Well, after 27 months of living with the G sedan, I'm moving onto another vehicle. In particular, the Murano.

It all starts like this, a couple weeks ago, I walk into Guelph Infiniti to buy brake pads for the G. Sales guy comes up and we start talking about where I'm at with my lease. We run some numbers and it's starting to make sense that I should get out and into a new G35. I take the G for a spin. I liked it, but there wasn't anything that made me say - Go for it! When I got back to the dealership and looked at the trunk, I realized I can't move to the new sedan. The usable floor space is not conducive to my needs (golfer - need to get 4 sets of clubs in there occasionally, other stuff I need to haul). So, I'm not too interested in the G after that. Walking back into the showroom, I ask about the Murano. Numbers work out well and I decide to take some time to think it over. A week or so goes by and I take the Murano for a spin. Not bad. Sure it's not a race car, but honestly, I'm a 401 jockey and I really haven't even put the boots to the G at all. I've become a commuter...

Anyway, when I factor in that I won't need to pay for the following items on the G:

- tires - my RS-As are done and I no longer have snows, so I was looking at getting Nokian WRs so I wouldn't have to replace the tires at lease end;
- brakes - I'm at 93k and it's just about time to do them;
- dent on hood and chipped windshield - some of you may recall when my car became a target for a huge rock on the 401 last spring/summer
- mileage overage - well, there's a bit of a penalty, but getting into another Nissan, they're willing to work with me and doing it now is definitely cheaper. It also helps that the G is a popular car and they will have no problem selling it

All that adds up...

Getting into a new Murano also puts me back into warranty, which the Infiniti is just about to run out of. I also move into all wheel drive.

So, I'm due to pick up the Murano tomorrow and will be spending tonight taking out the XM tuner from my G (this may get put up for sale... stay tuned) and cleaning all the junk out of it.

I'm certain that I'm still going to frequent this board as I'll always need Kevin's number for detailing, the number for ordering the Bosch wipers from that kick-*** wiper thread and just to check in on the great photography and other threads posted on here. This is a rather unique site and great fun, it'll be hard to not check it out occasionally.

See ya round the next corner...

 

Hey there Akrus....
I knew there were issues with trunk size (especially with the CD changer),
but didn't know there was that much difference.

Sounds like have things well sorted out.... congrats on the new Murano.

 

Congratz on the new ride Albert, the Murano was one of my choices when I was looking at my first G. They are a great vehicle with awd.
How about a couple pics when you pic it up.
Wayne

 

Hey Akrus, if you have to change good to to hear you're staying in the family. Congrats and good luck with the Murano.

 

We've got a 05 Murano in the family ... everyone that's sat in it love it. I always trade cars with my mom when I go on long road trips. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

My only gripes is with AWD system it uses, if it had the ATTESA it would be perfect.

-E

 

We've got an '06 Murano SE. My wife and I love it. I wish it had a little more cargo space. Once you get the kids stroller in the back there isn't much room left to stack groceries and other things.

There's room for four golf bags, that's for sure though.

 

i had one of them for a rental before. i was driving it on the 407 around bathurst and got hit by a truck and smoked the guradrail almost head on. it was totalled but i was fine. it was great before that though, and apparently it was safe.

 

I like the look of it as well. Good choice. What colour?

 

I like their looks too, I just didn't like the CVT transmission.

 

ouch

 

Congrats on the new Morano, Albert.....Good choice , you'll love it.
Hope you'll stay in touch on here, and as Wayne says, let's see pics and here all the details.......

Colin.

 

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the kind words.

To answer the above posts:

inTgr8r - I thought the new G's had in-dash changer? Do they put the nav in the trunk? I'm not getting the nav as I feel it's just too much money to justify in a lease (especially on the Murano, have to go to SE and that's $6k above the SL...)

GEE35X - you can bet I'll post up some pics. Unfortunately, looks like rain tomorrow, so I'll likely have to get somewhat creative to make them in the least bit interesting

RBull - yup, Nissan/Infiniti product number 3 in the past 6 years. Starting to look like a 'lifer'

Empz - What is it with the awd that you don't like? I haven't gotten the awd to trigger as it's not very slick out. Interested in your thoughts on this.

wgmg35 - I've got no kids, but the nephew/niece and number 3 (whatever it happens to end up being...) will certainly fill the cargo hold with stuff during the next couple of years

burns420 - WOW!!! Glad you're ok. I've read that the Murano fairs very well in safety tests - very reassured now that I've heard your story. Once again, glad everything was fine

whatacar - I thought about platinum and the dark blue they have - really wanted either one of those, but after having black for the last 8 years I feel I'm ready to move onto something somewhat easier to maintain. I chose the 'Airstream' which is silver. Somewhat boring, I know, but it should fly under the radar pretty easy and will prove to be quite maintenance free (I hope...)

GEE35X - Wayne, what didn't you like? I know it's different, but not having had much seat time with it, I thought it was more than acceptable for a SUV of this sort (knowing that towing won't be needed).

So, I just finished cleaning out all the stuff I had in the car and took out the xm tuner. I may post that for sale (will see what kind of a hassle it is to install in the Murano) Also, will be posting some Infiniti winter floor mats (front/rear) for anyone that's got an 05/06 sedan (not sure of compatibility for other years)

By noon tomorrow, I should be all changed over.

 

Thanks for the replies Albert, we look forward to your pics.

Airstream is the colour I really like, It would also be my choice, after owning my liquid Platinum I have discovered how they are so easy to maintain as to a darker colour.

I prefer a transmission that shifts, a lot of it might be old habits that die hard, I was also wanting to tow small loads (small boat or tent trailer) with it, up to 3500 lbs. Really, I have only heard praise for the CVT transmission, no complaints, it just felt so strange when I had a Murano out for a test drive.

My wife and I have been talking that our next vehicle could be a Murano or FX35 (or FX37 ) in a couple of years.

 

Glad to hear that there wasn't anything drastic with the CVT that I may have missed. I know I'm taking a jump of sorts, going to the CVT, but I don't think it's as big a jump as my move from manual to auto - the G was the first auto for me in about 20 years... Being stuck on the 401 all the time has made me appreciate auto. I still miss stick, but not that much for my everyday drive.

I also considered the FX - just can't justify the price increase over the Murano. To gain a bit of sport just didn't seem to make sense for me.

Looks like the rain might hold off until later this afternoon - I might even get a round of golf in!

 

I like the copper with orange interior. But then I like my cars to have some colour. I wasn't wild about the driving experience of the CVT, either. Probably just takes some getting used to.