Here's some questions for all you '02 and newer Sequoia owners out there.
-What problems, if any, past or present have you had with your Sequoia?
-If you had the chance to do it all again right now, what would you get, a Sequoia or an Armada?
-Is the 4.7L enough for the Sequoia?
My wife currently has a '93 Nissan Hardbody that she bought brand new. She has had absolutely no problems with her truck since driving it off the lot in '92. I wish I could say the same about my Tundra(I do love my truck though). Should I go with the Sequoia, seeing that they had the same platform for several years, or should I go with the Armada, and hope that there are no bugs to work out. I believe Nissan has excellent quality and workmanship so I'm stuck between loyalty and wants. My wife wants the Sequoia, but I want her to get the Armada. Help!!
Here's some questions for all you '02 and newer Sequoia owners out there.
-What problems, if any, past or present have you had with your Sequoia?
-If you had the chance to do it all again right now, what would you get, a Sequoia or an Armada?
-Is the 4.7L enough for the Sequoia?
My wife currently has a '93 Nissan Hardbody that she bought brand new. She has had absolutely no problems with her truck since driving it off the lot in '92. I wish I could say the same about my Tundra(I do love my truck though). Should I go with the Sequoia, seeing that they had the same platform for several years, or should I go with the Armada, and hope that there are no bugs to work out. I believe Nissan has excellent quality and workmanship so I'm stuck between loyalty and wants. My wife wants the Sequoia, but I want her to get the Armada. Help!!
get the sequoia if that's what your wife want's personally i dont care for nissan on quality and say the sequioa overall has a better fit and finish than the nissan armada does( give or take the armanda is butt ugly and the rear doors handles location is stupid for an suv) give or take whatever you like is the key..
Here's some questions for all you '02 and newer Sequoia owners out there.
-What problems, if any, past or present have you had with your Sequoia?
-If you had the chance to do it all again right now, what would you get, a Sequoia or an Armada?
-Is the 4.7L enough for the Sequoia?
OK well we have an '01 Sequoia but you for some reason don't want to know about the reliability history of it so I won't go into that. I have not driven an Armada but sat in one and personally liked the front area more than the Sequoia, but the rear was about the same meaning it was great as well. Yes, the 4.7 is enough for the Sequoia. More power is always welcome, but the 4.7 has no problem moving it swiftly down the road without breaking a sweat. Drive one if you have doubts.
In my opinion the 4.7 is "enough" for the Sequoia unless you plan on pulling any sort of trailer. The Sequoia really struggles with a trailer behind it. While others may disagree, I find the Sequoia has a hard time pulling any significant load up hilly roads. Regarding problems, I have had NO out of warranty problems with nearly 70,000 miles on my Sequoia. Warranty issues were minor in nature. Original tires and stereo were poor. Finally, regarding first year bugs, ALL manufacturers have bugs they have to work out and I'm sure the Armada will be no different. Personally, I would have to at least drive the Armada. I'm sure I would LOVE the extra power.
In my opinion the 4.7 is "enough" for the Sequoia unless you plan on pulling any sort of trailer. The Sequoia really struggles with a trailer behind it. While others may disagree, I find the Sequoia has a hard time pulling any significant load up hilly roads. Regarding problems, I have had NO out of warranty problems with nearly 70,000 miles on my Sequoia. Warranty issues were minor in nature. Original tires and stereo were poor. Finally, regarding first year bugs, ALL manufacturers have bugs they have to work out and I'm sure the Armada will be no different. Personally, I would have to at least drive the Armada. I'm sure I would LOVE the extra power.
I agree with Doctor about the engine lacking for towing. I have a 2200lb enclosed trailer that I tow motorcycles in. With 1-2 bikes in it there is a real struggle to run down the interstate much less hilly roads at 70mph. You basically need to keep the OD off and then mileage drops to 9.0 for me.
I really long for another 50lbs of torque at 2200rpms.
Otherwise I prefer the Toyota over the Expedition and Yukon that I had before it. It just needs more motor.
Should I go with the Sequoia, seeing that they had the same platform for several years, or should I go with the Armada, and hope that there are no bugs to work out. I believe Nissan has excellent quality and workmanship so I'm stuck between loyalty and wants. My wife wants the Sequoia, but I want her to get the Armada. Help!!
If she's driving it, get whatever she wants. If you go with the Armada and there is ANY problems with it, no matter how small, it will YOUR fault. You will assume fault for everything for thing for life of the vehicle.
OK well we have an '01 Sequoia but you for some reason don't want to know about the reliability history of it so I won't go into that.
The reason I chose the year '02 has to do with my owning a '00 Tundra. I figured '01 Sequoia's would be about the same as my truck so I didn't feel the need to inquire about them. But, your info could help with my decision so please feel free to post your thoughts.
Quote:
Originally Posted by doctormdds
In my opinion the 4.7 is "enough" for the Sequoia unless you plan on pulling any sort of trailer.
The 4.7L used to be enough for me before, but I have gotten used to the power and I want to get something more beefy. Did I say I, I meant my umm....wife, yeah that's it.
The reason I chose the year '02 has to do with my owning a '00 Tundra. I figured '01 Sequoia's would be about the same as my truck so I didn't feel the need to inquire about them. But, your info could help with my decision so please feel free to post your thoughts.
Alright, well, nothing serious. Roof rail caps were a little loose - fixed, had brake TSB done - resulted in damaged VSC sensor which was fixed eventually, creak in dash when cold - have not bothered to fix, battery died - replaced under warranty, and the brakes are now vibrating a little under hard stops but not all the time - weird - haven't had time to take it in yet. Outside drivers mirror also vibrates a little, haven't had that addressed yet. Overall we have been happy and haven't experienced any A/C problems or engine knocking that others have posted about. We only have about 24k miles so far.
I've had my '02 Sequoia for about a month. I considered an Armada (had a '91 Hardbody p/u truck and a '95 Pathfinder both of which I drove the p*ss out of and had hardly any problems), but was completely turned off by the cheap, hard plastic interior. The HVAC rotary controls were so sloppy that they felt like they were on ball-and-socket joints; maybe they should have doubled as the mirror controls, too?
I also disliked the uneven floor after you fold the middle seats forward. That big hump in the middle (or two valleys on the side, however you want to look a it) was going to be a pain for loading cargo and boxes.
I guess the towing thing is all relative. I have a '99 5 speed 4Runner that I was towing about 4300 lbs of trailer and car and another 300 lbs of cargo. That truck was definitely underpowered for the job, but it got the job done. Now, the Sequoia is a big step up for me, and I find that it tows pretty well. Acceleration with the full rig is slow but, once up to speed, squirts from 65-90 happen in a jiffy. I have a buddy with a Sequoia who has a 2500 lb trailer and a 2600 lb car and he seems very happy with his set up. His only beef is the rear sag; his car came without the load leveling shocks. I have the Airlift kit sitting in my garage and am still not sure I'm going to need it.
I have a 2001 SR5 4WD and tow a bass boat appx 2000 lbs. My previous Epedition with the 5.4 did a better job and I will say the Armada power feels even better than the Ford. In the end I am ordering a 2004 Sequoia. Some points.
1. Toyota seating comfort all around much better. Especially do not like the side bolsters on the front seats of the Armada. Rear seats, both rows, no comparison.
2. The third seat in the Armada is a one-piece fold down. All or none. Like the possibility to have one in at times with the Sequoia
3. Air comtrols on Armada not up to standards for this level of vehicle.
I'm on my second Sequoia, so I must like them. I also looked at the Armada before marching (briskly) back to the Toyota dealer. Regardless of what the numbers on paper say, the Sequoia is much more rounded, higher quality vehicle. No one knows yet, but I'm 99% certain the Sequoia will blow Nissan away in the resale department. To me, resale is very important when you're spending $40K for a vehicle. I wouldn't be driving an 04 if I didn't get good money for my 02.
Does the Sequoia have weaknesses? Of course. For one, the 4.7L is a fantastic standard engine. But wait, it is the only engine. There's no optional engine for the few who actually need one. That being said, the 4.7L is a great engine, it's smooth, quiet and makes good power. If you're like me, driving kids around, transporting bikes to the park, camping for a weekend, etc., then you will be thoroughly satisfied with the power it makes. It actually feels pretty quick with the gearing Toyota specs.
Now the downside. If you plan on towing alot of weight regurlarly, then you'll wish for more power. I would look elsewhere. If you tow a pop-up four times a year three hour to the lake, then no big deal.
When Toyota builds the next Sequoia they need an optional engine. But, I have to say that I would probably stay with the 4.7L because I personally think it works great for my needs.
Some also think the Sequia's interior is getting a little dated. Well, its at the end of its product cycle, so that's to be expected. I still think that the Sequoia is laid out nice and it's really comfortable.
The Armada is everything the Sequoia is not, loud, rough, chintzy and brochure driven. If you have an eye for quality, you'll know what to do.
BTW, if you do alot of research you will hear lots of quality issues with the Armada. The worst being than Nissan completely failed to bond the the roof supports to the roof. This is causing a vibration that resonates through the whole vehicle. They just came out with a fix that involves taking apart the headliner, etc. Not to mention all the squeaks an rattles being reported.
The only time I visited the dealer with my 2002 is when I bought it. And keep this in mind, expect the 2004 to be near-perfect, its had four years have any little issue worked out.
I'm on my second Sequoia, so I must like them. I also looked at the Armada before marching (briskly) back to the Toyota dealer. Regardless of what the numbers on paper say, the Sequoia is much more rounded, higher quality vehicle. No one knows yet, but I'm 99% certain the Sequoia will blow Nissan away in the resale department. To me, resale is very important when you're spending $40K for a vehicle. I wouldn't be driving an 04 if I didn't get good money for my 02.
Does the Sequoia have weaknesses? Of course. For one, the 4.7L is a fantastic standard engine. But wait, it is the only engine. There's no optional engine for the few who actually need one. That being said, the 4.7L is a great engine, it's smooth, quiet and makes good power. If you're like me, driving kids around, transporting bikes to the park, camping for a weekend, etc., then you will be thoroughly satisfied with the power it makes. It actually feels pretty quick with the gearing Toyota specs.
Now the downside. If you plan on towing alot of weight regurlarly, then you'll wish for more power. I would look elsewhere. If you tow a pop-up four times a year three hour to the lake, then no big deal.
When Toyota builds the next Sequoia they need an optional engine. But, I have to say that I would probably stay with the 4.7L because I personally think it works great for my needs.
Some also think the Sequia's interior is getting a little dated. Well, its at the end of its product cycle, so that's to be expected. I still think that the Sequoia is laid out nice and it's really comfortable.
The Armada is everything the Sequoia is not, loud, rough, chintzy and brochure driven. If you have an eye for quality, you'll know what to do.
BTW, if you do alot of research you will hear lots of quality issues with the Armada. The worst being than Nissan completely failed to bond the the roof supports to the roof. This is causing a vibration that resonates through the whole vehicle. They just came out with a fix that involves taking apart the headliner, etc. Not to mention all the squeaks an rattles being reported.
The only time I visited the dealer with my 2002 is when I bought it. And keep this in mind, expect the 2004 to be near-perfect, its had four years have any little issue worked out.
I think the toyota sequoia has a perfect balance however towing with that and the tundra d/c is not a good match...The iforce v8 on the suv and the bigger tundra need a bigger engine to suit the need's of most towing need's..I know a sequoia owner that tow's his boat and he told me the iforce is a tad slower than the rest on pulling power...Personally i feel toyota need's to address that short coming on the tundra d/c and sequioa wile i find the iforce v8 on the my acess cab acceptable i dont think it's matched up well on the tundra d/c and the bigger suv ....Time will tell if toyota plans on adding a new v8 to it's upcoming plant in alabama ....
ausk9-0...sequoia of course! my in-law works for nissan and he said that they've already had a lot of problems with them. nissan rushed to get the armada out to compete in the full-size SUV market and to release it with the rest of their "new and improved" vehicle line up that they forgot about quality.
i spent some time in one at the autoshow and i didn't like the interior feel of it. too many gadgets with less function. i also don't like the exterior. in regards to power i hear that the armada's engine is sweet, but i guess that all depends on what you're going to do with it. for my active family of five, the 4.7 works perfectly for us. i don't tow anything so i can't comment on that, but for fully loaded (passenger/cargo) trips it's never failed.
My 2003 has 13k miles and has had a new front differential and wheel bearing done (close to $2k in warranty repairs) at around 10k miles. Both of these were replaced due to humming and vibration coming from the front of the vehicle.
Other than that I have had no problems. Toyota made right with those issues so at first I was pretty ticked off that a $40k+ vehicle had inherent problems from the get-go (you can read more about others who've had the humming/vibration issues here on the forum), but as I said, they made good and I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt.
I would still take the Sequoia over the Armada in a heartbeat. I don't like the look of the armada at all. Sequoia is a more luxurious ride and looks like an SUV (as opposed to the Armada looking like something out of Mad Max - Beyond Thunderdome).
The only reason to select the Armada (as somebody stated above) is if you are going to use it for towing.
We could not be happer with our Sequoia. It is an 02 Limited with 22K miles. The only warranty repair was for a cracked interior drivers door handle. Otherwise, the truck has been flawless. Loaded with a family of 5. luggage and a stuffed roof carrier the 4.7L has plenty of power and cruises effortlessly at 80 mph. I receive plenty of compliments from friends and customers on the interior of the Seq. Some think it is dated, but I think it is conservative and understated. I prefer the exterior styling of the Sequoia, but to each his own. I have owned two Nissans and they were both very dependable and trouble free, so I can't knock the Armada. At this time, I would get another Sequoia in a heartbeat.
Sequoia or Armada?
I have not driven an Armada but sat in one and personally liked the front area more than the Sequoia, but the rear was about the same meaning it was great as well. Yes, the 4.7 is enough for the Sequoia. More power is always welcome, but the 4.7 has no problem moving it swiftly down the road without breaking a sweat. Drive one if you have doubts.
my in-law works for nissan and he said that they've already had a lot of problems with them. nissan rushed to get the armada out to compete in the full-size SUV market and to release it with the rest of their "new and improved" vehicle line up that they forgot about quality. 
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