radin2son

I too agree with Nissan's chosen placement in the van market for all the reasons you mention. If GM only slightly modifies their current van, they may pick up some of the E series business users, whose vans need replacement. Although this segment may not opt for GM's 4x4 or diesel, Nissan would do well if they offered both.

You had to figure Hyundai Commercial would join the party, or may be not. Looks like another Euro version with diesel.

When you buy a NV SMB you get this video for free plus $65K for the conversion or is it the other way around. vimeo.com/43545000 Of the 30 built and sold, I have only seen one. Only 2 other owners have been on this forum. One thing I would add to the video is to consider getting an electric "penthouse" top. The top and non-electric installation is very expensive and to retro fit electric is just as expensive as the original cost. If you are into onboard bathrooms and blackwater, you will have to look at the Sprinter video. Wear gloves...

A square dance decal on the back and 2 cowboy hats on the headrests will complete the look. The console top actually is very durable. It quickly became a rear facing seat when camping. Same for the cooler we also carry. I agree it is a pain to climb over or to lean over from the back when trying to get something from the front.

It would have to be a problem with 1 or 2 tires down (high?) on one side. After a rotation screw up, the pressure was 80 psi front and 50 psi rear. There were no handling problems.

Shouldn't be any handling problems, low or high top. Even when hit by high, steady side winds or sudden gusts, it will stay on track or get get back on track after you react to a gust. Another positive is the even wear on the tires.

Interesting posts on SMB forum. One involved a 2014 Sorinter being delivered to SMB for camper conversion with numerous scratches etc on the van. Ongoing effort to get it fixed. New owner very upset as van/conversion cost $90k+. Another had a Ford E series delivered to SMB with paint issues on welds and other areas with only primer, no paint. Delivery was refused, and Ford fixed it. The dealer told him vans frequently arrived with paint issues that were fixed prior being sold. His was delivered before they could get to it. I know this is not an option in your case, but it probably is something we should look at when we but a NV. The only problem is we would need to bring a ladder.

We would be in a tent or towing a trailer. Not a bad option, trailer that is, to have as a home base and a vehicle to explore the area. Truck Trend just added a 2014 Armada ($53K) to their long term test fleet. Since it carries 8 and has the same V8 as the NV, it puts a different perspective on NVs moving people and fuel economy. In real use over 6300 miles, they averaged 15.9 mpg. Best tank full was 19.8 mpg (hwy at 70-75 mph) and worst was 9.8 mpg (towing a 6600 pound trailer). EPA is 14 city, 18 hwy. I'd say NVs do more and fuel consumption is more than acceptable.

Can you turn the key when the transmission is in R? If not, and the gear selector plate is off slightly, it may or may not sense it is in park. In this case, it does work most of the time even if the plate is askew.

Took my NV in for an oil change at Jim Click Nissan. Much improved customer service and attention. The NV service writer (Jeff) brought up my service records while on the phone scheduling the oil change for this morning. He was aware of the TPMS/tire rotation issue as it had been brought up in a service meeting at the time. (My guess is that my records have been flagged.) When I brought it in, he did not try to sell me the more expensive service. He also told the service manager (Frank) the NV was there for service. Frank remembered they owed me a tank of gas, part of their effort to make up for their screw up, but I had just filled up, so we settled on no charge for this service. So what does this have to do with anything? Well, good customer service kicked in... If you are traveling east or west on I-10 and need NV service, give Jim Click Nissan service a call (520-884-4150). Wish Nissan would make it easier to find NV dealerships while traveling. Basically you have to guess which cities might have a dealership.

Did CarMax follow through with replacing the tail light and panel? I decided to stick with Jim Click for service. Close by and they know NVs. The main service # is 884-4150. Ask for Jeff. The service manager I have been dealing with is Frank.

Back in early 2013, there was a recall (13V-095) to ensure the gear selector plate was installed correctly. If this plate is askew, it might not be in park when the display says it is. I believe the recall primarily was to visually ensure it was installed "straight" not crooked. If not, the dealer would most likely reinstall it on the spot. I always thought the concern was that the vehicle might move when you took your foot off the brake. It may have nothing to do with turning the ignition key. If you are told this no longer is a problem, but they have not changed the design, it still could be the result of a sloppy install. To digress a bit, the rear door latches in 2013 were replaced as the result of a recall. Mine were replaced but the replaced left side got stuck inside the door at 30000+ mi. When I told the service manager this, he simply said it would be replaced. So if the service writer looks at you blankly, ask to speak to the manager. He/she will know.

That's roughly 9000 miles a month over 30 months. Was it serviced once, twice, three times a month? Severe or not severe use? Whatever it was, Nissan needs to rewrite the recommended service to reflect what he did. Motor Trend came up with 41% resale value for NVs after 5 years. If based on low or normal mileage, they may have to recalculate this, or we may not be changing vehicles.

Good news for NV owners. Even better if the service history was available to back up the reliability of these high mileage NVs.

Ready for the VW Caddy, 4th generation city van? It is exclusively diesel, by will be both gas and diesel if it gets here after June. Name change likely. The scary part is that the first generation was the Golf pickup in the 80's. Talk about global manufacturing. PMcity is built in Turkey, Ford Connect is built in Spain, NV200 is built in Mexico (also Japan, China, Indonesia, India and Spain) and the VW is built in Argentina (also Germany, Spain, maybe elsewhere?)

I have not looked at the specs, and don't intend to, but based on first impressions of the video, the RAMcity (RAMPMcity is too much) looks both larger and substantial, it's available(?) in a full window version, has a rack rail system and can tow. With the demise of the Element, I think this will be a good alternative for cyclists, climbers and campers. For commercial users, it wouldn't hurt to have a tow option. I imagine Truck Trend will get around to a long term and comparison tests The long term NV200 test was positive. (So was the NV2500). Maybe the next NV200 will offer some or all of the above. Probably won't change your sales base. 2/6 FTL (For Truck Lovers) did a comparison test. No conclusive winner.

I know little about the NV200 (very few posts) and even less about the RAMcity. Based on the road test video, I think they "1upped" Nissan and Ford and benefitted from delaying this product. I wonder if their plan includes replacing the Caravan with this. GM is selling(?) the NV200 clone, but delaying their large van... Bet it will be more like NV than the Euro style vans. We are into our NV for the long term, 10 years at least, mainly due to how we use it.

I agree that the point of this ad was to make RAM's fwd look good. Nissan was better off being left off the invite list. I' m sure the invite would state M&S only. A tow test would be interesting... In the RAMcity video, they show them pulling UHaul trailers in Colorado. No mention of what was inside, but the implication is they can tow.

While in Mississippi, I hope you mention this forum and encourage following and participation. I also hope you are able to bring up the 2 major complaints that have appeared on this forum and relate directly to the factory. The first was the failure and replacement x2 of the steering assembly. A third was pending, but no further info was provided. I would not drive this vehicle after the third failure and would seek a new replacement vehicle from the factory. This would cost $30+K to get it off the road, unless it really is multi-vehicle problem and becomes a major recall that impacts similarly equipped NVs. I then would pursue replacement via AZ's lemon law. The second is the paint issue. Why did this have to be fought? The factory could simply authorize getting the roof repainted, unless the real issue is poor paint process subject to recall. If so, we all will be impacted. Finally, the ad department cannot boast about the NV warranty until all dealers and reps fix what is broken, worn out or flaking off while the NV is under warranty. It does us no good at all to know that dealers here and there do what is expected and beyond for the NV customer.

Chris, the CM, No reason for you to be nice, but you are overplaying brand loyalty to put it mildly, and not taking this topic as you previously stated, loving all things automotive for many years. Almost everyone on this forum has a NV. Many have expressed why they made this choice and share your automotive passion, just not for the industry. Why? We are vehicle consumers, curious about what is out there, often with no intention of changing our vehicle. Does this type of topic belong? Sure. Most posts will be supportive, maybe even brand loyal. The Ram ad was clever. Aside from ignoring NV as a competitor, it may have made an indirect, valid point about NVs. In Canada, a couple asked us if our NV was fwd, then immediately lost interest. That was their deal killer. You would think 4x4 would have been the question. We also have been asked if it was diesel with the same result...

It looks too flimsy for the size of the van and that it would bounce all over like an empty trailer. It might just be the angle.

Truck Trend has a RPM video promoting front wheel drive on a snow packed hill vs a FT. Watch it, then click done and click on the RPMcity road test in the west. Interesting in how they tested them, but also gives a sense what it is like to drive out here. The RPMcity is not a bad looking van. Bigger than the FTconnect and NV200?

This would be a good option, with a window, for a home built camper. Does it come out easily when the extra seat(s) not needed?

I realize my suggestion has a very limited application for most and limits me to taking photos while hiking in no service areas. (Not a problem for most of the country.) You could turn the phone off and only turn it on to take photos, but this is a very slow process. When we are in or near our NV, there is no need to turn it off. It can search all it wants and be charge the ways you mentioned. Plus, when we exit the no zone, all that email, forums etc will be waiting for us.

We set a goal of monthly use or 12000 miles a year to justify our NV. We tend to travel in spring and fall, which often means snow. This past June, we travelled to Wyoming and the Dakotas. Snow in Wyoming and tornados, heavy rain and flooding in the Dakotas. Scary stuff for us. We have an external shower and hot water (works off engine heat), so we use this when there is sufficient water and the camphhost is off duty. Actually, this is considered dumping gray water in some places, so we have to watch for rangers. My family has roots in Machias, via the Maritimes snd Scotland. They have a clan reunion every summer. We may end up there and Canada this summer. One other important campground feature is the presence of at least a pit toilet. We no longer want to dig holes, but still carry a shovel. We also like trash pickup. Many WA state parks have gone to pack it out your self as a money saver.