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Tacoma, vs Frontier, "Just My Own Observation"

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by oldracer, Jul 11, 2013.

  1. Jul 11, 2013 at 7:58 PM
    #1
    oldracer

    oldracer [OP] Well-Known Member

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    This isn't the usual Tacoma vs, Frontier thread; just my observations after driving the Nissan, for a week. Had to have some paint work done; so I rented a 2013 Frontier. Frontier is equipped comparable to my Tacoma.

    I have a 2008 Tacoma, TRD, Off Road, 4x4, 4.0, Auto. Only 34,000 miles.
    Frontier 2013, 7,400 miles, 4.0, Auto, about same trim package.

    1. Interstate driving pretty much equal

    2. Rough secondary roads, Frontier is sooo smooth, compared to Tacoma

    3. Frontier has a real manly tailgate, WITH A LOCK. I bent my Tacoma, loading dirt bikes. Tacoma is light and tinny. Take a look under the tailgate protector on your truck. I had to reinforce the Tacoma one.

    3.2 Had to haul some heavy off road, heavy equipment parts, several hundred lbs; they were loaded on the tailgate, with a forklift then slid ahead, to close the gate. Frontier handled it well. Of course after I unlocked the tailgate. I say this because I had a Tacoma tailgate stolen. No lock to lock.

    4. The above mentioned, off road equipment parts would have set the Tacoma down on the rear bump stops; Frontier, no noticeable height difference. Three full rear spring leafs, plus the overload ply, seemed thicker.

    5. Fuel mileage. Honestly about the same.

    6. Brakes. Not a fair comparison here, Frontier has rear disc; and you can tell it. Not even close, comparison. I'll just move on. You can actually stop this truck with a load on. Don't try that with the Tacoma.

    7. Performance: With the heavy equipment parts, I had to haul them several hundred miles, 90% hilly, mountain, secondary roads, 10% interstate. I was surprised, very surprised. I made a few passes on uphill mountain roads in the Frontier, that the Tacoma; could never have done. And it did these passes quickly. I don't know about some people saying the Tacoma is faster, maybe; but the Frontier is quicker, using the same amount of fuel. ?????

    8. Interior, About the same, I guess. No winner here. I did like the auto down, driver's window. You say, what's that; just something my Tacoma doesn't have.

    9. Looks: The Tacoma wins this hands down. The Frontier looks like an outdated box. I'm still a fan of the look of my truck; but not so much of the newest Tacoma's.

    10. Now, I will get all the Reliability, Feedbacks and Trade-in value comments. Hey. I only drove the Frontier a week so far.

    11. Would I buy the other brand? I guess I am stuck on Toyota.

    Don't beat me up, This is what I saw and felt, in a few hundred miles. At least I drove the other brand.
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2013
  2. Jul 11, 2013 at 8:05 PM
    #2
    WittyTaco

    WittyTaco Well-Known Member

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    Good comparison. Only one i disagree with is 8 because the Tacoma does indeed have an auto down drivers window.
     
  3. Jul 11, 2013 at 8:06 PM
    #3
    oldracer

    oldracer [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Then Mine doesn't work!

    I'll have to look at that. For sure Mine doesn't work.

    I'll look at it. Last month I had to take the passenger's door panel off, to fix the window track. It came a part at 34,000 miles.
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2013
  4. Jul 11, 2013 at 8:07 PM
    #4
    drunktaco

    drunktaco Well-Known Member

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    Icon ext travel C/O's, Total Chaos UCA's, King R/R shocks, All-Pro leaf pack, lights, RCI skid, Brute Force sliders, ect.
    I'm pretty sure my 08 had it, 99% sure
     
  5. Jul 11, 2013 at 8:10 PM
    #5
    Newlife

    Newlife Well-Known Member

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    loaded my riding mower into my tacoma today and no squat or budge at all. So I will have to say mine seems to handle a heavy load fine. and same with auto window down both fronts on my are auto. But only controlled on drivers side. Unsure if aftermarket system used but I know drivers side is auto from factory
     
  6. Jul 11, 2013 at 8:14 PM
    #6
    Boone

    Boone Vaginas are rad.

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    Mine has it (auto down). But it's also not a frontier. Win.
    Frontiers aren't too bad, but I've never been as impressed with them as I have with the Tacoma. Even the factory supercharged Frontiers felt weak in a comparison on the same roads and same people/ bikes/ gear.
     
  7. Jul 11, 2013 at 8:15 PM
    #7
    DJB1

    DJB1 Well-Known Member

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    I test drove a few Frontiers when I was shopping for a new used truck last summer. I even rode in the back seats on Frontier and Tacoma access and double-cabs. I liked the Frontier but both cab styles seemed too tall and too skinny. Plus a 4x4 stick shift Frontier is harder to find than a stick shift Tacoma.

    What I really wanted was a 1st gen Tacoma, but where I live they go for about 15-17K if they've got under 100,000 miles. When I found a 2nd gen Tacoma double-cab with 45,000 miles on it for barely more than that, I took it.
     
  8. Jul 11, 2013 at 8:16 PM
    #8
    BioWheelin

    BioWheelin Well-Known Member

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    I've been curious about this as it seems that half the people on my job site are driving the Frontiers and the other half are in either 4runners, Tacomas, or Tundras.

    If the guy with a radioactive box (soil tester) chained down in the back of a Frontier trusts it for security, what am I missing here?

    I still love me some Tacos, I won't be trading in any time soon. Unless they're free, of course... nothing beats a free truck.
     
  9. Jul 11, 2013 at 8:19 PM
    #9
    68vert

    68vert Well-Known Member

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    i test drove the frontier and was close to buying one. My dad talked me into buying a Tacoma. I'm glad I did for resale and reliability. Most of my friends that have Nissans had severe engine problems around 100K miles (engine needs rebuild, smoking and loosing power, leaking oil from everywhere, etc...)

    I agree, the Taco isnt the best at everything. I have a 2005 with 69k and its been a pretty darn good truck. hauled home a complete LS iron block, T56 trans, 10 bolt, leafsprings, entire front suspension all in one shot. Guessing it was easy 1000lbs. :eek: No probs.
     
  10. Jul 11, 2013 at 8:20 PM
    #10
    oldracer

    oldracer [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Well, the point was: I had my tailgate stolen, on my Tacoma. Not anything laying in the bed.

    I have added an aftermarket lock kit, since that incident.
     
  11. Jul 11, 2013 at 8:22 PM
    #11
    Artruck

    Artruck Well-Known Member

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    5 years is a long time in the auto industry. I would wonder how a head to head comparison would go with 2013's. I like the Frontier, used to have one till this January, but the new ones are to big in my opinion. I miss the old little nissans. The Toyota seemed a better size. And better looking, of course.
     
  12. Jul 11, 2013 at 9:41 PM
    #12
    ace96

    ace96 Well-Known Member

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    Had an '06 Frontier before the Tacoma. Frontier rode rough compared to Tacoma. Very stiff suspension. I was glad to unload the Frontier before I had the strawberry milkshake issue with the radiator. Also, gearing sucks in the auto in Frontier. Around 45 mph you have to give it a little more to get to next gear. Truck really lugs down at that speed. Tacoma is smooth as silk through the gears.


    One question for OP. how did you like parking the Frontier? Damn things turn like a semi.
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2013
  13. Jul 11, 2013 at 9:51 PM
    #13
    HBtaco02

    HBtaco02 Well-Known Member

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    I don't think it is a good comparison at all. We are talking 2008 vs 2013. Thats 5yrs ..Also a 2wheel drive will be smother than a 4x4. Lets not compare apples and oranges.
     
  14. Jul 11, 2013 at 10:31 PM
    #14
    kryten

    kryten Well-Known Member

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    With regards to 2008 vs 2013, I think only point 8 and 9 would be affected by that.
     
  15. Jul 11, 2013 at 10:34 PM
    #15
    WilsonTheDog

    WilsonTheDog Kylie's dad

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    Nissan: Transmission problems. I know because I experienced them on two different vehicles. Enough to make me never buy another Nissan.
     
  16. Jul 11, 2013 at 10:51 PM
    #16
    mr2mki

    mr2mki Well-Known Member

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    Both trucks are pretty good vehicles in a fairly close race. If it isn't safe to put a radioactive box in the Nissan's bed, chances are it isn't safe to put it in the Toyota's bed either.

    I mean for heaven's sake, we're arguing about things like looks and window auto down in this thread. That should help convince you that neither is a deathtrap. Even if one is clearly better than the other, that doesn't mean one is awful.
     
  17. Jul 11, 2013 at 10:51 PM
    #17
    SABAJA

    SABAJA Well-Known Member

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    I've had good experiences with Nissan as a whole from past vehicles...minus a few things here and there. But I doubt I'll be buying anything but a Toyota from this point on. The overall build quality and fit-n-finish is better than all of my previous vehicles, all of which varied in price point and brand placement each having a big enough chronic issue that I sold them all in relative short order. Plus, I was helping to support the local economy since my Taco was built in my city.
     
  18. Jul 11, 2013 at 11:00 PM
    #18
    TnRedNeck721

    TnRedNeck721 Nick Namer

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    yep OP. take a look at the driver side window motor or what ever. my ’07 trd OR has auto down.

    My truck use to handle it better. but once i started flexing them off road a little they don’t seam to hold it as well.
     
  19. Jul 11, 2013 at 11:26 PM
    #19
    Gincoma

    Gincoma Special Edition Member

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    It says auto right on the window switch..obvious troll trying to bag the Tacoma
     
  20. Jul 12, 2013 at 3:56 AM
    #20
    oldracer

    oldracer [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I said comparable equipment!!!

    The Nissan was a 4x4
     

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