Nissan Murano - 2004 Review

I have had my 2004 Nissan Murano SE since March of 2006.  I got it used from a dealership with about 15k miles on it.  I wanted a crossover because I wanted to benefits of an SUV (for runs to Home Depot) with better fuel economy.  While reading my comments below, please keep in mind that I do not go off-roading, I follow the speed limit, have never been in an accident, get my oil changed every 3k miles, keep my tires' air pressure checked, etc.  I am a careful, defensive driver, and I take care of my vehicle.  Keeping that in mind, you can understand why I find the mechanical issues to be so frustrating when I have only owned the car for 3.5 years.

Things I like:

All the bells and whistles

They make for a very comfortable road trip.  I have bun warmers that I get to use on occasion when I travel north, and they are great for getting you warmed up in -4 degree weather.  I also have a GPS that helps me navigate, and the Bose sound system is adequate for my needs.

Roominess

The sun roof is great, and the Murano is tall, so there is plenty of head room for me (5'11") and my 6'4" husband.  The shape of the car is great for hauling big loads - the back hatch bubbles out a bit, so I can fit a lot of bulky and/or awkward items into the back without a problem.  The back seats also fold down flat, which is great.  I have been able to fit a vanity, sink, and toilet in the back - all at the same time.  The Murano really has been great for my various trips to Home Depot, and also during the few times I have moved since owning it.  I also got a tow package for it, and was able to haul my dirtbike up to Montana without any problems.

Things I don't like:

Replacement maps for the GPS

To update my maps for my built in GPS, I have to pay around $200 for the DVDs.  I could go buy an entire GPS unit with brand new maps for about $100 at Costco.  This does not compute.

Fuel Economy

I get about 18-19 MPG city, and around 23 highway.  The Murano is the heaviest of the crossovers, weighing in at around 4,000 lbs.  So, I definitely don't get the "estimated" 21 city and 24-25 highway that I was promised.

Mechanical Issues

I am on my third set of power mirrors (this third set has also stopped working, but my warranty's up, so I'm living with it) and my second stereo.  There is an issue with the air hose that's attached to the filter: it tends to work its way off, and when that happens, the car stops running, no matter where you are.  I've become a pro at re-attaching that hose, but it's really inconvenient when you're on the freeway in the fast lane!  The engine mounts are made of rubber, and in the Phoenix heat, all of mine have broken since I got the car, which means they've all had to be replaced.  I have also had various leaks, cracks, etc. that have cost me a pretty penny in repair costs.  I have also recently been told by my friendly Nissan mechanic that I can expect the touted continuously variable transmission to go out at around 70k miles.  Is it really too much to expect a car to hold together for at least 100k miles?  Finally, the alignment on my front end is off (I really don't remember hitting anything), and my tires are wearing unevenly.  When I went to an alignment shop to get it fixed, they told me that the Murano's laser cruise control would prevent them from fixing it.  I'll have to take it to the dealership to get the alignment done, and we all know how much the dealership likes to rip you off!

The Ride

If you are looking for a smooth ride, don't go with the Murano.  I can feel EVERYTHING on the road.  Sometimes it's so bad that I mistakenly think I have a flat tire.

The Front-End Blind Spot

The front end of this car slopes down and out of the driver's view, making parking in tight spaces stressful.  Over time as I drove the car, I got used to the "feel" of where the end of the car is, but it would be a lot easier if I could SEE it to make sure I'm not about to hit the car I'm parking next to!

Bottom Line

The 2004 Murano isn't worth its hefty price tag, especially when you factor in the costs of all those inevitable trips to the mechanic.