I am currently considering buying a Rogue, but I have a few questions. I’m hoping you folks here might have some opinions/answers which will help me decide.I am considering the AWD with the Leather and Premium packages.
I currently drive a Ford Escape XLT 4WD which I bought new in 2002. It now has 131,000 miles on it. I have really liked this car and had very few problems with it, but I drive a lot for work and as it’s getting older, I’m concerned about reliability. I’d buy another one, but I’m ready for a change and a new Escape comparable to the Rogue would be more expensive.If anyone else here has previously owned an Escape I’d love to hear your comparisons. My husband has a 2006 Nissan Frontier so I’m not completely new to Nissan, just the Rogue.
We have a friend who works for Nissan and can give us her “Friends” discount which I believe is very close to invoice price. Is there any reason to think I can do any better than this in Southern California by negotiating at the dealer? From reading what other’s have paid here, it seems like many are getting close to invoice anyway, right? If it’s close, I’d rather use the Friends discount as I hate the whole negotiating at the dealer drama.
I’m wondering if I should wait for the 2010 to come out. From what I can tell, the changes are fairly minor. Any advantages to buying now or waiting for the 2010?
I really like the Iridium color, but I’m not seeing anywhere it when I search local dealer inventory. Is it not available in certain areas, just not popular, or is it hard to get?
Thanks!
Considering buying a Rogue, many questions
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worldtraveler
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:46 am
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kerrton
- Posts: 2161
- Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:48 am
- Car: 2008 Nissan Rogue SL FWD Gotham Gray
- Location: Southern Alberta, Canada
Re: Considering buying a Rogue, many questions (worldtraveler)
I drive both an 08 Escape and an 08 Rogue: you'll get much better fuel efficiency with the Rogue, much better rear leg room, much better interior quality, comfort and ergonomics is WAY better in the Rogue. The Escape has better rear visibility and little more vertical room in the rear cargo area, which the Rogue sacrifices because of styling - the roof slopes down at the back and cuts in to your cargo height, but I'm very happy with the Rogue cargo area, as I routinely bring large loads of lumber home, haul two large dogs, and I have a 2 year old so I haul tons of stuff every where we go.
2010 has advantages over the 2009, you can get the backup camera integrated into the rearview mirror, and several other items that I really wish I had on my 08, check out the glossary and click on "08,09,10 model differences" for full details to make an informed decision. Actually, the glossary should be your first place to look as most of your questions will already have been asked, answered and discussed in length and all you have to do is read up.
Most importantly, be a very detail-orientated, patient test driver. Take the vehicle for long test drives in a variety of conditions and pay careful attention to details, and see if you can live with the CVT transmission, which is the biggest difference between the Rogue and competitors. Some love it, some hate it, some are in-between like me.
2010 has advantages over the 2009, you can get the backup camera integrated into the rearview mirror, and several other items that I really wish I had on my 08, check out the glossary and click on "08,09,10 model differences" for full details to make an informed decision. Actually, the glossary should be your first place to look as most of your questions will already have been asked, answered and discussed in length and all you have to do is read up.
Most importantly, be a very detail-orientated, patient test driver. Take the vehicle for long test drives in a variety of conditions and pay careful attention to details, and see if you can live with the CVT transmission, which is the biggest difference between the Rogue and competitors. Some love it, some hate it, some are in-between like me.
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worldtraveler
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:46 am
Re: Considering buying a Rogue, many questions (kerrton)
kerrton-Thanks so much for the detailed reply. This is why forums are so great.
I looked at the list of model differences by year, but didn't realize how important the backup camera was. Makes sense though. My friend drives a Rogue and the limited visability out the back was one of the negatives she mentioned.
It sounds like I need to learn a little more about the CVT transmission too.
The more I look though, the more I want. It's a tough call to wait it out for the 2010, or buy now considering there are some 2.99% financing deals out there. I don't know if the financing will be available on the 2010s if I wait.
I looked at the list of model differences by year, but didn't realize how important the backup camera was. Makes sense though. My friend drives a Rogue and the limited visability out the back was one of the negatives she mentioned.
It sounds like I need to learn a little more about the CVT transmission too.
The more I look though, the more I want. It's a tough call to wait it out for the 2010, or buy now considering there are some 2.99% financing deals out there. I don't know if the financing will be available on the 2010s if I wait.
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sheaitisnotso
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Sat May 09, 2009 10:05 pm
- Car: 2009 Rogue SL AWD Indigo Blue
Re: Considering buying a Rogue, many questions (worldtraveler)
Welcome Worldtraveler,
I drove an Xterra beforehand, which is pretty comparable to the Escape sizewise, and am very happy with my decision to go with the Rogue. I was in the same boat as I was around 140,000 miles and needed to get new tires and wanted to trade it in before anything else went wrong. Also I got 2.9% financing that was too good to pass up.
Unless you carry a lot of things, you won't notice a difference space wise because the Rogue has a really good size cargo area. I haven't had it long enough to use the AWD in the winter yet but I hear it handles well. And like the previous poster said, the mileage really is great compared to the Escape. The sticker on the SL AWD says 26 highway and I'm averaging 26.5 with mostly highway driving.
I'd say there's not a big enough difference in the 09 and 10 to make you want to wait for the 10. Unless you really really want the camera in the back. I think you'll get a great deal on an 09 as dealers will be wanting to clear stock for the 10's. And I agree with the other poster on really testing out the cvt transmission as it's not for everyone.
Good luck.
I drove an Xterra beforehand, which is pretty comparable to the Escape sizewise, and am very happy with my decision to go with the Rogue. I was in the same boat as I was around 140,000 miles and needed to get new tires and wanted to trade it in before anything else went wrong. Also I got 2.9% financing that was too good to pass up.
Unless you carry a lot of things, you won't notice a difference space wise because the Rogue has a really good size cargo area. I haven't had it long enough to use the AWD in the winter yet but I hear it handles well. And like the previous poster said, the mileage really is great compared to the Escape. The sticker on the SL AWD says 26 highway and I'm averaging 26.5 with mostly highway driving.
I'd say there's not a big enough difference in the 09 and 10 to make you want to wait for the 10. Unless you really really want the camera in the back. I think you'll get a great deal on an 09 as dealers will be wanting to clear stock for the 10's. And I agree with the other poster on really testing out the cvt transmission as it's not for everyone.
Good luck.