An Oakville Beaver Automotive Feature · To advertise in this section call 905-845-3824 or Fax 905-337-5568 \ \ 'l 1 > M S I > . \ Y M A Y 7 . · l ^ r D 4 BEST WHEELS Nissan back in the front ranks with 2003 Murano Late last year when the Nissan Murano was tested, there was so much of a "wow" factor associated with the car. I decided to wait a few months and drive the vehicle for a week to see if first impressions were home out in real life. When we go to these new car launches, the actual drive time is quite short, usually 3-4 hours. Based on that, auto journalists report on the vehicle, partic ularly "driving im p re ssio n s" J im R o b i n s o n which is journalistese for "how does it go". But with so little time, and so much to assimilate, first impressions aren't always the same when you spend some time with it. I've made it a habit, when significant vehicles like the Nissan Murano come along, to book them about six months later for a full road test. Tested here is the 2(X)3 Nissan Murano SE with every option Nissan could throw at it. Painted in a way trendy "Sunlit Copper" hue and finished on the inside with "burnt orange" leather, the Murano is already an eye-catcher. But when you couple that with standard 18inch alloy wheels and styling that looks as if someone had stolen the vehicle from the secret concept car garage, you have the recipe for a winner. Nissan went way out on a styling limb with Murano and it paid off. as it did with just about anything Nissan/lnfiniti chums out these days. Not fooled into the retro school of thought the wrap-around surface of the Murano that merges with the sloping hood line and steeply raked windshield visually transforms what is essentially a traditional SUV four-cor nered box into a fluid-like sphere. There are two types of crossover SUVs-- those based on trucks and those based on cars. The Murano not only is the latter, but also perhaps is the best example of pushing the limits of a sedan chassis to provide essentially the same handling qualities as the sedan without the stiffness or suspension liabilities of a truck. This is due to the four-wheel inde pendent suspension with advanced multi link rear set up. At the front there is a cra dle-type subframe and the rear sports high-stiffness stabilizer bars. Ground clearance on the Murano is 7.1 inches but it looks much greater than that thanks to the 18-inch wheels. Because the track is roughly 64-inches (1631/1626 mm) front/rear and the wheelbase is 111.2 inches (2824 mm), the Murano's tire contacts with the pavement are very "four-square" making for a very stable platform. Winter has really taken a toll on Ontario's highways w ith potholes larger and more prevalent than in many a year. Normally a high-centre of gravity vehi cle like a SUV can really see the passen gers jounced around inside. Thanks to the suppleness of the suspension and subframe use. the Murano takes these in stride. Same thing for the twisty-bits. With its platform based on the new Altima sedan, the Murano can keep up w ith just about anything and on any road. O f course much of this is due to the standard 3.5-litre V6 engine from the Altima/Maxima, here making 245 hp and 246 ft/lb of torque. All-wheel-drive is standard as is Nissan's Xtrontic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). CVT is basically two pulleys running in oil with a steel belt between them. What it means to readers is that it makes available an infinitely adaptable gearing system that provides the perfect amount of power based on the amount of torque required. Starting at S39.5(K) with the SL or $40,500 with the sunroof-equipped SL. the Murano is loaded, and I mean loaded. Cruise control, automatic climate con trol, power on the power, power llll III HIW THV Finished inside and out in b u rn t orange and copper hues, the 2003 Nissan M urano is a standout in term s o f styling and m ad-going abilities in the crossover SUN segment. adjustable pedals. 6.3-inch LCD monitor. 225-watt Bose sound system with seven speakers, immobilizer, curtain side impact air bags front and rear, and the list goes on and on. The SE lists at $46,500 or $49,500 with the navigation system as tested here. To the SL, the SE adds pitch and yaw control with traction control, high dis charge headlights, heated leather interior and tire pressure monitor. The navigation system with a GPS-based DVD is good for Canada and the U.S. and it depicts where you are going from a bird's per spective on a seven-inch monitor. Less is more describes the interior where the burnt orange leather and sim ple instrument panel was not over punc tuated by phony inserts but the tasteful use of brushed aluminum. The Murano is designed to carry two couples in the lap of luxury. The leather has that nice sup ple feel to the touch, and what can you say about the quality of Bose sound that hasn't been crooned about before. The interior is loaded with storage space including a two-tier centre console w ith room for a laptop computer. The fold flat rear seats and wide, lightweight cargo door can provide up to 2,311 litres (81.8 cu. ft.) of useable cargo space. This is also an easy vehicle to drive thanks to the seamless way the CVT takes power and matches it to the demands made by the right foot. Sightlines are also good due to the slop ing flanks that allow the remote mirrors to be used fully instead of the inside cor ners being obstructed by the perpendicu lar B- and C-pillars. I also enjoyed the fact this is one upmarket SUV that doesn't want premi um fuel all the time. Now when you talk about $39,500 for openers and $49,900 for the SE as tested here, you are talking serious money. But when I looked over the list of standard features. I realized that not only are they what the public wants, but. frankly, what I would want, if I were shopping in the market. And you only have to look down the block to see how many crossover SUV buyers or intenders there are these days. Yes Nissan took a big chance with the Murano. but they have managed to catch the leading edge of the crossover wave. While others are now scrambling to bring clones to market. Murano is already there. From the dark days of the mid-1990s when it looked as if Nissan would fail, it's good to seem them back in the front ranks. OAKVILLE TOYOTA' S 'Picks o f th e Jueek Protecting vehicle from the elements extends life of car (NC)-- Now that the warmer weather has arrived, we will see a shift in the kinds of elements that can damage the surface of a vehicle. In winter, salt, snow, ice and sand can eat away at the car's fin ish. Now is the perfect time to remove what winter has left behind and treat the finish to protect against the elements that come with the change in season and to help prolong the life of the vehicle. Clean and protect J Natural elements like tree sap. insects and bird droppings can cause 'pitting' on the vehicle's paint finish. Vehicles should be washed regularly using a deep cleaning car wash. J Never use household dish or laundry deter gent. They are designed to remove grease and will strip away protective wax and natural oils in paint. J A pressure washer increases cleaning power and gets salt and dirt out of hard-to-reach places like tire rims, around doors and windows and under the car. J Short on time? Try an all-in-one car cleaner like Simoniz 360° shine -- it can be used to safely clean and shine many different surfaces (like paint. vinyl, rubber, plastic, chrome) and adds a protective finish. J Waxing four times a year provides a protective shield for the car's paint against harmful elements like acid rain. UV rays, insects, tar and tree sap. For easy wax application and removal as well as superior results, use an orbital polisher. Keep it under cover During the warmer months of the year, the sun's UV rays can cause fading, drying and cracking of a vehicle's finish. Rainwater contains mild corrosive nitric and sulphuric acid and can also eat away at the paint. Simoniz car covers offer all-season vehicle pro tection to block water, sunlight, dust, dirt and dings. Choose a cover that offers breathability to allow condensation on the vehicle surface to evaporate. This will help protect from paint oxidation that causes peeling and rust, as well as a clouded finish. A cover with maximum UV protection will not only protect the paint finish, it will also keep the dash and upholstery from fading. - N ew s C anada 2000 FO RD TA U R U S SEL SEDAN Alloys, power seat, auto climate control, imaculate condition, 48,000 kms. 1999 C A M R Y LE Alloys, power roof, deep champagne. I owner. 60.000 kms. A S A"T.C.U.V." Y O UGETlt 2 000 4 -R U N N E R SR5 Leather, p o w e r roof, running boards. 83.000 k. 1.6 EL. in silver ^ 1Yr/20,000km Powertrain Warranty per month* 11%988| per month* / 105 + Point Inspection 7 Day/1500km Exchange Privelage $500 Grad Rebate Program It Qualified Privelage Al / 2003 PATHFINDER C h ilk o o t E d itio n " y 2 0 01 E C H O /Varranty to 160.000 kms o r 2005. fully loaded, auto. 8 1.000 kms. 4-door, auto, air, fo rm e r daily rental. 65.000 kms. p er month* $369 p er month* O akville Toyota We Do II Right Fol You' 4 T im e W in n e r NEW LOWER PAYMENT per m onth lease foe 48 m onths w ith $5,150 down. finance your purchase (or n u nifn m CHOOSE YOUR PAYMENT U aU O N IH lE A SE I Ot T h eTo yo tACanada " P s is id in t's P m o i A w aud Or 4 QO/o I O tof 36 months. '3.500 D O W N `396/w O K tM For Service Excellence" 19 9 9 M A Z D A 6 2 6 4-door. auto. air. ro of, I owner, finished in m idnight black. 82.000 kms. 19 9 8 4 - R U N N E R SR 5 4-door. 5-speed, fully loaded. I owner, 96.000 kms. Service & Parts Extended Hours Mon-Fri 7:30am-9:00pm Saturday 7:30am-6:00pm f * 8 § | per 99 H o n d a Civic Si 96 Toyota C a m ry m o n th * * $ 2 % 9 8 8 | per m o n th * * . .2-door, auto. I 17.000 kms . $ . . .Leather, ro o f 14 ,9 8 8 248.00/month** ................ $ 1 4 ,7 8 8 luxunously appointed IT 'S O N L Y A G R E A T D E A L IF Y O U G E T A G R E A T C A R . A ltim a 2.5S $ 0 Q Cm W 02 C elica G T ............. 5-speed, 2 -d o o r 02 Sequoia L T D 99 Sienna LE $ 2 2 ,9 8 8 .. .38,000 kms . . .................. $ 5 4 ,9 8 8 Fully loaded. I o w n e r . . . $ 1 9 ,9 8 8 .. 433.00/month* SAVE!!! '03 ALTIMA | Q W fo r 4 0 m o n th * with S 3 . 160 d ow n.' '03 M A X IM /T-- M a xim a G XE w ith A uto . g j '03 SENTRA S e n tra X E w ith V a lu e O p tio n P ackage p e r m o n th le a s e fo r 4 8 m o n th s w it h S i.9 8 0 d o w n C H O O S E YO UR PAYM ENT (4 8 MONTH LE AS E) 428.00/month** Includes d e stin a tio n and *JWJ C A M AO IA MCAROf TH C TIAfi oakville per m o n th lease fo r 48 m o n th s w ith $2,995 d o w n > In c lu d e s d e s tin a tio n and delivery. ·O d o w n ' 9 0 0 DOWN '243/MONTH *2 2 3 /M O N rH $ 399; I O r fin a n c e y o u r p u rc h a s e fo r In c lu d e s d e s tin a tio n a n d delivery. ` 0 s e c u rity d e p o s it (O .A.C.) win v Oilnv Ph , <<£> T O Y O T A 2 0 0 3BISr Mtw FAWL1CAN to o ; a t s r h e w m s i q m O r fln a n c o y o u r p u rc h a s e fo r A fo r 36 m o n th s .' a Q % 1. 8* W ~ ti fo r 4 8 m o n th s . No paym en ts fo r th e firs t 90 days. ot* a(A« on LIM ITE D TIM E O F FE R 2003 Su n tn i Af i IC4LQ5JI SfUXV -`O C O M D O.Mr* «-r»*4 fa 07/SMB. 7* h r an 5CWU7J A tV Q I JO CU «*»· II 'O C lO X i 4AOOI O * . . . S3Q000 H tm , - c W ^ f --W »-· 1091 SPEERS RD., OAKVILLE 9 0 5 8 4 2 -8 4 0 0 VIS IT U S A T O U R W E B SITE A T w w w .oakvilletoyota.ca SALES DEPARTMENT HOURS: MON. · THURS. 9:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M. FRI. 9:00 A.M. - 5:30 P.M. SAT. 9:00 A.M. · 6:00 P.M. All prices plus taxes, admin, lie . and protection plus. tT.C.U.V. only applicable for Toyota vehicles 1996 and newer under 140,000 kms. ·All p aym e n ts a re Including taxe s an d a re base d on $ 2 ,5 0 0 d o w n a t 8 5 5 % in tere st ra te over 7 2 m o n th te rm , OAC. erro rs & o m is sions exce p ted " All p aym e n ts a re including taxe s and a re b a s e d on $ 2 ,5 0 0 d o w n a t 8 1 5 % in te re s t ra te over 6 0 m onth te rm . OAC. erro rs & o m is sions exce p ted ` 1 0P4» mont* COB mS7*3<U *lv «· rrfrtoalhv. `M Uot $207*1<U >FrU I k * t o * * * * * H u l . |M 4 D V M M N n 'W * ! CO0 VU«..r-u axe OM C tM w n A O w ** J 3^3 pl*/3 3« M.R. S H IF T