Honda Pilot vs. Nissan Murano

[hfelknor]

"1 Murano built in Canton, Mississippi now."

No.

Homer

[milgrad]

Not sure who told you the Murano is built in the USA, but it isn't.....The MO is still built in Japan....

[ekaxel]

Sorry about that. I was going by some (dated) Nissan publicity about the new Quest/truck /(Murano?) plant in Canton, Mississippi.

[BigRedNJ]

... and just thought I'd throw in my $0.02:

We test drove the pilot, highlander, and of course the MO. A little background: Most would consider me to be a "die hard honda fan" Ok well my wife says so anyway. I sort of "forced" her into looking into the pilot. For those considering pure "people capacity" the pilot wins here. The 3rd row IS usable for adults, maybe not on very long trips, but 30 min or less I'd say OK. I'm a smaller size adult (5' 5") and I can sit comfortably in that 3rd row. Kids, definately. The highlander 3rd row is a complete joke. Even with the headrests completely extended (which looks rediculous) they just barely met the base of my head. Sitting on a toilet feels more comfy than those seats.

The highlander drives more like a truck, and you really know when the engine is working, really know when you're about to enter a turn..etc. Pilot is marginally better here, but engine still tries extra hard to move the car and you can hear it.

Anyway, we actually ended up test driving the MO twice, and in the end it was very close between that and the pilot. But I must say spending 5 min behind the wheel just seals the deal with the MO. It's a driving quality that cannot be described on paper. And yes, the 2nd row is definately more luxury in the MO than the pilot.

[SugarRushMurano]

Eventhough the first year touareg has lots of problem (2 coleagues of mine complaint of theirs), i think it is a nice looking car and the inside is typical german quality.
Of Course for the same amount of money of almost fully loaded SL without nav, you can only get the semi loaded V6 touareg.

Also, try test drive the chrysler 300C hemi hatchback.
It has quite lots of room there, and it has hemi.

I will not recommend the rx330 lexus for you because it is not in the same budget class as MO. It compares more with the fx .

Good luck with your purchase decision.
Snap some pics will you once you got the MO, which i am sure you will. Great vehicle.

[bfdugger]

[QUOTEEventhough the first year touareg has lots of problem (2 coleagues of mine complaint of theirs), i think it is a nice looking car and the inside is typical german quality. [/QUOTE]

Before buying a Toureg or any other german car, check with your insurance company. Eueropean cars are VERY expensive to insure. I traded in my 2 year old Audi for my 04 MO and my insurance dropped $35.00 per month.

[SugarRushMurano]

I have an Audi A4 1999.
The surpsing thing about my insurance perimum:
1999 2.8L Audi A4q's is $650/6 month
2003 Murano SLAWD is $550/6 month.

I guess you are right.