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Thanks!
Leslie
Chrysler had lots of press and high hopes that the 2001+ Chysler minivans would do better in the NHTSA and IIHS crash testing. It turned out they did about the same as the previous generation. Not horrible, granted, but nothing to brag about, either. Hopefully, the new Sienna and Quest will do very well all around. Feature-wise, the Sienna certainly does appear to get it right, but we'll have to wait a while for crash test results...
I think that article has some misconceptions. It is true that stiffer frames may help in the offset crash test. A stronger front end and safety cage will tend to reduce cabin intrusion on the test. On the other hand, stiff frames can be a liability in the dummy measures on the IIHS offset test, and in the NHTSA full-width test. Stiff frames tend to transfer more energy to the occupants. The occupants get less ride down time from the crushing frame and incur more serious injuries.
Getting a "Good" offset crash score AND 5-star NHTSA frontal crash tests is the challenge. Few trucks-based vehicles do... While the NHTSA tests can be improved (higher speeds), it would be bad if they switched to an offset test. Having both types of testing in this country is very important, in my opinion.
Also, it is very irresponsible to try to correlate injury and death statistics to crashworthiness. Those statistics have a large factor of driver profile in them, so of course they may not correlate. Automakers love this sort of uncertainty, of course. Then they can claim that Car X has the lowest injury/death scores even though its crash tests are mediocre. Then on Car Y they tout the crash scores instead. The more confused consumers are, the better for the advertising spin.
If you are concerned about surviving a crash, choose a vehicle that does well in both the NHTSA and IIHS tests and also has a nice complement of safety features.
Also:
http://www.car-safety.org/carguide.html
http://www.car-safety.org/family.html
I dont think you need to worry about the Sienna's crashworthiness. I doubt Toyota could mess that up, given how much they sold the Sienna on safety last time around. (Especially with regards to offset- Toyotas internal testing EXACTLY mimics that of the IIHS).
~alpha
Overall I really like my Villager. It runs great, drives great and gets pretty decent gas mileage. I drive about 15,000 miles a year and I'm a stay at home parent. We travel quite a bit so there are many factors in what I am looking for in a vehicle.
http://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/FutureModelHomePage/0,,24365,00- .html
http://infinitihelp.com/Nissan/Models/Quest2004/Photos.htm
My '99 GXE just passed 80,000 miles w/o any significant issues btw.
Steve, Host
I'm hopefully heading up your way next week to visit friends, get some Ice Classic tickets and pick up a used Outback to drive back to Boise. I don't want to read about anymore more "dry" hurricanes or 7.9 quakes please :-)
Steve, Host
Why you buying a used outback up here? I would think they would be cheaper down there. Subarus bring crazy money up here, you should know that.
BTW, Ice Classic tickets are $2.50 each now, guess they had to raise the price to pay for who knows what.
and now back to the new Quest....
Steve, Host
Now, as for the new Quest, you going to get one?
I doubt I'll be able to get one, hubby said we could *look*, but he's pretty set on an 04 VW Jetta Wagon GLS TDI.
Steve, Host
Ah well, I don't have a payment on my current car and it doesn't cost me anything in repairs either.....who says Ford can't build a reliable car.
Of course the minute they get it right they discontinue the model, yes, I'm refering to the loveable Escort.
The wife and I drove a Sienna yesterday, and it was very nice, although I am alo interested in the new Quest (if we can wait that long).
I am interested in how the 2nd row folds flat. Is there another deep well somewhere, like where the 3rd row in the Ody and Sienna folds into, or do the seats fold "flat" like they do in some SUV's?
What was your impression of the dash in the Quest? I consider myself very open-minded, so I wouldn't discount the van just because it's different...but it is very different!
I'm encouraged the Quest would be priced that much below the Sienna, especially since other Nissan's seem to be priced at the same level (if not higher) than their direct competition.
The rep also said that the dealers are NOT to mark up the vehicle above MSRP (not released yet). She said if the dealer does, to report it to 1-800-NISSAN1, and they will send you to a new dealer. She said the dealers will actually be penalized by not receiving (or reduction of) delivery of Z's. She said Nissan is VERY eager to get back into this market and will be competitive.
Lots of grocery bag hooks in the back as well as behind the first row seats. She said the timing belt will be a chain, instead of a belt, standard.
They were handing out the same brochures that were mailed from Nissan. Lastly the rep said that the dealers should be receiving a few about 2 weeks or so before their release date June 30.
The chain comment made me smile because I had a Nissan Stanza with a timing chain. Rather than a $200 bill to replace a belt, I faced a $2500 bill at 6 years old to replace the chain guide which had chipped. That's when I got my Camry. But, yes the chain should be better, and at the time they claimed the guide problem wouldn't happen anymore.
I will concede that the 04 Sienna will probably have a higher build quality and will hold it's value better, but it is boring.
As an owner of a 99 Quest, I can definitely say the 04 has addressed the shortcomings of the Quest/Villager. (1) All Nissan product, no longer joint venture with Ford. (2) Size, possibly the largest minivan on the market. (3) Flexibility. I really like the idea of a fold down second row. Just loaded my van with 12 bales of pine straw. 04 model will probably significantly more and I won't have to remove any seats. (4) Engine. Having the Z engine in a minivan will be a huge improvement over the sluggish (but reliable) engine in my van. (5) My 99 Quest looks like a sucker fish. 04 is a substantial improvement.
If it's priced right with quality fit and finish, I would expect Nissan has a winner on it's hands
I am surprised that the volume of messages on the board is so low.
I can choice Toyata Sienna only. I have 1987
Nissan Sentra, and 1997 Nissan Altima, and I
believe Nissan quality and reliability. But don't
expect too much about Nissan Quest MSRP.
From Murando MSRP (spelling is correct?),
Nissan Quest will not cheap.
kim67, what about the internal material in the
quest?
The interior finishing/moldings are better then the Murano. I would say equal to the Odyssey. (I own the 2002 odyssey). The center console was very thoughtfully designed. The center dash took a minute or two to get use to but the jury is still out on the final production.
Since I test droved the 2003 Winstar, 2003 Caravan, 2004 Sienna, 2003 Odyssey and 2004 Quest all in the same day. The only thing the Sienna have over Quest is quieter and smoother ride. Then again, this is still pre-production. Also, The Quest was quieter and smoother than Odyssey.
I also saw the price sheet for the 2004 Quest. Comparing the base model to base model, it’s several hundred less then the other two and has a few more standard options then both.
Also, If you think orange interior in the murano is wild, wait until you see the red interior in the new Quest. It will take your breath away!
When will the new Quest hit the dealerships? I have heard late June/early July. However, I have also read that the new plant will start production in June. If that is the case, it seems like you could be looking at August for delivery to showrooms.
What is the history of the "old" Quest- was the most recent model done in cooperation with Ford? In looking at Consumer Reports, I have noted that the Quest looks like the worst quality/reliability Nissan product (except maybe the Sentra). If the Quest (2002 model for example) was also a Ford, I will blame the problems on Ford (as the previous owner of a Ford (and before that a GM) lemon for 10 stupid years until my liberation to the Japanese in 1993 I can say this). However if the most recent Quests have been pure Nissan, I have major concerns about the new model and I probably will not consider it.
For those of you who have seen the '04 Quest how nice did the interior seem? I think due to financial issues in the mid '90s, Nissan has been skimping on the interiors in recent years. I think even the new Altima and 350Z and Infiniti G35 have received criticism (somewhat justified criticism in my opinion). However, it looks like Nissan may have gotten the message as their most recent introductions- '04 Maxima and the new Infiniti FX35/45 seem to have stepped up interior quality. My point about the interior quality is that although the exterior of the new Quest looks great if the interior is substandard compared to the Ody or the new Sienna then I am not a buyer. By quality I'm talking about the quality of the materials/surfaces, quietness, comfort, durability, usability, etc. At this point, no one on this board may know enough to answer my questions as to the interior. I hope that Nissan has gotten the message about the interiors- they have been introducing strong product lately but by skimping on probably only $100 to $200 in interior manufacturing costs they are still getting dinged.
Based upon an article on "nissanhelp.com" the new Quest will be the largest in interior volume. Given that the exterior dimensions of the Quest are larger than the Sienna or Ody this seems logical. Another big plus is the 124" wheelbase which is about 5"-6" longer than the Sienna or the Ody- this should result in a smoother ride. Also, with the long wheel base, I think Nissan is able to shift the engine back a little behind the front axle which should improve the front/rear weight balance of the vehicle. The upshot is, like the Altima, the Quest should have a great combination of ride quality and agile handling.
Finally, any concerns about the initial build quality from a new model in a new plant? As an example, the "M" class Mercedes built in Alabama, after more than 5 years, is still the worst quality (I think) in the whole Mercedes line up. Based upon my dire need for a minivan, I would have to buy a Quest in the first few weeks and I am worried about getting a problem car asembled by "green" staff.
As far as interior materials go, it was hard to tell because at the autoshow they had it up on a podium.
Steve, Host
I've have had a Nissan (Datsun) since the late 70's and they have always been in blue. I drive too much in my vehicles to not have my favorite color plus I am very superstitious (on that issue only). The only time I've had a Datsun and it wasn't blue - it was a lemon.
I'd like to stay with Nissan (altho I despise the salesmen at the dealership near me) but I also like the Sienna & Ody too. In addition to color, I have to deal with storage capability. My 95 Quest is a royal ( and I mean royal) pain to get the back seats up and slid forward. I no longer use the two captains chairs because of constantly moving the bench seats, but with 2 kids, it's a necessity.
Are the rear seats easy to fold - has anyone been able to try that yet?
Thanks for the info.
And all new employees at the plant .. Let's hope the vehicle quality does not suffer due to learning curves !
Have you looked at the Kia Sedona? I too looked at the Sienna and found it way over my budget. The Odyssey is way too expensive and way over rated. I traded in a '95 Mercury Villager (same as the Quest) and it was an awesome van. 103,000 miles and was still going strong. I never had any problems with it just regular maintenance. The thing with the Quest/Villager twins is that they aren't rated well in safety or reliability. Neither are the GMC group.
I think you have to look for the best van for "Your" family. Everyone has different opinions and experiences. I for one can't stand Honda but others like them. The current Toyota Sienna is not as convenient as the '04 and again the '04 is expensive. Kia is too new and really gets bad gas mileage and only has an average reliability record but you can get a fully loaded Sedona for $24,000 and it comes with a 5 star rating. I'm a real pain when it comes to crash tests and others feel that they aren't worth reading. I like the MPV and someone else may come along and really hate it. I think it's worth your while to wait until the '04 Quest comes out. Who knows it may be the van for you.
Hey, Good Luck!
Latest designs 'stand out' from pack (Jackson Clarion-Ledger)
Steve, Host
http://www.infinitihelp.com/nissan/Models/2004/Quest/Description.- htm
Quite honestly, I'd rather do the same with a DVD player. Rather than pay thousands for a always-fixed-in-the-van DVD player, get a portable one and hook it up into the van whenever you go for long trips etc.