure I want to wait until then.
I don't need a 3rd row seating and the Rouge offers one but I don't have to have it. The Pathfinder just comes with it. So like the 2008, The 3rd row will send most of it's like folded down for more cargo room.

So where I'm at is the Pathfinder comes in at the exact same payment as my Murano. Which is fine but I really wanted to shave a few dollars off my monthly. Now one thing in mind it does get better gas mileage by a little bit and over time that might add up to some nice savings, maybe not exactly what I was looking for but a few pennies a guess.

The Rouge fully loaded is pretty sweet and gets much better gas mileage and probably will come in less a month in payments. I have to get the Tow Hitch Installed unless I find one that has been shipped with a factory one.

My very last option is checking out the Frontier SV loaded with the spray in bed liner tow package Crew cab. This is a interesting vehicle as it looks like the older Pathfinder style in a pickup. They are coming out with a new model which looks a lot like the new pathfinder.

Whats a man to do?
My needs are as follows
1) I need a Tow Hitch first in for most. I mountain bike ride spring summer and into the fall. I have a very nice Thule Bike rack that requires a 2 inch collector.
2) Cargo space. I use the back of the Murano unite a bit for various things so the rear seats get folded down a lot. It has just enough room now but both the Rouge and Pathfinder have more, the Pathfinder has the most.
3) I like a sunroof option. This isn't break the deal but I really enjoy the roof option. The Rouge has a roof but the Pathfinder in SV trim does not. The SL Premium is just a tad out of my reach as my payment would go up and thats not my goal here. The Frontier doesn't have one either but not a deal breaker.
4) Stupid I know but I like fog lights. I've had them in all my vehicles for over a decade and I don't really like not having them. The Pathfinder SV doesn't come with them and they are an option no one has in stock right now. Silly but something that will bother me if I get the Pathfinder without them.
5) Roof Rack. I use the Roof rack quite a bit for various things like Christmas trees ladders wood etc. Nissan went retarded at some point and puts the Roof rack on but doesn't put the rails on, you have to pay extra for them. I told the salesman thats about as retarded as it gets to do half the job. He said it's for looks, I told him why would a roof rack with no rails be a cool look? I still found that retarded.

tonyb

That's a new one on me, half a roof rack ?

As a rule of thumb, I never buy a first model year car...too many bugs that still need to be worked out plus you have no idea if it will be dependable or not. A towing hitch can be added to almost anything so don't make that one of the priorities.

How long do you plan on keeping this new truck ? How many miles a year will you put on it ? Are you open to other brands ?

mantis

I usually keep them around 3 to 4 years max so Leasing is always a option.
I put around 10-12k per year.
Yes I'm not locked into Nissan but I have had great luck with the last 6 of them I owned with no repairs or any issues.

tonyb

Well, in 3-4 years you better not have any repairs or problems with any brand or I'd never buy that brand again.

Since you keep them such a short time, leasing may be your way to go especially with the low miles you drive. My advice....life's too short, get what you want and enjoy. You can always buy down the payment on a lease....in other words, put more down to lower the payment. If you have one dealer in mind you've been buying all these Nissans from, they should be offering you great deals on a new truck.

mrbiron

Sounds to me like you need a TRUCk...not an SUV. I can tell you this. My 07 Frontier crew cab SE has been the best vehicle I've owned. I bought her new and maintenance has been easy for 7 years....which brings us to the present. She's on her way out and it pains me to take on another car payment.

If your set on an suv, look outside of nissan. We just bought a 13 GMC Terrain last year and looked at a lot of SUVs in your price range. Hands down, bang for the Buck was the Santa Fe but the wife hated the look. Spend a couple bucks more and the RDX and X3 were awesome rides. The Nissan models left a lot to be desired for us.

shawn474

I come from a big nissan family - altima(brother), maxima (brother), rogue (grandfather / aunt), pathfinder (brother in law) and titan (me). NONE of them, except me, have had any problems at all and are verys reliable and well built vehicles. The titan is a great truck but has had many problems.

I dont know if you have a family, kids, dogs, etc. Personally, i have 2 kids and 2 dogs and i love having a pickup. The frontier is a really nice little truck that has great value and versatility. That would get my vote but pickups arent for everyone....

gudnoyez

Dan the wife loves her Rouge SL and I'am pretty fond of it, but don't settle for the dealers tow package get an after market one less money, unless your rolling it all into one and add it to your payment. We have a thule rack and we use it on our Kia my truck, which all have hitches that were after market, the Kia dealer wanted 600 for a hitch got one installed for $275 same for the wife's Rouge.

I know how much us mountain bikers want a good solid hitch and carrier for our bikes. Back to the Rouge get it they are very dependable vehicles, and the 2014s yet a tad smaller look pretty Sporty to me the wife will be trading hers in soon for another.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I would recommend that you look at the Toyota models as well, for an SUV either the 4Runner or Highlander would work well. The Highlander is a new model this year and looks like a great vehicle. The 4Runner is several years into this model now so any quirks should be worked out. That said, we actually bought the first iteration of this model back in 2010 and had zero problems with it.

The 4Runner is a true truck with a solid rear axle, it has the advantages and disadvantages of riding on a truck frame - it's rugged and a decent off-road vehicle but doesn't handle or ride as smoothly. The Highlander is basically a giant car and rides like one, and is better for road trips and the such. Either of those would fit your needs though and meet all your requirements above.

We've had two 4Runners, 2004 and 2010, and both were excellent vehicles. That being said, a few months back we sold the 4Runner and made a switch from the Toyota to the Nissan family, when we purchased the Infiniti FX. The thing I like about Nissan is that you get more for your money IMO, I prefer their more distinctive styling and just feel like I get more car for my money there. We absolutely love our FX.

I don't think Nissan is quite on par with Toyota when it comes to reliability, but they're close from what I gather. We've already had a couple small issues with the FX, but we bought from Sewell who is a fantastic dealer and they have really taken care of us so those issues are no problem or inconvenience to us at all.

Given how long you keep cars, you should definitely be leasing and not buying cars. You never 'own' anything, but at the rate you change it doesn't make any sense to own.

bobsauto49

I'm certainly not criticizing, but it baffles me how the majority here never mention much about the big 3 on the forum.

Erik Tracy

bobsauto49 wrote: »

I'm certainly not criticizing, but it baffles me how the majority here never mention much about the big 3 on the forum.

I would advocate looking at the 'big 3' - I dumped my gutless wonder Toyota 4x4 v6 SR5, always breaking down, nuthin' but trouble PU for a used dinky Chevy Colorado with all the fixings and more pep - happy camper here.

Mikey081057

I have over 1 million miles on toyota/lexus products and never 1 break down... Just regular maintenance. you pay a little more for a toyota but it saves you in the long run and has a higher resale value. Compare the price on a a $40,000 toyota versus nissan value after 5 years and 60,000 miles and you will see what I am talking about.

I had a 1990 toyota 4wd pickup... Drove it for 7 years and 270,000 miles... Never broke down... did brakes tires 3 times and a clutch at 240K.... Paid $13000 for it new and sold it for $5500 in 1hr after I put a for sale sign on it....

Erik Tracy

Not for me...will never own another POS Toyota PU

gudnoyez

The big 3 have had more recalls than anyone lately, that being said an F-150 is worth a purchase Fords only decent vehicle, Toyota's my 93 4WD is still running take it off road quite a bit and it hasn't fell apart yet. I guess if you had to settle for one of the big 3 an F-150 or a Jeep CJ7 is the only ones worth considering in my opinion.

tonyb

bobsauto49 wrote: »

I'm certainly not criticizing, but it baffles me how the majority here never mention much about the big 3 on the forum.

Do we really need to explain that....seriously ?

Erik Tracy

And there is the fallacy that cuz its made in Japan that it is reliable and bullet proof.

I can testify to the contrary.

Mikey081057

gudnoyez wrote: »

The big 3 have had more recalls than anyone lately, that being said an F-150 is worth a purchase Fords only decent vehicle, Toyota's my 93 4WD is still running take it off road quite a bit and it hasn't fell apart yet. I guess if you had to settle for one of the big 3 an F-150 or a Jeep CJ7 is the only ones worth considering in my opinion.

My 1990 and 1997 trucks went on the beach every weekend from may thru october and never rusted...my friends pathfinder rusted to snit in 4 seasons ...I used to pull jeep grand cherokees out of the the sand b/c the drivers were idiots and didn't believe they had to lower the air pressure in their street tires on the soft sand and they would sink up to the floor boards in sand...They figure since they had a jeep they were good to go..We would watch them and laugh...I had 2 toyota pickups 2 4runners and a Lexus GX470 and never even had a warranty issue... and put tons of miles on them....Had a corolla and now have a GS350 and never had 1 issue. We still have the 2003 4runner too and it still runs great after 200K + miles...

Mikey081057

Erik Tracy wrote: »

And there is the fallacy that cuz its made in Japan that it is reliable and bullet proof.

I can testify to the contrary.

Many of Toyota's trucks are now made in the US... Where was yours made?

AsSiMiLaTeD

Yeah, let's discount conventional wisdom since your personal experience differs...

Erik Tracy

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

Yeah, let's discount conventional wisdom since your personal experience differs...

Yeah - let's just drink the koolaid of every Toyota every made is still on the road and running - cuz ya know Toyota's are just frickin' great

gudnoyez

Just like SRV sings about 21 years old and still running 80,000 miles mostly trails off road and camping trips, 2 weeks of sitting in -10 below through -35 and she still fires up matter of fact it has always started, Toyota did not have problems until they started being assembled over here state side, our Rouge, Sportage and my Yota are reliable machines I also Have a 93 Buick Century that still runs back in GM's glory days love my Century also.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Erik Tracy wrote: »

Yeah - let's just drink the koolaid of every Toyota every made is still on the road and running - cuz ya know Toyota's are just frickin' great

Show me where somebody said that...

You're either putting words in our mouth or are assuming that we're stupid enough to truly think that every Toyota ever is perfect, which one is it???

You're accusing Toyota owners of over generalizing...by doing that very thing yourself. Can you seriously not see that???

Mikey081057

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

Yeah, let's discount conventional wisdom since your personal experience differs...

I don't even consider it conventional wisdom... A Toyota or Honda product that is reliable has been statistically proven. A Toyota or Honda that doesn't live up to that reputation is a statistical anomaly.

Toyota trucks in particular worldwide have a reputation for being able to take a beating and still keep on truckin. I wouldn't buy an american vehicle if MY life depended on it... Keep you Hum Vee I'll take a Landcruiser or a Tudra

Erik Tracy

So sorry - Toyota's are wonderous vehicles of reliability and value....carry on....done...peace out...

tonyb

So maybe you got a Turkey from Toyota ? You mean like some got turkeys from Polk ? That of course must mean the whole Polk brand is dog poo huh ?

When you manufacture any product in mass, turkeys are a gimme sooner or later.

Erik Tracy

I recant all bad postings of Toyotas - they are the perfection of automotive engineering and reliability...surely after all the money I invested even my truck has to be the most reliable vehicle on the planet.

In my next life when I have unlimited wealth - I will own nothing but Toyota goodness...

Toolfan66

We have had nothing but good luck with our Hondas, and Toyotas/Lexus, and we have owned a few. The only reason I own a 2011 Camaro is I fell in love with the style of it, and I love the feel of the V8, so far so good in owning it since DEC of 2010 but I only have 18k on it as I don't drive it very often.

That being said I honestly feel all the manufactures have been doing a great job the last few years, yeah I can already hear about the recalls, recalls happen, and they will happen again. There are many we don't even hear about, GM is the center of attention right now because of the Cobalts, and rightfully so, they handled that all wrong.

You really don't hear about a new car just being a POS like you did back in the day.

Erik, I think you just ended up with a lemon, and that could happen to any vehicle you purchase.

I will sit back and enjoy our 2012 Camry, 2011 Camaro SS, and 2014 Tacoma. If I could swing it I would trade the SS for a ZL1 :-)

tonyb

Toolfan66 wrote: »

.

You really don't hear about a new car just being a POS like you did back in the day.:-)

I dunno Larry, I could name a few POS's no problem. I'll withhold names though in case someone owns one. You know todays world is all about being PC rather than just spilling the beans.

tonyb

Regardless, lets not delve into wars on brands. I think Dan would rather we stay away from the brand wars. I can only speak from my own personal experiences and those I know. I like the Lexus trucks, Toyota. Dependable as all hell, but then again if your only keeping the truck for 3-4 years, most anything should fit that bill worry free....I would hope anyway.

A price range would help Dan, along with priorities....as in must haves.

Mikey081057

http://www.tradeinqualityindex.com/reports/Toyota.html

http://www.tradeinqualityindex.com/reports/Chevrolet.html

AsSiMiLaTeD

An index like that really isn't fair because you're not comparing vehicles so much as demographic. For example, BMW is way low on that list because people tend to lease those vehicles, Toyota ranks really high because you have people like my parents who drive them for years.

One can make the argument that people lease BMW because they're not as reliable as Toyota or Lexus, but I don't think it's that simple. There are lots of people who can afford and just always want a new car every few years, and II doubt that population is equally distributed among all the automakers, so stats like these are hard to take at face value.

Mikey081057

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

An index like that really isn't fair because you're not comparing vehicles so much as demographic. For example, BMW is way low on that list because people tend to lease those vehicles, Toyota ranks really high because you have people like my parents who drive them for years.

One can make the argument that people lease BMW because they're not as reliable as Toyota or Lexus, but I don't think it's that simple. There are lots of people who can afford and just always want a new car every few years, and II doubt that population is equally distributed among all the automakers, so stats like these are hard to take at face value.

3 &5 series Bmw's are great, but we have a 6 series coupe that I refuse to drive, and is a nightmare...IMO one of the better looking cars ever made, but i couldn't sell this car and look myself in the mirror. It has been in the shop more times than i care to count. Even the dog doesn't like it. 6 & 7 series B mers are dogs. Does'nt even come close to my Lexus... For That kind of money they can keep it...My friend has a 7 series and has a permanent loaner car. The only thing worse than a 6 or 7 is a Land/Range Rover...yeah it's a Rover all right...My friend has an $85K Range Rover and after 30K miles it needed brakes/calipers/rotors to the tune of $3400...