Have You Thought About / Test Driving Anything Else?

[tchoke]

hey everyone im coming from an 03 altima but also own an 08 altima, im pretty familiar with the cvt pros/cons
anyhow im looking to get into a used rogue looking at 09's they go for about 13-15k with 100KM im in hamilton just outside toronto, can any 08/09 owners give me some feedbacks on there rogues as far as enjoyment of driving reliability etc
i still havent test driven one but i have this thought in my mind that it will drive like my 08 altima
im also comparing the rogue to 09 venza its a bit more but the venza seems to be bigger
thanks for reading

[ImStricken06]

list the options you are considering.

take a peek at this section: CHATROOM: What Dont You Like About Your Rogue?

and take a look at this section for some great write-ups and answers to questions: ROGUE DIY/ FAQ/ FACTS/ REPAIRS/ MAINTENANCE/ GLOSSARY

[tchoke]

sl option awd sunroof heated seats, leather would be nice but not a must

list the options you are considering.

take a peek at this section: CHATROOM: What Dont You Like About Your Rogue?

and take a look at this section for some great write-ups and answers to questions: ROGUE DIY/ FAQ/ FACTS/ REPAIRS/ MAINTENANCE/ GLOSSARY

[kerrton]

HI there, it really depends on what your preferences are. If you want something that is roomy, higher driving position than a car, efficient, reliable and affordable then the Rogue is a good option depending on local availability and the deal you can strike. But DON'T expect it to drive your like your Altima! It has its own unique multi-link supsension, tuned specifically for this vehicle. Its a fairly harsh ride, and you'll get a ton of noise from the cargo area as is pretty standard with hatch vehicles like this, but I think the Rogue is worse than average with no sound deadening back there whatsoever. Steering feel and suspension will be quite different than your Altima, higher center of gravity, etc..

The Venza is a completely different vehicle, its larger, pricier and would compete with the Murano. I know two people who have one and they both say it really guzzles the gas, the Rogue will be much cheaper at the pumps but if you drive a Venza forget about the Rogue, you'll be spoiled by the cushy, quiet ride. The Rogue will sound and feel harsh by comparison, but its a much cheaper vehicle and "sporty" rather than "cushy and refined" like the Venza - it all depends on exactly what you're looking for!

I've owned my 08 Rogue since new, almost 5-years and here are the highlights: It's been a good, reliable vehicle, but not stellar. I've got some little issues that may be related to the first model year or just bad luck, overall the Rogue has very good reliability and build quality rankings. If you're looking at an 09 model, it does have the 10-year, 200,000 km CVT warranty which is a good bonus.

For me, I use this as my kid hauler (4 and 2 years old), so I've grown to dislike the suspension, its very firm and in cold weather I find the rear multilink is noisy. The poor design of the door, and the tendacy for the lower door sills to scratch and rust quickly really annoys me, but some protective paint film is a good work around. Its a little on the small side for me and my family of 4, just a few more inches of width would go a long way, my wife's Sorento has perfect dimensions for our needs. Also the rear sloping roof line looks good but really cuts in to the height of the cargo area, although the cargo area is still nice and big and better than a car such as your Altima. Since you have an 08 Altima you know the pros and cons of the OR2.5 engine and CVT trans. The big positive of this vehicle for me has been the efficiency, I routinely achieve numbers as advertised, and many of the brand new crossovers still can't match my 5-year old Rogue in city efficiency which is where I do almost all of my driving. Its a great vehicle for running around town, picking up groceries, zipping in and out of tight parking lots, very manueverable and relaxing to drive. I look at all the truck owners trying to park and maneuver in tight spots like at Walmart - I just laugh and zip on by (most idiots in my area of Southern AB drive trucks like they're family/grocery getters, really stupid!!).

It's a nice solid vehicle, there should be a lot of used ones to choose from and they can be had for a good price - I think you can snag one for well under $15k and still have lots of options and lower km's. Don't look a the RAV4 from 08-09, the 4-cylinder was brutal and the cost will kill you, those things are just really overpriced and build quality was sub-par.

[tchoke]

hey kerrton
thanks for the response, exactly what i was looking for
i have been researchin on the site for a couple of days i was in accident couple weeks ago and my 03 altima will be written off and the rogue is on top of my list 3 kids 6,8,13 and im not fond of minivans which makes the rogue a contender.
currently we use an 08 altima for long distance driving, it has been decent with room and cargo since the kids are still small.
I dont think i will bother test driving the venza as it is more pricier than the rogue
and at the price range of the venza here in ontario i can get into a g37 which is what i originaly wanted
anyhow thanks again will post back on here on what i end up buying

[ImStricken06]

hey kerrton
thanks for the response, exactly what i was looking for
i have been researchin on the site for a couple of days i was in accident couple weeks ago and my 03 altima will be written off and the rogue is on top of my list 3 kids 6,8,13 and im not fond of minivans which makes the rogue a contender.
currently we use an 08 altima for long distance driving, it has been decent with room and cargo since the kids are still small.
I dont think i will bother test driving the venza as it is more pricier than the rogue
and at the price range of the venza here in ontario i can get into a g37 which is what i originaly wanted
anyhow thanks again will post back on here on what i end up buying

3 kids? dude get a murano. idk if the rogue will be roomy enough for long hauls.

[tchoke]

hey there
honestly im not fond of the murano.. premium gas, and its a guzzler also the murano is on a different price range than the rogue..
if i wanted to go with a bit of luxury it will be the g37 will be getting premium gas and a guzzler as well but its a hella sexy car
3 kids in the back of the altima right now isnt too bad, went to florida twice last year about 21 hour drive and it was ok since the kids are still little.
i honestly havent started test driving yet since the other half has a lot of input on the decision lol
if the rogue can give me same space as the altima on the back seats i would be definetly be happy, the cvt on my altima annoyed me at first but it just takes time to get used to and the 200km warranty is a bonus.
im not a brand loyalist but for some reason whenever i do research reviews etc the nissan brand always gives the best bang for the buck.

hey kerrton
thanks for the response, exactly what i was looking for
i have been researchin on the site for a couple of days i was in accident couple weeks ago and my 03 altima will be written off and the rogue is on top of my list 3 kids 6,8,13 and im not fond of minivans which makes the rogue a contender.
currently we use an 08 altima for long distance driving, it has been decent with room and cargo since the kids are still small.
I dont think i will bother test driving the venza as it is more pricier than the rogue
and at the price range of the venza here in ontario i can get into a g37 which is what i originaly wanted
anyhow thanks again will post back on here on what i end up buying

3 kids? dude get a murano. idk if the rogue will be roomy enough for long hauls.

[ImStricken06]

hey there
honestly im not fond of the murano.. premium gas, and its a guzzler also the murano is on a different price range than the rogue..
if i wanted to go with a bit of luxury it will be the g37 will be getting premium gas and a guzzler as well but its a hella sexy car
3 kids in the back of the altima right now isnt too bad, went to florida twice last year about 21 hour drive and it was ok since the kids are still little.
i honestly havent started test driving yet since the other half has a lot of input on the decision lol
if the rogue can give me same space as the altima on the back seats i would be definetly be happy, the cvt on my altima annoyed me at first but it just takes time to get used to and the 200km warranty is a bonus.
im not a brand loyalist but for some reason whenever i do research reviews etc the nissan brand always gives the best bang for the buck.

dude you dont have to use premium in anything. i own the g37s 6mt coupe, and it never got premium. i had the maxima and it also said premium, and 160,000miles on regular with no issues. the knock sensors adjust to regular instantly.

the altima you had 3 kids in, is the maxima platform- where the rogue is the sentra platform

[tchoke]

just saw your car on your sig there
2010 g37 my kind of sedan hows it treating you? no premium and the performance is still oK?
i havnt test driven the rogue yet will have to see the backroom, this was my concern as well thats why i considered the venza but at the price point of the venza used 09/2010 model i would rather get a car that i would love which is the g
were fine using the altima right now as the travelling car but the kms are quickly going up 150km and its 08..

[ImStricken06]

just saw your car on your sig there
2010 g37 my kind of sedan hows it treating you? no premium and the performance is still oK?

never had premium and its fine. trust me, cars dont need premium. at worst you loose a horsepower or two. its been proven.

our g is Ms. ImStricken's daily driver. its a PITA because she wanted a 6 speed manual... wtf was i to do? lol i opted to teach her a lesson and let her get the 6speed manual. now the rogue is slowly transitioning to be hers, and im getting stuck with the G coupe. we had the transmission replaced at about 2,000miles- otherwise its been great. no troubles. i do all the maintenance by my self, and the fluids are coming out just the right color/smell for the age/miles. so far so good. its a RWD due to being the "S" sport edition so i had to get winter rims/tires to swap out the summer 19's.

[tchoke]

damn thats a sexy car

[ImStricken06]

damn thats a sexy car

sexy but costly. was $40,000 out the door. the insurance is higher than say a maxima would be. the sport brake pads & rotors are more expensive to replace. this car was not my idea... lol. it was merely a suggestion that ended up biting my in the a**. its heavier and eats more gas because of it. plus the 3.7L eats a lot of fuel.

after 3yrs she is getting tired of it, as the space is limited in the car. she is over-taking my rogue, or getting out of it and into a rogue/murano/pathfinder/JX or something else in the nissan family.

[tchoke]

agree that its costly for sure but if you wanna play you gotta pay lol
im in same boat, not exactly a baller but wanna drive a decent vehicle that i would be proud off lol then theres a side of me that you just need a car to get you to home and work rinse and repeat lol, then again we only live once YOLO hehe
practicality vs luxury

[ImStricken06]

agree that its costly for sure but if you wanna play you gotta pay lol
im in same boat, not exactly a baller but wanna drive a decent vehicle that i would be proud off lol then theres a side of me that you just need a car to get you to home and work rinse and repeat lol, then again we only live once YOLO hehe
practicality vs luxury

im over baller cars. i dont care if i drive a beater... as as its a nissan and it can tow my toy(and gear) to and from the racetrack.

[kerrton]

I know its a tough decision, too many damn vehicle types and models, and opinions from everybody and his dog!! Even if you make the best decision, random chance always means you can get a lemon, but that's very rare. My problem is I get bored and want to change vehicles every few years but that's expensive even if you always buy used - there's always a cost for the transaction!!!

One more thing that you shouldn't overlook - the seats in the Rogue are quite comfortable. Not the best I've owned but far from the worst and that's important! A friend bought a junky Chevy Orlando and I get a sore butt after 10 minutes in that thing!!!

[ImStricken06]

I know its a tough decision, too many damn vehicle types and models, and opinions from everybody and his dog!! Even if you make the best decision, random chance always means you can get a lemon, but that's very rare. My problem is I get bored and want to change vehicles every few years but that's expensive even if you always buy used - there's always a cost for the transaction!!!

One more thing that you shouldn't overlook - the seats in the Rogue are quite comfortable. Not the best I've owned but far from the worst and that's important! A friend bought a junky Chevy Orlando and I get a sore butt after 10 minutes in that thing!!!

omg chevy & ford seats are the WORST!!! MY dad has a limo business and Lincoln Town-Car seats cause such back pain. and my time driving crown vic's & prisoner vans has hurt my tailbone like crazy. nissan has always impressed me with their seating comfort

[tchoke]

well got some good news today from the adjuster there offering me more than what i thought my 03 altima was worth
trying to squeeze a couple hundreds for my new tires then off to shopping for another car
and honestly as much as i want to enjoy shopping for a used car i find it to be one of the most stressfull things to do
you just never know what kind of car you get... and i usually take my cars to local mechanic for an approval but even that doesnt really guarantee you anything since they dont exactly pull plugs out/ check compressions/ drop transmission pan
but thats a whole another story.
heres a link of a rogue i want.. exact color has moonroof and heated seats... just noticed this doesnt come with power seats? is that not standard with the sl?? its about 1hr away from me most likely will be gone by the time im ready to buy...
http://www.boltonnissan.ca/used/Nissan/ ... fbd78c.htm

[tchoke]

+1 on this
i actually find my 03 seats on my altima was much more comfortable than the 08
the 03 seats had more padding and more cushy feeling

I know its a tough decision, too many damn vehicle types and models, and opinions from everybody and his dog!! Even if you make the best decision, random chance always means you can get a lemon, but that's very rare. My problem is I get bored and want to change vehicles every few years but that's expensive even if you always buy used - there's always a cost for the transaction!!!

One more thing that you shouldn't overlook - the seats in the Rogue are quite comfortable. Not the best I've owned but far from the worst and that's important! A friend bought a junky Chevy Orlando and I get a sore butt after 10 minutes in that thing!!!

omg chevy & ford seats are the WORST!!! MY dad has a limo business and Lincoln Town-Car seats cause such back pain. and my time driving crown vic's & prisoner vans has hurt my tailbone like crazy. nissan has always impressed me with their seating comfort

[ImStricken06]

well got some good news today from the adjuster there offering me more than what i thought my 03 altima was worth
trying to squeeze a couple hundreds for my new tires then off to shopping for another car
and honestly as much as i want to enjoy shopping for a used car i find it to be one of the most stressfull things to do
you just never know what kind of car you get... and i usually take my cars to local mechanic for an approval but even that doesnt really guarantee you anything since they dont exactly pull plugs out/ check compressions/ drop transmission pan
but thats a whole another story.
heres a link of a rogue i want.. exact color has moonroof and heated seats... its about 1hr away from me most likely will be gone by the time im ready to buy...
http://www.boltonnissan.ca/used/Nissan/ ... fbd78c.htm

its not leather in case you didnt notice

[tchoke]

^^ yea saw that.. but willing to compromise the leather
beggars cant be choosers lol
a must for me is heated seats for my old back..

[ImStricken06]

^^ yea saw that.. but willing to compromise the leather
beggars cant be choosers lol
a must for me is heated seats for my old back..

i keep forgetting you folks in canada have heated CLOTH seats. we have never heard of that in the USA.

[tchoke]

^^ yea saw that.. but willing to compromise the leather
beggars cant be choosers lol
a must for me is heated seats for my old back..

i keep forgetting you folks in canada have heated CLOTH seats. we have never heard of that in the USA.

ive been in a rental for the past 3 weeks caravan, kia soul and kia optima all were cloth and heated seats
i was surprised as well i noticed that rogue i linked doesnt have power seats? is that an extra option on certain trims?

[dolbydj]

As far as driving the car quickly, I routinely buzz through traffic in Toronto with use of the Overdrive off button and the gas pedal. I use it whenever I need a quick burst of speed, dead stops, on ramps, etc. I also tried this on the 2013 Altima that I test drove with similiar effect. Without the GO button, the accelation is lacksidasical, but very effecient on gas.

There are many cars with more bells and whistles compared to my AWD Rogue S, but there are few cars with the price / performance / Japanese build quality. As far as tech goes, I am pretty analog and just use my Iphone as I like to take the information with me. If not, the aftermarket is always cheaper and more customizable.

I recommend a test drive with your family in the car as it can be a little rough when it's fully loaded with bodies.

[ImStricken06]

overdrive is the 5th or 6th gear. it doesnt kick in until highway speeds.

[kerrton]

Yeah I don't think you'll have a problem with the powertrain, just be sure to test out the back seat. Maybe measure its width and compare to your benchmark Altima which you use for road trips with 3 kids in the back.

Also be aware that there is no center fold-down console in the back seat like all other competitors. With 3 in the back this won't be an issue, but with 2 you will notice it on a road trip. Also the rear head rests do not adjust up/down. For short people this isn't an issue, if you ever have a tall person sit back there it would be an issue for crash safety. I honestly don't know how Nissan got away with this, I would think this would be a standard safety requirement to have adjustable head rests to protect against whiplash in the event of a crash for taller passengers - just a really bad area to cut costs in my opinion. Also keep in mind that the 2nd row passengers will have more noise to deal with from the open hatch area than in a sedan vehicle such as the Altima, especially in the rain or on rough roads.

I'd highly recommend loading the kids up in the back and going for a test drive on various types of road surfaces, and at various speeds including highway speeds and ask them how they like it, make sure you don't have complaints of noise hurting their ears!! To be fair, all hatch crossovers have this rear noise issue to some degree, I think the Rogue is one of the worse offenders but definately not the only one.

Just want to point out some details that you may not notice until after you make your purchase, they may or may not be important to you but at least you go in knowing exactly what you're getting. Many of these details I didn't notice until after I made my purchase and its caused me some anger and grief - not to say I wouldn't have still made the purchase because I did get a very good deal, but I just don't like surprises!! Good luck.

[tchoke]

^^ thanks for the tips, great idea with loading up the car to make sure it fits our needs and comfort
will keep you guys posted and update this thread once i make my purchase for a replacement vehicle

[takeshi]

can any 08/09 owners give me some feedbacks on there rogues as far as enjoyment of driving reliability etc

Enjoyment of driving is going to be highly subjective. We selected the Rogue because we liked the way it drove compared to other crossovers back when we bought it. That said, it feels like driving a bus coming from our sports car. You really need to get out, test drive and decide for yourself.

Reliability-wise we've had no problems with our 2008. That said, there are existing threads with posts from people who have had issues.

heres a link of a rogue i want.. exact color has moonroof and heated seats... just noticed this doesnt come with power seats? is that not standard with the sl?? its about 1hr away from me most likely will be gone by the time im ready to buy...
http://www.boltonnissan.ca/used/Nissan/ ... fbd78c.htm

IIRC there were several options that only came on the SL AWD which is why we ended up with one. No idea if power seats was one of those but I wouldn't be surprised.

As far as tech goes, I am pretty analog and just use my Iphone as I like to take the information with me.

The iPhone is not analog...

[kerrton]

For all of the "be ware" points I've listed, the Rogue is still a great value.

I did a quick Kijiji search out of curiosity, comparing the Rogue to the RAV4. A 2009 Rogue in my area of Alberta (Calgary) goes for around $18-$20,000 range, and the 09 RAV's are going for $23 to $27,000. A comparable Rogue is $5000 to $7000 cheaper than the Toyota equivalent - absolutely ridiculous!!! Granted most RAV4's from this year are V6 equipped compared to the Rogue 4 cylinder, but that doesn't come close to justifying this gap and the Rogue is more fuel efficient.

In 2008 I compared the new Rogue and RAV closely, and was not really impressed by the RAV4 - it was a solid vehicle but nothing extraordinary, in fact the 4 cylinder engine was brutal (which they've since improved on). Reliability is rock solid with the RAV but probably pretty close to that of the Rogue. New MSRP prices are fairly close, but the resale prices on used Toyota's are just out to lunch and largely based on the perceptions of Toyota superiority I think. Honda CR-V prices are somewhere in between the Rogue and RAV4, fairly reasonable I think and considering the rock solid CR-V reliability probably something to consider as a good competitor.

[ImStricken06]

i HATE to do this, but im test driving a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. $30,000 msrp for a fully loaded (minus nav & the deadly turbo engine)

[TrevorK]

i HATE to do this, but im test driving a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. $30,000 msrp for a fully loaded (minus nav & the deadly turbo engine)

By "deadly" is there some sort of flaw or do you mean "deadly" as in fun?