Upcoming Armada NISMO

NissanInsider said:

The Korean brands have a device you can buy to adjust the suspension. It's not expensive. It's called a Mando ECS-10. I'm sure there will be something like this made to adjust the adaptive electronic air suspension in the Armada. So you can have the best of both worlds. Stiff when you want it or need it to be, and soft when you want a more comfortable ride.

Click to expand...

I did a little research on the Mando unit and it does sound perfect. If something like that exists for Nissan vehicles, that would have me interested in the Armada Nismo again. How long has the Armada had an electronically controlled suspension?

TrailHybrid said:

I did a little research on the Mando unit and it does sound perfect. If something like that exists for Nissan vehicles, that would have me interested in the Armada Nismo again. How long has the Armada had an electronically controlled suspension?

Click to expand...

Nissan has had ECS for a long time. But the Armada just got it for the 2025 model year. There are suspension adjustment modules/options for the GT-R. If there are enough complaints about the suspension being too stiff, I'm highly confident that somebody will work on a module for the Armada NISMO.

Alright, setting aside the performance and ride quality for a minute, I want to talk about the long-term reality of owning one of these. I called my insurance agent to get a hypothetical quote.

Adding a Sequoia TRD Pro to my policy would raise it by about $65/month. The agent had to do some digging for the Armada NISMO, but their initial estimate was closer to a $90-$100/month increase. They classify "NISMO" as a high-performance sub-brand, similar to AMG for Mercedes, which triggers higher premiums. That's another $300-$400 a year right there.

Then you have consumables. The 22-inch wheels on the NISMO will have performance-oriented tires that will likely cost $400-$500 each to replace and probably won't last more than 25,000 miles. The larger NISMO brake pads and rotors? I bet those are a pretty penny from the dealer. Has anyone thought about these "hidden" costs?

TrailHybrid said:

Has anyone thought about these "hidden" costs?

Click to expand...

This is exactly my point about engineered complexity. The parts for my V8 Armada are plentiful and cheap. I can get a full set of quality all-season tires for under $1,200. I can do a brake job in my driveway with parts from any auto parts store.

When you buy a NISMO, you're buying into a special parts bin. Everything from the oil they'll probably recommend to the brake fluid is going to have a "performance" tax on it. That fancy transmission cooler is great until a rock punctures it and you have a massive repair bill. For a daily driver and family vehicle, these are the headaches I don't want. The fun-factor wears off fast when you're staring at a $2,000 bill for tires and brakes.

While the numbers @TrailHybrid mentioned are significant, they are an expected part of stepping into a higher tier of vehicle. From my perspective, this is a question of value, not just cost.

When I take my current Infiniti in for service, I get a loaner vehicle of equal or greater value. The service lounge is comfortable, and the advisors are accustomed to dealing with a clientele that has high expectations. Yes, the brake pads for a QX80 are more expensive than those for a standard Armada, but the service experience, warranty support, and overall feeling of being taken care of are part of what the price includes. I would expect the same, if not more, from the NISMO ownership experience. You're not just paying for the part; you're paying for the premium service that should accompany a brand's halo vehicle.

I feel like we're starting to lose the plot here. We're talking about a 460-horsepower, factory-tuned performance SUV. No one should be going into this expecting the running costs of a Toyota Camry.

Of course the tires are more expensive! They're performance tires designed to give a 6,000-pound vehicle incredible grip. Of course the brakes are pricier! They're designed to stop it without fading. Complaining about the cost of maintaining a performance vehicle is like buying a racehorse and complaining about the cost of oats.

This is the price of admission for a truly special vehicle. If a potential $1,000-a-year difference in running costs is a deal-breaker, the vehicle wasn't for you in the first place. I'll happily pay for better tires, better brakes, and higher-grade fuel to get the driving experience the reviews are raving about. That's not a "hidden cost," that's the whole point.