What a wonderful board to do research and this is my 1st post.
I found this site and it the second time I was motivated to test drive an Armada so went out and gave it a try. A customer on mine was also 'the' head of the Nissan factory (now partially retired) and before the Armada was launched, he told me to give it a try when it came out.
This is the 1st time I have considered anything other than an "American" car or truck as I have been a (past tense) flag waving American buyer paranoid of giving profits to Japan although that intensity has softened over the years as we have a very global economy. No comments needed as I know where this is being built.
Out of habit lately, I have bought American trucks and SUV's. I have a Chevy right now and I am sick of bring it in the shop with only 32K miles (been in about 10-12 times).
Recently I've owned a 1998 and 2000 Ford Expedition(loved them), 2001 Tahoe (even better), 2002 Chevy Trail Blazer (cheap feeling), 2003 Chevy Avalanche (great solid truck but a lemon), 2004 Durango (exceptional) and I am looking to replace my 2003 Avalanche with a new solution (my wife wants rear seats). As you see, I like metal and I appreciate room and comfort (I'm 6'3").
I recently went out and drove a black 2005 4x4 Armada with the neat looking smoked rims. For giggles, I also tried out the new Pathfinder. As a side note, my new Dodge Durango (albeit 'interesting" looking) was a better ride overall IMHO. For those who have not tried this new Durango, give it a shot. I do believe German engineering influence was involved. I am very impressed but would tweak a couple items if I could. I diverge.....
The Armada drove and sounded a little like a truck (GREAT news). Visibility was fantastic (critical for my wife). Fit and finish was very nice but you could tell Nissan did have a budget after looking at the dash and other items. This is not a critique but it wasn't a $70K truck for $40K. In other words, I found it to be a good value. After reading these boards before I saw it, I thought people were over enthused a touch... It is similar to the build quality of a Tahoe but a lot better than the new Ford Expedition (I made it a 1/2 block down the road during a test drive with the new Ford before I brought it back. The 2000 Ford was better quality truck IMHO.) All and all the Armada is a solid rig. My only complaints were that I could see that fan in the front and I thought it looked kind of cheap. The size of the badges were a little bold for my eyes as well. Certainly not a show stopper but I asked myself what they were thinking. I did find myself walking around the car and enjoying the looks. I can easily see what the appeal is especially in black and Silver. The ride overall was nice and fairly quiet. It is definitely going to stay on my short list.
A small complaint that I didn't care for was that the steering was pretty difficult to turn in comparison to what I am currently driving. Meaning, I find myself (illegally I suppose) taking turns with my index finger inside the wheel spoke. No-can-do with the Armada.. Has anyone noticed this? Did you easily adjust to the harder turn?? I guess I will have to do finger curls to beef-up my index muscle.
If anyone has some ideas on what other SUV's to try before I buy I am interested in opinions. Since I like to trade often (I always want to be in warranty) resale is key (hence SUV's and trucks). I did not like my Chevy Trail Blazer (so-so quality and thin), thought the Expedition was cheap, LOVE the Durango but don't want two, don't want to own a high depreciation SUV like a Cadillac or Lincoln, don't want a smaller "station wagon" like the Acura.. I think I have thought of everything.. I would go back to a Tahoe or consider the H2 but I know they are working on a redesign for each. Again, I don't want to get hit on depreciation when I trade in the 'old' model in a couple of years.
Any and all advice would be appreciated!
Steve from MN.
This is the 1st time I have considered anything other than an "American" car or truck as I have been a (past tense) flag waving American buyer paranoid of giving profits to Japan although that intensity has softened over the years as we have a very global economy. No comments needed as I know where this is being built.
Out of habit lately, I have bought American trucks and SUV's. I have a Chevy right now and I am sick of bring it in the shop with only 32K miles (been in about 10-12 times).
Recently I've owned a 1998 and 2000 Ford Expedition(loved them), 2001 Tahoe (even better), 2002 Chevy Trail Blazer (cheap feeling), 2003 Chevy Avalanche (great solid truck but a lemon), 2004 Durango (exceptional) and I am looking to replace my 2003 Avalanche with a new solution (my wife wants rear seats). As you see, I like metal and I appreciate room and comfort (I'm 6'3").
I recently went out and drove a black 2005 4x4 Armada with the neat looking smoked rims. For giggles, I also tried out the new Pathfinder. As a side note, my new Dodge Durango (albeit 'interesting" looking) was a better ride overall IMHO. For those who have not tried this new Durango, give it a shot. I do believe German engineering influence was involved. I am very impressed but would tweak a couple items if I could. I diverge.....
The Armada drove and sounded a little like a truck (GREAT news). Visibility was fantastic (critical for my wife). Fit and finish was very nice but you could tell Nissan did have a budget after looking at the dash and other items. This is not a critique but it wasn't a $70K truck for $40K. In other words, I found it to be a good value. After reading these boards before I saw it, I thought people were over enthused a touch... It is similar to the build quality of a Tahoe but a lot better than the new Ford Expedition (I made it a 1/2 block down the road during a test drive with the new Ford before I brought it back. The 2000 Ford was better quality truck IMHO.) All and all the Armada is a solid rig. My only complaints were that I could see that fan in the front and I thought it looked kind of cheap. The size of the badges were a little bold for my eyes as well. Certainly not a show stopper but I asked myself what they were thinking. I did find myself walking around the car and enjoying the looks. I can easily see what the appeal is especially in black and Silver. The ride overall was nice and fairly quiet. It is definitely going to stay on my short list.
A small complaint that I didn't care for was that the steering was pretty difficult to turn in comparison to what I am currently driving. Meaning, I find myself (illegally I suppose) taking turns with my index finger inside the wheel spoke. No-can-do with the Armada.. Has anyone noticed this? Did you easily adjust to the harder turn?? I guess I will have to do finger curls to beef-up my index muscle.
If anyone has some ideas on what other SUV's to try before I buy I am interested in opinions. Since I like to trade often (I always want to be in warranty) resale is key (hence SUV's and trucks). I did not like my Chevy Trail Blazer (so-so quality and thin), thought the Expedition was cheap, LOVE the Durango but don't want two, don't want to own a high depreciation SUV like a Cadillac or Lincoln, don't want a smaller "station wagon" like the Acura.. I think I have thought of everything.. I would go back to a Tahoe or consider the H2 but I know they are working on a redesign for each. Again, I don't want to get hit on depreciation when I trade in the 'old' model in a couple of years.
Any and all advice would be appreciated!
Steve from MN.