[NSR] Nissan Cube - Anyone own one?

[charlie55]

My daily beater's about had it (shocks, struts, steering rack, leaking oil and tranny fluid) and all-year two-wheeling is out of the question for me, so I need to get some new wheels.


Been looking at that Nissan Cube - specs fit my needs pretty well and the price is decent. And it's so damned ugly that it's almost cute.

Looks aside, anyone here have one, or have any experience with one? I'd love to get some first-hand opinions before making any final decisions.


Thanks

[spr0k3t]

As long as I don't have to look at the back section... I think they are actually decent.

[PeteH]

We looked at the Cube last year when thinking about replacing our minivan. Last month, when the van actually did eat its transmission, we ended up with a '12 Kia Soul+. The Mrs. had driven both, I think, and liked the Kia better, plus we've got a '00 Kia still going strong.

So as the hamsters say, you can get wit' dis, or you can get wit' dat:

[scootavaran]

Well, they are neat looking, but I know nothing about them.

Have you check out the Scion xb? Bout the same size as a Cube but you can find a good used Scion for less and they have alot of room inside.

[neotrotsky]

Mechanically they're actually a great city runabout. A pretty dead-reliable 4 cylinder with a surprising amount of room inside. And, they are shockingly easy to drive. Actually handled better than most compacts we looked at. Unfortunately, we couldn't swing a new car payment and my wife *hated* the look, but I had a hard time finding a blind spot that was smaller than this car.

It's funky, but gets great reviews and is a breeze to drive and park in very tight spaces. Almost more more of a value than a Mini (except for speed. It is a bit pokey). But, as a utility car it's great!

[mhardgrove]

I know a guy that has one and was telling me the resale value blows because its a vehicle not everyone is dying to get their hands on. That said I do remember him bragging he got a it for much less than sticker.

I test drove one, I was not impressed nor turned off. It did struggle on the highway because it has a 1.5l engine and is a box on wheels. Where I did a lot of highway driving at the time it was not the vehicle for me, then again it is made for city driving. Ended up buying a Versa and regret every day that I ever purchasing a Nissan. Drove it for 12,000 miles with loose sub frame bolts that were never tightened correctly at the factory, and after 6 trips to get all sorts of suspension parts replace that kept failing I saw on the work order "extremely loose sub frame bolts, tightened to factory spec". Was forced into getting a lawyer and settled for $3,000 back and a free 100,000 mile warranty out of it along with every bit of the front suspension, steering rack, and new tires all around. We were moving within 2 weeks of the settlement offer or I would have won a lemon law case just on the amount of time the vehicle was in the shop, 63 days in the first 9 months of ownership, over 30 was a default in Tennessee.

I cannot speak for all auto companies, but I felt Nissan Corporate was extremely unprofessional in the way they handled my issue. All I wanted was my car to be fixed right the first time, not on the 7th trip, and after I read that they tightened the sub frame I wanted to just have the other components inspected seeing that many were actually damaged after I paid for an independent inspection with video documentation (bent tie rod ends and lower control arms from the sub frame swinging freely). After 3 weeks of dodging my calls and being bounced around from 5 different people, none of which had the power to even answer simple questions I got a lawyer as a last resort. I feel that if anyone is ever in my shoes and want to buy a Nissan they should know that company drags their feet if there is any issue, just long enough to try to get you out of a lemon law territory. I was actually told "You bought our cheapest car, what do you expect"??? No representative of a company should tell it's customer that even if it is true, so anyone looking at Nissan I just say be warned... You may have an excellent vehicle, and I hope you do, but if you ever have issue and need the assistance of the corporate offices, your more than likely going to have to lawyer up...

With all that said, my car could be the exception, but I have heard other horror stories about Mexican built Nissan vehicles, but the Cube is built in Japan, so it may be built to a higher standard, and honestly, the few people I know that own them have not complained about it to me anyhow... Best of luck to you!!!

[agrogod]

Well with the above rant having been said, I called it a toaster on wheels, but now it has become, a toaster with broken filament on wheels. But the hamster's are .

[Wheelz]

They don't make it anymore but our Scion Xa has been a workhorse with nothing except for a serpantine belt new brakes and tires needed.
Six years 80,000 miles and it's still going strong.
I believe they redesigned it and it's the Xd now. If it's as good as the original, I'd go with one of those.

[charlie55]

Thanks for the responses.

The old clunker's in the shop now and we're awaiting the results. Methinks it'll be bad enough that I'll have to treat it to an oil change, take it down the shore, and put a round through the ECU as it watches the sunset.

[Edwub]

Not to steer you a different way, but tossing in a few thoughts.

I have a Scion tC, which is clearly a different type of vehicle, but I love it.
My buddy has an xB and is pretty happy with it. I'd recommend Toyota/Scion. (note: my previous car was Nissan's Altima, and my family once had a Nissan Quest. So I'm good with both companies )

Quick Comparison Review: Cube vs Scion xD
http://www.newcars.com/reviews/nissan-c ... hback.html

[Syd]

Get a Transit Connect so I can live vicariously through you. If my '01 GMC wasn't in as good a shape as it is, I'd be looking that way.

[charlie55]

Crisis averted!

Tranny "leak" was just leftover splash from an oil change, and oil leak was due to a couple of loose pan bolts. Just need struts and some bushings replaced - coming in at less than a grand to repair. In short, no major mechanical probs - just age-related wear. Sorta like my knees.

Thanks all

[Juan1]

My understanding is if you are looking at that class of vehicle, the Kia Soul is tough to beat.

[PeteH]

I like the Soul a lot - we test-drove and purchased on the hottest day of the year (so far) - 108F + STL's humidity. I have to drive one of my kids down to Tulsa this weekend for school, so we'll have a bit more of a road-trip.

There's no way the Mrs. would have considered a Transit, but I suspect one could haul a Buddy in one.

[Syd]

There's no way the Mrs. would have considered a Transit, but I suspect one could haul a Buddy in one.

Yeah, I know how she feels

I think a Transit could carry two or three Buddys, without rear seats. I'm starting to see them all over the Phx metro area lately. Sure do hope Ford doesn't drop it like they are the Ranger.

[Rob]

So as the hamsters say, you can get wit' dis, or you can get wit' dat:

Hmmm, I thought those were rats in that commercial .... guess I'll have to study up on my rodents.

Rob

[PeteH]

Yes, you'll note that the gangsta hamstas are hangin' on Hamsterdam Ave., making' fun of the Cube, Scion, and Element.

[Southerner]

There's no way the Mrs. would have considered a Transit, but I suspect one could haul a Buddy in one.

Yeah, I know how she feels

I think a Transit could carry two or three Buddys, without rear seats. I'm starting to see them all over the Phx metro area lately. Sure do hope Ford doesn't drop it like they are the Ranger.

I highly doubt it will be dropped any time soon. They were already popular in Europe, I understand, and it has been adopted commercially in droves. For everything but hauling dirty stuff and trailering, I would rate it as superior to your average pickup. I believe the mileage is between 25 and 30 mpg so fuel economy is good but not awesome by any means.

It should easily haul just about any scooter. I saw an article in a MC mag where the writer had one slightly customized by removing the right front seat and having a metal ramp built in. He used it to haul his race bike and racing supplies and tools.

[neotrotsky]

There's no way the Mrs. would have considered a Transit, but I suspect one could haul a Buddy in one.

Yeah, I know how she feels

I think a Transit could carry two or three Buddys, without rear seats. I'm starting to see them all over the Phx metro area lately. Sure do hope Ford doesn't drop it like they are the Ranger.

I highly doubt it will be dropped any time soon. They were already popular in Europe, I understand, and it has been adopted commercially in droves. For everything but hauling dirty stuff and trailering, I would rate it as superior to your average pickup. I believe the mileage is between 25 and 30 mpg so fuel economy is good but not awesome by any means.

It should easily haul just about any scooter. I saw an article in a MC mag where the writer had one slightly customized by removing the right front seat and having a metal ramp built in. He used it to haul his race bike and racing supplies and tools.

I would LOVE a 4-cylinder Transit for work! Those little vans would make for a great live sound kit hauler. But, if we do get any new car it will be for the wife. Right now we're playing MAJOR financial catch up so I'm just hoping we don't drive our Tracker into the ground until it's paid off

[Southerner]

I feel ya on that. At present, I'm seriously underemployed salary-wise but just happy to have a job after 2 years sans paycheck.

Presently commuting about 50 miles per day, swapping between my car and MC.

But at some point in the future, TCs will saturate the market and there should be a plentiful supply of used models. Many commercial concerns only keep vehicles on the books a set number of years before they are written off and replaced. Plus spares should be plentiful.

I can see myself finding a used one.

[heatherkay]

I think a Transit could carry two or three Buddys, without rear seats. I'm starting to see them all over the Phx metro area lately. Sure do hope Ford doesn't drop it like they are the Ranger.

Quite the opposite, I'd say. They are currently retooling the Ford plant here in KC to built Transits.

http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n ... l?page=all

[Tom_M]

The Transit they are building in KC is the full size replacement for the Econoline vans currently built in Avon, OH. The Transit Connect is the smaller variant imported from Turkey.

I think a Transit could carry two or three Buddys, without rear seats. I'm starting to see them all over the Phx metro area lately. Sure do hope Ford doesn't drop it like they are the Ranger.

Quite the opposite, I'd say. They are currently retooling the Ford plant here in KC to built Transits.

http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n ... l?page=all

[Lokky]

Literally the only good thing about the cube is that it uses a CVT instead of the more common automatic setup you find in cars.

I absolutely loathe driving automatics because I have no control of when gears are shifted, resulting in boring drives and scary moments merging on the interstate (where proper merging procedure should be to get up to speed quickly by keeping a lower gear instead of having your car shift from under you at the wrong moment).

[Syd]

The Transit they are building in KC is the full size replacement for the Econoline vans currently built in Avon, OH. The Transit Connect is the smaller variant imported from Turkey.

I think a Transit could carry two or three Buddys, without rear seats. I'm starting to see them all over the Phx metro area lately. Sure do hope Ford doesn't drop it like they are the Ranger.

Quite the opposite, I'd say. They are currently retooling the Ford plant here in KC to built Transits.

http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n ... l?page=all

I stand corrected. I'll just call it the TC.

[PeteH]

The '12 Soul comes with a six-speed auto transmission that can be shifted manually through all six speeds. It's nice if you really want to manage downshifts for power and/or engine braking.

Oh, and I saw a Transit this morning that wasn't totally fugly - it had a nice dark blue/clearcoat 'consumer' paint job, and most importantly, it had ALL ITS WINDOWS.

I read an article once about how the imported Transits had to come into the US as cargo models (no windows) and that they were installed by the dealer. I don't remember the specifics, but I'm sure that screws up the cost model.

[stASH]

I was rear-ended in my RAV4 by a Soul on the interstate, where traffic went from 70 to zero in a blink. That Soul was totaled, front end was crumpled all the way back to the windshield. The driver was not injured though. The thing that seemed a bit scary was the airbag did not deploy. I was able to drive away, although the rear end damage to my car was almost $10k.

Anyway, seeing that squished car, and no airbag deployment in a high speed collision has me wary of those little Kias.

[Syd]

Oh, and I saw a Transit this morning that wasn't totally fugly - it had a nice dark blue/clearcoat 'consumer' paint job, and most importantly, it had ALL ITS WINDOWS.

I read an article once about how the imported Transits had to come into the US as cargo models (no windows) and that they were installed by the dealer. I don't remember the specifics, but I'm sure that screws up the cost model.

Why ruin a perfectly fine light truck with windows? That's why god made side mirrors! I know, it's probably for carrying people, but if we keep the discussion on looks, the panel truck look is what separates the TC from the hideous PT Cruiser and hideouser HHR.

[Rippinyarn]

We love our Transit Connect and it has hauled many a scooter, vintage and modern. It does not fit the Blur with the windshield on, but that's the first time I've had to do anything to any scoot to load it. It even fits the Reflex, and that is a 7 foot long scoot. We leave the smaller side seat down and just fold up the other side, Harbor Freight ramp, Condor chock, four tie downs (Canyon Dancer on the bar) and we are good to go. It actually rides better with some weight in the back. I like that it is a commercial vehicle that they will sell to normal folks. I did some generic sound damping material, replaced the 2-cent speakers and added the eBay fog lights to replace the "juice graters" up front and have left well enough alone. I recommend it to anyone who wants to haul a scoot and have a happy family too.

[lovemysan]

I would not purchase ANY vehicle with a cvt transmission. Cvt transmissions are not known to be long lasting in cars. Not impressed with Kia either. Broke 4 plastic connectors in 5 minutes on a friends 03 sorrento with 60k miles. Not sure why it's so brittle but I do know it will be an electrical nightmare down the road.

[neotrotsky]

I would not purchase ANY vehicle with a cvt transmission. Cvt transmissions are not known to be long lasting in cars. Not impressed with Kia either. Broke 4 plastic connectors in 5 minutes on a friends 03 sorrento with 60k miles. Not sure why it's so brittle but I do know it will be an electrical nightmare down the road.

Plastic connectors do not an overall car make. If you take a look at Suzuki trucks, you will find the FIRST thing to break on them are the door handles, tabs and knobs... and the only thing. In fact I cannot tell you how many people clamor for a clean Samurai or Vitara knowing they're going to have to replace those annoying bits, but their engines and body-on-frame designs will last forever!

(That, and I have NEVER driven a Suzuki that had good air conditioning! We have a '00 Tracker right now, top of the line, and the A/C is still the weakest ever. Had several other Geos and Three Suzukis, and the same issue still)

As for Kia, they share the same R&D as Hyundai, and for component design I really can't fault them for their price. Yeah, the Rio is one dinky commuter but it does what it says on the tin and I have YET to find anyone that can kill one proper. Sure, it will look worse for wear but as long as you change the oil they'll just plug on

[PeteH]

I went with the Kia partially because we have a '00 Sephia we (including two college-aged boys) haven't managed to kill yet.

It's a good idea, though, to listen for strange engine noises every so often. Here's what happens when a spark plug gets loose and decides to try for Low Earth Orbit:

[lovemysan]

Oh, and I saw a Transit this morning that wasn't totally fugly - it had a nice dark blue/clearcoat 'consumer' paint job, and most importantly, it had ALL ITS WINDOWS.

I read an article once about how the imported Transits had to come into the US as cargo models (no windows) and that they were installed by the dealer. I don't remember the specifics, but I'm sure that screws up the cost model.

Why ruin a perfectly fine light truck with windows? That's why god made side mirrors! I know, it's probably for carrying people, but if we keep the discussion on looks, the panel truck look is what separates the TC from the hideous PT Cruiser and hideouser HHR.

The Soul crumpled as designed. It sounds like the structure absorbed the energy of the crash with minimal cabin intrusion. Cars are much cheaper than legs to replace.

[Syd]

I was rear-ended in my RAV4 by a Soul on the interstate, where traffic went from 70 to zero in a blink. That Soul was totaled, front end was crumpled all the way back to the windshield. The driver was not injured though. The thing that seemed a bit scary was the airbag did not deploy. I was able to drive away, although the rear end damage to my car was almost $10k.

Anyway, seeing that squished car, and no airbag deployment in a high speed collision has me wary of those little Kias.

The Soul crumpled as designed. It sounds like the structure absorbed the energy of the crash with minimal cabin intrusion. Cars are much cheaper than legs to replace.

Fixed that quote for you.

[lovemysan]

NeO, you are the only person I know that likes there vitara, I know some 4wd guys that run them in the woods for fun. I like your attitude about its foibles. My mom has an astro with 280k on the original engine and trans. Its has had about 10 different door handles but no serious repairs. She just left my house this morning headed 550 miles home with load of yardsale junk, LOL

I can be unforgiving in regards to poor engineering, Kia has been producing vehicles for decades and selling them in usa since the 80s(remember the festiva?) So its not like their engineering is in its infancy. I can be even more unforgiving when something as simple the magnetic coil in the compressor clutch ceases operation on a 108f day for no apparent reason. I get progressively more annoyed when despite a patient careful approach I cannot avoid damaging important electrical connectors attempting to diagnose the failed compressor clutch coil. Warning: copious ranting will now commence. I bought a 2005 suburban in june 2008 for $9900. 81k miles 2wd, LT, dvd. sunroof, leather, etc Exactly what I was looking for. It gets 14mpg city 18-19 mpg on the highway cram packed with stuff and people and 500'bs on the hitch basket. At 96k the torque converter started chattering, I had the best guy in town build the trans with some choice parts for $2300. Also replaced the steering shaft for $92. It has 162k on it and runs perfect, for some odd reason I tolerate the bad passenger air bag seat presence sensor, the seat heaters that operate any time its humid, and few other minor issues. Its like I expected it some annoying stuff. OTOH My MIL bought an 2003 sorento with 39k 2wd, cd, alloys, power options, for something north of $15k at the same time. The power seat recline broke off inside the seat, pass rear door powerlock actuator failed, the AC died, and it averaged just 23mpg on the highway. As it got older the highway mileage fell off my last trip managed 20mpg(at 67k miles). It had all the room of a compact car. She put 27k miles on it in 5 years. It was due for its dreaded timing belt replacement when unfortunately for her it was reposed. I wasn't sad to see it go. I saw it as a mechanical time bomb. I guess secretly I hated it. Its hard not to, when the interior and electrical components appear to have be sourced from a defunct alarm clock manufacturer. And the radio was terrible. I could have forgiven it had it not attempted to roast me.