After some CVT concerns, I bought a brand new 2013 Rogue SV AWD last week. The only competing vehicle I really seriously considered was the 2014 CX-5 with the 184hp engine (couldn't look at leftover 2013s because they all have the smaller 155hp engine), but in the end, there were too many things about the Rogue I liked better, including the price. This is the first time I've ever bought a new car and the first time I've regularly driven a new car since my father bought one in 1996.
It has the premium package but not the SL package, because I did not want leather. I love the color they call Frosted Steel. Most of the time it's pale light blue, but depending on the sun and clouds, sometimes it looks more silver and the blue is hardly visible. This paint changes color like a chameleon. Not only is it not offered by any other manufacturer to my knowledge, but Nissan doesn't even offer it on any other model. The interior is black premium fabric.
It came from the factory with splash guards, carpeted mats and cargo protector, illuminated kick plates, and rear bumper protector. I also added the rubber all season mats, cargo cover, wheel locks, airbag security bolts, and side window deflectors. According to the custom build option on nissanusa.com, this vehicle as configured has an MSRP of $27,664. I ended up getting it for $26,350 out the door. They also threw in 4 free oil changes and 2 free tire rotations that expire in a year. I didn't even ask for that. Service should be remarkably convenient, since the showroom and service departments are in the same building, less than 700 feet from the front door of my house.
The side window deflectors were backordered, so I have to take it back to the dealer next week to get them installed after delivery. Otherwise I'm very happy with it so far. I picked it up last Friday and it now has 362 miles, 300 of which are mine. It had 62 when I picked it up, because the dealer had to swap it from another location within the dealership group. I'm not sure if I want to keep the carpeted mats or sell them. I'm keeping the cargo protector, so I'm not sure how much the 4 mats would be worth. Nissan only sells the 5 pieces as a package for $190 or the cargo protector alone for $71, but I don't know if the 4 mats would be worth the difference of $119. I've been driving around with them in the cargo area with the rubber mats installed and the fit is absolutely perfect, so I don't want to mess with them. I haven't seen a cargo net offered by Nissan like the one Mazda offers on the CX-5, but I'd be interested in something like that to hold my crap in place in the back of the vehicle.
The title says the vehicle was sold with 61 miles, but after they took it to the gas station and moved it around the lot and service area a few times, it had 62 miles when I picked it up. My fuel gauge is now near empty and the range is at 53 remaining miles, so I figure getting 350+ miles out of the first tank isn't bad. Hopefully I'll get it up to 400 on the next tank.
I'm definitely going to use one of the free oil changes after the break-in period. Not sure if I should do it at 1000 or 1500. I'll probably wait until around 29K to get the CVT fluid changed, since I only heard whine for about 5 seconds when the car was cold and I first started driving it yesterday morning without really giving it a chance to warm up. Then it went away immediately, and I haven't heard anything even close to CVT whine before or since. So my CVT fluid level is probably good I think, and I don't want to mess with it. I'm wondering if most dealers do a drain and refill or if they'd be willing to do a full CVT flush. I'll pay extra for it to avoid problems down the road. I also think the noise I heard may have been totally unrelated to the CVT, since I drove for about 30 feet (at very slow speed) with the parking brake on until I realized something wasn't right. It could have been the brakes crying, not the transmission. I don't remember for sure if that was the same trip or a different one. I'm still not used to the location of that foot brake, but I always engage it to save stress on the CVT when parked.
I'm planning to take some pictures and post them in the picture thread, but I got busy and didn't have a chance today.
The posting I responded to described my Rogue as, "Cute vehicle in need of a good home. Very well mannered and rarely requires feeding. Does not bite!
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After bringing my Rogue home, I gave him a name. My Rogue's name is
IGGY. He hates the terms sport utility, crossover, SUV, and CUV. He prefers being referred to as a "little truck," or for those who want to be more technical, a "tall Sentra."