Magnum rt awd test drive

I got a call from a dealer that I test drove the Magnum rt at a while back. He told me they had the awd that I was interested in on the lot. The sticker on it is 35k and only had the sunroof extra!! The original RT that I drove with the navigation system and everything but the sunroof is still on the lot and selling for 26k!! I am sure its racked up some test drive miles though. Anyway, the awd rt really impressed me. I expected it to be heavier and more sluggish. Boy was I wrong! It felt quicker and sportier all around. Since my Expedition was just totaled, I think this is going to be its replacement. I can think of another truck/car this size that I have ever enjoyed driving.

By the way, I have not even seen a test on the AWD version and was suprised they had one so quickly He said someone ordered it and then changed their mind and got a rwd instead.

I got a call from a dealer that I test drove the Magnum rt at a while back. He told me they had the awd that I was interested in on the lot. The sticker on it is 35k and only had the sunroof extra!! The original RT that I drove with the navigation system and everything but the sunroof is still on the lot and selling for 26k!! I am sure its racked up some test drive miles though. Anyway, the awd rt really impressed me. I expected it to be heavier and more sluggish. Boy was I wrong! It felt quicker and sportier all around. Since my Expedition was just totaled, I think this is going to be its replacement. I can think of another truck/car this size that I have ever enjoyed driving.

By the way, I have not even seen a test on the AWD version and was suprised they had one so quickly He said someone ordered it and then changed their mind and got a rwd instead.

Before you buy the Magnum RT AWD, drive a $37K Nissan Armada SE 4x4. It burns 87 octane, gets 18MPG in mixed driving and actually has a more refined drivetrain than the RT - once you get used to loud exhaust note. It has a nice airy interior with great visibility, sharp handling and a non-clausterphobic greenhouse. The huge mirrors are great in traffic, while the standard back up sensors work great for parking. Compared to an Expedition, driving this beast is easy. Compared to a Magnum RT AWD, you don't lose much (if any) performance or fuel economy with the Armada. I couldn't care less about the 3rd row bench, but at least it can stay hidden.

Personally, I liked the Magnum RT I drove. I could get past the delayed throttle action and too soft suspension and some cheap trim pieces, but the horrible rear visibility and limited cargo capacity kept me from buying.

Compared to a Magnum RT AWD, you don't lose much (if any) performance or fuel economy with the Armada.

Don't lose performance?!!?? How does a 15.5 second 1/4 mile full size SUV compare in performance to a much lower riding stationwagon that runs low 14's??

The AWD Magnum gets better gear ratios to compensate for the extra weight/drag of the AWD-train. I'd expect it to run ~14.4's in the 1/4.

Falchuck even mentions it feels as quick or quicker than the 2wd version.

Go for it. That is one of my favorite cars at the moment.

Good to hear. As a SUV owner (and hater) and a hater of minivans - when it comes time for "soccer mom" in several years I'll be going after a wagon. Every good word of the magnum brings good hopes the segment will be much stronger when I have to get one. An AWD wagon sounds awesome...

just found this link on autoweek and thought i would post it up here for ya falchulk


http://autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=101219

just found this link on autoweek and thought i would post it up here for ya falchulk


http://autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=101219


Thanks for that, good read. I know its got to be slower then the rwd magnum but damned if it did not seem to pull much harder. I cant wait to see some numbers that dont have (est) next to them.

Don't lose performance?!!?? How does a 15.5 second 1/4 mile full size SUV compare in performance to a much lower riding stationwagon that runs low 14's??

Despite weighing half a ton less, not to mention the higher HP and torque ratings, the Magnum RT just doesn't feel much quicker than an Armada. It doesn't stop all that much shorter, it doesn't have that much more cornering grip and the onset of body roll seems to come sooner. Considering that the Armada has more has Land Cruiser levels of offroadability, it's stunning how well this thing moves.

The AWD Magnum gets better gear ratios to compensate for the extra weight/drag of the AWD-train. I'd expect it to run ~14.4's in the 1/4...
Falchuck even mentions it feels as quick or quicker than the 2wd version.

I hope they did change the gearing and shift programing, because I spent way too much time roaring around in the lower gears with the RT. The RT is a quick car by any measure, but the engine electronics need alot of tuning.

redzed forgot to mention that the Armada suffers from Nissan's quickly falling quality/reliability (something he always seems to mention if reviewing an American product) and the fact that the Armada is simply one of the ugliest SUVs ever (still short of the Aztek however.) I'm wondering how many would cross-shop a sport wagon with a Hemi and a hulking SUV based on a full-size pickup chassis anyway....

Before you buy the Magnum RT AWD, drive a $37K Nissan Armada SE 4x4. It burns 87 octane, gets 18MPG in mixed driving and actually has a more refined drivetrain than the RT - once you get used to loud exhaust note. It has a nice airy interior with great visibility, sharp handling and a non-clausterphobic greenhouse. The huge mirrors are great in traffic, while the standard back up sensors work great for parking. Compared to an Expedition, driving this beast is easy. Compared to a Magnum RT AWD, you don't lose much (if any) performance or fuel economy with the Armada. I couldn't care less about the 3rd row bench, but at least it can stay hidden.

Personally, I liked the Magnum RT I drove. I could get past the delayed throttle action and too soft suspension and some cheap trim pieces, but the horrible rear visibility and limited cargo capacity kept me from buying.

I'll make it simple for ya falchulk.

Tall truck-SUV with high center of gravity and ho-hum power=Armada.
Low slung wagon with one mother of an engine=Magnum.

If you want an odd looking SUV=Armada.
If you want Darth Vader as a station wagon=Magnum

Magnum-Good. Armada-very bad. :p

They need to slap a Radix blower on an AWD Hemi Magnum. This car I would sell a lot of my guns to buy.

I just wish GM would come out with an LS1 based wagon. Until then my next vehicle is going to be a Magnum.

I'll make it simple for ya falchulk.

Tall truck-SUV with high center of gravity and ho-hum power=Armada.
Low slung wagon with one mother of an engine=Magnum.

If you want an odd looking SUV=Armada.
If you want Darth Vader as a station wagon=Magnum

Magnum-Good. Armada-very bad. :p

1. I wonder if guionM has ever driven an Armada?

2. The Hemi is powerful, but the interaction between the throttle and transmission are annoying.

3. That "low slung wagon" isn't going to be very good in a blizzard and won't be able to venture very far off the pavement.

4. The Armada is "odd looking," but it's not as if the Magnum isn't.

5. The Magnum is good. Probably the best domestic-badged non-sedan product at the moment. For the money, the Armada is better.

redzed forgot to mention that the Armada suffers from Nissan's quickly falling quality/reliability (something he always seems to mention if reviewing an American product)....

1. As if Chrysler's reputation is something to brag about....or even Mercedes?

2. The Canton, Mississippi plant where the Armada was built was de-bugged pretty quickly by Nissan management.

.... and the fact that the Armada is simply one of the ugliest SUVs ever (still short of the Aztek however.)....

Ugly? Sure, what big SUV is pretty? It's also big, powerful and handles like a champ.

I'm wondering how many would cross-shop a sport wagon with a Hemi and a hulking SUV based on a full-size pickup chassis anyway....

I did.

Fact of the matter is:

redzed talks up all these "great" products, and puts down all these other ones... yet no product since GM's 1996 Chevy Camaro has been good enough to get him to part with any money.

That "low slung wagon" isn't going to be very good in a blizzard and won't be able to venture very far off the pavement.


I'm not sure how many "blizzards" you see unless you're living in the extreme parts of the Rocky Mountains or something....an AWD Magnum will plow along just fine in anything short of a foot and a half of snow I'd think. No the Magnum is not a rock-crawler but what it does give up in off-road capability it would surely gain in highway fun-to-drive quotient. Again, you're the only person I've seen who would even cross-shop the two so I don't think we're comparing apples to apples.

Fact of the matter is:

redzed talks up all these "great" products, and puts down all these other ones... yet no product since GM's 1996 Chevy Camaro has been good enough to get him to part with any money.

Hey man, until recently I was driving a 14 year old car as my everyday vehicle - and that wasn't even my oldest ride. Oh, and my Camaro isn't that old.

Hey man, until recently I was driving a 14 year old car as my everyday vehicle - and that wasn't even my oldest ride. Oh, and my Camaro isn't that old.

Eh, I may be off a model year or so on the Camaro, but the point remains.

All these "great" cars you talk up when you slam the GM products still haven't got you to part with a single penny.

.......so they must not be any better than your current GM vehicle, that the vast majority of people in the world would say has lacking quality compared to most other cars on the market today, or even when it was new.

I'm not sure how many "blizzards" you see unless you're living in the extreme parts of the Rocky Mountains or something....an AWD Magnum will plow along just fine in anything short of a foot and a half of snow I'd think. No the Magnum is not a rock-crawler but what it does give up in off-road capability it would surely gain in highway fun-to-drive quotient. Again, you're the only person I've seen who would even cross-shop the two so I don't think we're comparing apples to apples.

I only consider the "best of the best" when I go shoping. If the Magnum RT is the best station wagon available, the Armada was the best of the big SUVS...

Eh, I may be off a model year or so on the Camaro, but the point remains.

All these "great" cars you talk up when you slam the GM products still haven't got you to part with a single penny.

It shouldn't surprise you to know that I've had an Armada sitting in my driveway for the last couple of months. I had to get something in a hurry because I was down to just my Z28.


.......so they must not be any better than your current GM vehicle, that the vast majority of people in the world would say has lacking quality compared to most other cars on the market today, or even when it was new.

It also shouldn't be a shocker that I still have my Z28. The Nissan Armada is a better, more comfortable, more useful vehicle. The Armada is my "winter rat." Needless to say, the Z28 is going to stay around for summer use only.

Well, you were close Redzed! I did not go with the overpriced Armada. I went with a crewcab 4x4 Titan. Only paid 25k out the door for a left over 04. My first non American vehicle. I really tried to stay with the US Mfg's but for the price, I could not beat this deal.

Well, you were close Redzed! I did not go with the overpriced Armada. I went with a crewcab 4x4 Titan. Only paid 25k out the door for a left over 04.

1. All full-sized SUVs are "overpriced" compared to the full-sized pickups they're based on. Considering that a stripped Mercedes ML350/BMW X3 3.0 or is in the same price league as a Armada SE 4X4, the Armada isn't exactly a cheap car.

2. Any Titan is about 18 inches longer than an Armada - too long for my garage. Besides, I needed something with space like a van, not the open box of a truck.

3. I'd bet that your $25K wouldn't have bought much of a Chevrolet. It would probably take a $40K MSRP Silverado SS to better the performance of your Titan.

4. What have you heard about Titan/Armada aftermarket?


My first non American vehicle. I really tried to stay with the US Mfg's but for the price, I could not beat this deal.

1. The Armada/Titan hardly feels like a Japanese vehicle. Even the Hella horn sounds loud and deep, not shrill and weak. The big Nissans sure drive and feel American.

2. What's "American" about a Mexican-built Tahoe/Suburban? Was I buying "American" when I bought my Ste. Therese, Quebec, CANADA produced Camaro? The only thing I can say about buying a Nissan Titan/Armada is that you're buying an "Un-UAW" vehicle.

1. All full-sized SUVs are "overpriced" compared to the full-sized pickups they're based on. Considering that a stripped Mercedes ML350/BMW X3 3.0 or is in the same price league as a Armada SE 4X4, the Armada isn't exactly a cheap car.

2. Any Titan is about 18 inches longer than an Armada - too long for my garage. Besides, I needed something with space like a van, not the open box of a truck.

3. I'd bet that your $25K wouldn't have bought much of a Chevrolet. It would probably take a $40K MSRP Silverado SS to better the performance of your Titan.

4. What have you heard about Titan/Armada aftermarket?




1. The Armada/Titan hardly feels like a Japanese vehicle. Even the Hella horn sounds loud and deep, not shrill and weak. The big Nissans sure drive and feel American.

2. What's "American" about a Mexican-built Tahoe/Suburban? Was I buying "American" when I bought my Ste. Therese, Quebec, CANADA produced Camaro? The only thing I can say about buying a Nissan Titan/Armada is that you're buying an "Un-UAW" vehicle.

The quad cab has more room in the passanger area then my Expedition. The bed will get a cover or a cap soon so it is just like an SUV. As far as the over priced comment, the crew cab titan has most of the functions and features of the Armada at about 10k less. If it were 5k I would not feel that way.

Its not quite as nice becuase my expy was loaded and was 42k new. I know that the Titan is made in Miss. and designed in Cali, thats the only way I could justify the purchase! You are right about 25k not going far in the SUV/truck market. The choices really came down to Jeep Libertys and trailblazers for anything with decent 4wd. Neither of those approched the space and features of the Titan. For a few thousand more the f150 provided a smaller cabin and less powerful engine.

From what I have found, the aftermarket for these trucks is startign to take off. There is a lot already available and even more on the way. One thing I dont think I will change is the exhaust! I never thought Nissan could produce a v8 with such an American muscle sound!

As far as the over priced comment, the crew cab titan has most of the functions and features of the Armada at about 10k less. If it were 5k I would not feel that way.

I can't question that math. For me it was more like "Toyota Sienna AWD for $5K less" than an Armada? F#$% minivans.

For a few thousand more the f150 provided a smaller cabin and less powerful engine.

I'm guessing that all that "quiet steel" must be really heavy and expensive.:lol:

Just kidding...the problem with the F-150 is that Ford picked the wrong design parameters. Too much emphasis on ride comfort, comfort, etc.



I never thought Nissan could produce a v8 with such an American muscle sound!

It's interesting that a DOHC V8 can sound like an old carburated Chevy smallblock. Maybe Chevy should have tried a copyright on exhaust sounds, just like Harley Davidson.

No pics of your Armada, redzed?

No pics of your Armada, redzed?

I'm not much of a "shutterbug." I haven't taken a picture in quite a few months and I really should update to a digital SLR. Come to think of it, I don't think that I've taken a picture of my Z28 in a few years.

Anyway, my Armada is bone stock and the same color as pea soup. Think WWII Jeep, only shiny and metalic. No it wasn't my first choice, but the other colors in stock were worse. I guess my vindication comes from a couple of compliments I got on the color (I was surprised at the time) and the fact that the H2 comes in a similarly revolting shade. At least it doesn't get lost in parking lots.

I still haven't fitted any spinner rims - and I probably won't. (Aren't Spreewell-type rims on the way out?) The same goes for a grill guard. I would have ordered on from the parts deparment on the day I bought the vehicle, but all Nissan offered was an ugly thing with a dull black finish.

I'm not much of a "shutterbug." I haven't taken a picture in quite a few months and I really should update to a digital SLR. Come to think of it, I don't think that I've taken a picture of my Z28 in a few years.

Anyway, my Armada is bone stock and the same color as pea soup. Think WWII Jeep, only shiny and metalic. No it wasn't my first choice, but the other colors in stock were worse. I guess my vindication comes from a couple of compliments I got on the color (I was surprised at the time) and the fact that the H2 comes in a similarly revolting shade. At least it doesn't get lost in parking lots.

I still haven't fitted any spinner rims - and I probably won't. (Aren't Spreewell-type rims on the way out?) The same goes for a grill guard. I would have ordered on from the parts deparment on the day I bought the vehicle, but all Nissan offered was an ugly thing with a dull black finish.

:(

I'd really like to see pics of your Armada and Z28 together.... :(

:(

I'd really like to see pics of your Armada and Z28 together.... :(

A "reunion" can't occur until the Z28 comes out of "cold storage."