'03 Murano thoughts?

I'm been toying with what to replace my impreza with since I'd like to stay awd and be able to tow about 2000lbs a few times a year.Budget dictates an '03 or '04. Is the murano reliable?,whats the cvt like to drive?

James may liked em... about all I know lol

Y'know, I think James is the only reasonable dude on that show, and I'm very inclined to take a second look at anything he recommends.

Including the (Great News!!) Daisia Sandero.

They drive very nicely for an SUV, but are very gadget laden. I am no expert but, IMO, the CVT transmissions from Nissan are garbage. My buddies '06 Murano had to have the CVT replaced after 15k miles and he never drove that thing harshly. I know two newer sentras that have also needed the CVT transmissions replaced as well. Unfortunately, I think you can only get the Murano with the CVT

If we are going based on a James May recommendation...can I interest you in a Fiat Panda instead? Not only does he like it, he owned (owns?) it.

Are their CVTs garbage? I didn't know that, too bad because they are the only ones I can stand to drive. They don't exhibit as much rubber-band as some of them.

As a Nissan tech: The CVTs are semi-reliable, they're not great but they wouldn't be my pick if I were towing. They do have a 10 year/120,000 mile warranty on them now, so that's a plus.
The transfercases leak oil very often, which is a complete pain to repair. There is a recent TSB for this, telling you to replace all seals at once if any of them leak. Warranty pay on this is something like 8.3hrs, R&R of the tcase is 4.8 under warranty. Customer pay we normally charge 8ish hours I think, the Mitchell On Demand says it's a 15+hr job (R&R) but I think that's using the initial service procedure of removing the entire powertrain as step 1. Nissan released a TSB later telling you to just drop the subframe a few inches and it can be wiggled out. They also tend to go through lower balljoints (lower control arm assemblies) faster than other Nissans.

Hmm murano. Before the cx7 moved the bar they were 'sportyish' and 'quick' among their competitors circa 03.

I like the styling, like the motor, dislike the transmission. But i think they're a decent vehicle.

sanman wrote: If we are going based on a James May recommendation...can I interest you in a Fiat Panda instead? Not only does he like it, he owned (owns?) it.

i'd own a fiat panda for sure :)...

Thanks Run_away(hidden message?),I've done some further reading and found the leak issue you mentioned.I wasn't crazy about the cvt in the 1st place,watching youtube vids turned me off even further. The 1st gen Lexus RX300 seems better-anyone with thoughts on those?.

God, I am going to seem like the purveyor of bad news in this thread. The first gen rx300 (98-02) had the 1mz-fe Camry v6 that was prone to engine sludging.

Details are here

I believe there were a few other minor issues with suspension squeaking. If you are going 03+, then I believe they are pretty solid. Again I am no expert, I just seem run into a lot of these in the wonderful upper middle class 'burbs of NY.

I talked with a Lexus service manager who said he'd guarantee the transmission on any first gen RX300 would crap out just past 100K miles. If the person was a consistent service customer he could usually get Lexus to cover part of it, otherwise you're SOL.

Thanks,up here the 1st gens are running between 6 and 12k asking price.I'm ok paying up around 8k for a 10 year luxury suv IF I knew the chances of getting 3 relatively trouble free years from it.Not if its a time bomb though. Moving down the list is the pathfinder/exterra.I prefer the exterra for looks but the pathfinder for the 3.5.I would rather have 4 wheel independent instead of a live axle but...... So again-thoughts and other vehicle suggestions(I would really like to avoid anything from the big 3 btw)

Me and wife have a 04 saturn vue v6 awd that we love, you might consider one of those, in 03/04 it came with a honda v6 out of acura tl/accord v6. It tows nicely as well.

In reply to digdug18: The price is right for those,seems they suffer the same tranny problems as the 1st gen mdx,van and pilot though.Plus they didn't rate very high in interior quality.

I would recommend a 1996-2004 Pathfinder or QX4 if you can find one for sure. The 3.5 is a big improvement power-wise, though there's nothing wrong with the 3.3. Common issues are: Secondary O2 sensors overheating and cracking, TSB for this that involves reprogramming the ECM and replacing both sensors. Once this is done it won't re-occur. Exhaust flange over rear axle collects water and rusts off, cheap and quick fix at a muffler shop. That's about it really. Oh, the newer ones with the auto climate control will sometimes stick the blower on high speed whenever the ignition is on, there is a TSB for this as well that involves replacement of the fan control amp and blower motor.

I used to have a 1997 Pathfinder, sold it because it was bad on gas and I was only using it to commute in winter while I had a civic just sitting parked but I regret doing so and a 3.5L powered one is high on my list next time I'm vehicle shopping.

Yeah, the interior plastic is sorta crappy, but the only one that had tranny problems was the 4 cylinder awd with the cvt transmission. The V6 is good, mine has 150k on it and still doesn't slip at all. But whatever, no car is perfect. the vue is fine for what I need it for, and seems better in the snow the subaru's.

RX300s are really bad. I have heard many stories about bad ones, and I have heard a first hand story of one that cracked the head so bad there was coolant running out the tailpipe when you pressure tested the cooling system. A toyota dealer tech said that wasnt uncommon.

I really, REALLY like them when I worked at the Max. We had a few role through in the 200k range still going strong. I know the CVT warranty got extended due to some issues but by and large a nice vehicle.

Carmax's data didn't show the transmission as a major concern, and they keep data on that stuff religiously, (part of how they determine the value they offer you.)

I have never heard about cracked heads on the rx 300s and i work at a place that sells "high end toyota products" for years. They do munch transmissions quite often and if you slack on the oil changes they can sludge but overall not a horrible car main downfall is parts prices and the awful awful turning radius... However i have seen several with well over 300k so like anything if you care for it, it will last.

Im comfortable seconding the QX4 idea.

Yeah the pathfinder/QX4 is generally more stout from my experience. Had a pathfinder (1st generation though) and it was a pretty solid rig. Definitely agree that the 3.5 is a big improvement. Amazing how well that engine performs in the maxima/I35. The 4 speed that had backing it was pretty stout as well. I tend to prefer tried and true stuff over (then) new tech like the CVT though. God, it is amazing how I am such a technogeek with computers (and a former Computer tech) and yet a luddite when it comes to cars.