Rented an Armada while in the Phoenix area

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MolaKule

MolaKule

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We rented a 2021 Nissan Armada at Sky Harbor (21,000 miles on the odometer) because we were to have about 6-8 people going up to Flagstaff for a wedding. Plans changed so it was mostly the wife and I laying rubber from Sky Harbor to Surprise to Maricopa Az in 110F heat.

The Armada is very roomy and handles well, especially on the curves, with little body roll. On curves such as entrances and exits, I tend to do the NACAR thingy to the detriment of my wife's turning pale.

Acceleration performance wasn't too bad considering the V8 engine wasn't quite run-in.

South of Maricopa in the desert I did do some desert rat 4-wheeling up to my friends ranch, which was located way off the main drag and about 80 miles north of the border. If you don't go over 50 miles an hour in the desert, it is comfortable; over that and the suspension's mechanical time constants can't quite keep up, but fun nontheless.:D

Now, the wife wants to trade in the PathFinder for an Armada with the proviso I don't take it hunting to Iowa's muddy hinterlands. But what fun would that be just keeping it on the asphalt??? :unsure:
 
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HyundaiAbuser said:
a roof rack, a pully system and 4wd would make that one of the more comfortable hunting vehicles you could buy.
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It did have 4-wheel drive on demand and auto but I kept it in 4-wheel drive on demand in the desert.

BTW, there wasn't as much indicated binding in 4-wheel drive as my Frontier.

Oh, and sharp turns in 4-wheel drive mode with power applied is just totally fun.
 
not an SUV guy but very pleased with my preowned 2011 Fronty SV 6 spd manual i bought in 2018. plenty of power with good torque while hauling Coat etc + a good ride + handling as well, especially coming from my anemic but just good enough LS Colorado LS 2.9 5 spd man both 4X4 of course for Pa snows + getting up my slippy grass yard to dump-shovel the coal into the bin i build. i was always interested in one + when the iceman + tree did the colly in i immediately shopped a Fronty + finding a manual tranny was the biggest issue + would buy again!
 
AZjeff said:
Previous gen Armadas were an overlooked gem, Nissan went all luxo-barge with the latest. A Purdey side by side and a brace of bird dogs would be appropriate.
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My son had one about 15 years earlier and I don't remember it being as large as this one. I let my son drive this one and he said it was a barge.
 
Be prepared for failing brake switches. We are on our third brake switch with our '18. People are reporting the same issue with the '21s as well.
 
Rufus711 said:
Be prepared for failing brake switches. We are on our third brake switch with our '18. People are reporting the same issue with the '21s as well.
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Nissan must be purchasing their brake switches from the same supplier/vender as Hyundai.
 
MolaKule said:
there wasn't as much indicated binding in 4-wheel drive as my Frontier.
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Because it's not a real 4WD, electronically controlled part-time transfer case is not a central differential. Nissan's 4WD system operates in rear-wheel drive when in auto. But it actually dis-engages the front at high speed, even when you press that button.

On the other hand, the 400HP V8 and 8,500 lbs towing capacity are nothing to sneeze at.
 
It's good to hear a real world review on them. I considered a used 2017 Armada before purchasing our ex-rental 2019 Pathfinder back in 2019. It was this funky burnt orange color that I kind of liked. It was a great deal as this was the pre-rona days. I was kind of afraid of the V8 MPG, dragged my feet too long and someone else snagged it. Never got a chance to drive it.

If its close to the Pathfinder in terms of day/day driving dynamics and comfort, it's doing pretty good!
 
The Armada is very underrated imo. We sold ours 4 months ago only due to it being rear wheel drive and awful in the snow. Such a nice ride though and I got up to 22 MPG on a road trip 👍
 
Wife has a 14 Platinum Reserve 4x4. I put A/T tires on it after the factory Michelins were gone, it is a very capable vehicle with A/T tires. It has held up very well, just routine wear items and one O2 sensor.
I can't bring myself to even look at the new ones due to the GDI. I buy vehicles new and keep the long-term, at least 200K. I cringe at youtube vids of mechanics cleaning the carbon off of DI intake valves, all that hard carbon goes right to the piston rings.
 
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