PolishPete

I appreciate all the replies I've had thus far about the Jeeps and XC90's, however here's another one my girlfriend is looking at. It's a 2003 Nissan Murano SL with 44,000 miles. What are your thoughts, opinions, experiances with these. Any response is greatly appreciated!!

Again, this will be her first nice car (she drove a Cavalier for the last 4 years).

AZuser

The Murano is definitely the better of the three, IMO. It's like the poor mans Infiniti FX45.

It's got good handling and performance, is roomy, reliable, and despite the CVT.... is fun to drive.

1killercls

FX 35 you mean. FX45 has a V8.

AZuser

Doh! Yeah, I mean the FX 35.

charliemike

She can get an '04 MDX in that price range.

I'd rather have a MDX or a Pilot than a Murano I think.

PolishPete

Any specific reasons why?


Thanks for the responses thus far.

charliemike

For one the MDX is going to be nicer than the Murano. Plus I *think* Muranos were sold to rental fleets so you never know what you're getting. At least with the Pilot and MDX you don't have to worry about that (unless she buys from a private party).

I just don't think you can go wrong with Honda/Acura over the early Ghosn Nissans.

SodaLuvr

The CVT transmission in the Murano has an unknown reliability history. Plus it isn't rebuildable, at least for now.

mrmako

The MDX will hold its value longer, and has a good reliability record. The Volvo is a nice vehicle, but spotty on the reliability. You just hope you get a good one.

PolishPete

I guess I forgot to mention that she's looking in the $17K to $20K range. My cousin works at a dealer and they just got the Murano in on trade. He is able to give it to us at just above cost for $17K. To be honest she really like the Laredos, but she hasn't looked at the Murano yet, so we'll see.

I haven't checked out the prices on the MDX's. But I'll take a look.

charliemike

Please don't let her get a Jeep. It's completely overkill for her. She should get a CUV and not a Jeep.

jz-97-c7

the mdx still has the tupperware tranny tho (at least up to 06) so that's something to be on the lookout for, ours is an 04 and it's been pretty good to us except for that glass transmission.

SodaLuvr

Transmission problems were resolved with the 04+ MDX.

csmeance

the transmission was completely redesigned for the 04+ mdx's, they should have done it for the TL (2nd gen) but didn't.

PolishPete

I've heard some concern about the Murano towing. Its rated for 3500lbs, however, because of the 1 gear transmission, people are saying that that is really too much. Do you guys think towing 2000lbs every other weekend during the summer months would be to much (trailer with 2 motorcycles, towing for 4 hr trips each way).

What else can you guys recommend. Every car I've put up here has been shot down because of problems...but it seems like EVERY car has some sort of problem!!

Girlfriend is looking to get a used reliable SUV in the $16K to $17.5K range with decent miles 45K or less that can tow 2,000lbs.

She is really like the Laredos. The MDX is near the top of the price range when the miles are high...so low mileage ones would be too much.

Any more suggestions.

SodaLuvr

Don't even think about getting the Murano if you will tow. Towing will wear out the transmission more quickly and replacement cost for that unit is very high.