The wife and I are still searching around for a replacement vehicle for her, and while my previous thread from a few months ago indicated we were looking at the Murano, we've shifted gears (no pun intended...really) and are focusing more on body on frame true SUVs. The 4runner limited was (and may still) be number 1 on the list. We test drove both and SR5 and a Limited, but I like the Torsen center diff on the limited and true full time AWD (not 4wd, and not automatic 4wd). The price is steep for what you're getting, imho, and Toyota holds their value so well, it's not even worth buying used. Last evening, we decided to swing by the Nissan dealership to take a look again at the Pathfinder and Armada. My wife really loves the seats in both. The feature sets/price for both the Armada and the Pathfinder beat out the 4runner. Appearance-wise, I rank the Armada first, 4runner second, and the Pathfinder 3rd. The Armada gets atrocious gas mileage, and the Pathfinder isn't much better. My wife only has a 5 mile commute, so that's not the deal breaker. We sat in a Armada Platinum which when my wife saw the power liftgate assist as well as power rear seat folding, she was more interested (the 4runner or pathfinder doesn't have this...the Murano did, and she loves it). She's small (not even 5'2"), so loading things in an SUV is difficult for her sometimes when her hands are full, so these features are nice to have (again, not a deal breaker though). Anyways, we didn't get a chance to test drive, but will probably do so. Reviews online really are not favorable of either the Armada or Pathfinder, but most negative reviews fall back on gas mileage and long term reliability. I already know what to expect with the former. However, the reliability aspect is my main apprehension (as it was with the Murano). Anyone here own a Pathfinder or an Armada now or at one time that can weigh in with some thoughts? I would appreciate any feedback.
Honest to good. I bought my wife one about 4 years ago it was the best car she had ever had. If i hadn't lost my job back then we would never have sold it. Great ride. Really comfortable good mpg. Sent from my LG-E739 using Tapatalk 2
Its a shame Chevy does not make the Trailblazer anymore. I have an extended cab with the third row seat and I love it. Gas mileage is ok around 26 highway, 22 city. But Nissan's SUV's are not a bad option either. Neither is the 4Runner. Any way you go you are going to get a quality vehicle.
The Armada is a Titan with an SUV body on it if I'm correct. You already know what I think about Titans......lol. Lots of bells and whistles and seem like a great balance of features/$$$ but man that truck nickle and dimed me worse than every car I've owned in the last 10 years combined.
i am actually a technician at a nissan dealer the most problems we see on the armada are axle seal leaks and power steering leaks and the older armadas with rear air had an issue with the rear ac lines leaking but i believe they have solved that problem. i have seen no major repairs needed on one in the 5 years i have been here but we dont sell that many of them either. as far as the pathfinder goes they have quite a few problems with the timing chains which is not cheap they also have front u joints that go out. the redesigned pathfinder comes out either later this year of the beginning of next but since you want the full frame that would be out of the question
Rick is right about the titans....the older titans will nickel and dime you to death they seemed to have fixed most of the issues on the newer model titans i havent seen any real major issues on about the 07 and up titans
My mom has had an Armada that she bought new in I think it was 05. She's loved it so far. It never gave her any probably until recently having to replace a catalytic converter.
i have a 2010 pathfinder. I traded in my f 250 so my wife could get a beemer, and I got her reject. It is a nice vehicle. we bought it new in the fall of 09 and have 54k miles on it. have had zero problems so far. I am getting around 19.5 mpg, we have a 6 cylinder, the se model. As much as I want another truck, with 2 kids this is much more practical so I will keep it for a while.
Bought this about a month ago, but we decided on an 12 4runner Limited in Blizzard Pearl. Love it so far, and the wife is happy.
