I drove one today!

[kbz1960]

Well I test drove an 08 AWD SL that had everything today. I must say that I did like it a lot! If I do take the plunge I will be getting an 09.

I know that transmission thing on the 08's has been hit or miss but before investing in one does anyone know if any 09's have had the trouble. I know Nissan has said that they have fixed the problem but then again they also said that there wasn't any problem.

It also seems that what kind of support or help you get from the dealer all depends on if you find a good dealer.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated or if anyone knows who is good dealer in northcentral IL or southcentral WI.

Thanks

[kcfm]

Well I test drove an 08 AWD SL that had everything today. I must say that I did like it a lot! If I do take the plunge I will be getting an 09.

I know that transmission thing on the 08's has been hit or miss but before investing in one does anyone know if any 09's have had the trouble. I know Nissan has said that they have fixed the problem but then again they also said that there wasn't any problem.

It also seems that what kind of support or help you get from the dealer all depends on if you find a good dealer.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated or if anyone knows who is good dealer in northcentral IL or southcentral WI.

Thanks

I could be wrong but I believe someone posted a transmission rattle complaint with an 09'. You may want to scroll back through the transmission rattle thread and see.

And to my knowledge Nissan has not said they have fixed the problem. Last time I checked it was the same old reply...That "Nissan is aware of the problem but there is no fix at this time." They are just simply swapping out trannys in the hopes that the transmission rattle does not return with the new transmission. Yes there are a couple of different part numbers now for the transmission's but that does not mean that the error was corrected. There could simply be another reason for the different part numbers. As you can read from my posts and PaulVanhartes it might still be an issue.

Just want you to make an informed decision..

[kbz1960]

Huh, well that bites. I really like the car. But not sure if I get one with the transmission problem that I want to go thru all of that and wonder what happens if Nissan never figures it out? They just keep giving you a new transmission until the warranty is up and then no one will want it?

It's a shame, it's such a nice car.

[mlmcgahee]

Do not let a hand full of negative posts keep you from looking at a Nissan Rogue. Many of us here have had no problems at all with our Rogue. I have had my 2008 SL FWD since November 2007 and now have 34000 miles on it. I work out of my Rogue and drive it about 50-100 miles every day. I have not had a single problem with my Rogue and IMHO this is one of the best vehicles I have owned in my 35 years of driving.

Mike

[philipa_240sx]

+1

29,000mi on my SL FWD with only a couple of minor issues that were promptly fixed by the dealer. It's been a very good vehicle so far.

[kbz1960]

Hi thanks, and yes I guess it helps to read the whole thread.......my bad. After doing that I see that it wasn't wide spread but when you skip around in the thread it sure it made seem that way.

Now if I can get one at a good price! I did really like the ride, the way it handled almost everything about it. After driving it and getting back in my Focus I felt like I was driving a cheap car and after listening to the Bose stereo the one in my car sounded like crap.

[paulvanharte]

Well, I really love my Rogue, but the CVT is a big question. To say its not widespread is not entirely correct. At my dealer alone there were at least 4 to 5 that had the rattle. Hell even my salesguy's demo which he sold to a friend started rattling.I am going to see my service manager and see what he has to say about my second CVT having the rattle. I tried trading the Rogue in for a Murano, but would loose abot $10000 in just one year. Talk about depreciation. We really want to love our Rogue, but until the CVT problem is resolved I cant say I am thrilled.

Paul

[kbz1960]

Wow Paul that does really suck! So this issue is still on going after all most 2 years? Is it still isolated to the AWD? I plan on getting an FWD.

Was yours one of the first to receive the transmission replacement? I hear you on the depreciation but 10,000 that is horrible. I thought that my 08 Focus was bad, I was looking at a different car and I had them appraise it. New MSRP was all most 21,000, with rebates etc. I paid a little over 17,000 they were only going to give me 11,000 for trade in! I guess since the Rogue AWD this issue not even the dealer wants it.

The Rogue is on consumer reports recommended list and a used car to look for. Either there is a huge cover up or there hasn't been enough % of them with a problem.

Maybe I'll just keep my Focus, there is nothing wrong with it and save my money so I can just pay cash for whatever I decide to get........... which I would like to be a Rogue.

[paulvanharte]

Just to give you an update. Just came back from the dealer, yes its the CVT. Service manager thinks maybe Nissan Canada did not send him the "updated" CVT, as the other ones he replaced have not had any issues. Monday I will get the new one installed.

Paul

[kbz1960]

That's great paulvanharte. Still has to be dis concerning to have your car in the shop. I guess that is what the warranty is for though.

I still don't like the fact about trade in being so low but then again it ain't any better on my Focus.

I received a quote today for an SL FWD, premium package, leather package, moon roof and mud guards for $24,007. Anyone think I can do better??

BTW anyone know of anybody looking for a real nice used Vermillion red 08 Focus SES w/leather heated seats, moon roof, ambient interior lighting, sync, mp3, usb port, traction control, abs, remote start, side window visors, mud flaps? Great little car and if I didn't want something bigger I would keep it.
Modified by kbz1960 at 2:39 PM 3/16/2009

[takeshi]

Hi thanks, and yes I guess it helps to read the whole thread.......my bad. After doing that I see that it wasn't wide spread but when you skip around in the thread it sure it made seem that way.

You have to be very careful when using discussion forum sites to assess potential problems with a product that you're shopping for. Keep in mind that very few people will go through the trouble of posting that everything is ok.

Still, it's useful to scan them for an idea of real world performance. I can't stand reviews where the person obviously spent only 10 minutes with the product and raves about it.

Our 2008 SL AWD hasn't had any CVT issues, FWIW.

[mpattdu]

There is a dealership in Janesville, WI (Harm's Nissan, I think) that you might check out. Use the Nissan Website to check their inventory and see if they have the color/trim you want. When I got my Rogue in Madison, they ended up getting us one from Janesville because they didn't have the color we wanted. They mentioned that the Janesville dealer does pretty slow business (it is...was...a GM town) so that might work to your advantage. Whether they are a "good" or "bad" dealer, I don't know.

[Goblin]

From what I've read on here it would be a safe bet to got with the FWD. I for one like the idea and style of the Rogue but it has all been tainted with the faulty transmission. Having had that issue resolved since the turn of the year, I'm back to being more than satisfied with my purchase.

I tried trading it for a FWD and Nissan wanted to depreciate it 10K. Seems to be the going number. Keep that in mind while negotiating. I've seen several FWD's loaded go for 21K. Remember once you drive off the lot you can't turn back.

[kbz1960]

Now that is interesting. I'm going to take a big hit on my Focus if I trade it in and can't sell it out right. I was planning on keeping it for a long time but I've found myself wanting something larger without taking much of a hit on gas mileage and the Rogue seems to fit the bill and really like the way the one I drove handled and rode. If I do get one I plan on keeping it for a long time also if it is a good reliable car.

It's interesting that in the new Consumer Reports - Best & Worst 2009 Cars it lists the Rogue SL as 6th on their list with a check mark representing a recommended car. Predicted reliability is "better than average", owner satisfaction is "average", owner cost is "better than average" and safety is "much better than average". The only lows it list are rear visibility and cargo area. And for the 08 it list it as over all "better than average" as well as used car verdict. The only things on 08 lower than "much better than average" are paint/trim at "better than average" and body integrity as "average". Not that Consumer Reports it the be all end all.

I would think that with ratings like that it wouldn't depreciate so much. All though my Focus has all most identical marks one dealer told me they would only give me 11,000 to 12,000 trade in.

EditI just found this list online... again who knows about the source but the Rogue is listed in the top 10 for holding value over 5 years.

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/ne...et=3g

[mpattdu]

For what it's worth, I haven't found the rear visibility to be all that bad. Why can't you sell your Focus outright? Seems like that would be your best bet so you don't lose money on the trade-in.

[kerrton]

Yeah, put it up for sale privately and keep your eye on the new vehicle you want, so once you sell the focus you can go pick up the new one and not be without a vehicle for too long.

Based on reading all of your posts I'd say you've decided that you want a Rogue. Every vehicle has positives and negatives, and the only negative that you've been focussing on is the transmission issue that a small group of 08 owners have experienced, but it's been dealt with, the 2009 don't have this problem so it's nothing to worry about. The reason I bought the Rogue was because I didn't find a single vehcile that could really compete with the Rogue for the price, so it was a really easy decision for me and I'm really happy.

[kbz1960]

Yes I have decided that I want to buy a Rogue. I have had my car advertised for all most a month now and not one person has contacted me.

[philipa_240sx]

It's a tough time to sell a car nowadays, used or otherwise. Good luck!

[kbz1960]

Yes it is............ that is why I should be able to get a real deal on a new one.....right?