Well, I have had the MO for 2 years and 25,000 miles.
I am satisfied with the car.
Some thoughts.
I don't think you will see much more of the CVT.
It was an interesting experiment, but I don't see it catching on.
1- Any new technology that you have to explain when people say it seems slow off the line..........just ain't gonna make it with John Q public. And lets face it, it really IS slow for the first 100 feet or so.
2- After being told that the CVT has less parts etc, we find out that it cannot be repaired. At least not by Nissan.
So what do they want for a new tranny that is less complex and has less parts?
Oh, only twice what a complex tranny would cost.......about $6500.
3- Somewhere between several of us and many of us are aware that if you drive at a steady high speed all day, you 'could' find the car without accelleration. Of course, all you have to do is switch it off and back on, and all is well again............
4- for the 2006, Nissan has decided to do a "freshening" of the Murano. No improvements to the AWD, the CVT, or the Engine have been announced.
As to the rest of the MO.
It seems to me that Nissan has fixed most of the other problems with the car.
I hear no complaints about squeaks, rattles on the 05s.
I think they finally remembered to tighten the steering rack.
My brakes that were fixed with the TSB (New pads) are fine. They no longer scream CHEEEEAAAPPPP! in reverse.
I don't think that the 04s or 05s had the problem.
There still seems to be too many radio/cd failures.
I have had mine replaced once. Other folks have had them replaced twice.
Or even, gulp!, three times!
I still think that the "rocking chair" is still present on the 05s.
I still think that the AWD is very questionable on the Murano. Too many reports of broken transfer cases and a resultant reprogramming that leaves the Murano owner with less than what he had.
The engine is still rated at 245 HP while other cars with the same engine are tuned to 285? HP. Apparently, the CVT reliability figures have not been good enough to tune the engine any hotter.
(But, it IS a virtually flawless engine.)
Tires are still a problem as the Murano is the only car IMO that uses this unique size. This has become a big problem as the 03 Muranos need new shoes.
For me, I will gladly go with the OEM tires.
I get a kick out of people who say they bought the Murano (partly) because it handles so great.....but the GYs suck........ yeah, right.
But, there should be more choices........at the correct size.
I will never buy a car with a sunroof without checking to make sure the damn thing opens all the way. I am still mad about that. I know that I was responsible to catch that on the test drive, still........I have had sun roofs almost exclusively on my cars since my 84 Turbo Car and i have never seen a company that couldn't build one that opened all the way..........
But still...............
The car is still cool looking.
It still runs strong (after you coax it off the line)
It still gets great MPG (22.8 at 75 MPH in 95 degree weather for a 4000 pound vehicle is just outstanding)
In my Murano at least, the interior is holding up beautifully. It still looks brand new.
Overall, if it went away right now, I would remember it as a "good" car. Not great. Good.
Now if it is trouble free for the next 4 years, I would probably rate it as great.
We will see what we shall see.
Would I buy an 06? (Well, not sight unseen......)
Yes, IF:
I needed a car.
The sunroof would open all the way like regular cars.
Homer
I am satisfied with the car.
Some thoughts.
I don't think you will see much more of the CVT.
It was an interesting experiment, but I don't see it catching on.
1- Any new technology that you have to explain when people say it seems slow off the line..........just ain't gonna make it with John Q public. And lets face it, it really IS slow for the first 100 feet or so.
2- After being told that the CVT has less parts etc, we find out that it cannot be repaired. At least not by Nissan.
So what do they want for a new tranny that is less complex and has less parts?
Oh, only twice what a complex tranny would cost.......about $6500.
3- Somewhere between several of us and many of us are aware that if you drive at a steady high speed all day, you 'could' find the car without accelleration. Of course, all you have to do is switch it off and back on, and all is well again............
4- for the 2006, Nissan has decided to do a "freshening" of the Murano. No improvements to the AWD, the CVT, or the Engine have been announced.
As to the rest of the MO.
It seems to me that Nissan has fixed most of the other problems with the car.
I hear no complaints about squeaks, rattles on the 05s.
I think they finally remembered to tighten the steering rack.
My brakes that were fixed with the TSB (New pads) are fine. They no longer scream CHEEEEAAAPPPP! in reverse.
I don't think that the 04s or 05s had the problem.
There still seems to be too many radio/cd failures.
I have had mine replaced once. Other folks have had them replaced twice.
Or even, gulp!, three times!
I still think that the "rocking chair" is still present on the 05s.
I still think that the AWD is very questionable on the Murano. Too many reports of broken transfer cases and a resultant reprogramming that leaves the Murano owner with less than what he had.
The engine is still rated at 245 HP while other cars with the same engine are tuned to 285? HP. Apparently, the CVT reliability figures have not been good enough to tune the engine any hotter.
(But, it IS a virtually flawless engine.)
Tires are still a problem as the Murano is the only car IMO that uses this unique size. This has become a big problem as the 03 Muranos need new shoes.
For me, I will gladly go with the OEM tires.
I get a kick out of people who say they bought the Murano (partly) because it handles so great.....but the GYs suck........ yeah, right.
But, there should be more choices........at the correct size.
I will never buy a car with a sunroof without checking to make sure the damn thing opens all the way. I am still mad about that. I know that I was responsible to catch that on the test drive, still........I have had sun roofs almost exclusively on my cars since my 84 Turbo Car and i have never seen a company that couldn't build one that opened all the way..........
But still...............
The car is still cool looking.
It still runs strong (after you coax it off the line)
It still gets great MPG (22.8 at 75 MPH in 95 degree weather for a 4000 pound vehicle is just outstanding)
In my Murano at least, the interior is holding up beautifully. It still looks brand new.
Overall, if it went away right now, I would remember it as a "good" car. Not great. Good.
Now if it is trouble free for the next 4 years, I would probably rate it as great.
We will see what we shall see.
Would I buy an 06? (Well, not sight unseen......)
Yes, IF:
I needed a car.
The sunroof would open all the way like regular cars.
Homer
