Sequoia VS Armada

[grfox92]

Need a 3rd row SUV and looking to buy in cash. Mid 2000s Seqouias seem to go for $10k and under with 180k-200k+ miles. Armadas seem to for that price range but newer, like late 2000s-20teens.

The only bad I've heard about Armadas is they are plagued with check engine lights that you can't get rid of. That doesn't bother me all that much as it seems they don't negatively affect the vehicle performance.

I've seen personally a lot of Armadas and Titans (same drive train) go well in to the 300k mile range without even an oil leak.

I know the legendary reliability of the Toyota, what about the Nissan? Both suck on gas mileage.

Anyone have personal experience with reasons to stay away from the Nissan?

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

 

[deltadukman]

Toyota all the way. Not even a question.

 

[grfox92]

Toyota all the way. Not even a question.

But why? I understand their reputation, but I've never heard reliability issues with the Nissan.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

 

[Thinkingman]

I have a friend who owned two Armadas and regularly used them for towing a massive ski boat, around 10k lb.
No issues mechanically, some interior rattles, tons of power, never struggled on long grades leaving the lake.
The poor resale on Nissan products creates a solid opportunity to a smart buyer.

 

[N.ID7803]

Nissan all the way! Not sure on the Armadas but I know the Titan has a 100k mile warranty right out the gate.

 

[passinggas33]

Had an early 2000s armada. Always impressed with the power. Unimpressed with the gas mileage. Decent interior space. Liked to sway quite a bit on corners. Have a suburban now. Miss the power. Appreciate the smoother ride and gas mileage.

 

[Maverick1]

Need a 3rd row SUV and looking to buy in cash. Mid 2000s Seqouias seem to go for $10k and under with 180k-200k+ miles. Armadas seem to for that price range but newer, like late 2000s-20teens.

The only bad I've heard about Armadas is they are plagued with check engine lights that you can't get rid of. That doesn't bother me all that much as it seems they don't negatively affect the vehicle performance.

I've seen personally a lot of Armadas and Titans (same drive train) go well in to the 300k mile range without even an oil leak.

I know the legendary reliability of the Toyota, what about the Nissan? Both suck on gas mileage.

Anyone have personal experience with reasons to stay away from the Nissan?

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

Dashboard light report: Nissan Armada.

Dashboard light report: Toyota Sequoia

 

[grfox92]

Dashboard light report: Nissan Armada.

Dashboard light report: Toyota Sequoia

Good info.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

 

[Weldor]

I had a few 1990's nissans underpowered for sure. Low resale. Bought a 2004 Titan 4x4 auto trans. killed itself trying to go up Mount Ord grade with a small pop up camper. It went down the road, plus horrible mpg for that size motor and truck. Don't know if they make them any better today? The diesel version's sure did not last long. I'm not a Toyota fan boy, but I would by a Seqouia all day long.

 

[Ferrulewax]

The newer body style Armadas and QX are the same thing as the nissan patrol in other countries- Nissans Landcruiser Competitor.

 

[survivalistd]

 

[rideold]

6 of one, half dozen of another. Personally, when going for a high mileage vehicle I see no reason to gamble on anything other than a Toyota....that said, the newer ones are certainly not as reliable as the older ones. If you can get a first generation Sequoia that is about the most reliable Toyota ever built. I'm driving a 2002 with 303,000 miles. It's about done in all reality. Not worth putting any money into but I'll drive it until it needs something that costs more than a couple hundred to fix.

 

[diverc18]

I currently have a 2004 Sequoia and really enjoy it. The 2UZ-FE is known for its reliability but it doesn’t get the greatest gas milage. Don’t know much about the Armadas though

 

[Cosmono]

Sequoia all day. The Gen 1 is bulletproof though timing belts suck (4.7) Gen 2 has the 5.7 and a timing chain and is also bulletproof. Love my Tundra 5.7.

 

[Yellowknife]

I used a 2018 Armada for a few years. Traded it in relatively early at 120k miles. We average 20-25k miles a year and our SUV's get used to tow and haul quite a bit.

Pro's:

1. 5.6L / 7sp combo was great for towing. Very smooth.
2. Purchase price was good.

Con's:

1. Gas mileage was poor and gas tank was small. The range was a frequent issue.
2. Air shock suspension stunk for towing. Had to upgrade to stiffer springs, and even then it sagged and wallowed.
3. Getting parts and service wasn't fun. Mechanics... even Nissan dealer mechanics, struggled to diagnose CEL's. It's just not a common vehicle.
4. The rear seats don't fold totally flat, so you don't get as much cargo space as you should for a vehicle that size.
5. The whole interior dash layout was just weird on that generation
6. Trade-in value was poor

The fact that it's a Patrol based vehicle with that generation just made it an odd vehicle. It's a very heavy duty frame and drivetrain, but with a suspension and interior aimed at soccer moms. In the end it did nothing particularly well for us.

The 2017 Expedition we replaced it with has it's own quality problems, but substantially better range and cargo space.

 

[deltadukman]

But why? I understand their reputation, but I've never heard reliability issues with the Nissan.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

There is a Nissan plant close to where I live. A lot of people around here who work there get to(or used to get) a pretty good deal on them. I've been in and around a lot of them. Most of them with the kind of miles you're talking about are well used up and look rough. Paint/interiors look and feel worn out way before those of any high mileage Toyota I've been in. Also, way more old use Toyotas running around to my eye than Nissans. Plus the 5.7 versions may be the best motor ever made.

 

[eddielasvegas]

You snooze, you lose so act quickly if you want a Sequoia. Link HERE.

Good luck,


Eddie


P.S. For the record, if it's not obvious, for a higher mileage vehicle, Toyota everyday and twice on Sunday.

P.P.S Almost certainly a zero rust vehicle which has extra value for folks that live in rust producing states.

 

[nobody]

Never owned either, but test drove both Tundras and Titans while shopping for my last new to me pickup purchase. I’ll say there is a MASSIVE difference between the build of a 100k Tundra and a 100k Titan. The 100k mile titans I drove had plenty of power and great throttle response, but they rattled worse than any ram pickup I’ve ever been in, and that’s saying something. Everything on the interior rattled. Door panels, dash, glove box, every seam and every transition squeaked and rattled. Not that the tundras are the epitome of rugged tough and solid, but it was a pretty stark contrast.

The power trains on the titans are well known to just go forever, and they really are impressive on horsepower and torque. You can feel it into the ground. But my experience was that the lower average resale was due to the build quality of the truck itself. I can only imagine what a 200k Nissan would’ve been like…

 

[WCB]

I drove a new Sequoia in 2022 for a week in Wyoming hunting. I REALLY liked it. It was a rental since my truck broke down the first day of the hunt. I drove it all over around Gillette on literally any passable road, sand trail, rock road etc. really impressed. However, you could literally watch the gas gauge drop as you were driving. I thought about buying one for the wife but we went to a Chevy Traverse as the price of the Sequoia and mpg or actually GPM are insane.