A few questions from a potential owner

[KFWA]

Hey guys - former Honda element owner here and now very close to pulling the trigger on a Cube.

(1) I'm wanting the base model with the 6 speed but I also want cruise control. No other bells or whistles are desired.

Anyone have any advice on getting cruise either from the dealer or installing an after market 3rd party product on the Cube? I'd like for it to look OEM.

(2) Need a luggage rack so I can put a rooftop carrier up for long trips. Didn't see it as an option when looking over the "build your cube" at the Nissan Site. Is there a roof rack option for this car (surely they aren't concerned with aerodynamics)

and finally
(3) - anyone participated in the Nissan VPP program? Just wondering what the % was on a cube against invoice?

if anyone is wondering why I don't want to jump up to the "S" model for just a couple of thousand more, its because I intend to put in my own aftermarket stereo with bluetooth, DVD, navigator, etc, after market wheels and maybe a couple of other add-ons. I don't see the need to spend the xtra $$$ for S model if I'm going to replace the big ticket items

so a most cost effective approach is to buy the base (I also don't want the CVT) and see if I can get an OEM look cruise installed for a couple of hundred.

[fral659]

Welcome to the forum. Can't really answer your questions about the aftermarket cruise control or the VPP program, but I do think I saw somewhere on this site where someone used a clamp on style roof rack. Don't think it was a permanent one, car is not really built for that I don't believe. I know you are not supposed to tow anything with it. My wife has an Element, 2008, and it is a bigger car that is more geared to that type of activity. She loves it but I prefer the ride and comfort of the cube. Good luck with whatever you end up deciding, and take a look around, you may find that roof rack post. Edit - Found the post I was thinking of, hope this link helps.

Roof Rack

[furstreak]

Hey bro, glad to see your interested in a cube. Hope this helps sway your decision to purchasing a Cube.

Overall the cargo space is pretty fair inside. The back seats can be layed down to add space, and the utility container in the back can be removed to add even more space. You really wont need a roof rack unless of course you have +2 passengers in your cube. Here are some pics i just took of my cube inside. Its a little dirty but im getting ready to clean it.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/DSC03401.jpg
this is the width on the base (gets a little wider as you move vertically.
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/DSC03402.jpg
without the cargo container
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/DSC03403.jpg
styrofoam taped to the bottom of the cargo conatiner to make it flush when the seats are folded down (came like this i didnt do it)
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/DSC03404.jpg
The MAT that i JUST FOUND when i removed the cargo container (didnt think i had one before now lol)
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/DSC03400.jpg
overall space to the back of the front seats



hope this helps you out bro. overall there is a lot of space , you really wont need a roof rack unless your a woman that needs 50 outfits for just a 3 day trip lol.

[KFWA]

Thanks for taking the time to post the pics. I really appreciate it.

Unfortunately for me, I'm considering the Cube to replace a Honda Odyssey so while very spacious, any small car I consider is going to be a compromise. The big issue for us is our medium sized dog. On road trips now, we just put him in the back and he has half the van to settle in.

With a hatchback or toaster car, the luggage space would have to be his space (as we don't want the dog sharing seats with the kids in a 700 mile road trip) and the ability to use a luggage rack becomes a priority.

I'm afraid if a luggage rack solution doesn't exist, we may have to look at a Toyota Matrix.

[furstreak]

there are luggage racks available for the cube, there is a thread in the forums

heres the link

Roof Rack

hope this helps. Also if youd like the rear seats are seperate and one single seat can be unbolted and removed if you have just 1 kid this would add room for the dog to sit beside your child in the floor. You can remove the small seat that way your child can have a cup holder. Or remove the big seat so the dog can have more room. Hope this helps