Sebastian

We are heading up for another test drive tomorrow with all of the kids to see what they think. We are going to do the NV in the morning and the Transit in the evening. I'll let you guys know what they think.

Thanks for all of the responses, you guys have given me a lot to think about. We took our first test drive and were surprised with how comfortable we were. I forgot to mention that I once had an Xterra, and though I know it's a very different vehicle it left a sour taste in my mouth for Nissans. But I think the NV made me a believer, I enjoyed the ride. First off I think the biggest difference between it and the Transit we drove was what's in front of us, not behind. I feel confident that the lack of visibility out of the rear, and the way you have to accommodate for a vehicle this long would be the same regardless of the make and model. I definitely feel like I am higher and have a better field of view in the Transit. It's almost like the front end of the car isn't there. I think this is pretty disconcerting to my wife. I didn't mind as I learned to drive on my dad's 71 VW van, littlerally sitting over the front wheels. She was much more comfortable with the way the NVP was like a "truck with a big butt" as she put it. I did drive both the V6 and V8, I think as you all have mentioned the V8 is a no brainier. I really liked all the rear seating. When the other was driving my wife and I made a point of sitting in each and every row and feeling what the ride was like on the highway, residential streets, over speed bumps and railroad tracks. The dealer said that though they sell mostly to commercial outfits they are always getting compliments on how much more comfortable the NVs are than the Econoline and GM vans that these places are changing from. We cannot fit the NVP in our garage, the dealership was kind enough to let us drive the long way home to be sure. We are over by less than 2 inches though. It's pretty frustrating. Not sure how to deal with that.

Thanks for such great info. I have posted a rather lengthy set of question on the general forum. You've covered a lot of good info and I appreciate you mentioning the mpg, I am sure I would have spent a while dwelling on that but it sounds like it's a lot less of a big deal that I had thought. We are considering the NV, and Transit, and have likely ruled out the GM options, they seem pretty stale, but we are open at this point. We've got a little time so we want to make the most informed descision possible.

Hello everyone. As I begin my search for the perfect family vehicle I am hoping I can get a little more clarity on a few things. • How flexible is the seating in the real world? Specifically can I swap around seats as an able-bodied adult without needing to hit the gym every day? I love the idea of being flexible with seating, something that seems lacking in the segment, but I know sometimes expectations don't match reality. • Not concerned so much with fuel economy but I am wondering if there is any reason for getting the V8 if I never plan on hauling anything bigger than people and their luggage for a big trip? • How easy is it to get from the front two seats to the rear of the cabin while on the go? Putting safety aside, it's nice when the front passenger can get to the kids if there is a spill or wailing or something before you can pull off the highway? Is the console that I've seen between the two seats an option or is it always there? (We've driven a Ford Transit and a Chevy Express so far and both of those have a pretty clear path to the back) • Those of you who I have seen park your van in the garage, do you have standard 7 foot garages? Mine measures at a hair taller than 7 feet. Will I fit? • Reliability, would you say your NV has been a trooper? This will be our primary getting around vehicle so I'd like something I don't feel like needs to be in the shop all the time. Has your warranty felt like it protected you, have you been able to stick to standard maintenance by in large? I've been trawling the Internet for reviews of various vans and big cars that actually talk about how they work for families. I've found a few but the most convincing one so far has been for the Ford Transit: https://medium.com/@marshallhines/but-will-it-fit-in-the-garage-1559080896e1 But also a couple of good ones from NV owners: http://justimagineheaven.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-nissan-envy-or-nv-passenger-van.html And http://busymommymedia.com/nissan-nv-3500-review-from-a-family-of-8-with-video/ Do you guys have any thoughts on those reviews or suggestions on further reading? We have our first test drive of the NVP scheduled for tomorrow so I am sure I will be back with more questions! Seb

My family of 7 is currently in the market for a passenger van and we are hoping to use this forum as a resource as we consider the available options out there! Thanks, Sebastian