A&Q about 350Z
Q:
I myself have been looking for a true SUV, body on frame not these car derived platforms like the lexus RX or Acura MDX. I been eyeing the Isuzu Axiom with the 3.5L Direct Injection, suppose to put out 250hp with better fuel economy.
A:
Murano is an excelent choice. forget ford. you'll be sorry if you waste your money on ford. I love the look of the murano.In wisconsin, where I live they selling like hot cake. if there was no 350Z, murano would have been my ride.
zcrazi
A:
The Murano is evidently a fine ride from all accounts, as will be I'm sure, the new hybrid Lexus - for I'm guessing at least 15k more than a similarly equipped Murano. But, when it's time to replace my 2nd car (Z's 1st of course), it'll be the Escape hybrid......afterall, my '99 Ranger has served me just fine for lo these 60K with out one single problem. Yeah, screw Ford, couldn't I have had just one problem to give me something to bitch about?
A:
The Continuously Variable Tranny on the Murano is really a neat bit of engineering. picture two parallel shafts with cones on them pointing in opposite directions:
=====|>======
=====<|======
(only far larger cones)
The chain/belt rides on each cone like a pulley, linking the two shafts. The shafts slide each left and right, and depending upon how high/low the chain rides on each respective 'cone', the ratio of rotation speed (2:1, or 3.5:1, etc) from one shaft to the other changes. But the key is it does so smoothly and GRADUALLY, and unlike gear shifting, where the ratio changes abruptly and requires the vehicle to be in neutral between shifts, the Murano does it smoothly, never out of gear. Neato skeeto. The only issue Iwould believe is wear rate of that belt/chain.
A:
Explorer? my goodness.
A:
350ZNewbie - No way I gonna buy a domestic (let alone a Ford). Thanks for the advice though.
A:
have any of you people actually owned a modern ford vehicle?
by modern, i mean anything made within the last 10-15 years? i'm not sure where all the ford bashing comes from. it's certainly not a "buy american" sort of thing for me. but in 1995, your SUV selections were pretty thin, and if you want to argue the blazer vs. explorer, let's have at it.
2003 350Z LeMans Sunset Track with Nav
No mods
A:
Lexus is a great brand, but I call it over priced toyota. why spend that much more unless you want the brand that bad, or you have too much money don't know what to do with.
zcrazi
A:
I have never owned a ford and I never will ....350Znewbie.
zcrazi
A:
I will test drive murano other times, but right now, fx 35 (with regular wheels) white color is my choice of SUV.
A:
Uh Yeah....You just contradicted yourself there my friend
A:
The "modern" Ford is ok. I'd consider owning an Escape or a 2005 Focus or the new F-150. Their trucks have been mechanically sound for some time. Ford's made larger strides in overall quality, fit and finish and design than GM over the past few years. Chrysler has come along way also. However, you just can't beat the overall quality and reliability of the imports. I'd have owned an old four runner or land cruiser before I'd have owned the first Blazer or Explorer. There's more attention to the interior detail in my Z than any Corvette. And, my my turn signals have a reassuring thud when I use them on....not a twig snapping sound like most domestics. Before you decide on a Murano, you really should check out the Asstek...I mean Aztek. At least Ford doesn't have that abortion of a vehicle on their resume.
Love my Z ('03 Super Black, Touring w/orange leather.)
A:
By a real suv are you refering to how it cant stop, turn, or accelerate? Or even how they cant see anyone beside them. I didnt notice till i started spending a lot of time on the freeway. Get to see someone bumble down the freeway and randomely pull into my lane, then jerk the wheel. And how when it is going through a mild turn the vehicle leans WAY over and nearly lifts the tires off the ground. At 60mph... Murano anyday over a 1970's truck platform. Unless of course you dont pay attention and automaticaly assume you'r gonna wreck...
A:
which SUV is that, s?
2003 350Z LeMans Sunset Track with Nav
No mods
A:
I had a old jeep, a f-150 4x4 with oversized tires, a blazer and a cherokee and never had a problem. So i cant really understand all these guys around here so close to losing control... but they are :|
I think they must assume since they'r safer in a collision, they should make themselves ten times more likely to have a collision. I guese thats a lot like how a sports car is a lot less likely to lose control, but the driver puts himself into the position to have a wreck anyway ;)