Starting to look at options to replace wife's SWB 2008 Escalade. She's a size queen for full size luxo-SUV's. We've started to run into a few times where the SWB wasn't enough room and the 3rd row not being able to fold flat has caused some headache. On top of that, it's starting to show that it's been driven in quite a few Michigan winters. I'm hoping to spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $20k or less, but pernaps a bit more for the right fit.
Wife's easy solution is just to get a newer used Escalade ESV... But I think an ESV might actually be too big and I'm really not thrilled about stuff related to DOD and the 8-speed trans. When we bought her current Escalade, I specifically sought out an 08 or 09 to avoid the DOD stuff.
At least where daily driven stuff is concerned, I've fully converted to the cult of Lex-yota so my proposal has been around the 200 series LC/LX and 2G Seqouia. However, my wife thinks the 200 series is too small for her liking, and while the Seqouia is big enough, she finds it ugly and thinks the infotainment stuff is lacking compared to her Cadillac. I'm somewhat Ok with this too, because of how (rightfully) high the prices are. I'd actually prefer a 100 series LX/LC or 1G Sequoia Limited, but I already know where that conversation is going to end...
Somewhere in the middle is the QX56/80 and loaded versions of the Armada. At first glance, they seem appealing to me because of the very affordable price and being a tad closer to my tastes (I DD a GX470 with over 220k miles). For my wife, just seeing examples in the wild she's already admitted that she likes the looks of the Infiniti and thinks it's big enough to satisfy her.
That said, I'm a bit leery because of some of the reputation Nissan has, though to be fair, I have a negative opinion of most things newer GM and learned to live with the Escalade.
Figured I'd come in here and see if anybody knew the 411 on these. Are they pretty reliable? Common issues (I've seen stuff about timing chains and catalytic convertors)? Would it be that much different to live with than the Escalade from a dependability/cost of ownership/etc. standpoint?
The other option I've brainstormed is to find a clean 08 or 09 ESV from somewhere were the roads don't get salted, which my wife seems OK with. And before anyone mentions a Navigator, those were ruled out when we shopped the Escalade and it doesn't seem like that opinion has changed.
In reply to shelbyz :
I think they are a great bang for the buck. The drivetrain is solid. There is nothing unique to the VK56 Vs. pretty much any other timing chain engine. If the oil isn't changed as it should be, the chain can wear and "stretch." Very unlikely to be a problem if the oil is changed on time. Same with the exhaust manifolds. They have cats in them like just about any other car made in the last 20 years, and if damaged, they can break apart and be ingested in the engine. But it's not a common problem. It's more likely to be a problem if you drive on a misfiring engine and damage the cats. The exhaust manifolds can crack/leak, but that was more common on trucks built 10 years before those that you are looking at. The manifolds have been upgraded over time.
Take a close look at the build quality for the non mechanical parts. My '04 Titan has been dead reliable, but the quality and longevity of the interior bits, paint, and trim has been a let down Vs. 90's Nissans. Again, over 10 years older than what you are looking at. The 3rd row is small and uncomfortable, with little cargo space when in use. It's a much better 5 seater than 7 or 8 seater. If you don't need 4WD, lots of savings to be had if you can find a RWD model.
Many of these in both Infiniti and Nissan trim were just 2wd.
Spotters guide: there is a round dial on the center console, near armrest, if it is 4wd.
In late 2019 I came very close to getting a low option Nissan called the SV trim then COVID came and ultimately went functional and bought Minivan.
The Infiniti version of this Nissan Patrol launched in 2013 as the QX56. The Nissan version did not come until 2018. (Edit: or maybe 2011 & 2017 like your title says)
Recently, the Nissan got a face lift that looks nice.
Wish they made an extended version of these. I'd buy one. Three kids and camping/mountain bike road trips don't give us enough room.
ohh well.
They are all over around these parts. I own a 2019 and bro just bought one as well. Should be dang reliable given the age of the titan underpinnings and no issues yet in 50k miles. Great power, driving position, towing abilities, decent tech, roomy, etc. Good gas mileage compared to my old escalade with 24-26mpg able on road trips.
Downsides are outdated infotainment versus other 2019 equipment, and the paint likes to chip like nothing else I have ever owned. Also they are everywhere.
Overall great value in a reliable truck. I wouldn't hesitate assuming the wife test drives and blesses the transaction.
I love me a Y60- grew up on those.
However, keep an eye on the serious oil consumption issues. It is all over the Titan/NV forums, for the V8.
I was ready to pull the trigger on an NV 3500 - but now I am VERY hesitant after readinga bout the oil consumption issues. I am seriously contemplating a V6 one - due to the oil consumption - which I don't want to deal with and Nissan hasn't been standign behind.
I've had 3 as rental upgrades. An '11 or '12 QX56, '18 QX80 (still in break in miles), and a '21 Armada 4X2. To me, and I'll catch heat for this, a Tahoe / Suburban feels better in every way. The Nissan is 400+ hp and I believe that to be accurate. However, it doesn't make the power until very high up in the power band and honestly a 5.3 Chevy feels every bit as strong. I don't like how they handle either - not that I'd expect much from a full framed truck like that but the Chevy / GMC just seems to drive better. At least to me. I realize full well that this is the world renowned Nissan Patrol that I'm talking about but I just don't get them.
In reply to A 401 CJ :
That makes sense. I tow my car with a V6 Frontier and though I think it's plenty powerful, it needs some rpm to climb hills. I think that's usually a characteristic of Japanese engines compared to American stuff, years ago I had a 2.8 Colorado that felt like it was done making power at about 4k rpm, even with variable timing.
I had one as a rental a couple years ago. It had 500 miles on it. It felt so cheep compared to both the Expedition and the Suburban that I had rented in the same month and both were also new that I would never own one. Of the three the Suburban drove the best feeling more planted to the road while the Expedition I thaught had a nicer interior and fit and finish but it drove like you were on the road. The Armada was a combination of the worst of everything by a factor of two.
