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Comments
They have a motion sensor that wakes them up when the vehicle starts to move and then they begin to measure and transmit their findings.
The sequence of the tires on the NAV display starts out making sense but as soon as you rotate your tires the first time, you lose the logic.
The dealer can re register each transmitter to the screen so that they show up in the same sequence everytime after a rotation but they'll charge you for that service and no ones been brave enough to ask how much yet!
I figure knowing that one is slightly lower or higher than another one is close enough for me. If I get a serious low reading, I'm pretty confident I'll be able to tell which one it is visually.
Towed the boat to the trailer shop with my Sequoia to get surge brakes put on the trailer. I feel that Sequoia struggles with a 5000-5500 lb trailer (25-26 ft). I'll probably get an equal-i-zer weight distribution/sway control system also. It works with surge brakes. Might be overkill but I want maximum safety.
A friend has a 2500 LT burb with 8100. I'm going to pick up the trailer with his burb when work is done. If it tows to my expectations, I'll probably trade in the Sequoia for a burb. This will be my GM experiment. Extended warranty anyone?
Autoride shocks are very expensive to replace if you go that route from what I've heard. Something like 800 bucks plus! Check into it before you buy.
So you thought the 6.0L was better? Kind of surprising. It does have more hp but less torque if I remember right. I haven't driven one but will have to now. I did think the 1500 was both quieter and smoother than the Armada. Matter of fact I was disappointed in the ride quality of the Armada. However, coming from a 2500 it didn't really bother me since it's no worse. Maybe I should just keep the ole 454 and get a second putt around town small car.
Another thing, I checked under the hood an the oil dipstick was sticking out about an inch...Quality assurance or the dealership didn't catch it..
Has anyone noticed that the ATF dipstick is bolted in place. Are you supposed to have to get out a wrench to to add/change ATF fluid??
This unexpected problem killed the deal. I wonder if this is a problem on all Armadas or just the one I drove.
Regards / Howard
I do agree with CR about the perceived durability of some of the interior plastics, though.
-juice
FWIW, I think the interior layout is miles ahead of the GM versions.
tidester, host
1st character=where built
2nd character=manufacturer
3rd-9th=model/powertrain/color (i dont know which is which)
10th=year
11th=model run (2003,2003 1/2, 2003 5/16)
12th-17th=serial # (the actual # of the car)
with nissan, the 2nd is always 'N'
with the armada, the 1st is always '5' for mississippi/alabama. (honda pilots and odysseys arte 5 also)
For those looking for a base LE, might want to consider the SE with Journey and tow package. You pick up a sunroof (SE with Journey+tow) while giving up heated seats, all chrome grill, fog lights, puddle lamps, power rear flip out windows, footwell lights, memory seats and driver's side entry/exit system. The invoice on the SE+Journey and tow is $37,460 vs $37,562 for base LE. So the price is about the same and you get a sunroof instead of all the other "minor" options that come with the LE. A good trade off in my opinion!! Below is link to Nissan site comparing the SE and LE.
http://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/ModelSpecifications/0,,30846||,- 00.html?displayAll#topOfPage
http://www.courtesyparts.com/specs/vin.html
I appreciate your willingness to help me!!
As far as the squeaks and rattles, when did they start for you guys and is it isolated in one area or in many different spots?
To "fix" it, they put a 1/2 inch rubber tubing around the hooks. I say "fix" because the service guy told me that with repeated lifting and lowering of the seat, the new tubing was probably gonna wear out and the rattle may come back. he said something more durable and harder than the tubing is needed to withstand the "Up/Down" removal of the seat latch onto the hook. He said he looked to see if perhaps there was a TSB out for it, but found none. He also said he would continue to look for something more durable than the tubing he used to resolve the rattle and when he did he would let me know. The guy has a great reputation for working with folks to solve their problems, so i do believe him when i he said he'll continue researching for a better solution.
The rattle which was a little annoying is now gone, so I'm happy from that stand point. Once I get I permanent fix I'll be 100% happy.
That has been the ONLY squeek/rattle that I've heard in the 600 miles i've had the PFA.
Whew...sorry for the long post.
Sorry if this is a repeat issue of somewhere amidst 1700+ postings...as we were programming our Armada NAV system, the 'PREV' button stuck in the depressed position. Has anyone had this problem and how can we fix it ourselves without violating any warranty issue. Or, are we destined to consume the time and energy involved in dealing with dealership service for a little button-pop? And while we haven't had the 'resonance problem' as described to be painful to the ears/head, we have had the shaking headliner problem. BTW, we are loving this beast! These are the ONLY problems with it to date and we've put nearly 500 miles on it, highway and city, rough roads included.
This is a terrific resource, thanks!
1st digit is where vehicle is built, 1,4,5=USA, 2=Canada, 3=Mexico, Puerto Rico or Costa Rico, 6=Australia, 9=Brazil, J=Japan, K=South Korea, L=Tawain, S=United Kingdom, V=France or Yugoslavia, W=Germany, Y=Sweeden, Z=Italy.
2nd and 3rd characters indicate specific manufacturer.
4th through 8th characters are a portrait of the specific vehicle, Brand, Body Style, Engine Size & Type, etc.
9th character is a security code that identifies the VIN as being authorized by the manufacturer. Law enforcement can determine if a VIN is authentic or not from this character on a specific vehicle.
10th character is the model year of the car. 1980=A, H=1987, J=1988, N=1992, P=1993, T=1996, V=1997, through Y=2000. Then 1 = 2001 and so on. There are no I, O, U, or Z years.
11th character is the specific plant which assembled the vehicle. Each manufacturer uses different codes to identify their plants.
12th-17th characters are the serial number of the specific vehicle. Not all companies start at #000001, practices vary among manufacturers.
The PA catalog is impossible to read because it is poorly written, illogical options are bundled together and it wasn't proof read. Examples: I liked the above idea of the free sunroof with the base SE but I wanted to look at the Tow Package I would have to order to
ensure compatible pricing with the base LE.
OK, they discuss the tow package and mention a "lower final gear ratio" of 3.357 X 1. Thinking that this isn't really a "lower" ratio, indeed most low ratios are 4:1 and lower, I looked for what the standard final ratio is. Sorry, sports fan, no where in the catalog does it list a standard ratio. If the trailer tow ratio is "lower" at 3.357:1 , what can the standard ratio be? A very unsatisfactory 3:1?
Leather. One thing waynebruce didn't mention was that to a match up an SE with a base LE you have to add leather. No problem. Lets look for leather on the option list. If I want to put my 59 year old butt on leather, Nissan expects me to order the SE "leather package" which includes leather, 6 way power passenger seat, side impact bags and, get this, a Bose sterio for my middle age ears! All for leather.
Wait! I found an error in the above! The SE "Sunroof" package includes ALL of the above, leather, passenger seat, bags, Bose, AND a sunroof. So, just to get a roof, a customer has to take two other packages: the Leather/air bag/adjustable seat package and the Bose package. IBM could take a lesson from Nissan on bundling.
OK, wayenbruce IS right. But the darn catalog doesn't make for concise reading. In Nissan's case this may be more important than you might think. After their years in the wilderness, Nissan dealers lack the dedicated sales staff with lots of experience under their belts that the other lines have. Sure, Nissan is now red hot, but the dealer org hasn't kept up. In New England, it is hard to think of any Nissan dealer with a physical plant that is comparable to competitive dealers.
Manufacturers try to bundle options into packages in order to
(1) reduce inventory (less garden variety)
(2) simplify production line
(3) reduce product cost due to (2)
Honda is very good at this. Nissan is not there yet. Not that I like it, but it may be less scary for majority of people shopping for their vehicles.
I am considering getting a pre-paid service plan - probably schedule 2 - the lowest cost. Has anybody signed up for this, and what did it cost? I am trying to find out out if there are discounts available from different dealers. I know there were for my Jeep, but don't know if Nissan are the same.
Many thanks
Richard
As to final drive ratio, others may know more but I do believe the higher the ratio (ie 4:1 vs 3:1) the more "oomph" the car has when initially launching. This "oomph" is not free though, as it results in higher revs at highway speed and worse gas mileage. That said, the Armada does about 1600 rpm at 55mph....so I really don't think that the final gear ratio in the tow package trucks is too much to worry about!!
And finally an update on my Armada SE: while I've only put about 500 miles on it, two things are bugging me. First, there are a few rattles in the truck...will be taking it in to dealer next week to fix them. The other issue is the fan...it is noisy in the medium setting on the passenger side...as if something is fluttering in the vents. If you turn it all the way up, the fluttering noise goes away. Will ask dealer about this too.
Besides that, truck has been amazing!! Can't beat this powertrain...smooth as silk and "push you back in the seat" acceleration!! This is first year model, so I expected some rattles and other small glitches, but for now they nailed the most important things: powertrain and ride. Can't believe how much like a car it drives. Can fling it into a turn I don't get that sensation of a high center of gravity. Took her to the Lowes to return a large closet and really appreciated the size. Closet was 84 inches long and just fit with rear hatch shut. Can also fold down the passenger seat, so should be able to fit at least another couple of feet for long items. For all those on the fence, go drive one, and if you value driveability and powertrain, can't beat an Armada. And one last thing: let her warm up fully before judging the engine noise...she's gets much quieter when warm as opposed to cold!!!
Hopefully you won't need them but if you do, you'll be prepared.
-juice
Most states require 3-4 visits for it to legally be considered a lemon. And it can take 2 years fighting in court to win.
Call it in, document the problem nicely, I think if you are patient and let them try to fix it, you're making a stronger case for yourself.
-juice