Squid,

Your point is well taken. You're right, and I have been trying hard to determine if there is such a thing as "normal" CVT noises. After talking with several Nissan Techs and one Master Nissan service Tech, the answer seems to be that the tranny should always be silent, however the noise shouldn't cause any problems. It's that last part that I've always had problems with, because a grinding/rattle noise in the trans, even though it's very brief lasting no more than one second at a time, sounds like a problem in the making and over the course of 100k, 200k + miles I'm sure would be become a real problem.

So, have you and anyone else ever noticed that very brief rattle noise at low parking lot speeds - the radio needs to be turned off to really hear it, but it's very clear when it happens.