If you were in my shoes what would you do....

So my father has a 2001 Nissan Fronteir crew cab 4x4 v6 auto with 93k on it. I have been off roading that for a bit, all stock by the way. I was driving home from a trip Saturday and the fuel pump went out going 70 mph somehow got off the highway and its getting fixed now. But it has some maintenance issues as in never maintained but still runs really solid, never let me down besides Saturday anyway the question i have is. Should I keep this truck and mod it to off road or trade it for something else like an old truck of some brand or 4runner etc.
By the way my father is pretty okay with either choice he doesn't care for the truck since he already has another. So what would you do? Thank you

 

Did he give it to you? How old are you?

 

No, but I use it for work, he doesn't drive it at all (I own a landscaping business) but whatever project we decided we would work on it together. and 17 turning 18 at the end of the month.

 

the gas mileage already sucks with this littl 3.3l can not imagine a 5.6 haha thanks for your opinion!

 

I figured you were about that age. When I was, my dad gave me his truck that he "didn't need," and in reality he was just doing me a solid and giving me reliable vehicle that would keep me out of debt by buying something new or making me buy an unknown mystery used car that might be on the verge of crumbling after a few months.

If it were me, I'd keep the truck and mod it if you want/need, but I'd keep in mind the intent of your father giving it to you, it may or may not be for the most obvious reasons.

 

Keep it. Nissans are pretty reliable from what I've heard. Much better than purchasing some random, sketchy truck that may or may not have a shit ton of hidden problems. A Frontier is perfect for your needs. Also, put a 17" lift kit on it - it'd be badass

Just kidding about the lift. Please do not do that. Good luck with whichever option you choose!

 

Totally get that, he was real close to giving it to my buddy because its a family tradition every kid gets a new car as long as they don't drink or smoke
but if thinks its pretty cool off roading

 

thank you for your opinion!

 

Thanks ahah

 

Keep it. Nissans aren't as refined as Toyotas (think Chevy vs Buick) but they are very reliable.

I'd recommend base lining all the maintenance items since you think it's been neglected, learning how things work and how to fix them.

Then learn how to drive and recover it in the form it's in. That will mean.......

You have to learn to drive it well

You have to learn what it 'won't' do, and avoid that scenario

You have to learn how to get it unstuck when you sink it.

You have to learn how to fix it when you break it.

Until you do that, modding it for the most part won't get you much other than an empty wallet. Or further in the woods when you stick or break it, meaning it will be harder to retrieve.

BTDT, thousands of off road miles early in my working years.

Here's your benchmark. When you can drive places in 2wd that most folks need 4wd, you've learned to drive. And can take a lot of kids lunch money.

 

Thank you for that! I have been just trying to hanging with my friend and his jeep on 33s and I have been doing pretty good only got stuck once but I got a lot to learn!

 

I like this. When does said kid get the car? Graduation? 18th birthday?

 

17th birthday, the day they get there license. My grandfather and great aunt got each a new oldsmobile my dad got an 82 camaro and my brother got a 2012 mustang and i got me a taco, first person to get stick ahah but it keeps me out of trouble

 

wait you have a taco and the Nissan? I would def keep the nissan and tinker on it and leave the taco alone for the time being.

 

yup 2013 toyota tacoma is my daily and then the nissan is my work/beater and thanks for your opinion

 

That's a really cool tradition. But this last post threw me for a loop-You've got a 2013 Taco and for that tradition you were given this Nissan? I'm confused

But that is awesome. Keep the Taco stock or make small necessary improvements and keep that Nissan as a work/play truck. You don't want two gas guzzlers!

 

ahah the nissan was kind of adopted by me because my dad was given a 2010 gmc sierra by my grandfather and so that frontier was there and now its basically mine (my fathers name is on the title)

 

I would just keep it. No reason to spend money getting something newer, especially since it's already your second vehicle.

 

I loved my Nissan. I added a topper, AAL, and better shoes - bone stock otherwise. It was a great vehicle to learn offroading in. Just maintain it and fix what you break, it will serve you well. Keep the Taco relatively stock, don't go into debt to have a "better looking" truck - that's way less cool than driving a stock rig.

Enjoy both trucks, they're good ones. Sounds like you're on the right track and just looking for a bit of confirmation.

 

Since you have a reliable vehicle for a daily driver, I would keep the Nissan to tinker with and mod. Instead of blowing money inheriting someone else's problems, keep what you have and what you know. Just my $0.02.