Nissan Doubles Warranty on CVTs

In a letter to customers, Nissan said it will double the length of its transmission warranty from five years/60,000 miles to 10 years/120,000 miles. Fixing a transmission can be an expensive proposition that runs into the thousands of dollars for parts and labor, but the cost for a continuously variable automatic transmission can climb even higher since most repairs require the entire unit to be replaced.

Nissan has also said that if owners have spent money on repairs for CVTs, they can get reimbursed by the automaker simply by filling out Nissan’s Reimbursement Form and following the instructions. Owners who pay for CVT repairs and are no longer under warranty will also benefit from Nissan’s efforts to lower the cost of replacements and repairs by working with suppliers and dealers to bring these prices down.

While this means Nissan is looking out for its customers, Autoblog raises the point that doubling the warranty is a fairly drastic move and must mean the automaker has seen some issues with the CVT, a technology it has doubled down on in the past.

PSA: Nissan Doubles Warranty on CVTs to 10 Years/120,000 Miles (Autoblog)

Nissan Wants Higher Electric Car Tax Credit

Do you think $7,500 is a generous tax credit for those buying an electric or plug-in electric hybrid vehicle? You’re not running Nissan it seems. CEO Carlos Ghosn is part of a group petitioning the U.S. government for funds to create an electric-car infrastructure. Part of that plan includes beefing up the tax credit to something that will help to offset the high-entry price these new cars will have when they enter the market.

This is an interesting move since Nissan’s proposed Leaf electric car, which is slated for sale in limited numbers next year, is supposed to be an affordable vehicle without the existing $7,500 tax credit. Without a spike in gas prices, consumers won’t see the value in electric cars, the group says. Higher tax credits could help lure consumers. 

Firms Call for Electric Car Tax-Credit (Wall Street Journal)

Recall Alert: 2009 Nissan Sentra

Nissan has issued a recall for 10,586 Sentra models from the 2009 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall affects those models equipped with Bosch master cylinders, which may leak brake fluid. If enough fluid leaks, the brake system warning indicator will light up because the brakes aren’t functioning properly. If one of the brake circuits fails, it will increase the vehicle’s stopping distance and the risk of a crash. No matter the car you drive, if a warning light goes on you should take it to be serviced immediately.

Dealers will inspect and replace the master cylinder brake booster assembly for free. Owners may contact Nissan at 800-647-7261 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236.

2009|Nissan|Sentra

2009 Nissan 370Z Nismo: Through Ian's Lens

At the 2009 New York auto show, I featured the soft-top roadster version of the newly redesigned Nissan 370Z in a Through Ian's Lens post. How could I pass up the chance to show off the same car with a hardtop, whale-tail spoiler, Nismo badge and — above all else — in candy apple red? It's too delicious.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Z.  In those 40 years Nissan (and Datsun) hasn't lost sight that this car is 1) about the driving experience and 2) about how awesome you look experiencing the driving. The newest edition delivers on both points. In spades. Did I mention that our test car was in candy apple red? I'll let my photos do the talking. Check out the full-screen player after the jump.

Cars.com Podcast: Sports Car Edition

It seems iTunes ate our latest podcast, which is why we couldn’t bring it to you earlier. Sure, we could have just posted it via the player below, but we held out hope that it’d also be available in iTunes — just a few days later than usual. We apologize for the iTunes’ mishap.

In this week’s long-awaited podcast, the editors of Cars.com discuss the new Nissan 370Z roadster and Nismo edition as well as the thoroughly awesome Aston Martin DBS Volante, the most expensive car to ever be left unattended in our hands.

Cars.com Podcast #30

Nissan Leaf to Tour U.S.

Nissan announced it will take its upcoming all-electric Leaf on a U.S. tour, beginning with a public showing in Los Angeles on Nov. 13. Its first auto-show appearance will also occur in the City of Angels at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, which runs Dec. 4-13.

The five-passenger, five-door vehicle — which you can’t put a drop of gas in even if you want to — will hit 22 cities in 11 states, Washington, D.C., and Vancouver, Canada, to build a buzz and educate the public, media and possible partners both civic and private businesses.

You can follow the tour at Nissan’s Leaf website. Or click on the jump to see the cities where the Leaf will make an appearance, and, yes, we’re ticked it won’t swing by our hometown of Chicago.

Cars.com Reviews the 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster

Conceived alongside its coupe sibling, the 2010 Nissan 370Z roadster was designed to dispel the notion that convertibles have to be heavier, flimsier versions of their hardtop counterparts. Now that the 370Z convertible has fallen into the hands of Cars.com reviewer David Thomas a year after he had the hardtop version, he’s prepared to render his judgment. How does the convertible hold up? Read Thomas’s full review to find out.

2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster Review

2010|Nissan|370Z

2010 Nissan Nismo 370Z Video

Starting at almost $40,000, the 2010 Nissan Nismo 370Z keeps your attention because it is the ultimate Z, says Cars.com reviewer Mike Hanley. Despite a few shortcomings, Hanley had his hands full with the Nismo — a performance-oriented sports car with power to spare. Watch this video for his full take.

2010|Nissan|370Z

$15,000 Off a Mercedes SL and Other Deals

Incentives haven’t been big news since the Cash for Clunkers program wiped out a large chunk of dealers’ inventory nationwide. That doesn’t mean all automakers have stopped offering incentives — even large ones — this month. Before the Halloween sugar rush fades, you’ll be able to find some huge cash-back deals, especially at Mercedes-Benz.

• 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class: $15,000
• 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class: $10,000
• 2010 Cadillac STS: $7,400
• 2010 Land Rover Range Rover: $6,000
• 2010 Mazda RX-8: $5,000
• 2010 Nissan Titan: $5,000
• 2009 Nissan Titan: $5,000

You can find more deals on our incentives page. All incentives above end Nov. 2.

2009|Mercedes-Benz|SL-Class

2009|Mercedes-Benz|CLS-Class

2010|Cadillac|STS

2010|Mazda|RX-8

2009|Nissan|Titan

2010|Nissan|Titan

Recall Alert: 2008-2009 Nissan Rogue

Nissan has issued a recall for 163,659 Rogue vehicles from the 2008-2009 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall is due to a screw in the steering gear housing cover that could loosen over time and fall out.

If the screw falls out, the steering response may be compromised and affect the driver’s ability to steer. A loss of steering control could lead to an accident.

Dealers will inspect the screw on the steering gear housing cover and tighten or replace it if necessary. They may also install a cover plate to prevent the screw from coming out. Both fixes are free. Owners may contact Nissan dealers at 800-647-7261 or the NHTSA hotline at 888-327-4236.

2009|Nissan|Rogue