Should I stay away from AWD?

[jbobst]

Looking to buy a used Murano, and there is an AWD drive one available we found. Most are just FWD, but from reading some of the information on this site, it seems the transfer case could be/might be a problem? We live in AZ and really have no need for an AWD, but this particular one looks like a nice vehicle. No one can predict the future of a used vehicle, but should we stay away from this AWD and stick with the FWD models?

[JoeValkIS]

Absolutely not...that was one feature I really like on my MO. (Now watch it will break down and leave me stranded this week...but) I have not had any problems from mine. I picked it up a couple of years ago with around 25k from a lease program. I have twice that on it now and it is still running strong. It is great in winter (usually can't power slide unless I am really trying and the roads are snow/ice) and helpful the rest of the year with hard accelerations. Yeah...it isn't a race car off the line but it has plenty of pep to suit me just fine for what it is. One of the best things about the AWD is you don't have to worry about excessive tire spin...just isn't possible with the AWD...again...unless you are on really slippery pavement...such as gravel roads.

Just my honest opinion...

Joe

[DavidHart]

if you do get an AWD murano, read the manual to understand how to use it. For example, according to the manual you should not turn it on when reversing and you should turn it off when on solid ground. If you drive in snow or plan on towing, I would recommend all wheel drive.

That being said, I have had to replace my transfer case after 119,000 miles and it isn't cheap, about $4k. For other manufacturers, this can be much cheaper as the transfer case can be rebuilt. Nissan, on the other hand, forces you to install a new one. In my case, this wouldn't have made a difference as one of the gears broke and put a hole in the case.

What I would recommend is getting the longest warantee possible.

[Pilgrim]

If I lived in AZ and wasn't going to be bucking snow, I'd stick with the AWD version.

[JayS]

No way I'd buy one without AWD, but I live in the suburbs of Buffalo, NY and need at least one vehicle in the garage that's great in the snow (besides my snowmobile). Living in AZ I'd definitely get a FWD model though. Less weight, less complexity, less to go wrong down the road and it's not like you'll ever really use the AWD where you are.

[jbobst]

Thanks for the information so far. We went and test drove the 2007 AWD model last night. It really was the perfect vehicle for us, however, after the test drive, I crawled underneath the front of the car, and there was a very good coating of oil/dirt all over what I think was the transfer case. This really scared me away from buying it. There was this box looking engine part with what looked like cooling fins all over it, and it was really covered with some sort of oil and grit. The location of this was more on the drivers side of the vehicle, as I could see the oil pan next to it on the passenger side. Even the oil pan had oil on the outside of it, but maybe that is because who ever did the oil change just didn't clean up very well when taking the filter off. Not sure. But the transfer case leak (or apparent leak) made us leave the dealership empty handed. If I buy an extended warranty, and have them replace the transfer case as soon as possible, is that worth it, or do you think or should I just stay away from this vehicle?

[nitely]

Run away from that car is more like it. Do yourself a favor and just buy the FWD. I own an 04 AWD and will never buy an AWD murano ever again--any year. If you really want an AWD....look for a different car.

[Pilgrim]

Leaks on the drivetrain are a bad sign with a Murano. There are many nice ones out there, so I'd say walk away from that one and find one that's clean. For your purposes, FWD has lower potential costs of ownership than AWD because of the history of transfer case leaks and failures. They aren't really all that common, but they are expensive when they occur - and you don't need AWD.

[HVT]

You don't need snow to use AWD. It help dramatically in the rain and while cornering. I'd never buy one with FWD. An SUV w/o AWD is just a car.

[nitely]

Before all these AWD and 4WD all became the norm the majority drove with just front or rear wheel drive cars and there was no problem. Accidents often occur due to speed because they do not know how to adjust to the road conditions. Its that simple. Everyone can have all the awd you can have but if the guy behind you don't slow down....insurance claim is inevitable.

[HVT]

Originally Posted by nitely

Before all these AWD and 4WD all became the norm the majority drove with just front or rear wheel drive cars and there was no problem. Accidents often occur due to speed because they do not know how to adjust to the road conditions. Its that simple. Everyone can have all the awd you can have but if the guy behind you don't slow down....insurance claim is inevitable.

It's not always that simple. I'm not talking about the idiot that doesn't slow down in bad weather or tries to corner like he's on rails during a monsoon or Blizzard....he's ambulance-cargo regardless of his vehicle configuration. But not slipping from a stoplight or pulling out into traffic without spinning that inside wheel in rain/snow is a great, reassuring feeling.
Sure we all drove RWD back in the day (some maybe only FWD) but anyone claiming they could climb snowy/rainy hills or navigate that dark, wet or snowy curve ahead with the ease and safety of an AWD vehicle is an outright liar.
Any extra maintenance/cost needed for an AWD vehicle is far outweighed by the added safety IMO. Which would you want your daughter driving home in a bad storm?

[Eric L.]

I have no reservations against the AWD version. Just make sure to inspect it thoroughly for leaks, and to have the transfer case serviced according to factory intervals.

As for "you do not need AWD", that might technically be true. But most of the time one does not need ABS brakes, seatbelts, airbags, or for that matter, the car doors either, but would you buy a car without one? AWD doesn't cost much more and offers peace of mind in inclement weather, and if it is offered, I would go for it.

As for AWD it is AUTOMATIC in the Murano. You do not "turn it on or off." In default mode, power is directed to the rear wheels as needed. The driver doesn't have to do anything.

The AWD LOCK switch is only to be used if the vehicle is stuck. It basically forces the system to divide the power 50/50 front/rear to get the vehicle out of a jam. This puts more strain on the drivetrain components and is to be used only if you are stuck. Otherwise, leave the switch OFF, which puts the AWD in AUTO mode, and your AWD will operate transparently as needed.

[turbizzy]

FWD for sure especially for AZ with no snow (unless your in flagstaff). Less crap to break.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by turbizzy

Less crap to break.

That's it in one sentence.

The transfer case in the Murano is known to be the weakest link in the drivetrain. If you don't need it (you decide), then buy the vehicle with the simpler drivetrain.

[njjoe]

jbobst-

I have read some excellent pro/con arguments on the merits of AWD in non-snow country.

Fifteen years ago I would have said AWD and 4x4 were solely for snow-covered roads and off-roading. Then I purchased a Jeep GC with full-time AWD and realized just how beneficial AWD can be even when the roads are not snow-covered, which is the vast majority of the time for 99.99% of drivers.

FWD is fantastic when compared to RWD, but nothing but a half-track can beat the traction of both front and rear axles putting down the torque. In the Jeep I could approach a stop sign on a rain-slicked road at the top of a hill and not worry about having to feather the throttle to enter the cross street. Having all four wheels sharing the power makes a huge difference.

The rental MO I had before I bought my MO was FWD. I loved the car but did not like the fact that I could spin the tires on wet roads when making a turn. I was used to the confidence-inspiring traction of the Jeep.

Now having said that, would I recommend an AWD for use in Arizona? No... and yes. If your driving style is relaxed, if you never travel to the colder regions, if you rarely drive in the rain, then I would forgo the AWD with its added mechanicals and look for a FWD. However, if your driving is more spirited, if you are taking the family to the slopes, if you plan to haul the fishing boat up a gravel ramp then I would definitely opt for the AWD MO.

Good luck.

-njjoe