NISSAN MURANO . ORG
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Nissan's strange model choices - Click HERE for Original Thread
cmoses
Went looking this last weekend at a few cars, Mazda CX-7, Ford Edge and the Murano. CX-7 was just to small and didn't have all the features I was looking for. Has come down to the Edge and the Murano. Liked the exterior styling more on the Edge, prefered the refinement of the Muranos interior. Seemed like the model options made more sense with the Edge. I felt that the Murano had some things that were missing.

Nissan made some choices that I thought were very strange in their models.
1. Very surprised that they only offer the LE in AWD. The Edge Limited (top of the line model) comes in FWD and AWD.
2. Why only offer the full IPOD compatibility on the LE?
3. Why only offer the memory seats on the LE?

These three items seem like they should be able to be added on to the SL. These are all items that are standard or optional in the mid line Edge SEL.

Clayton
benhui86
well if there werent any exclusive LE options....no one would buy it.... thats kind of like how come you cant get the S with all the fully loaded features of the LE....

the AWD on the murano operates on FWD mode most of the time... the system only transfer power to the rear wheels when it is needed such as lack of traction... that way you can have the gas mileage of a 2wd car with the safety and traction of a awd.... so why would you not want this feature when you are paying for a fully loaded model
njjoe
cmoses-

Welcome to the forum.

You are not alone. Many people are scratching their heads trying to understand the logic of the various equipment lists and packages.

Someone living in LA or Florida who is looking for the top-of-the-line MO might think twice about it because they do not need nor want AWD.

-njjoe
njjoe
quote:
Originally posted by benhui86
so why would you not want this (AWD) feature when you are paying for a fully loaded model

1) Because you pay a mileage penalty with an AWD system as compared to FWD. You are carrying 150 additional pounds, powering a transfer case, and spinning a permanently-engaged rear driveshaft.

2) The transfer case is the Achilles Heel on the MO, and are very expensive to replace.

3) Why pay for something you don't need. An FWD LE would probably save you $1,600 over the AWD model.

The consumer should be allowed to make the choice.

-njjoe
cmoses
I understand the idea behind the LE and having some exclusivity, but on features that most people want it seems a bit strange. Especially the IPOD one. The LE still has its 20" wheels, its wood trim, it HID lights, its power lift gate, etc. These are more of what I would consider LE features, something that not everyone would want.

Reasons not to want the AWD
1. Adds $2000 to the cost of the vehicle, a feature which as you state won't get used most of the time.
2. Added weight and mechanics hinders gas milage.
3. More costly to repair if there is a problem.

Just my thoughts and 2 cents. I am really torn between the Murano and the Edge. I fell like I am handcuffed a little with the Murano. Some of the features I want forces me to go with the LE and that forces me into AWD and a much higher price. If I could knock off the $2000 for the AWD that would make it much more comparable to the FWD Edge Limited I am comparing it to. Right now the closest I can get is a SL with similar features to the Edge Limited, but I miss out on the 20" wheels, the IPOD compatibilty and the memory seats. Three items that might ultimately sway me in the direction of Ford.

Clayton
Eric L.
quote:
Originally posted by njjoe

1) Because you pay a mileage penalty with an AWD system as compared to FWD. You are carrying 150 additional pounds, powering a transfer case, and spinning a permanently-engaged rear driveshaft.

2) The transfer case is the Achilles Heel on the MO, and are very expensive to replace.

3) Why pay for something you don't need. An FWD LE would probably save you $1,600 over the AWD model.

The consumer should be allowed to make the choice.

-njjoe



Well to be fair, we don't know whether Nissan redesigned the transfer case in the 2nd gen - it does have an AWD system which engages the rear wheels more often (50/50 on intial acceleration and 70/30 on turns). So I don't think we can state that on the 2nd gen, the AWD system is prone to failure.
cwirth
Before making a decision to buy the Edge you should checkout some of the on-line forums for the Edge. The Edge was on my list too before I bought the Murano. I found that the Edge has a real problem with transfer case seal failures. Some people on the forum that had new vehicles have this problem and they cannot get the seal replaced because of a nationwide backorder of the seals. There were also numerous other problems they were having. Some of these vehicles were brand new.
BikerJohn
If you don't end up buying the Murano; make sure you let the Nissan dealer know why. That way maybe the message will get back to Nissan to "give the people what they want":4:
Eye Pod
Edge or Murano, either way you'll have a great vehicle. I bought the MO LE and I really love it.
woossh
What about offering the dealer $2000 less to offset the cost of the AWD? Our local dealer doesn't seem to be selling many, if any Mo's right now.

One more thing of note, the Toyota dealer locally has a full row of FJ's and nowhere else to park the big pick-up's.

I think deals all around are about to be plentiful on larger vehicles and SUV's. I see the Edge at $5000-7000 off invoice already.
njjoe
quote:
Originally posted by woossh
I think deals all around are about to be plentiful on larger vehicles and SUV's. I see the Edge at $5000-7000 off invoice already.

$5000-7000 off invoice ?!?! That is hard to believe. In fact, I do not believe it.

There is currently a rebate of $2,000 on Ford Edges. Are you saying the dealers are offering an additional $5,000 off the invoice??!! No way.

The car has an MSRP around $26k. which gives it an invoice around $24k. So you are saying they are selling those cars for $19k? There is no way they are giving you a 27% discount on the MSRP.

-njjoe
grayvader
Remember, Ford inflates their MSRP/invoice a lot more than most car companies. At the right time, you can get a Ford for $10,000 under invoice -- I've done it. It's not hard to believe that the edge is being sold for 5-7K under.
cmoses
I have seen some dealers offering a bare bones base SE model at $19,999, which is about $6000 off MSRP, but that is including the $2000 incentive from Ford. There is usually only one at that price and it has no options. It is usually the Burnt Orange which is their worst seller, even here in Austin where you see a lot of cars that color because of the University of Texas.

The more normal pricing that I am seeing is just under invoice with most of that coming from the $2000 incentive.

Best apples to apples comparison I can give you...

08 Edge Limited, white sand exterior, camel leather interior, FWD, 3.5L V6, 20" wheels, vista roof (same as dual moon roof), NAV, power lift gate, trailer hitch, sirius - $37005

09 Murano SL, glacier pearl exterior, beige leather interior, FWD, 3.5L V6, 18" wheels, dual moon roof, NAV, power lift gate, trailer hitch, XM - $36955

So as you can see, these two are very close. Now if you take into account the $2000 Ford incentive, their better financing and compensate for not having the 20" wheels, full IPOD compatibility and memory seats the difference is greater.

In order to get those features on the Murano you need to jump up to the LE which adds AWD, the 20" wheels, full IPOD compatibility and memory seats. This brings the price to $40485, which is $5530 more than the Edge with the rebate. Which is considerably more than the $2000 that the AWD adds alone.

Clayton
DMordarski
you can get a SL in Fwd with a tech package, and leather, and nav
merrion13
I was also considering the Edge, and agree with you regarding the option choices. My biggest gripe is the iPod integration being only available on the LE. It seems if you are getting an SL with Nav, you should be able to get the Ipod integrated through that system. I will not buy any car with wood trim as I think its hideous, so right now it looks like I'll be getting the SL.
On a side note, there is a major flaw with the Edge you may not be taking into account. If you compare the 60-0 braking distances between the two vehicles, you will see a huge disparity. The Edge takes 158 feet to stop; the Murano 122. In fact, the Edge has the worst in class braking distances in that regard. Something to think about.
cwirth
quote:
Originally posted by merrion13
On a side note, there is a major flaw with the Edge you may not be taking into account. If you compare the 60-0 braking distances between the two vehicles, you will see a huge disparity. The Edge takes 158 feet to stop; the Murano 122. In fact, the Edge has the worst in class braking distances in that regard. Something to think about.


That is true about the Edge's brakes. It was written up in many reviews that their braking distances are poor. The F150 truck has better braking distances. I liked the Edge and also considered it's counterpart the Lincoln MKX. The one thing about the Edge leather seats were that I thought they were rock hard. It was like sitting on a concrete step. The Lincoln was a little better but the Murano is great. Glad I bought the Murano.
T&T09
We were also considering the Edge. At first it was our primary choice. But after driving both I thought the MO was a much higher build quality. The fit and finish of the interior was much better (IMO) and the ride was smoother and much quieter (again IMO).

The deal we were able to get back in Feb was actually a bit in favor of th MO. I did want to get memory seats and iPod interface, but I did not like the quality of the Edge interior. We a very happy with our decision to go with the MO. (I like it better than my Acadia) :2:
DMordarski
quote:
Originally posted by merrion13
I was also considering the Edge, and agree with you regarding the option choices. My biggest gripe is the iPod integration being only available on the LE. It seems if you are getting an SL with Nav, you should be able to get the Ipod integrated through that system. I will not buy any car with wood trim as I think its hideous, so right now it looks like I'll be getting the SL.
On a side note, there is a major flaw with the Edge you may not be taking into account. If you compare the 60-0 braking distances between the two vehicles, you will see a huge disparity. The Edge takes 158 feet to stop; the Murano 122. In fact, the Edge has the worst in class braking distances in that regard. Something to think about.




The edge gets terrible mpg, I read a shootout between a 06 murano and the edge and the murano won out that one. (motor trend) not to mention the edge is one ugly duck...

I think you'll like your new mo
LeMurano
Looked at the Edge... Didn't compare to the looks of the Murano. It was the wheels that got me! I have it for a week and just love looking at it... Drives great, feels great too.

Also looked at the Jeep GC Limited. Great incentives, but for a reason. I mean a MDS 5.7L Hemi would have been great when gas was $1.33 but now???
woossh
Here;s the scoop on the Ford Edge at $5-7000 off list. In today's paper (see "display.reporter-news.com/ROP/ads.aspx?advid=363191&adid=609522), and I quote" Ford Edge SE MSRP $30,219 Less Arrow discount $3,719, Less rebate $3,000, $1,000 Bonus cash* $23,500.

AHEM!
njjoe
woosh-

There is a huge difference between $7,000 off MRSP and $7,000 off invoice. I can believe the former, but not the latter.

Do you want a cough drop for that "AHEM"? :D

-njjoe

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