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Nissan Murano 2005 and earlier
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Comments
Lots of stop and go is going to hurt the mileage in any event.
Steve, Host
This is my second time I've been through (almost) the entire Murano knowledge base on Edmunds, so I thought I owed it to all to post my 2 cents.
Chapter 1) Helen
For the record, I don't own one. I wish I did.
As it often happens in the automotive arena, I was asked for car buying help from women. First my sister-in-law and now my mom.
My sister-in-law, Helen, is very difficult to get a straight answer out of. She didn't know what she wanted. SUV, coupe, nada. Her history was Acura Legend (loved it), Acura CL (liked a lot),
Honda Civic (hated it). The lease was running out on the Honda and I had to find something to make her happy, but $$ was a factor too. I looked at a lot of cars. Coincidentally, on the same day I came to her with the Murano brochures, she had seen one on the road and liked it. Progress!
Of course, newspaper ads from #&*@ing dealers with unrealistic come-on pricing doesn't help. She didn't understand that we simply could not get a well equipped '04 Murano with leather for $299/mo.
She gradually came around to reality. She really wanted to keep her payments below $400/mo, not easy.
I made the circuit of dealers in the Fort Lauderdale area (not fun) and used their prices against each other. We were just about to accept one dealers's price when I called another one on the phone. They usually will not discuss price on the phone, but I told him what offer we had and he agreed to match that with tax included.
She put $2K down, 48 mo lease at $399/mo. which kept her below her $400 target. Then she agreed to the additional electronics warranty which added $14/mo. All in all a pretty decent deal, but I had to do a TON of legwork to get it. Endicott Nissan in Pompano, Fl.
So far, we love the Murano. Zero problems in 3K miles except for the idiot that rear-ended her 1 month after lease. It was very minor, just tore the rear bumper skin. That was replaced and repainted and all is fine. I added the splash guards myself (easy, recommended).
She has not learned all the controls and electronics, but she is technically challenged and realizes that this is her fault.
Chapter 2) Mom.
Mom has been driving a '91 Cadillac Allante for the last 12 years. Mom is getting older, so is the car, so it's time to get sometime more practical for her. She's held out as long as she can. She was looking at the Buick Rainier. We did test drive one and it was nice, but I like the Murano more. We were looking towards GM because my brother works at Cadillac and we could get a few percent off from their "family discount" program, but I don't think it is enough to tip the scales when you consider factors like rollover tests, side curtain airbags, ride comfort, and styling. All of those factors clearly are in favor of the Murano.
I printed out reviews, test data, and features and mom is now solidly in the Murano camp.
Here's the good part. None of all that running around trying to get the straight story and a good deal from different dealers. I used Edmunds to get the MSRP, Invoice, and TMV figured for the SL FWD with the options she wants (Touring package, Splash Guards). I found out, as expected, that the MSRP was a tad over $33K and TMV (real price) should be just over $30K, with Nissan offering $1K rebates right now.
It's nice to verify your guestimates.
I went a bit further and requested a quote from a local dealer through the Edmunds interface. I was a bit leery of this because I didn't want a high pressure salesman calling and nagging us. I also wanted to catch them off guard and walk in with figures all ready. I was wrong. It couldn't have been easier.
A lady that handles all internet sales for Naples Nissan called today. She was very nice and NO pressure. She said that they realize that people that come from internet referrals are doing their homework and they KNOW what they should pay, so they make it easy. $100 off invoice, period. No haggle. Nissan promotions still apply, which is currently $1K rebate or 2.0 financing.
So it looks like by this time next week mom will be in a (probably blue, with Cafe Latte leather) Murano SL FWD for $29.7K.
Of course, if anyone has any advice or cheaper prices, please bring it on!
Allan - bandwidth hog and Murano fan
second, if you had such a good experience with the first dealer, why didnt you go back to them?
that shows me just how sorry our sense of loyalty is in this country.
There are some reasons to try to buy from certain dealers (convenience mostly), but most of us buy consumer goods based on price. There's nothing unique about a car, so why pay more for one?
Steve, Host
i can understand if that happens, but to not even pick up the phone?
> the first dealer, why didnt you go back to them?
> that shows me just how sorry our sense of loyalty
> is in this country.
Different cities.
I would have gone back to Endicott in Fort Lauderdale, but mom lives in Naples, Fl. Easier for us and better to have a good relationship with the local dealer that will be doing the service.
I stated the dealer names (and my satisfaction) for other potential buyers.
Allan
however...
the display/vehicle settings are with the memory seats.
Since I bought my Altima I have been thinking about what I might get next.
The Murano is what I think I might get next...
Also, Bowke, what's the deal with the 05s?
I hear a S model will be available. Will it have alloy wheels and all that stuff or will it be basic?
I am wondering about that...
http://www.nissannews.com/
Thanks,
Don
This was my first NAV unit of any kind and I now have a significant problem. I'm not going to ever buy another vehicle without the integerated NAV. It's just way too practical for everyday use for finding all kinds of destinations.
I really like the idea of always having a map visible, on a nice large color screen, that I don't have to worry about being stolen if I forget to hide it or something like you'd have to do with an aftermarket solution.
You certainly can save a few $$ by buying an aftermarket Nav unit but I don't think you'll have anywhere the ease of use that the factory Nav offers. Get in start the vehicle, press the "i agree" button and your on your way.
It is very user friendly, IMO and well worth the roughly $1700 over the life of the vehicle.
Also, a few posts ago someone claimed that Nissan had announced prices on the 2005's on their Nissan News site, but I don't see anything about the 2005 Mo.
Where do you go everyday that you absolutely must have NAv system on your next purchase? Most people use their cars for work or go to the same routine places that require no NAV system.
How about a list of a particular type of resturant for lunch (Chinese, Thai, Japanese, or whatever anybody?)
How about the closest anything? They're all in there.
How about re routing around a an un-expected traffic jam or road construction? How about finding a new street or address or route, on a whim or on the fly?
I don't go to work at the same location every day either, I have lots of clients, in lots of different cities accross Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
If you go only to the same places all the time then YOU won't find it useful. I also disagree with your statement that "Most people use their cars for work or go to the same routine places that require no NAV system." We obviously have different groups of acquaintances.
I never said everyone needs it, I said I've got a problem in that I need it now.
I was answering a question another poster asked about the relative value of the NAV system and as an owner, I answered.
Your comments (IMO) indicate you've never used an integerated built in Nav system or spent much time in a vehicle equipped with such a system. I think the other poster with the question was asking for an experienced user opinion.
Murano Sales
Month Units
Sep-04 5,248
Jul-04 5,593
Jun-04 4,149
May-04 5,004
Apr-04 4,161
Mar-04 4,831
Feb-04 4,731
Jan-04 4,079
Dec-03 4,591
Nov-03 5,435
Oct-03 4,999
Sep-03 4,644
Aug-03 6,188
Jul-03 5,027
Jun-03 4,720
May-03 5,568
Apr-03 4,436
Mar-03 4,386
Feb-03 3,347
Jan-03 2,734
Dec-02 1,747
Nov-02 307
95,925
PREMIUM FUEL IS NOT REQUIRED