Hopefully the 08 has a newly designed grill (I think the current one is ugly), it would be even better if it would fit on my 04!

 

I hope they add the following upgrades:

-Power folding LED turn signal Mirrors.
-Power Telescoping steering wheel.
-Bluetooth (Sentra, Versa, Altima and Maxima have it)
-Restyled Dash center stack and guage pod to include Oil temp
guage (fine vision guages like on the Maxima, no more yellow).
-Power hatch door.
-NAV traffic integraded with the NAV unit.
-More powerful stock radio with larger hard drive to store music (Nav equipped units only).
-Overhead DVD video.
-Softer suspension on the SL.
-Paddle shifter on steering column.
-30 more HP/torq and hopefully the CVT can handle it
-Increase in fuel economy.

For $40K MSRP, this can be a reality.

We all have dreams but these can easily be attained.

 

I would add to the list - drop the CVT. Install 6-speed automatic

 

I agree. I am not buying into the CVT but it is smooth. I'd prefer a 6 speed auto. The gas mileage would be the same and performance would be better with the conventional transmission.

 

I like the CVT - and it is likely that more and more vehicles will get one. Maxima, Altima, Versa and Sentra all have this for their new models. I understand Toyota is now licensing the same technology for their products in the near future as well. They can't get the economy stats without it. Less breakdowns too (ask Honda owners with their automatics these days - big problems!!)

Not sure about the paddle shifter. After the first month or so, it wears a little thin and most drivers default to "D"

 

I agree. I am not buying into the CVT but it is smooth. I'd prefer a 6 speed auto. The gas mileage would be the same and performance would be better with the conventional transmission.

I do not think the gas mileage would be the same with a conventional transmission. My research has led me to believe the CVT is about 15% more efficient...properly driven. But, like any car, if you drive pedal to the metal, it will not yield the best results. This is the first time I can say YMMV and really mean it. :2:

 

With Nissan putting the CVT into every vehicle including the 270hp Altima, there is zero chance the next Murano will get a normal 6AT.

Keep in mind that the 270hp in the Altima is the new SAE rating, which tends to have stronger horses (different way of measuring) than the old ratings the Murano still has. To put it into perspective, the new and old scale probably differ by ~10hp for the VQ engines (the Maxima dropped from 265 to 255hp during the switch in rating method). So, I'd expect the CVT is more than capable of dealing with 270hp.

 

what i'm surprised with is the fact that there were no spy photos for the first gen muranos and so far there are no spy photos for the second either.

 

Craigster

Actually CVT is less energy efficient as more energy is dissipated in the form of heat due to friction. “Classic” auto tranny is much better from the point of view. However, when you consider entire drive-train cars with CVT get better fuel economy because of greater ratio and engine can work in the most efficient RPM bandwidth. This was true in the past. Recent development gave us 5, 6 and 8 speed auto trannies. So the advantages of CVT are disappearing. There is another aspect – CVT is a simple device as compared to 6 or 8 speed transmission. So is easier to manufacture and repair. It is a shame that Nissan elected to gauge us with the CVT repairs.

Eric,
I agree that CVT can transmit more that 245HP. But what about longevity? Reliability? We may never know what it really is. If CVT repair cost was somewhere close to $1,500 - $2.000 I would go for that. Right now I am not worry as I still have 16 months and 30k miles warranty remaining. After that – I most likely will get rid of the Murano. The risk would be just to great.

Nissanlove
Interesting point.......

 

indeed kristofer, i'm wondering what nissan is doing to keep it so well under wraps and were nissan is doing it.

 

indeed kristofer, i'm wondering what nissan is doing to keep it so well under wraps and were nissan is doing it.

Developing it inside Mt Fuji....

 

The speed Auto gets 20mpg

on the V8 Phaeton. So I think that if a 6500+ vehicle can do it the 6 speed is pretty efficient.

See here http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3098819

 

Don,

I agree. Recently I drove BMW 5-series with diesel engine and 6-speed auto. I like the tranny very much! Very nice, almost imperceptible gear changes...

 

However, when you consider entire drive-train cars with CVT get better fuel economy because of greater ratio and engine can work in the most efficient RPM bandwidth.

That was my point.

CB

 

That was my point.

CB

With 6-speed and up auto-trannies the difference disappears...

 

I think you guys may be reading too much into this article.

The MO is still selling strong and still looks unlike any other car on the road. Nissan can easily get by with at least one more model year before any major redesign is required.

Why mess with a good thing?

-njjoe

 

Joe,

you are perfectly right. I just hope that Nissan will make an evolutionary change rather than revolutionary. Same as with G and Altima.

Still the CVT bothers me....

 

With all the CVT bashing in this thread, I'd thought I'd post Edmund.com's rather positive review of the Altima's CVT - remember they HATED the Murano's CVT that they tested in 03. It seems that Nissan has made the CVT feel more sporty and responsive.

http://blogs.edmunds.com/.ee98b16

 

Now that the Altima got this great review for it's CVT, I feel like my MO was the guinea pig.:banghead: It's ok though, maybe they'll have to install an ugly fuel shield through a future recall on the Altima!haha:22:

 

Eric,

I do not have problem with CVT in terms of performance, though I would like it to be more responsive. So maybe the new Altima has achieved it. I did read review for Altima and Maxima and most of the people agreed that the "new" CVT is much more responsive.

However, I do have a problem with paying $5k for CVT replacement! This is simply highway robbery! Unless the repair price drops to around $2k I am not sure I will have another car with CVT.....

 

Kris

Out of curiosity, what would an out of warranty transmission replacement cost for an FX35?

 

I was at the Nissan dealership last night taking my car in for an oil change/checkup, etc. After I dropped it off, I ventured into the showroom. I spoke to a young salesman who actually knew his stuff for a change. He claims that the 2008 will offer Bluetooth.

While I was there, I couldn't help but be drawn to the new Altima. A sharp looker with about 270 hp and Traction Control. I may test drive one of these before I decide on a 2008 MO. Floor model had cloth seats and no moonroof, but was sharp anyway. I will price one out with leather, etc. and see what the total is. Floor model was around 26k.

 

Kris

Out of curiosity, what would an out of warranty transmission replacement cost for an FX35?

A very good question I do not have answer for....

But it most likely be repair....

 

I was at the Nissan dealership last night taking my car in for an oil change/checkup, etc. After I dropped it off, I ventured into the showroom. I spoke to a young salesman who actually knew his stuff for a change. He claims that the 2008 will offer Bluetooth.

While I was there, I couldn't help but be drawn to the new Altima. A sharp looker with about 270 hp and Traction Control. I may test drive one of these before I decide on a 2008 MO. Floor model had cloth seats and no moonroof, but was sharp anyway. I will price one out with leather, etc. and see what the total is. Floor model was around 26k.

I drove recently form Virginia and got close to a very sharp looking car. It was Altima! If Altima and G35 are any indications what Nissan is going to do with the Murnao..........competition better watch out! You will be left in the dast again!

 

Kris

Out of curiosity, what would an out of warranty transmission replacement cost for an FX35?

craigster-

I could not find the cost for an FX35 tranny, but a new transaxle for a 2005 Maxima lists for $3,700 according to World Parts Express. Throw in 5 hours labor on top of the $3,700 and you are in Murano territory.

But that is not the real picture because the Maxima tranny can be rebuilt by most local tranny shops for a lot less than $3,700. You can probably get the the whole job done for less than two grand. You don't have that option with the MO.

-njjoe