Nissan: Murano Convertible Confirmed, Will Be Polarizing - Nissan Murano

AutoGuide.com · 08-23-2010, 06:01 PM

Nissan's long-rumored Murano convertible is all but officially confirmed after the company presented it to dealers at their annual meeting in Las Vegas in August.

The Murano convertible will be offered as a two-door with a soft-top, reminiscent of other spectacular failures like the Toyota RAV4 convertible, Isuzu Amigo and Suzuki X90, all of which were offered as 2-door SUVs and were recieved like the plague in North America.

"It's not going to be a volume car," said Brian Carolin,Nissan North America Inc.'s senior vice president for sales and marketing. "But there's a degree of bravery for us to bring out a car like that right now. It will surprise a lot of people."

The Murano is far from a bad vehicle as it is, but the idea of a convertible will undoubtedly polarize buyers into warring camps. On the other hand, Nissan's Juke crossover is a visually unappealing vehicle that still performs admirably, and the Murano convertible could be a car-based alternative to vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler, which has an equal number of buyers interested in its beach-cruising capabilities rather than its off-roading.

More: Nissan: Murano Convertible Confirmed, Will Be Polarizing on AutoGuide.com

**zebelkhan** · 08-23-2010, 07:22 PM

hmmmm.....interesting, very interesting....

**Kris** · 08-23-2010, 07:44 PM

Please tell me this is a joke.....

Then again you never know what the boardroom "brains" can do...

bob1 · 08-23-2010, 08:01 PM

Sorry to say but huh? What are they thinking? Look at the picture above and imagine it without a roof? Well, that would look down right stupid, something I'd laugh at like the Aztec. An SUV without a roof, where is the structural integrity? I don't buy this for a minute.
Bob1

**njjoe** · 08-23-2010, 08:39 PM

Every year around this time some automobile rag reports that Nissan will introduce a ragtop MO during the upcoming model year, and every year they are proved wrong. There is no reason to believe this year will be any different.

Here's a couple of pics from previous reports.

Nissan: Murano Convertible Confirmed, Will Be Polarizing-conv1.jpg

Nissan: Murano Convertible Confirmed, Will Be Polarizing-conv2.jpg

-njjoe

bob1 · 08-23-2010, 08:43 PM

Looks like a modern day El-Camino.............errr something.

Bob1

Phatty McPatty · 08-23-2010, 09:49 PM

Thanks for the ad but the convertible MO is butt.

**Gonzo** · 08-24-2010, 12:55 AM

I kind of like the Juke

**zebelkhan** · 08-24-2010, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njjoe

Here's a couple of pics from previous reports.

Did you notice the pic you posted and the one by OP both were taken in the same spot......?

**njjoe** · 08-24-2010, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zebelkhan

Did you notice the pic you posted and the one by OP both were taken in the same spot......?

A few years back when those pics were first posted I think the general consensus was that the pics of the ragtop were Photoshopped.

-njjoe

bob1 · 08-24-2010, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njjoe

A few years back when those pics were first posted I think the general consensus was that the pics of the ragtop were Photoshopped.

-njjoe

Joe, see the expression on your avatar's face? That was my reaction when I saw the convertible MO photo.

Bob1

**njjoe** · 08-24-2010, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob1

Joe, see the expression on your avatar's face? That was my reaction when I saw the convertible MO photo.

Bob1

I absolutely love convertibles - that is assuming they are done right. I have owned two "real" convertibles - an MG Midget and an MGB. They were designed as convertibles from the get go.

The MO's platform is not well-suited for conversion to a ragtop. It has no transmission tunnel which is key for maintaining structural rigidity on a roofless unit-body car. If too many mods are required Nissan may not invest the ducats into the conversion. Let's only hope.

-njjoe

bob1 · 08-24-2010, 12:01 PM

I agree, I owned two convertibles, one was a Triumph Spitfire and the other was an Austin Healey 3000 Mark III. I am still crying about selling the Healey. I sold it for 1200, today it is valued anyplace from 36K to 75K depending upon the condition. Back to subject, they looked great as did the MGA and MGB.

Bob1

Woody123 · 08-24-2010, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njjoe

I absolutely love convertibles - that is assuming they are done right. I have owned two "real" convertibles - an MG Midget and an MGB. They were designed as convertibles from the get go.

The MO's platform is not well-suited for conversion to a ragtop. It has no transmission tunnel which is key for maintaining structural rigidity on a roofless unit-body car. If too many mods are required Nissan may not invest the ducats into the conversion. Let's only hope.

-njjoe

My Dad had a Midget when I was in high school ( and he was in his Midlife Crisis, LOL). I still remember as a young teenager helping him bleed the brakes EVERY weekend. It was a royal PITA to keep going, but it was an amazingly fun car to drive, especially as a 16-year old kid. The only car to this day (and I'm 37) that I've ever ran out of gas. Man, Dad was PO'ed at me... I'm not sure who was more upset - Dad that I ran his baby out of gas, or Mom that I hitchhiked all the way home.

Warhammer · 08-24-2010, 04:30 PM

I'm wondering how it will look. I've always wondered how the MO will look with a lower roof line. The pictures Njjoe posted is a 4 door version. Nissan will make it a 2 door? Unless they shorten the wheel base, I'm not sure how this will be done. Maybe it will have the same stance but be as short as a mini wagon?

LOL...

08-23-2010, 06:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
AutoGuide.com Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 24	Nissan: Murano Convertible Confirmed, Will Be Polarizing Nissan's long-rumored Murano convertible is all but officially confirmed after the company presented it to dealers at their annual meeting in Las Vegas in August. The Murano convertible will be offered as a two-door with a soft-top, reminiscent of other spectacular failures like the Toyota RAV4 convertible, Isuzu Amigo and Suzuki X90, all of which were offered as 2-door SUVs and were recieved like the plague in North America. "It's not going to be a volume car," said Brian Carolin,Nissan North America Inc.'s senior vice president for sales and marketing. "But there's a degree of bravery for us to bring out a car like that right now. It will surprise a lot of people." The Murano is far from a bad vehicle as it is, but the idea of a convertible will undoubtedly polarize buyers into warring camps. On the other hand, Nissan's Juke crossover is a visually unappealing vehicle that still performs admirably, and the Murano convertible could be a car-based alternative to vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler, which has an equal number of buyers interested in its beach-cruising capabilities rather than its off-roading. More: Nissan: Murano Convertible Confirmed, Will Be Polarizing on AutoGuide.com

08-23-2010, 07:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
zebelkhan Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Morgan Hill, Ca Posts: 6,042	hmmmm.....interesting, very interesting.... __________________ 2004 SL AWD - Super Black - Leather Package (Café latte) - Tow Package - Floor Mats - Splash Guards - Cargo Area Protector - Rear Bumper Protector - Front Window Tint - Dawn Color Matched Body Side Molding – Day Time Running Lights - PAC-NIS1 Aux Audio input - Pressure Pro TPMS and Anti Theft Sensor Locks - 7" Xenarc VGA Touchscreen - Compaq EVO e-PC 2.0 GHz Pentium 4 Carputer with 120GB HD, DSATX PSU / Shutdown Controller, Road Runner Front End, iGuidance 3.0 Navigation, DVD player, Internet access, XM satellite radio, Deluo GPS receiver, Linksys WiFi Antenna, TERK XM antenna - Tweeter 22uF CAP mod - Magnetbra - Custom Backup Camera - Aries Polished Stainless Steel Sidestep (nerf) Bars - Euro-Tech Nudge Bar - Homemade Lower Grill Cover - Auxiliary Projection Fog Lamps - Aluminum Fuel Tank Shields - Wade Window Deflectors - Nissan Sunroof Deflector - Scosche UBRH Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kit

08-23-2010, 07:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kris Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lake Lanier Posts: 5,246	Please tell me this is a joke..... Then again you never know what the boardroom "brains" can do... __________________ had: 03 MO SL, Gold, 2WD, Premium, leather, sunroof, Mobil 1, B-Quiet, Garmin Nuvi 250W, Fumoto oil valve, HIR's in fogs 08 CTS 304 HP Direct Injection Engine. Fully loaded with every option except AWD 04 FX35, AWD, Touring loaded, Garmin Nuvi 250W, Fumoto oil valve Dream car: Ferrari Italia ------------------------------------------------ "It's not about how fast you go, it's about how you go fast" - Enzo Ferrari

08-23-2010, 08:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
bob1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Peachtree City, Ga. Posts: 1,206	Sorry to say but huh? What are they thinking? Look at the picture above and imagine it without a roof? Well, that would look down right stupid, something I'd laugh at like the Aztec. An SUV without a roof, where is the structural integrity? I don't buy this for a minute. Bob1 __________________ Former 2004 SL/Polished Pewter 2WD 2004 Infiniti G-35 2 door Coupe 2010 V6 highlander/Blizzard Pearl

08-23-2010, 08:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
njjoe Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Jersey Shore (not THAT Jersey Shore, the real one) Posts: 11,745	Every year around this time some automobile rag reports that Nissan will introduce a ragtop MO during the upcoming model year, and every year they are proved wrong. There is no reason to believe this year will be any different. Here's a couple of pics from previous reports. -njjoe __________________ 2005 SL AWD, Platinum -OEM HID conversion & HID fogs -OEM iPod interface -Upgraded (non-Bose) speakers - Pioneer TS-A1702C & TS-G1643R -Muth signal mirrors -Valley Industries hitch and wiring harness -Aluminum fuel tank shields

08-23-2010, 08:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
bob1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Peachtree City, Ga. Posts: 1,206	Looks like a modern day El-Camino.............errr something. Bob1 __________________ Former 2004 SL/Polished Pewter 2WD 2004 Infiniti G-35 2 door Coupe 2010 V6 highlander/Blizzard Pearl

08-23-2010, 09:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
Phatty McPatty Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: United States Posts: 876	Thanks for the ad but the convertible MO is butt.

08-24-2010, 12:55 AM	#8 (permalink)
Gonzo Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 4,092	I kind of like the Juke __________________ 2003 SL AWD Black

08-24-2010, 12:01 PM	#13 (permalink)
bob1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Peachtree City, Ga. Posts: 1,206	I agree, I owned two convertibles, one was a Triumph Spitfire and the other was an Austin Healey 3000 Mark III. I am still crying about selling the Healey. I sold it for 1200, today it is valued anyplace from 36K to 75K depending upon the condition. Back to subject, they looked great as did the MGA and MGB. Bob1 __________________ Former 2004 SL/Polished Pewter 2WD 2004 Infiniti G-35 2 door Coupe 2010 V6 highlander/Blizzard Pearl

08-24-2010, 04:30 PM	#15 (permalink)
Warhammer Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rio Rancho, NM Posts: 2,421	I'm wondering how it will look. I've always wondered how the MO will look with a lower roof line. The pictures Njjoe posted is a 4 door version. Nissan will make it a 2 door? Unless they shorten the wheel base, I'm not sure how this will be done. Maybe it will have the same stance but be as short as a mini wagon? LOL... __________________ *Ain't nothin' MO fun than drivin' a MO.*

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