2014 Rogue inventory

[SM05]

Hi all,

Just wondering why new Rogue availability is so tight? It's been made available since mid November (in US). Dealers started getting them in late November / early December. And yet, a month later inventory level, especially of SLs, is very tight.

Anybody knows what's going on or care to speculate? Thanks.

[Leonard1818]

I think it just takes some time for them to really ramp up production. I don't really know much about the automotive chain really though. I just wish they had some SL w/premium package sitting around. I found an SL. Black on black. Perfect -- except no premiium package. Then we found one with a premium package but it was an SV. I don't quite get it. I would *think* with the rogue being their 2nd best seller that we would see an abundance of them. Time will tell... Hopefully they start getting some inventory soon or that will make our decision a bit easier.

[Rockhound2.0]

^ That's my thinking, too. They've moved Rogue production to Smyrna, TN, and with the way they're doling them out it seems as if they aren't up to full capacity. Should be interesting to see how things pick up now in the 1st quarter this year. I thought early supply issues were possibly due to Nissan wanting to move a few more leftover '13s.

Perhaps Nissan is also worried about the SL w/ premium stealing Pathfinder sales? The Pathfinder Platinum trim stickers at $42,750, and a lot of folks buy a three-row SUV and rarely use the third row. With the interior space the Rogue offers, plenty of folks will get the smaller Rogue and pocket over $10k. Apparently that was part of the reasoning behind not offering the third row in SL trim.

They need to address it quickly, though, since the previous Rogue was Nissan's second-best seller. Folks looking for specific trims will lose patience and move on to the competition!

[SM05]

I'm in the market for a new CUV to get one in Feb/March time frame. I've been monitoring 2014 RAV4 local inventory levels and it's been steadily going up. It's also interesting that RAV4 Limited, ie top of the line, is the model that started showing up first. I'm guessing that's to capture $$$ from the most impatient buyers. Nissan on the other hand doesn't have SLs production ramped up for some reason. And yeah, I'd be interested in Premium package as well. I've also read one of the threads on Nissan's "allocation" practices. So, finding one near term or ordering one for that matter could be a tricky affair.

[Leonard1818]

I thought early supply issues were possibly due to Nissan wanting to move a few more leftover '13s.

You may think, but I heard they were keeping that model around and calling it "rogue s_____" (something... starts with an S I think... ). If that's the case, no need to move the '13s... just slap the trim badge on there that differentiates them from the '14 and done.

Perhaps Nissan is also worried about the SL w/ premium stealing Pathfinder sales? The Pathfinder Platinum trim stickers at $42,750, and a lot of folks buy a three-row SUV and rarely use the third row. With the interior space the Rogue offers, plenty of folks will get the smaller Rogue and pocket over $10k. Apparently that was part of the reasoning behind not offering the third row in SL trim.

Yeah, I agree, that could be why... BUT, that's horribly horribly dumb on the part of Nissan if that's true. If I'm in the market for a small, 4cyl SUV that is -- pardon the use of the word, "Premium" (leather, nav, sunroof, HID/LED headlights, etc), you're NOT going to upsell me to a base-model Pathfinder... not happening. The Mallfinder isn't even on our radar right now. All they're doing by not offering the SL Premium in ample supply is forcing me away.

They need to address it quickly, though, since the previous Rogue was Nissan's second-best seller. Folks looking for specific trims will lose patience and move on to the competition!

Exactly. Fortunately, we're not in a position right now where we absolutely have to buy something. But we've talked about it... and if we get in that position, Nissan is going to have to cut the price of the SL without premium package to the tune of thousands or we're buying a Rav4.

I'm in the market for a new CUV to get one in Feb/March time frame. I've been monitoring 2014 RAV4 local inventory levels and it's been steadily going up. It's also interesting that RAV4 Limited, ie top of the line, is the model that started showing up first. I'm guessing that's to capture $$$ from the most impatient buyers. Nissan on the other hand doesn't have SLs production ramped up for some reason. And yeah, I'd be interested in Premium package as well. I've also read one of the threads on Nissan's "allocation" practices. So, finding one near term or ordering one for that matter could be a tricky affair.

Interesting, I noted the same thing. It seemed all Toyota dealerships had MOSTLY limited trim models! AND they seemed to have a plethora of colors at that trim too. This, in my opinion, is how to do it. If I wander in looking for a BASE model with cloth seats and no sunroof etc, you can ALWAYS upsell me to the limited with those features, cut a few bucks off the price and call it a "deal" -- everyone is happy. If I walk in looking for leather, sunroof, premium features, you're NOT going to "down-sell" me to cloth. That's not what I want. You're also not going to "upsell" me to the base trim in the next model up... that's also not what I want.

Interesting dynamic if you ask me...

[mag318]

I wonder what the daily production rate is? 2/300 vehicles a day would still take them quite awhile to build up inventory considering the number of dealerships they have to supply. I suspect that by spring all trim levels will be available and the supply chain amply stocked.

[Rogue One]

As I recall, there were some minor problems when the first 2014 models started to roll off the assembly line. Nissan spent some extra time correcting those issues, which caused a delay in production.

[Leonard1818]

As I recall, there were some minor problems when the first 2014 models started to roll off the assembly line. Nissan spent some extra time correcting those issues, which caused a delay in production.

interesting... recall where you may have read this? I'd like to know more!

[Rogue One]

As I recall, there were some minor problems when the first 2014 models started to roll off the assembly line. Nissan spent some extra time correcting those issues, which caused a delay in production.

interesting... recall where you may have read this? I'd like to know more!

Here you go. It was fit/finish issues. Nothing major.

The driving characteristics seem promising... Hefty steering with good feel and good on center feel and sporty handling... MT says it hits bumps hard so i guess it wont be smoother than the 1st gen. But thats something thats subjective anyway.

But a friend of mine in the dealership advised me to wait for the 2015 because the first year is going to have a lot of fit/finish issues like the 13 Altimas. They have been waiting on a demo rogue for 2 weeks and they have to wait now another 2 weeks because the one they were waiting on had a lot of fit/finish issues. Fyi

Seems like most early reviews are generally very pleased and seem to think the 2014 vastly improved. Particularly the ride/handling, quality of the interior, cargo management and overall aesthetics.

Sticking points seem to be that it has a CVT and only 170hp....neither of which have been holding sales back on the old model.

I'd say they will do very well with this.

I agree... However I think my friend in the dealership is onto something and it will probably take until the second year to get their quality control/potential cvt hiccups under control.

The first gen Rogue was always manufactured in Japan... They had what, 6-7 years to get it right? Now the folks in Tennessee have a brand new model that they are starting to produce and there are bound to be learning curves (fit/finish)... And there are documented cases of 2nd gen CVT issues (from minor to full-on premature failure).

Once they get all the new model kinks worked out, I think it will probably be a good seller.

[Leonard1818]

That's disheartening.... Maybe we will wait to see what the next gen pilot and highlander looks like. By then we will have enough extra saved to offset the cost difference. If I'm gonna roll the dice on a first production year, I'd rather do so with the honda or toyota. Unless a reasonable point is made otherwise.

[Rogue One]

I'm not sure why you find this disheartening. On the contrary it shows that Nissan is being proactive in trying to head off any problems before the vehicles leave the factory. Frankly fit/finish issues are generally nothing more than cosmetic concerns. If they had said mechanical, I'd take notice. And while it's generally a given that you should avoid the first model year of any vehicle (so they can get the kinks worked out), I would feel more confident buying this vehicle over other brand's first year model because of this.

[Leonard1818]

I'm not sure why you find this disheartening. On the contrary it shows that Nissan is being proactive in trying to head off any problems before the vehicles leave the factory. Frankly fit/finish issues are generally nothing more than cosmetic concerns. If they had said mechanical, I'd take notice. And while it's generally a given that you should avoid the first model year of any vehicle (so they can get the kinks worked out), I would feel more confident buying this vehicle over other brand's first year model because of this.

Sorry, should have been more specific... what I found worrysome was that a dealer (someone who makes money by selling you a car) indicated to probably wait a year on it...

I don't like buying the first year of a new model for all aforementioned reasons yet I don't like buying a last-year-of-a-model either because I typically finance for 4 years and don't like to be paying on something that is already somewhat "dated". Call me vein... but why pay the same for older stuff?

[SM05]

Sorry, should have been more specific... what I found worrysome was that a dealer (someone who makes money by selling you a car) indicated to probably wait a year on it...

The same thing bothers me quite a bit too. At the same time look at redesigned 2013 RAV4: 2014 model isn't getting any changes compared to 2013 one, which in turn had a very few widespread issues reported. We don't know what bug fixes have been incorporated into 2014 of course. I had briefly considered 2013/2014 Acura RDX and that was the same deal - no serious problems in brand new 2013 redesigned model, and no perceivable changes in 2014. Whether that's applicable to new Rogue or not is another question. Drivers with more recent Rogue/Nissan experience could probably draw a more accurate conclusion here.

[Leonard1818]

Sorry, should have been more specific... what I found worrysome was that a dealer (someone who makes money by selling you a car) indicated to probably wait a year on it...

The same thing bothers me quite a bit too. At the same time look at redesigned 2013 RAV4: 2014 model isn't getting any changes compared to 2013 one, which in turn had a very few widespread issues reported. We don't know what bug fixes have been incorporated into 2014 of course. I had briefly considered 2013/2014 Acura RDX and that was the same deal - no serious problems in brand new 2013 redesigned model, and no perceivable changes in 2014. Whether that's applicable to new Rogue or not is another question. Drivers with more recent Rogue/Nissan experience could probably draw a more accurate conclusion here.

I saw you're over on the Rav4 forums too...

I gotta say, the major points to me are all leaning toward Rav4: Not first model year, No CVT (and that speaks to long-term reliability), historically more reliable long-term, better resale value down the road, and cheaper to boot!

this is going to be tough...

[hawki]

After our 2 test drives of Rogue 2014 (and most other compositors' CUVs) - Rogue 2014 is now our top of the list.
We like to get a 2014 Rogue SL with premium (in Red & almond interior).
Here in Montreal, Canada - 2 dealers I visited (in late Dec) had only SV's. They said they will get SL's in January.
My preferred color (red/almond) choice will be build for Canadian market in Feb, and start showing up in dealer in late Feb, March. So dealer(s) suggested if we want one soon - must pre-order now to book one of limited SL's with premium, and specially almond interior.
For some reason, in Canada, most leather interior are black, sometimes only in black (for most other brands).
From the picture seen, the almond leather with black dash looks better than black leather.
Anyway, we can wait for the Canadian winter to be over (don't want all the snow, ice, and salt get in the car in the first month - so March/April time frame is fine for us.

[Barak99]

As I recall, there were some minor problems when the first 2014 models started to roll off the assembly line. Nissan spent some extra time correcting those issues, which caused a delay in production.

interesting... recall where you may have read this? I'd like to know more!

I believe it was a CVT issue. It did cause a delay in production. I think now, its just a matter of getting their product mix right.

[Leonard1818]

I believe it was a CVT issue. It did cause a delay in production. I think now, its just a matter of getting their product mix right.

...and keeping water out of the inside apparently. If it really *was* a CVT issue and I read things about doors not opening from the inside and CVTs taking a crap, maybe a Nissan isn't for us

I really really really like the looks/features of the Rogue though...

[DTASFAB]

I don't like buying the first year of a new model for all aforementioned reasons yet I don't like buying a last-year-of-a-model either because I typically finance for 4 years and don't like to be paying on something that is already somewhat "dated". Call me vein... but why pay the same for older stuff?

Whether you purchase outright or finance, you're paying the same amount if you finance at 0% so this really shouldn't factor into your decision.

I like buying the last year of a model not only because all the kinks are worked out, but because when the old stock dries up, I feel like I was lucky to get a car I like when it was available. And now it's not available new anymore. There are enough subtle differences in the 2008-10 Rogues compared to my 2013 Rogue that I know I'm driving a significantly newer Rogue than a lot of other people out there.