Nissan owners

[Papa B]

I am considering purchasing a Nissan NV200 and I would like to hear from owners and former owners of Nissan products that may share the engine and transmission.
 If you have owned a NV200 let me know how you liked it. 
 If you had any Nissan with the cvt transmission let me know of issues you had both good or bad.
 What maintanence is required on it and at what cost? 
 Most importantly, would you buy another?
 I know very little about cvt transmission and I'm a little uncomfortable with it.
 I also would like to hear from owners of the NV250.
 I have never owned a Nissan myself and don't know much about them. The NV200 looks and drives great for me. 

 Thanks in advance, 
 and thanks to those people who's help made this post possible. You know who you are.

Papa B

 

[WalkaboutTed]

I just noticed that you haven't gotten any responses. There is the Nissan NV owners forum and there are some, but not many posts about the NV200. I do know that they are starting to manufacture them for use as taxis, so that's encouraging, as transmissions for taxis should be pretty tolerant.

I didn't know that there were NV 250s made, so I assume that you're talking about the NV2500. My husband has a 2500 and I have a 3500. They are great, utilitarian vehicles. Mine has the old, traditional 5 speed transmission, his has the newer 7 speed transmission. I like mine better for towing, but his gets much better mileage (if you consider 17mpg "better").

Great vehicles, especially as tow vehicles. But did I mention that they are gas hogs? That's not so much an issue for me as I move my van only every two weeks and buy enough groceries that I can go more than the two weeks without having to waste gas going places.

But Hubby's van has made two trips to Florida from NM. Thankfully, during the period when gasoline was relatively cheaper.
Ted

 

[JD GUMBEE]

Papa B, in case you do not know, I am a fleet big mouth and often comment here on vehicles and their dependability, or lack of it, long term.
While I do not have many first-hand numbers on the Nissan vans, lots of associates run them and I can tell you that over their life span, they report costs pretty in-line with the rest.
Be sure you understand just who Nissan is now partnered with before you buy. (Speak French, perhaps?)

You may want to check out the Transit Connect also. Ford did well with those, unlike their larger offerings, (which you should avoid like the bloody plague if you value your savings.) (At least in any of the 100K+mileage used stuff.)

Both vehicles (TC and NV200's) will gain a lot from good synthetic oil/good filters and following cool-down/idle-down procedures.

...and do not touch any current model Chrysler product with a twenty foot long insulated fiberglass pole.
(Unless you speak fluent Italian.)

 

[Reducto]

I have a little over 100k on my NV200, mostly highway miles. No problems whatsoever with the engine or transmission. The CVT takes a little getting used to but I like it. So far it still operates like new.

I did have to get the alignment fixed because it was chewing up tires from the start. It was not covered under warranty because it was assumed to be operator error. It seems to be good now. The AC just went out, have not had it diagnosed yet.

It will vapor lock on occasion, so if you just went up a big hill don't shut the engine off right away.

I test drove the Ford but just couldn't do it. Visibility over the dash was poor, the brand new one I drove already had some bad rattles, and I'm kind of stuck on Japanese vehicles in general.

I'm very happy with the size - I can maneuver any city parking garage, park anywhere, and get 24mpg. There is just enough length for me to sleep without adjusting the front seats, but I'm only 5'7". Taller folk may need to figure some things out.

 

[JD GUMBEE]

and I'm kind of stuck on Japanese vehicles in general.

Mais c'est une "Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi" et non une "Nissan."
Que cela vous serve bien, camarade.

 

[Papa B]

WalkaboutTed, You were right it is NV2500. 15-17 mpg sounds about right for a full size van. Good to hear it's durable.

ND GUMBEE, I know it's a world economy now and we don't always know where our products comes from. I'm not sure how much it matters any more. I buy american when I can.
Heck, Chevrolet sold the same van a couple years ago with a bow tie on the grill. The bow tie didn't make it any more american. For that confusion I blame all American auto makers. They all do that now. Buy a car, slap an american nameplate on it a sell it to the under educated as an american product.
All I know about the cvt is that it has usually been reserved for small low horse power cars. It nice to see some good comments about them.
About the Transit Connect, my family has a history with Ford. We have owned 7 vehicles only 1 was I sad to see go. The rest we couldn't wait to get rid of.
Still, I was considering a Transit 250 and the Nissan 2500 as a retirement vehical in a few more years (6-8) since both are available as hightops, are you saying that might not be a good idea? The Transit 250 was a great test drive.
Anyway back to the present.
Researching the NV200 I stumbled on a van by Mercedes Benz called the Metris. The prices overlap for a new NV200 and a low mileage 1-2 year old Metris. It's a larger heavier rear wheel drive vehicle and will tow 5000 lbs if needed. It Claims 22 mpg combined from its turbo 4 cylinder. It's an interesting thought. I never could afford a Mercedes before. Not sure how wise such a purchase would be. Not a fan of turbos is either. Still it's an interesting thought.
Thanks for the replies, hope to see some more.
PapaB.

 

[Papa B]

Reducto,
Thank you for taking the time to reply. First hand knowledge Is invaluable and just what I was hoping for.

 

[Gypsy108]

I bought a 2016 Nissan 2500/hightop. I just had a good feeling about it, and felt compelled to get it . Due to some circumstances in my life, i felt VERY COMPELLED to be self reliant, and get something QUICK. Prior to making this decision on a van (cargo van), i was looking at Class B & C . I just wanted something that had low miles & reliable.
I also think it's safer to be in something with a big (nose) ? I love the feeling of this big cargo van. I love driving it too. Before that i was driving a 2013 VW Passat....which is very nice & big and i thought of living in it....it was all paid for too....but i used it as a trade for my Nissan.....

BTW WHERE is the Nissan NV owners form ??

 

[B and C]

Here ya go: http://nissannvforum.com/

 

[Gypsy108]

@B and C

Thank you !

 

[JD GUMBEE]

The top choice for long life is V8 powered GM full sized.
Without question.
Once to the 150,000 mark, full sized Fords often begin a fast-decline into "time to add 5 gallons of fuel and a match."
Loaded with tech that they tout as being improvements...only few of them stand the test of time.

(Curious as to why it took all those garbage Ford experiences to teach you the lesson though???)

Nissan full size van would be my own second choice. Very good record with those previous mentioned associates.
(Notice how the power kind of 'rolls on' with the Nissan. Very nice, how they tuned the V8 especially.)

Be careful about forums oriented around a specific vehicle.
While they often contain good info on common issues, they also tend to be loaded with "brand/model devotees" who will make posts with pics of their vehicle overlooking the Grand Canyon with photoshop...as they sit in for the tenth entire afternoon in the service department of their dealership...technicians unable to locate their problem...the whole time reporting flawless, trouble free performance.
Take quality and "lack of trouble" statements with a grain of salt from these.

 

[mallthus]

I’ve owned many Nissans over the last 10 years. Of those, three have had CVTs.

My first CVT equipped Nissan was a Murano and because of a class action lawsuit, that vehicle’s transmission warranty was doubled to 200,000 miles. I sold it after a major collision at 125,000 miles and had no issues with the CVT. Its “low range” was ideal for steep grades at highway speeds, but suboptimal for very steep grades usually negotiated at speeds below 40 mph.

The second was a 2015 Altima. The transmission was bulletproof, but it had virtually no provision for meaningful engine braking. As much as love crazy good mileage, engine braking is critical when you live in Colorado. So we traded that Altima for a 2017 Rogue (because AWD is also pretty important). The Rogue has 4 “gears” simulated with its CVT and it’s been the best yet.

TL;dr Once you get used the CVT’s behavior on the road, reliability is a non-issue. If your driving will see you in a mountainous areas, make sure the NV200 is able to simulate low gear behaviors.


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[JD GUMBEE]

TL;dr Once you get used the CVT’s behavior on the road, reliability is a non-issue.

Unless the chain stretches or one of the valves decides to take an early retirement...which OOPS!! caused component A to engage with component B (it is not supposed to) which ruined drum C.
The long and short of it is, you need a new unit from Nissan (Renault? *gag*) for...oh, (cue up Dr Evil) 32 BILLION dollars???

Muhahaha

 

[mallthus]

Unless the chain stretches or one of the valves decides to take an early retirement...which OOPS!! caused component A to engage with component B (it is not supposed to) which ruined drum C.
The long and short of it is, you need a new unit from Nissan (Renault? *gag*) for...oh, (cue up Dr Evil) 32 BILLION dollars???

Muhahaha

Except that, absent abuse, that doesn’t really happen, especially with the current generation of CVTs. Also, Nissan took Renault’s money, not their engineering. And now they’ve kicked Renault to the curb, starting with the palace coup that’s seen Carlos Ghosn sitting in a Japanese jail cell.

I’d say that, at this point, Nissan’s CVT reliability is slightly below the average for all automatic transmissions, but not outside the range of average.

That said, I would plan for a CVT failure between 150k and 250k miles, especially if it’s been abused or not maintained properly (full fluid exchange every 40k, etc).


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[Papa B]

Under educated was a to harsh. I should have said unsuspecting.
It is a pet peeve of mine that American manufacturers smear the lines between what is built in USA and what is not. Buying a Ford, Chevy or Dodge name plate no longer means USA built product.

 

[JD GUMBEE]

I’d say that, at this point, Nissan’s CVT reliability is slightly below the average for all automatic transmissions, but not outside the range of average.

This IS true...but the problem is, Ford flooding the market with garbage people have to rebuild @120,000 miles behind a DIESEL engine is now seen as "normal."

We used to pull blown up C6's apart to see what failed.
(Usually caused by a fluid leak and low fluid or abuse.)
There were that few failures in them.
Same with a T400 GM automatic. Rarely did they wear out or pop unless on the 1/4 mile being throttled with ten times their designed HP limitations.

When I say something is reliable, it usually means 250K without messing with it or removing major components.
This crap of spending $40K+ on a truck and then having to rebuild half of it @ 125000 miles is unacceptable in my opinion.
Anything I say comes from this point of view.

As long as you trade it to the next poor sucker @ 100,000 and lose your shirt in the process, a twin turbo V6 Ford truck is likely going to be a GREAT vehicle...then again, so is pretty much anything sold in the USA if you think this way.
(But STILL not the _______'s)
I bet a bunch here know what belongs right on that line...LOL

 

[Papa B]

[quote="JD GUMBEE" pid='451056'
When I say something is reliable, it usually means 250K without messing with it or removing major components.

Ahmen , my thoughts also.

About the fleet of Fords, it was a family effort involving grand parents, parents, brother and wife before we were married. When it was my money I learned after 1. 1986 Ranger 4x4 bought new, Started trying to get rid of it after a year and a half. Trade value was about half what I paid so I ended up driveing it a few more years until computer problems got so bad it would barely run.
The one I hated to see go was an escort nearly 100k nothing but gas and oil. It was a down payment on a used taurus, really bad move.

 

[IGBT]

Eh, this is a reason to buy new.   Most new vans come with something like 5 year 60,000 mile powertrain warranty.  I think Nissan van is even longer than that.

If you avoid the latte maker and heated seats you can get into a 2019 van for around $26k to $30k depending on wheelbase and roof height you want.

Put 5 years and 50,000 miles on it,then sell it for $15k.

The van cost you $3,000 a year and you never had to turn a wrench in 100 degree weather.

 

[Gutz]

I have a 2016 NV200, 260,000 miles, it's a no build build, Bed, Fridge, single burner stove, chinese diesel heater, small Thetford toilet. I've driven it all over the US and Old Mexico, the thing will do 30+ MPG on the freeway and has never gave me a hint of trouble! I change the oil every 5K miles, have gone through 1/2 dozen or so sets of tires, but I can not think of 1 complaint I have about this little rig! If the engine blew I'd replace it in a heartbeat! I think it's the perfect vehicle for what I do! My only personal gear are a guitar, some basic scuba gear and an underwater metal detector. I have a home base as well which is a defunct BBQ restaurant I bought for 1200 dollars on a tax lien! Life is good my friends! Life is very good!

 

[whatsananna]

I have a 2016 NV200, 260,000 miles, it's a no build build, Bed, Fridge, single burner stove, chinese diesel heater, small Thetford toilet. I've driven it all over the US and Old Mexico, the thing will do 30+ MPG on the freeway and has never gave me a hint of trouble! I change the oil every 5K miles, have gone through 1/2 dozen or so sets of tires, but I can not think of 1 complaint I have about this little rig! If the engine blew I'd replace it in a heartbeat! I think it's the perfect vehicle for what I do! My only personal gear are a guitar, some basic scuba gear and an underwater metal detector. I have a home base as well which is a defunct BBQ restaurant I bought for 1200 dollars on a tax lien! Life is good my friends! Life is very good!

I have the same rig and love it. I’m 100k miles behind you. Good news that I have time with her yet.