Checked out the CX-7 and RDX in detail. The interior of both is too small, especially the back seat. The Mazda defintaley didnt feel as responsive power wise as the Edge and Murano due to turbo lag although the Handling on the RDX and CX-7 is

Also I've heard some horror stories about the Gas mileage in those turbos, not to mention you need premium to begin with

 

They always were Infiniti grade. Even the Maxima has been since 04, but nobody cared because Infiniti Interiors were crap until 06+ for the FX and 07+ for the G

 

Lexus RX (too expensive)
Acura MDX (too expensive)
Pilot (ugly)
Highlander (ugly)
Santa Fe (meh)
Volvo XC90 (ugly + expensive)
Dodge Journey (no explanation needed)

The List could go on but we concluded that Crossovers which depreciate more than average but are better than average vehicles were the Edge and Murano

We are also looking at but are not AS interested in the new Ford Escape (240HP V6) and the new Subaru Forrester (Symmetrical AWD would be better for the snow than Ford or Nissans crappier systems)


We are looking at vehicles with lower mileage so those arent really big concerns. We also dont keep our cars for more than a couple of years. Insurance should be about the same, car insurance here is alot simpler than US, only one company that you can go through (ICBC) so theres no shopping around for better rates.

 

On the Muranos, the warranty of the CVT has been extended to 10/120k. Most failures were with the early model Muranos.

However, the Murano has had significant issues with the transfer case on the AWD models. It is a very expensive 2k+ repair that is NOT covered by the CVT warranty extension.

Personally, I'd get an Edge instead in hopes of a lower TCO.

 

I hate the CVT too, but your parents may not. Have them test it out. They are about equal on gas. The Murano may be a bit more expensive.

For me, as much as I love Nissan products I think the newer Muranos are butt ugly and I would seriously consider the Edge or even the Ford Flex.

 

Premium was moved from the required to recommended column for the CX-7 in 2008. But if its too small...

What about a CX-9? It may be too big, but what about a Saturn Outlook XR? CPO 2006ish Cadillac SRX? 2005-6 Acura MDX?

 

Those are all abit out of the price range since we want something with very low mileage.

 

Since I have a 2010 Max, I know a little bit about the CVT and problems Murano owners have had because I looked at the Murano as well when shopping last year.

Almost all of the CVT and transfer case issues are related to the 1st Gen Murano from 03-07. I personally would not get a Murano from any of those model years. Keep in mind, that vehicle was Nissan's attempt at putting a completely new technology, for them at least, into full market production. There were bound to be problems with it because it was a new piece of technology for Nissan.

I would recommend the 2009 and 2010 Murano because it has the 2nd Gen CVT in it, like my Maxima, that has had almost all those problems/kinks, that the 1st Gen CVT had, fixed and worked out of them and have heard no problems with the 09 and 10 Murano with CVT troubles. Personally, I would take the Murano over the Edge since I think the quality/fit and finish is a little bit better in the Murano then in the Edge but both are nice vehicles and you really can't go wrong with either of them.

So far, I have about 10k miles on my Max and overall I love the CVT! It is so much more efficient and smooth shifting over the 1st Gen CVT and the fuel economy I'm getting out of my Maxima is incredible considering the amount of HP and torque under the hood. The only downside to the 2nd Gen CVT is that if you accelerate quickly (by gunning it) the CVT causes the engine to produce very loud rev drones, so we call it, and you hear it in the cabin, but other than that, the CVT has come along way from the 1st Gen one in the 1st Gen Murano and 6th Gen Maxima. I've heard, that Nissan is already working on the 3rd Gen CVT which is going to have the engine designed around the transmission, and supposedly, all that rev drone and noise is going to be elminated and then you'll have absolutely no qualms with the CVT at all!!

 

I know its not a crossover, but 2006ish Nissan Pathfinder? The V6 gets OK mileage and its is decently powerful. Interior on 2008+ models is great. They are weirdly narrow on the inside, however.

Or, what about a Hyundai Veracruz? Nice interior, nice styling, good engine, and decent gas mileage. Check one out.

 

Just wanted to complete this post with the refreshed Edge. I'm a fan. Don't know if it's out of your folk's price range, but I'd definitely do this one over the Murano based on the cool interior alone...

 

Man, the new sync displays are sicko.

 

at the new Edge.

That interior alone might be worth the wait and few extra $$.
You can actually get a base Lincoln MKX for close to the same price of a Fully loaded Edge.


About the Pathfinder: I really like the current gen and also the 4Runner. I kind of wanted my parents to move away from the whole body on frame style and get a more "stylish" crossover (better ride quality and fuel economy). Not really liking the Veracruz though.

Theres way too many nice cars and SUV's these days lol

 

Umm no. The Maxima had a crappy interior on the 6th gen till the 7th gen came out in 08 or 09 whenever the new bodystyle happened. It couldn't even compare to what Infiniti had. Infiniti fixed their interiors in 05 in most of their cars.

 

The 04-06 Maxima and 03-05 FX have the same screen and buttons under it.

 

@ the new EDGE.

Inside and out is a stunner!

Those gauges are incredible.

 

Not really.

 

What about a 2007+ Mitsubishi Outlander? It may be too small but they are sporty. Gas mileage is good even with the V6 and they come with all kinds of options. AWD can be set to Auto, FWD, or LOCK. Seems like all the owners on Edmunds have nothing but good things to say about them.

If that's too small, what about a 2006-7 Endeavor? I have seen loaded low mileage 2006's go for 12-13K. Both Mitsubishi models have good reliability ratings... Other than those, I'm out of suggestions.

 

Thanks man. You made some good suggestions. The new redesigned Outlander is nice, and definately pretty roomy inside. But it would have to be brand new since it was very recently redesigned and if we go for brand new it would probably be a 2011 Ford Edge. (Brand new Murano is WAY overpriced in Canada)

 

Feel free to send me questions on the Murano. My parents had an '03 SL and recently bought a '10 LE. Both were great (I'm actually a fan of the CVT). The new ones are definitely more upscale and the engine and CVT were refined quite a bit more (steering is also more sharp). I don't understand why everyone disses on CVT. It's always got power and doesn't need to downshift when you punch it, it just pulls strong.