I can't help but like this car

[JimL]

I have seen lots of the pre-production cars come through the display area here at corporate HQ, and a few of them catch my eye (such as the GTR).  About 3 weeks ago they brought the "Juke" to HQ for a couple of days after Motor Trend, Popular Mechanics, etc were done playing with it out in Los Angeles.  The first day I passed by it I was somewhat intrigued by the quirky headlights, but other than that not much.

The next day I noticed the AWD, 1.6 liter, direct injection turbo changed engine....things were getting a little more interesting.  The fuel ratings haven't been release for US production yet, but I am expecting it to be in the low to mid 40's.  With a sales price just under 20K when they come out this fall, I just might see one of these in my future.

Here are a couple photos (bad quality) I snapped with my cell phone, before getting the "evil eye" from security.

[Robert]

At first glance its a I dont know about this one then as you look at it I could see why you like it.

[ricoman]

I like it.
Small size with an in your face look to it-works for me. Hidden rear door handles that Nissan is so good with.
Being AWD, I doubt you'll see much over 30 for an mpg rating. Maybe they can pull it off though.
Send more pics-when security isn't watching open the doors for some inside shots!

[Wingman]

Being AWD, I doubt you'll see much over 30 for an mpg rating. Maybe they can pull it off though.

I would agree with you except for the reference to using direct injection. Direct injection changes the whole combustion game plan; you can actually control when the fuel is going in instead of depending on valve timing. Fuel can be metered into the cylinder as combustion is occurring and both power and efficiency are improved. The car looks a bit strange, but I like the technology.

[Spirited-6]

I likee.   Datsun and I go way back, OOPPS , Nissan I mean.   Kinda dated myself did`nt I  

[Walküre]

is this going to be assembled in the good ol' USA??

[X Ring]

I like it.  I might have to get one after they've been out for a couple of years and the bugs get worked out.

Marty

[JimL]

I was looking at the non-US production specs and the fuel economy is 19km/L which according to my calculation is close to 46 mpg.  I definitely think the direct injection coupled with the turbo helps the fuel economy even with the AWD.

As far as where the vehicle will be manufactured, I am not sure.  Most of our vehicles sold in the US are built here in the US (except for the GTR and 370Z).  But I doubt that your post was so much a question as opposed to a political statement.  Since you chose to bring up this topic, I will share with you my last experience when I based a purchase simply on where it was made.

June 2002 I had to buy a vehicle, the Suburban I had been driving (and had served me well) was due to be retired.  I really liked the Toyota Sequoia and had been shopping around for one, however this was not that long after September 11 2001 and our economy was still very bad from the toll it had taken.  I was discussing the Sequoia with my brother (a Teamster) when he recommended I buy an American vehicle.  Quite frankly, I had not checked to see if the Sequoia was build domestically or abroad, but based on my brother's recommendation I started looking at the Ford Explorer.

Long story made short, I bought a 2002 Eddie Bauer Ford Explorer (it was not cheap) but I figured, what the hell...you get what you pay for.  At 57K miles while my wife was driving the vehicle on I-65 just north of Nashville, it ejected a spark plug.  All I had to do was Google (Triton + spark plug) to find out that this was not an isolated incident.  I had it towed to Alexander Ford and since I was a "preferred customer", I got a deal.....a new engine installed for only 6700.00 (but I get a 12K/12 month warranty)!  

Three weeks after getting the vehicle back....I hear a rattling sound....transmission is going out.  I get another "deal" on a rebuilt transmission (I don't remember how much).  Within the next 5K miles, I just happened to be back in Fort Myers, FL visiting my daughter (where I bought the vehicle originally)....and the vehicle start missing very badly on I-75.  I hobble into Sam Galloway where I bought the vehicle....they could fix it....but the fuel injection wasn't covered on the 12K/12 month warranty....because I was a "preferred customer" another $500.

I don't want to turn this thread into an American, German, Swedish, Italian or Japanese vehicle bashing; just like I don't approve of the motorcycle bashing that seems to occur from time to time.  I don't fault anyone for the criteria they use to determine which car or motorcycle (or anything other product for that matter) they choose to buy.  But for me personally I will base my purchase decision on a range of factors, of which where it is made simply being one of the factors.

[Walküre]

But I doubt that your post was so much a question as opposed to a political statement.  Since you chose to bring up this topic, I will share with you my last experience when I based a purchase simply on where it was made.

Actually, is wasn't a "political" statement. Regardless of whether it's a Japanese, Korean, American manufacturer, I would prefer that American's benefit from my hard earned dollars, even if it's only working for a foreign country. More economical - I WANT those jobs here, for my children and grandchildren...

I'm just saying, is that as good as the car appears, if Nissan KNEW that they would sell MANY more of them here, if they were manufactured here, then probably they WOULD be manufactured here.

And if wanting the best for mine, and my fellow Americans, then call me "political"...





I'm impressed by the Ford Fiesta, also, but don't like the idea of paying "extra" for the package that gives 40 mpg, or that it's manufactured in Mexico. Years ago, my Geo Metro got 50+, and my Saturn SL-1 gets just over 40. So it CAN be done. I always heard that the "pollution controls" are what keeps the mileage down, but it seems to me, that making a motor run more efficient, with less pollution, should INCREASE mileage?

Sadly, I don't think I'll see a GOOD alternative fuel transportation in my lifetime.

R

[JimL]

Actually, is wasn't a "political" statement. Regardless of whether it's a Japanese, Korean, American manufacturer, I would prefer that American's benefit from my hard earned dollars, even if it's only working for a foreign country. More economical - I WANT those jobs here, for my children and grandchildren...

I'm just saying, is that as good as the car appears, if Nissan KNEW that they would sell MANY more of them here, if they were manufactured here, then probably they WOULD be manufactured here.

And if wanting the best for mine, and my fellow Americans, then call me "political"...





I'm impressed by the Ford Fiesta, also, but don't like the idea of paying "extra" for the package that gives 40 mpg, or that it's manufactured in Mexico. Years ago, my Geo Metro got 50+, and my Saturn SL-1 gets just over 40. So it CAN be done. I always heard that the "pollution controls" are what keeps the mileage down, but it seems to me, that making a motor run more efficient, with less pollution, should INCREASE mileage?

Sadly, I don't think I'll see a GOOD alternative fuel transportation in my lifetime.

R

I think we both agree that it is best to keep the jobs here.  I am hampered by the same problem in my profession where companies can hire a Ph.D. from the Philippines for a third of what they pay me!

This has been a sensitive topic for me after getting a lecture from my brother on buying that Sequoia...which contributed to me buying something else (by the way, the last new car my brother bought was a Mazda).  When my total cost on that Eddie Bauer went well into the mid 40's, that wasn't good for me and the fellow Americans in my family!

[Jabba]

Guys... if you're not pushing your congress critters for the FairTax, you SHOULD be.  It would be the single, BEST thing to happen for American manufacturing, and the economy as a whole in a hundred years or more.

But our electorate does NOT want it, because it'll expose them for the crooks they are.

Don't believe me... do a little of your own research.  If we go FairTax, the manufacturing will POUR into America for MANY reasons, of which this forum is the wrong avenue to discuss in sufficient detail.

www.fairtax.org

Jabba

[JimL]

Guys... if you're not pushing your congress critters for the FairTax, you SHOULD be.  It would be the single, BEST thing to happen for American manufacturing, and the economy as a whole in a hundred years or more.

But our electorate does NOT want it, because it'll expose them for the crooks they are.

Don't believe me... do a little of your own research.  If we go FairTax, the manufacturing will POUR into America for MANY reasons, of which this forum is the wrong avenue to discuss in sufficient detail.

www.fairtax.org

Jabba

John I agree, the FairTax is the way to go.  I disagree however....the electorate or constituency pretty much favor it (considering that 53% of us pay taxes), it is our elected officials who won't get onboard.

[Jabba]

We only disagree on terminology.  And upon closer inspection.  I was in error.

Electorate... voters.  I always thought electorate was the ELECTED.

Yeah... it'll expose the politicians for the crooks they ARE.

I write ALL my elected officials a lot urging them to support the FairTax.

Thanks for teaching me something today Jim.  Can I go home now? 

Jabba

[JimL]

Can I go home now? 

Jabba

John as big as you are....you were probably telling the teacher as early as the 6th grade....when you were going home!

[Jabba]

Yeah... essentially I could go home whenever I wanted to today... but then I still have to do my work later in the week, and it's all playing catch-up then.

Being responsible sucks sometimes. 

Especially when I have a new tire on a wheel that needs to go back on the front of the Interstate and it is just BEGGING for a test ride tonight too.

Damn it.

 

Jabba

[sugerbear]

come park your butt outside ANY liquor store, here in Wentzville Mo.
watch the GM employees stop every morning and fill their LUNCH boxes with quart beer bottles and worse.
gives me warm fuzzies, driving a chevy.

i don't have a problem with drinking, but do it AFTER work, not while your building a 2-4 thousand lb hunk of flying metal.
i'm pretty sure it happens on other lines also.

[f6john]

     I've got my sights set on this:





       I may not be able to find one I can afford but hey the hunt is part of the fun. The C5 went out of production in 2004 and they made just over 2000 of the Z 16 option. Kind of like the Valkyries except a little more pricey.

[X Ring]

What are those dark spots under it?  Did it mark its territory?   

Marty

[highcountry]

That is definitely a move in the right direction.  It has been disappointing that it has taken so long to get a more mainstream manufacturer bringing over turbo diesels.  For the Green crowd, a diesel hybrid would be the "cats meow."

[fstsix]

Bought this 2006 5th Generation GT Premium package for the wife, 300 hp, V8 3 valve, pictured coming out of winter storage, Ford nailed it when they did the Retro old style 60's look, this will never be sold, we have 4 American vehicles and a Honda MC that was made in Ohio, I am a Chevy guy but have had a 68 mustang i restored back in the 70's, There is just nothing that screams American like a Convertible Mustang, just got back FL to NE last week, @ 75-85 mph 27-28 mpg, hit a 100 couple times LOL. sold her 911 C2 Cabriolet Porsche, just could not get into the foreign stuff. The little ole lady from Pasadena