Debating which vehicle to purchase
Debating which vehicle to purchase
I'm interested in the Murano and the Pathfinder. I want something that will be good in the snow and be able to tow a small trailer for my motorcycles. I know the Pathfinder will do that but will the Murano. I want a vehicle that is fun to drive. I will be getting rid of a Jeep Liberty and a Mazda RX8. I know I will miss the fun factor of the RX8. How does the Murano handle sport wise? I know it wont be the same as the RX8 but is it fun to drive.
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Timmbo
- Posts: 2703
- Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:14 am
- Car: 2013 Infiniti JX35 AWD
2013 Nissan Maxima Sport Pkg - Location: Green Bay, WI
First off, welcome to NICOclub! Glad to have you here in the Murano Forum.
You are considering two excellent choices, and both the Murano and the Pathfinder will tow your motorcycles beautifully. The biggest differences will be in how these two vehicles handle and "feel". The Murano will have a sportier and tighter feel. Cornering will be better in the Murano, and you will feel a bit more "nimble" in the Murano. The Pathfinder is much more "truck" feeling because it is body-on-frame construction. You sit higher in the Pathfinder as well. Murano has a CVT and the Pathfinder has a 5spd auto. Murano will with out a doubt feel much smoother shifting, although the 5spd auto in the Pathfinder is a very smooth automatic transmission. Gas mileage will be considerably better in the Murano, mainly due to the CVT, and the fact that it is a lighter vehicle. You can expect to get low to mid 20's on the highway in the Murano. Pathfiner 4.0 you will be looking high teens. Big difference there.
In summary, these are great vehicles, you can't go wrong either way. Personally, I like more of a truck feel, so I would with the Pathfinder (I currently drive an Armada). We just traded our '09 Murano in two weeks ago mainly because my wife found an '08 Altima 3.5 that she love, it was a great deal because it was an '08, and as much as she liked her Murano, coming out of an '05 G35x, she really missed having a fast car. She is in heaven in her new Altima. Good luck, let me know if you have any more questions!
You are considering two excellent choices, and both the Murano and the Pathfinder will tow your motorcycles beautifully. The biggest differences will be in how these two vehicles handle and "feel". The Murano will have a sportier and tighter feel. Cornering will be better in the Murano, and you will feel a bit more "nimble" in the Murano. The Pathfinder is much more "truck" feeling because it is body-on-frame construction. You sit higher in the Pathfinder as well. Murano has a CVT and the Pathfinder has a 5spd auto. Murano will with out a doubt feel much smoother shifting, although the 5spd auto in the Pathfinder is a very smooth automatic transmission. Gas mileage will be considerably better in the Murano, mainly due to the CVT, and the fact that it is a lighter vehicle. You can expect to get low to mid 20's on the highway in the Murano. Pathfiner 4.0 you will be looking high teens. Big difference there.
In summary, these are great vehicles, you can't go wrong either way. Personally, I like more of a truck feel, so I would with the Pathfinder (I currently drive an Armada). We just traded our '09 Murano in two weeks ago mainly because my wife found an '08 Altima 3.5 that she love, it was a great deal because it was an '08, and as much as she liked her Murano, coming out of an '05 G35x, she really missed having a fast car. She is in heaven in her new Altima. Good luck, let me know if you have any more questions!
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mrbizness1
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2005 2:03 pm
- Car: 2012 maxima 2007 maxima 2009 murano
- Location: mt. sinai ny
Re: Debating which vehicle to purchase (lynn02)
Why don't you rent a Murano for a few days.
Re: (Timmbo)
Armada and Pathfinder are fun for sure, but when gas goes up to insane or higher amounts again.......Timmbo wrote:First off, welcome to NICOclub! Glad to have you here in the Murano Forum.
You are considering two excellent choices, and both the Murano and the Pathfinder will tow your motorcycles beautifully. The biggest differences will be in how these two vehicles handle and "feel". The Murano will have a sportier and tighter feel. Cornering will be better in the Murano, and you will feel a bit more "nimble" in the Murano. The Pathfinder is much more "truck" feeling because it is body-on-frame construction. You sit higher in the Pathfinder as well. Murano has a CVT and the Pathfinder has a 5spd auto. Murano will with out a doubt feel much smoother shifting, although the 5spd auto in the Pathfinder is a very smooth automatic transmission. Gas mileage will be considerably better in the Murano, mainly due to the CVT, and the fact that it is a lighter vehicle. You can expect to get low to mid 20's on the highway in the Murano. Pathfiner 4.0 you will be looking high teens. Big difference there.
In summary, these are great vehicles, you can't go wrong either way. Personally, I like more of a truck feel, so I would with the Pathfinder (I currently drive an Armada). We just traded our '09 Murano in two weeks ago mainly because my wife found an '08 Altima 3.5 that she love, it was a great deal because it was an '08, and as much as she liked her Murano, coming out of an '05 G35x, she really missed having a fast car. She is in heaven in her new Altima. Good luck, let me know if you have any more questions!
Re: Debating which vehicle to purchase (lynn02)
If fun to drive (FTD) s an important priority the Murano is the clear and distinct winner. They are both great vehicles and both good in the snow in AWD configuration. As another poster stated the Pathfinder is more "truck" like in construction and feel. I have driven both extensively and I really enjoy the handling of the Murano. I place a high value on the FTD quotient and the 09 Murano rates really high for an SUV like vehicle. Hope this helps! Jim
I'm going to look into renting one as one of you suggested. I'm trying to find a vehicle that will kind of give me the best of both worlds dealing with towing and the fun factor. I figured the Murano would probably fit the bill better than the Pathfinder as far as sporty goes. I know I won't be able to throw the Murano in a curve like I can my RX8 but it sounds like it will do everything I'm looking for. I appreciate the help.