Nissan Armada or...

[MountainDude]

Seriously considering buying one from Hertz car sales (2018 model with 15K miles).
I absolutely must have an SUV and my preference is smooth and quiet, not great handling or fancy. Would like it to look nice for when I drive with my business partners.

Drive Lexus Rx350 and GX470, and they are not as smooth or quiet as the Armada (I was very surprised). Acura MDX felt cheap, and the 2 year old used one was all rattling. I dont want 4runner, and Highlander looks awful.

Thoughts?

 

[RyanB]

The only thing I’m not sold on with Nissan is the fuel economy, especially in their truck line and the Armada is no exception. I’ve heard their drive train is pretty well engineered though, so it’s all about what you’re wanting.

It’s all personal preference, but I (we) prefer Toyota/Lexus over most of the flavors.

 

[Cluemeister]

I have purchased two cars from Hertz car sales. Zero issues 5 years later. Cars both under warranty when we bought them which was nice. Hertz pricing is very competitive.

Our company uses Nissan NV cargo vans. Not sure if they share the same engine as the Armada, but ours have been no trouble.

As to gas mileage, it's pretty bad!

 

[Zeldman]

If the price is a great deal for you than I would really consider it.

The only Nissan I have ever owned was what they called a pickup. It got worse fuel mileage than my current diesel 3/4 ton.

Nothing says success like a Cadillac pickup though...

 

[NJP_MAN]

Nissan is what I drive. Not a truck chassis but they are nissan and I don't want to drive anything else

 

[SoonerAviator]

The Armada is a solid vehicle, and as mentioned, the 5.6L V8 is thirsty as you’ll get around 16mpg mixed driving. I have driven the 2017-2018 Armada several times as a rental and had no complaints, and it drives smaller than it really is. Really hard to justify the Infiniti model when the Armada looks so similar and offers a ton at that price point.


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[Pilawt]

I have purchased two cars from Hertz car sales. Zero issues 5 years later. Cars both under warranty when we bought them which was nice. Hertz pricing is very competitive.

Another thumbs up for Hertz Car Sales. We've bought three cars from Hertz in the last dozen or so years, and have been pleased with each one.

 

[SCCutler]

I buy cars through a broker who specializes in buying at dealer auctions. Auction price plus $500.00, and he is very good at getting exactly what I want, handles the whole deal. Confident I've saved thousands over other options, and I've bought three cars from him. Originally recommended to me by another BT-er.

As for the Armada, I'm sure it's decent, but it was me, in that size range, I'd really look at the Tahoe/Yukon, or the Ford Expedition withe the Eco Boost 6.

 

[Mtns2Skies]

As others have said, the Armada is solid and the drive train is robust, but I also would consider the Ford Expedition first.

 

[Ravioli]

In truck based vehicles I go the Yukon/Tahoe route as well.

Small SUV or Minivan styles I'd go Japanese.

 

[James331]

4 runner limited?

 

[Sinistar]

I think that size range would be a Toyota Sequoia, not a 4Runner. I have owned 4 GM trucks (Chevy and GMC) and 3 Suburbans. Never again. They are nice but stuff breaks too often. The consumer reports on Toyota are pretty stellar even going back several years.

 

[James331]

I think that size range would be a Toyota Sequoia, not a 4Runner. I have owned 4 GM trucks (Chevy and GMC) and 3 Suburbans. Never again. They are nice but stuff breaks too often. The consumer reports on Toyota are pretty stellar even going back several years.

True, but a sequoia drives and looks more like a minivan (like a suburban), just mentioned the 4Runner because they are still a SPORT utility vehicle, at least the last generations limited V8 AWD, fun with a nice fit and finish

 

[Tantalum]

Toyota is not all Camry and Prius.. their truck and SUV line is solid. Both the Tacoma and the 4Runner can take some abuse. And the FJ Cruiser despite the plastic parts on it can handle abuse as well with the solid box frame and strong bones

 

[SCCutler]

I feel so silly with my 200,000-mile Suburban. I reckon it's on the verge of dissolving.

My construction-industry clients buy Fords for the heavy-duty stuff, but they rarely keep them past 300,000 miles or so before they sell them to their employees, who keep them another 200,000 miles.

Then, give them to their kids to drive a while longer.

 

[pigpenracing]

I bought a new Nissan frontier in 2015 I think. I liked the truck but the mileage was HORRIBLE! I am talking straight highway 14mpg, mixed about 11 mpg and just back and forth to work it was about 9mpg. I was extremely ****ed and sold it. I bought a old 2003 Suburban and it gets fabulous mileage compared to the Nissan.
My Suburban just turned 298,000 and runs like new. I don't drive it everyday anymore since I got another VW TDI. I'm not selling it though.

 

[Plano Pilot]

I would look at the Yukon. I found a Yukon Denali for my boss and he loves it.

I have a 2016 Frontier and it has always gotten 16 mpg in the city and 19-20 on the highway, V6 2WD. Not too happy with the MPG but it has been a good truck, 145K on it now.

 

[bnt83]

FWIW
Nissan CVT = vomit. Coworker had a brand new Rogue 2016ish (Rogue = also vomit) trash one @ 55k miles, He ate $5k fixing it. The Nissan dealer warranty on a brand new CVT was a joke, 3 years 30k miles IIRC. This happened last year. I kinda like their Altima cars but their CVT is a damn shame and no way I would buy one.

Their other transmissions are probably fine.

 

[SoonerAviator]

I would look at the Yukon. I found a Yukon Denali for my boss and he loves it.

I have a 2016 Frontier and it has always gotten 16 mpg in the city and 19-20 on the highway, V6 2WD. Not too happy with the MPG but it has been a good truck, 145K on it now.

Lol, the Yukon Denali is a $75K SUV. The Armada SL AWD is $55K. Not exactly the same league there. I would probably rank them all (Expedition, Armada, Tahoe/Yukon) about equal, I have driven each one at least twice as a rental, and for a week straight each time. They each have their pros/cons, but overall they're on similar footing. If I were buying, I'd probably go with Expedition but the Armada is a solid value since it's a shade cheaper on purchase price for not much loss in space/performance.

Acceleration: Expedition. The new 10spd tranny and the 400HP EB v6 scoots very well for a 3 ton vehicle.
Handling: Armada. It's seems to have a lot less body roll than the other two.
Interior volume: Expedition. Although hardly enough to really make a decision about.
Interior layout: Tahoe/Yukon. I think they have a pretty solid dash/console arrangement.
Tech: Probably tie between Tahoe/Expedition, but I'll give the edge to the Ford for overall tech features/customization.
Mileage: they're all about the same with mixed driving (16-17mpg), but Expedition may get you another 1-2mpg if that matters.

Pricing: Armada can be had for low-to mid-50K's, Tahoe and Expedition don't really start until mid-50's but mildly-optioned (SLE/Limited) will run upper 50K's to low 60K's.

 

[RyanB]

Toyota is not all Camry and Prius.. their truck and SUV line is solid. Both the Tacoma and the 4Runner can take some abuse. And the FJ Cruiser despite the plastic parts on it can handle abuse as well with the solid box frame and strong bones

Agree. The Tacoma would be one of my top picks as far as trucks go.

I bought a new Nissan frontier in 2015 I think. I liked the truck but the mileage was HORRIBLE! I am talking straight highway 14mpg, mixed about 11 mpg and just back and forth to work it was about 9mpg. I was extremely ****ed and sold it.

Exactly why any Nissan product is on the bottom of my list. For as small as the Frontier is, you’d think it could get better fuel economy than an F350! PASS!

 

[SoonerAviator]

Agree. The Tacoma would be one of my top picks as far as trucks go.

I like the Tacoma a lot, it will be interesting to see how the new Ford Ranger stacks up against it. The Tacoma, being the benchmark, does carry the highest price in the segment though. The Tundra needs an update pretty badly, it's probably the bottom of the 1/2 ton class at the moment, even behind the Titan.

Exactly why any Nissan product is on the bottom of my list. For as small as the Frontier is, you’d think it could get better fuel economy than an F350! PASS!

I wonder if you just had a poor example. I don't recall the fuel mileage being abnormally low on the 2017 Frontier I rented a few months back, but it was almost entirely highway mileage. It certainly wasn't lower than 17mpg.

 

[Zeldman]

I feel so silly with my 200,000-mile Suburban. I reckon it's on the verge of dissolving.

Just like my 13 year old Duramax.... I want a new truck, but I sure don't need a new truck.

I gave my '93 GMC to a friend of mine for his son to drive.

 

[bnt83]

I've got a coworker (long time aircraft mechanic) who only buys Hondas, if he did all of the mx on his daily driver It would be more hours than I've spent on a 20 year old Chevy. Just changing a headlight bulb or the battery is a giant PITA.

My middle brother is about the same, only buying Honda.

I've had a timing belt break on 3.5L Chrysler and that was a real ***** to replace, so I'd rather not own another, especially if the timing belt drives a water pump.

I've caught myself looking at Bonnies, Caddy, Grand Prix and Buicks 2006+ with NorthStar V8s lately, don't think they are worth it.

 

[Sac Arrow]

FWIW
Nissan CVT = vomit. Coworker had a brand new Rogue 2016ish (Rogue = also vomit) trash one @ 55k miles, He ate $5k fixing it. The Nissan dealer warranty on a brand new CVT was a joke, 3 years 30k miles IIRC. This happened last year. I kinda like their Altima cars but their CVT is a damn shame and no way I would buy one.

Their other transmissions are probably fine.

That's odd, I have a Sentra with the CVT. I actually like it a lot. I've never been a fan of Nissans before, but in the last few years they stepped up their quality game. I probably would have opted for a Corolla when I was in the market for a new econobox, but I had a Sentra for a rental for a while and liked it enough to buy one.

I guess we will see how well it holds out.

 

[RyanB]

I gave my '93 GMC to a friend of mine for his son to drive.

 

[chartbundle]

I wonder if you just had a poor example. I don't recall the fuel mileage being abnormally low on the 2017 Frontier I rented a few months back, but it was almost entirely highway mileage. It certainly wasn't lower than 17mpg.

I feel better about my Diesel Colorado now at 25-30, depending on how lead-foot I get. Admittedly I still want one(a Colorado or a Diesel Tacoma or another 'small' diesel ) with adaptive cruise control

 

[SoonerAviator]

I feel better about my Diesel Colorado now at 25-30, depending on how lead-foot I get. Admittedly I still want one(a Colorado or a Diesel Tacoma or another 'small' diesel ) with adaptive cruise control

Lol, well like I said, I don't remember the mileage I got on the Frontier (TUL-DFW-TUL is roughly 600 miles round trip with some Dallas-city driving mixed in). I just know I didn't notice it being abnormal for a mid-sized truck in my estimation, and it certainly wasn't worse than a 1-ton truck. I wouldn't be surprised if I got 20mpg or so out of the V6, but it certainly wasn't 25+. Since I don't pay the fuel bills when I'm renting 99% of time, I just casually pay attention to mileage unless it's on a vehicle I could see myself buying. I haven't driven the Colorado though, so I can't attest to that one. I don't see them much on the National/Enterprise Executive aisle. In all honesty, I drive rental cars hard if it's a sports car to have fun, but if it's a truck/SUV I don't abuse 'em too much so I get fairly accurate real-world fuel mileage.

 

[mooneyflyfast]

I would look at the Yukon. I found a Yukon Denali for my boss and he loves it.

I have a 2016 Frontier and it has always gotten 16 mpg in the city and 19-20 on the highway, V6 2WD. Not too happy with the MPG but it has been a good truck, 145K on it now.

I have a 2012 Frontier V6 2wd with 5 speed auto. It has lots of power and gets 22 mpg combined city/ highway. 83,000 miles now and no maintence at all except tires, 2 batteries and oil changes. It listed for 27,000 and I paid 22,000 at model year end. I bought it because it would fit in my garage. My first Nissan but I like it.

 

[weilke]

I bought a new Nissan frontier in 2015 I think. I liked the truck but the mileage was HORRIBLE! I am talking straight highway 14mpg, mixed about 11 mpg and just back and forth to work it was about 9mpg.

Your Frontier was broken.

I drive a 2016 with the V6 and I get mpgs in the low 20s in mostly local traffic. That's not great for a compact truck, but then it's a very simple NA engine that runs on regular.

 

[idahoflier]

I think an Armada shares the same frame and drive train with the Titan. I have a 2010 Titan and had to replace the rear differential (under warranty) at about 40K. The truck has never towed anything of substance. I also had to replace the left front bearing and front differential pinion seal at about 80K. My usual fuel economy is 14 MPG. For whatever reason I can't get more than 35K out of a set of tires (alignment has always been good). Overall I still like the truck though I am a little disappointed in reliability. The engine has been bulletproof though!

 

[charheep]

did you look at Range Rovers and LandCruisers? If your main objective is ride comfort, you might have to go upmarket.

 

[Tantalum]

^while I completely agree with you, a range Rover and a Nissan are simply not in the same echelon

"Hey guys, thinking of buying a 182..."

"Have you considered PC12?"

 

[SoonerAviator]

I think an Armada shares the same frame and drive train with the Titan. I have a 2010 Titan and had to replace the rear differential (under warranty) at about 40K. The truck has never towed anything of substance. I also had to replace the left front bearing and front differential pinion seal at about 80K. My usual fuel economy is 14 MPG. For whatever reason I can't get more than 35K out of a set of tires (alignment has always been good). Overall I still like the truck though I am a little disappointed in reliability. The engine has been bulletproof though!

Axles/Differentials were a problem on the early Titans, they’ve since addressed those issues. I wouldn’t worry about it on the ‘18 Titan/Armada. I looked hard at the ‘08 Titan before I bought my ‘08 F-150. Glad I didn’t end up purchasing the Titan due to those issues. The Titan was more expensive at the time and the interior wasn’t as nice as my F-150, which is what pushed me to the Ford at the time.

 

[idahoflier]

Axles/Differentials were a problem on the early Titans, they’ve since addressed those issues. I wouldn’t worry about it on the ‘18 Titan/Armada. I looked hard at the ‘08 Titan before I bought my ‘08 F-150. Glad I didn’t end up purchasing the Titan due to those issues. The Titan was more expensive at the time and the interior wasn’t as nice as my F-150, which is what pushed me to the Ford at the time.

True, but it had been in production for 7 years before I bought it with the axle/differential problems and I figured they would have been addressed by then. Current generation has been in production for 3 years...

 

[SoCal RV Flyer]

I've got a '16 Honda Fit that I use like a truck sometimes. Rear seats down, it'll hold 20 bags of mulch...amazing storage for the vehicle's footprint, and very low load height. Wheelbase is longish for its overall length, so ride is pretty decent.
I'm not a fan of the CVT, but it is efficient...I'm getting 35 mpg combined, and it'll do 38 on a long fwy trip.

I call it the "Hondamatic."

 

[Lando]

We’ve had some issues with a new Armada in the snow this winter - it’s not nearly as stable as a Tahoe/Yukon when going around turns. The Armada has better visibility and feels roomier inside, but I really prefer the GM safety features, technology and overall build quality. I’m quite sure this will be our first and only Armada.

 

[Kenny Phillips]

FWIW
Nissan CVT = vomit. Coworker had a brand new Rogue 2016ish (Rogue = also vomit) trash one @ 55k miles, He ate $5k fixing it. The Nissan dealer warranty on a brand new CVT was a joke, 3 years 30k miles IIRC. This happened last year. I kinda like their Altima cars but their CVT is a damn shame and no way I would buy one.

Their other transmissions are probably fine.

I think that pretty much every manufacturer has had 5/60K on their drivetrains for a decade or more.
"Nissan extended the warranty on some of these vehicles equipped with the CVT transmission from 5 years or 60,000 miles to 10 years or 120,000 miles. The extension covers repairs, replacements, and towing for issues related to the continuously variable transmission."
Still, I don't like the feel of a CVT.

 

[Kenny Phillips]

^while I completely agree with you, a range Rover and a Nissan are simply not in the same echelon

"Hey guys, thinking of buying a 182..."

"Have you considered PC12?"

Especially when you go to have it serviced on your dime.

 

[ElPaso Pilot]

Was very disappointed taking a rental Armada off paved roads and onto rutted dirt/gravel for a camping trip. Suspension travel is horrible. It spent much of the time see-sawing on diagonal wheels with one or the other opposite corners up in the air, happily spinning away in 4WD without locking differentials. So much for “Sport Utility”. More like “Sport Suburban Shopping Mall”.

Similar to this article:

https://jalopnik.com/heres-what-happens-when-the-2017-nissan-titan-and-armad-1785201987

 

[CRQFlier]

I think an Armada shares the same frame and drive train with the Titan. I have a 2010 Titan and had to replace the rear differential (under warranty) at about 40K. The truck has never towed anything of substance. I also had to replace the left front bearing and front differential pinion seal at about 80K. My usual fuel economy is 14 MPG. For whatever reason I can't get more than 35K out of a set of tires (alignment has always been good). Overall I still like the truck though I am a little disappointed in reliability. The engine has been bulletproof though!

not anymore. new model is based on x-us Patrol, same as qx803.

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