| 21,000-mile report - Click HERE for Original Thread |
| gibby26 |
| Bought my 2006 SL Touring AWD in late March. Here are my opinions, pro and con. The positives: very cool gadgets (intelligent key, backup camera, good stereo, adjustable headlights), good mileage - 23 overall - quiet, big back seat. The negatives: incredibly bad seats (had the driver's side rebuilt), poor handling/tracking, steady list of repairs (lumbar adjuster failed twice, roof air deflector failed twice, brake pedal assy replaced twice, etc.). Dealer has been accommodating, but I can not get comfortable in this car. For me (6'0", 180 lbs - pretty average), with all the adjustments in the pedals, seat, and steering wheel, I still can't find a position that doesn't hurt my back (why did I buy such an uncomfortable car? Didn't know the seats were so bad until taking a long trip). This is BY FAR the smoothest and quietest car I've owned (although the CVT takes some getting used to - pretty jerky at times). The Nissan V6 is one of the best on the planet. At the same time it's the most UN-fun-to-drive car to drive I've ever had. For me, it's tiring to drive since it constantly takes little corrections to keep the thing going straight. Absolutely maddening. Turn the wheel an inch? The car no only goes that way, but the steering wheel stays in that position and the car keeps turning. So you have to turn it back. Grrrr! Right now the positives outweigh the negatives. Hopefully the Ford Edge will be available when I get close to my warranty running out. |
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| Eric L. |
| Not quite in Chicago, but I've had no problems with my MO on Chicago roads. Maybe you need a wheel alignment. 21,000 miles on those potholed midwest roads can wreak havok on your alignment. |
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| gibby26 |
Eric:
Had the alignment done twice. I think all AWD Muranos must have this issue - while they were working on my car at one point I drove another new Murano and then had a Maxima for the day. The Maxima is like other cars I've had - predictable handling & tracking, and fun to drive. The other Murano was similar to mine. Keep in mind I drive a lot, and I'm fussy about details of the car. I just think it's a combination of things - no usable armrests, poor long-term seats, etc. Just makes the car no fun to drive, in my opinion. Too bad, since so many of the other features are right-on. My wife's Jeep Liberty is lots of fun to drive - quick, responsive sporty handling. Just be sure to always drive on a smooth-as-glass road, since the suspension will jar your fillings loose at speed. But around town? Quick and sporty feeling. I've had Porsches, BMWs, etc. Even my Dodge Intrepid tracked like a train. I guess I've been lucky to never have had a car that tracked poorly. Suggestion to Nissan: put Maxima seats in the Murano, adjust the caster for better tracking, adjust the power steering for better feel, and raise the armrest in the door and the center console so your elbows touch them when dirving (note: review virtually any American car or SUV). |
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| mgthe3 |
6' 210 lbs
Perfect seats. Tracks perfect. Best car I have ever owned, and I drive the hell out of it. I drive with my arms straight out, 10 and 2 position. Done a few long trips in her, the best vehicle I have had for such long trips.
:D |
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| enamurao |
I've being reading people having too many issues with 06's,
in my 04 with 32k not a single problem , all i notice lately a rattleing noise everytime I slightly accelerate and left speakers not sound coming out sometimes when playing cd but other than that its being a champ,,Im 6'2" 280lbs not problem with seats being uncomfortable.
I just keep loving it more everytime i jump in it. |
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| Eric L. |
Not sure about the 06 with the fancy center split armrest, but on my 03, you can move the armrest forward by pushing a tab on front of it. Maybe you can do the same on your 06 to make it marginally more usable. I admit I'd prefer flip down armrests on the side of the seat, like in the Lexus RX.
I've had no problem with my Murano's seat either (other than the rocking chair, which was fixed with the TSB). I think its actually more comfortable than my 97 Maxima's, but its less supportive when cornering (leather seats = slippery slide). |
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| njjoe |
gibby26-
Sorry to hear about your tales of woe.
It's not uncommon for a part to fail, but to have several components on your car fail twice, now that is odd. That leads me to believe the repair guys need a little more schooling.
My MO tracks straight and true and is an excellent highway cruiser - with one exception, like you said, that damn door-mounted armrest is worthless. It's much too low to be of any use and the window ledge is too damn thin to function as an armrest.
I am 6'3" and 235 pounds and fortunately have found the driver's seat to be very accommodating. I just wish the seats sat an inch or so lower, because as it is I have only an inch of clearance to the roof.
"jerky" CVT? Something must be out of whack in your drivetrain. I am constantly amazed by the turbine-like smoothness of the CVT.
Thanx for sharing your thoughts.
-njjoe |
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| gibby26 |
| I apologize for running on about the Murano. No doubt it has lots of great features. I love the engine. If I go back to an American car I'll give that up, along with lots of other cool things. But I guess I just don't feel "connected" to the Murano. I rented a Volvo S80 recently, and I have to say it didn't track very well either. But it had one big redeeming feature - it was a blast to drive. An absolute rocket car. One of the fastest I've driven, and I've had some fast cars. Not that the Murano isn't fast. It is. But it doesn't "feel" fast. It isn't quick and responsive, which I would expect in this type of vehicle. But I'll stop complaining now and try to concentrate on the Murano's virtures, of which there are many. |
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| Gonzo |
Sorry you are having issues. My 03 AWD drives straight and the sterring wheel is responsive. I've got 36,000 miles and have not needed any allignments yet.
To each their own, but I find the MO so comfortable to drive and the leg room is just awesome. I'm 6' 185 LBS.
Good luck and enjoy the ride (if your MO will permit.) |
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| njjoe |
quote:
Originally posted by gibby26
I apologize for running on about the Murano. But I'll stop complaining now and try to concentrate on the Murano's virtures, of which there are many.
gibby26-
There is no need to apologize. This is the Murano-owners forum, not the Murano-lovers forum. If you have a problem or complaint about your MO, this is the place to air it.
-njjoe |
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| gibby26 |
| The "jerky" CVT pertains mainly to decelerating. It's like a manual-trans car - the engine slows the car without using the brake (that's really a good thing). And sometimes during acceleration it's not as smooth as I would expect. But after driving a regular automatic car, the CVT is fantastic. As for the armrest (and the console), I share your frustration. A car can be infinitely more comfortable to drive long-term if you can sit in a chair-like position with support under both elbows. Easy to do - all big SUVs are like this. And s/b easy in the Murano. Just raise up both the armrest and the console (would make for more room in the console, too). |
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