End-of-the-Model-Year Deals: Nissan

It's that time of year again: Manufacturers need to make room on dealer lots for new 2009 models, so the 2008s have to hit the road, and that means more incentives. We'll be highlighting deals from a number of manufacturers, along with notes on which models will change substantially for 2009.

Like many manufacturers, Nissan is offering huge cash-back offers on its trucks and SUVs — the Armada and Titan, specifically — but is also offering a good variety of cash-back deals on other 2008 models. A full list of 2008 Nissan deals from our incentives page is below:

• 2008 Altima: $1,000
• 2008 Armada: $5,000
• 2008 Frontier: $2,500
• 2008 Maxima: $2,500
• 2008 Pathfinder: $2,500
• 2008 Quest: $3,500
• 2008 Sentra: $1,000
• 2008 Titan: $5,000
• 2008 Xterra: $3,000
• 2008 Versa: $800

Those offers are available across a variety of regions we tested, but as always, be sure to use your own zip code to make sure offers apply in your region.The deals are good through Sept. 2.

The Maxima is all-new for 2009, and you can read our coverage of it here. The Frontier and Xterra receive some upgrades, but they aren't as significant. Check out the changes here.

Nissan to Stop Building Quest, Armada and Infiniti QX56

Nissan has announced that it will stop producing the Quest minivan, Armada and full-size SUV and its Infiniti sibling the QX56 when the Mississippi factory they’re made in switches to building commercial vehicles in early 2010..

The company has confirmed it will build not said if it will build future versions of the slow-sellers they just don't know where. The only word from Nissan is that final decisions have not been made, but there is the “intention” to build them.

“When we get to the end of each vehicle's cycle, we look at the market,” a spokesperson said. Sounds to us like company speak that Nissan will not build new versions of the three two. If it actually announced that fact today, though, it could impact sales of the 2009 models that will still be built and sold on new-car lots.

All three Both vehicles were either aging in their segment or poor performers, so seeing them go probably won’t hurt Nissan, which has seen better success with new smaller offerings like the Versa and the Rogue compact SUV.

What do you think? Would the Quest, Armada and QX56 be missed?

Nissan plans to change Mississippi plant's focus (USA Today)

2008 Nissan Titan, Armada On Sale Now

We love getting price-announcement news releases that say the vehicles are on sale now. It must be frustrating to read news about a price you like, then not be able to go right out and buy said car. For 2008, Nissan has given both the Titan full-size pickup and the Armada SUV slight exterior modifications and a few more bells and whistles. There are no significant upgrades to the engines, but they can be snatched up today.

The Titan doesn’t get a bump in entry price, remaining at $23,700 for the 2WD King Cab XE with a standard bed. The Armada gets a slight bump, to $35,250 for the 4x2 SE, up from $34,950 in 2007. None of the prices include a $745 destination charge. A full list of trim levels and prices is below.

Related
More on the 2008 Nissan Armada (KickingTires)
More on the 2008 Nissan Titan (KickingTires)
Suburban Dad: 2007 Nissan Armada (KickingTires)

More on the 2008 Nissan Armada

Following up on yesterday’s news of the new Nissan Armada, here are a few more tidbits and some more photos of the company’s large SUV. Besides the minor cosmetic changes, there’s also a new one-piece roof rack and optional 20-inch wheels. There will be SE and LE models with two- or four-wheel drive. There are a number of new option packages as well, including a Technology Package and Tow Package. For more photos of the 2008 Nissan Armada, click below.

Related:
2007 Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Nissan Armada

Suburban Dad: 2007 Nissan Armada

The Armada is aptly named; I felt like I was driving a large ship down the expressway. It was a tank, in terms of looks and gas mileage, but it was a comfortable tank — I have to give it that.

The Armada is up for a redesign this year, with the new version showing up at the Chicago Auto Show next week. The 2007 had plenty of creature comforts, but it got mixed reviews from my family.

I enjoyed plenty of acceleration as I drove it; the brakes were firm and not grabby, and the running boards made getting into it easy. I liked the styling, but I missed not having a navigation system. If you’re going to call an SUV an Armada, you ought to provide navigation standard.

2007 Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Nissan Armada

For 2008, Nissan decided to keep things simple, giving a uniformed look to the Titan, Pathfinder and Armada — at least around the front. Otherwise, the new Armada’s massive bulk gets little nipped and tucked besides some new light treatments and a rear-­end adjustment.

There are several new interior features, including a much improved center stack, power-folding third-row seats, an optional heated steering wheel, an intelligent key system, a hard-drive-based entertainment system, Bluetooth hands-free calling and a DVD navigation system with live traffic updates. There’s no word on when the 2008 Armada will become available, but check back next week when our full coverage of the Chicago Auto Show gets into gear.

Nissan to Debut New Titan, Pathfinder and Armada Next Week

Nissan is getting the ball rolling and hoping to generate some pre-Chicago Auto Show buzz by unveiling revised versions of its Pathfinder and Armada SUVs, along with a refreshed Titan pickup, next week in Detroit. The three are getting both exterior and — much more importantly — interior upgrades. We’ll bring you all three next week, then we'll get to see the group in person at the Chicago Auto Show’s media days Feb. 7 & 8.