[marctronixx]

Engine is strong, so is the tranny. Smaller rotors and more plastic on the 04. Check manifolds and o2 sensors/cats. Also rust if in the rust belt.

The car is solid all across its heritage. There’s a thread with the highest mileage of members that post here. Proof that these cars are reliable.

 

[dferg]

Also found a great deal on 2004. I’m not sure how the 04 are since they are a little older. It has 154k on it which seems pretty low for an 04. Any big flaws with these engines over the newer ones?

—-Update—-
Purchased a 2011 Platinum and seems to be solid. 147k miles and got it for $8,500. Offered the guy $500 over his trade in offer and he took it. It was his wife’s daily driver. Overall looks great just has a few electrical issues to take care of.

 

[armss]

Hi all,

I am going to check out a 2017 Armada with 75K kms on it, is there anything in specific I should look for during my test drive and visual check during my first visit?

While my interest is mainly in the Armada I do plan on seeing the following pre-owned vehicles of similar years:

GMC Yukon
Honda Pilot

I am avoiding a large suv that requires premium gas and any serious issues you guys can provide some input on with the vehicles i listed above.

Thank you in advance!

 

[BigAl19]

We owned a 2018 Honda Pilot for over a year and we were not pleased with it all. We had the Elite trim so it came with a 9 speed transmission that we felt shift all the time. It was terrible. We also weren't satisfied with the quality of the ride and outside noise that came in. We own a 2019 Armada now and are very pleased. So far we haven't had any issues. I've owned more Nissan's than I've owned any other brand. The reliability is much greater than anything else I owned. This is the second Armada that we owned. I would highly recommend.

 

[F4N4EVR]

At that mileage, all hoses and tubes should be new. Alternator should be new, as all oem alternators are substandard from the factory. (Miami court case) Battery should be after market new as nissan batteries were found to be relabeled substandard blems. (Miami court case) upper and lower control arms should be updated recalled models. Ball joints won't be within factory spec if they are oem past 35,000 miles. Auto level compressor will be bad, if past 35k miles. Oem installed the desicator after the compressor, instead of before it. Put the compressor air intake inside the frame to accumulate dirt and wear out. Anything wearing label- quality parts- should not be in the vehicle. Check rear brake pistons for full functionality, many calipers were found to have misaligned, non parallel piston bores. Check emergency brake shoe function. Many emergency brake systems were found to be incorrectly installed at the factory, and didn't work correctly, or at all. Car should have pops aftermarket electrical system grounding upgrade as most Armadas had over 100 faulty ground connections in the front end.

 

[RayFamily]

We are looking at purchasing a 02 Armada with 225K miles on it. Is it going to last much longer? We know nothing about how it was kept. I worry about it needing to have the motor and tranny replaced soon. Are those a concern?

We are looking at purchasing a 02 Armada with 225K miles on it. Is it going to last much longer? We know nothing about how it was kept. I worry about it needing to have the motor and tranny replaced soon. Are those a concern?

04 not 02

 

[Hellbender75]

Hey all,

So I'm thinking about buying a 2005 silver Armada SE with 175k miles on it for about 5k. I know some of the things to watch out for such as leaking tranny coolant lines and cracked exhaust manifolds and so on but do you guys think thats a reasonable deal if the truck is in decent shape? How long are the motor and tranny expected to go for on average? So should I buy a cheaper truck with like 160k to 200k and put money into possible repairs and upgrades or should I but one closer to my budget limit that may only have like 100k to 130k. I'm a DIY guy and would do most the repair work and maintainence work myself unless it was a major repair like an engine build or tranny build. This car will be used as a daily driver and a mild camping rig/overland build. I havent' found many 4x4 armadas for under 6 or 7k here in California so I'm a bit limited as to how many I've seen. I really wanted a dark gray or black LE but I can't seem to find any in my price range. Thanks in advance for anyone taking the time to reply.

Aaron,

 

[marctronixx]

You can find a car with low miles and treated like crap and you can find a car with high miles and pampered... the first thing to do is find the history of the car. I would base my decision on that.

You seem to have the rest covered in terms of what typical things fail on that model year. Personally I’d go for a 2006 and newer rather than a 2005

 

[Biggarageguy]

I am thinking about buying a 2006 armada and wondering about the brake issue. I am looking for feedback from people who own them as far as problems and would they recommend buying one.

 

[marctronixx]

Hello and welcome.
Lots info discussion here that can potentially hello you decide.

First off, it depends on how well the car was cared for with the previous owner(s). Then you go from there.

I had a 2006 and Nissan upgraded the brakes on those models over the 05. Curious what “brake issue” are you referring to? Do you have a link to share?

Look for rust if it was in the rust belt and manifolds which were troublesome for many.

The blend doors in the dash can stick at times and cause a “woodpecker” type sound.

Check for any codes at rthe obd port. Best to do this by someone who has a scanner that can read enhanced codes (air bag/srs, etc).

The tranny and engine are solid and many members here have had their cars over 200K.

 

[Biggarageguy]

Do you own a armada

 

[Dramaking55]

Hi there, thinking about getting an Armada as my Yukon XL 2004 is dying and I need towing plus cargo room for business. 2008 with 94 rounds for 11,500 one owner. Any experience moving from the GMC to Nissan? I need dependability, nice ride, low maintenance and low cost of maintenance. Input?

 

[LittleSparrow]

Good afternoon everyone! I am considering purchasing a used 2016+ Nissan Aramada or 2013+ Infiniti QX56. We currently drive a 2013 Infiniti G37 Sedan that has been an amazing car for 6 years of ownership, but the time has come that we need a second vehicle. I really want a large SUV that is truly reliable, has reasonable maintenance cost and a good safety rating. I been shopping around lately and I narrowed my choices to either the Aramada / QX56 or Mazda CX9. I am honestly leaning more towards Nissan products because I always had a good experience with them. My G37 has been our main commuter and has been very reliable with 70k miles. I also drove my brother in laws Pro 4x Titan and loved the way it drives. I have seen a few Aramadas and QXs in our area for sale that I would love to check out. But before I go I just want some clarification and input from actual owners. I am thinking of buying used so I am cautious with my purchase.

1) How reliable are these SUVs? I may be purchasing one with high mileage (100k miles) and I am planning on keeping this vehicle for 10+ years.

2) How is the maintenance cost and intervals for these vehicles? My G37's maintenance is not cheap but I consider it to be very affordable compared to its competition.

3) Gas mileage. I know it is a big V8 but I am curious. My G has a 3.7 V6 and it is not the most fuel saver either. I get 18 mpg combines which equates to $20 per 100 miles. How much do you guya spend on gas?

4) Do you love your car? Any regrets? I am hoping to love my nexy vehicle the way I love for my current car.

Thank you for your time in advanced. I hope to meet new people here and I will update you if I go for any test drives.

 

[marctronixx]

hello and welcome.

any USED car is as reliable as its been maintained. that said. these cars are tanks and built to last. there are many members here who have 2005 model cars that are over 200K miles.
#2. maintenance costs if you have the dealer maintain it will very depending on the location. you can always ask the dearl what they charge for X or Y. we dont know you budget...so what may be expensive to me may be nothing to you...

3. you are going to get awful petrol mileage. PERIOD> the car is 6000 pounds, a V8 and 5.6 L. there are threads discussing the petrol mileage. dont get this car if you want high MPG...

4. cant speak for everyone but id assume nearly all love the car, or else why even own it?

 

[rvjoel]

Would love to read who stated this. The 2005 had more plastics and cosmetic issues and smaller disc brakes. The 2006 would be the EARLIEST car i would look at.

Sorry I misstated what I had read.The 04-06 had the highest # of defects. From 07 onward Armada improved

Dashboard Light

Automotive Reliability

dashboard-light.com

 

[SweJon]

I really want a large SUV that is truly reliable, has reasonable maintenance cost and a good safety rating. I been shopping around lately and I narrowed my choices to either the Aramada / QX56 or Mazda CX9. I am honestly leaning more towards Nissan products because I always had a good experience with them. My G37 has been our main commuter and has been very reliable with 70k miles. I also drove my brother in laws Pro 4x Titan and loved the way it drives. I have seen a few Aramadas and QXs in our area for sale that I would love to check out. But before I go I just want some clarification and input from actual owners.

These are solid vehicles. Built to last. Maintenance costs are moderate (perhaps a bit high), but there is an owner on here who has gone past 410k miles on the original trany and engine! Avoid salt sitting on the underbody and you drastically improve your longevity.

Have you come to a conclusion on what trim level you would prefer?

 

[Mikecl]

I think the 2005-2015 is the first gen? I'm looking at a 2005 or 2008 I'm not too sure what the Qx56 has over the armada. How is the reliability?

 

[tchjts1]

If you squash the few bugs that seem to be common with these vehicles and find one that has been properly maintained, they are pretty reliable. Plenty of folks getting 250,000+ miles out of these. Even some up in the 400,000 range. My '07 Armada LE currently has 117,000 on it and is running great. Probably better than when it was new, due to upgrades.

Who is the King of the highest mileage Armada, is it you?

With the Armada being 4 years old How many miles do you have on your Mada"? I just turned 90,000 on my 04 SE.:)

www.clubarmada.com

For your choice of 2005 or 2008, I'd be more inclined to go with the '08, but again the previous owner maintenance matters. Before I would make the purchase, I would want to take it to a mechanic and have him go over it. Particularly looking at suspension components (struts, ball joints, brakes, rear leveling if it applies), underbody appearance for rust and exhaust system, definitely have the exhaust manifolds checked for cracks (known issue on these), have the radiator checked for leaks especially around the base of it.

Just try and get a handle on what you might have to put into it to bring it up to speed before you buy it.
(If cracked exhaust manifolds are a $2,500+ fix)

Also get the VIN number and run it here to see if the recalls have been addressed:

Recalls | NHTSA

Use our VIN lookup tool to check for recalls on your car, or search by make and model. Also, get recall information on car seats, tires and equipment.

www.nhtsa.gov

 

[Mikecl]

If you squash the few bugs that seem to be common with these vehicles and find one that has been properly maintained, they are pretty reliable. Plenty of folks getting 250,000+ miles out of these. Even some up in the 400,000 range. My '07 Armada LE currently has 117,000 on it and is running great. Probably better than when it was new, due to upgrades.

Who is the King of the highest mileage Armada, is it you?

With the Armada being 4 years old How many miles do you have on your Mada"? I just turned 90,000 on my 04 SE.:)

www.clubarmada.com

For your choice of 2005 or 2008, I'd be more inclined to go with the '08, but again the previous owner maintenance matters. Before I would make the purchase, I would want to take it to a mechanic and have him go over it. Particularly looking at suspension components (struts, ball joints, brakes, rear leveling if it applies), underbody appearance for rust and exhaust system, definitely have the exhaust manifolds checked for cracks (known issue on these), have the radiator checked for leaks especially around the base of it.

Just try and get a handle on what you might have to put into it to bring it up to speed before you buy it.
(If cracked exhaust manifolds are a $2,500+ fix)

Also get the VIN number and run it here to see if the recalls have been addressed:

Recalls | NHTSA

Use our VIN lookup tool to check for recalls on your car, or search by make and model. Also, get recall information on car seats, tires and equipment.

www.nhtsa.gov

My last car was a ‘05 Subaru Legacy GT I rebuilt the motor and did suspension work so if anything this should be cakewalk. My family is growing I have a 1 year old and another on the way plus me and my wife plan on taking the kids camping within the next year or so.. The need for more space is much needed coming from a sedan it looks huge I understand gas milage is not that great

what’s this with the headliner and something that might cause something to fall? Do all armadas come with the dvd system?

 

[tchjts1]

Not sure what you are referring to on the headliner. No issues with mine and I don't recall reading problems about it.

I bought my 07 LE Armada used and the dealer told me it had a DVD system. Turns out that it didn't. So no, they don't all come with it. Dealer ended up installing one since they told me it had one.