Anyone a previous frontier owner?

Traded my Fronty 2004 extended cab 4 x 2 with a four banger and 5 speed manual in for my 2016 4 x 4 Tacco SR5 4 x 4 extended cab, V6, automatic, and so far despite some minor bitches so good I love my new Tacoma! My Frontier took me all up and down the mid-Atlantic states and to work and back every day without a bit of problems and to be truthful as hell I abused it and it just kept on running. Also long before I bought my Fronty had a 1st generation Toyota 4 x 2 with the indestructible 22R engine which eventually sounded like a Singer sewing machine from valve lifter noise but also never gave me a day trouble other then having to replace the transmission when I bought it which is a thread unto its own and a experience I never want to repeat.

When I decided it was time for a new truck I looked at the Fronty's and sorry to say I was disappointed with the outdated styling and fit and finish compared to the new Tacoma. Even though our new Tacoma doesn't come standard with options such as power and heated seats and still has ancient shoe brakes in the rear I decided to look not only at the style of the truck and dependability, but also the long track record of higher trade in values then any other truck on the market which convince me to buy Toyota even if 9 out of 10 of their dealer are complete A-holes!

 

The new Cummins Titans have a host of problems. Hopefully the rollout of the new Frontier will be smoother for Nissan.

As for the current generation Frontier, I have a ton of driving experience with them, and I find them to be noisy, bouncy, and cheap. The only decent thing about the truck is power, but everything else is just a dealbreaker for me. I love my Tacoma so much more than the Frontier. That's why I bought one

 

I worked at Nissan for two and a half years as a porter and a service writer, and I gotta say I didn't get very many frontiers in for issues. But there's no doubt they haven't aged well. I find my 1st gen DC to be superior to a new frontier IMHO.

 

I went to test drive a pro4x stick today. Decent little truck man. The rockford system with the sub is actually decent for a stock system, no sure how well it would cooperate with a aftermarket head unit though. The dual climate is a nice touch. Having a height adjustable seat is cool even if its with a wheel. I was impressed with the power you could really have some fun with a stick with its pretty wide power band on the 4.0 engine. Rear leg room is definitely smaller than the taco. I definitely preferred driving the stick on the fronty than the taco. The dealer i went to definitely wasnt trying to sell the truck though. I think it was because they closed at 5 and after i test drove the truck it was 430. They didnt want to haggle at all and low balled me and talk trash about my trade. Needless to say im going to try a different dealer and see what i can do but i right now id definitely buy a pro4x over the trd though just for the power and lower price tag not to mention no first year issues. The steal bed already lined was nice too. I also test drove an sv, the center console wasnt bolted down and the sun roof was getting stuck open lol the pro4x was put together correctly though.

 

The factory spray is nice on the Tacoma. In my opinion the frontier has the best tie downs/rail system of any truck. Love them and love the rails on the floor. I was in a 15 Tacoma the other day and I still think the frontier has a better interior. The newer Toyota radios are better than the Nissan but I like the dash layout much better. The powers seats in the Pro X4 are very nice and so it the leather. I also like the Nissan roof rack better than the Tacoma's. I loved my old 1st gen Tacoma but never cared for the 2nd gen. Just didn't do it for me. I still like the frontier better. I never really got around to taking my frontier off-road much but I always heard people talking crap about the alternator location. Probably the trucks biggest design flaw.

 

one thing I have noticed when concidering Frontier vs. Tacoma - nothing is sticking beneath the frame in that truck which is a good thing if you are planning to go off road (that is why you r looking at pro4x, right?). On the other hand since the Frontier market share is non-existent, there are much fewer aftermarket parts available for it. Hope you r a good welder.

 

Glad you liked it!

There's plenty of aftermarket support for the Frontier. It's been on the market world wide for over 10 years not to mention the other models sharing the same chassis. Not sure why you don't think much is available. You can even swap in a Titan 5.6L V8 easily.

 

Not a frontier but I had a pathfinder briefly. Its one exceptional quality, best backseat air vents of any car/truck i've owned.

 

So you think theres more aftermarket support for a first year taco than a 10 year old world wide model fronter?

 

The frontier in quad cab trim is almost comical and you end up with proX stiched into the seats in some hideous fashion. the interior of the truck is of the cheapest plastic quality. The panel fasteners are however pretty awesome. I had door panels and center console out numerous times and the always clicked back in as firm as the first time. If the ProX were sub 30K or right at it would be a solid performer. However the trans is a slug, the motor is ok. Their 4x4 system is just that, no real features (if features is your thing)

The LCD screen is in a position and angle to render it almost useless if the sun is above the horizon line. My pathfinder did its job for the few months I had it, but the solid 13mpg made me think why didnt i just buy a suburban.

If building a prerunner is your thing there is a solid scene behind for the frontier and titan for long travel and glass fenders.

 

Hey you're 100% correct that the 3rd gen taco looks bad ass compared to the frontier but im at a point in my life where id rather buy a reliable vehicle than a bad ass one and the 3rd gen taco definitely isnt that right now. Maybe in 5 years it will be but not now. Toyota dropped the ball seriously on this truck. That ugly frontier you pictured has a more adjustableseat, 4 wheel disc brakes, a more powerful engine, and a much better manual transmission, not to mention a steel bed factory lined, not plastic like the taco. Not to mention it a good chunk of change cheaper.

 

A pro4x right now is about 30k, the motor is definitely better than the 3.5 in the taco if your talking power wise. The pro4x comes with a rear locker, idk what other options you want in 4x4, crawl control is a gimmick and not available on a stick anyway which is all im shopping for. The LCD definitely isnt visible if sun hits it but i have a very nice android head unit id install as long as it would work with the factory amp and sub. The taco definitely gets better milage but id rather have a more powerful engine.

 

All the proX's Ive seen were on dealer lots minimum 36K. Most were 38 once the dealer had blasted all their stickers and stitching and crap on them. I never claimed the taco motor was better just stated the VQ40e was ok. It's got some small issues (theres been numerous chain tensioner problems - likely all by resolved now)

If you buy a ProX. Don't buy the bose system. It will make integrating anything into it an utter fucking nightmare, and I had that alpine carplay headunit and it sucked in the dash.

One major thing to consider, if its something for you to consider. The frontier will take an utter and absolute beating in resale or long term value. Add to that your buying the last model year for a 10 year old body style and you will quite literally be taking a hulk sized fist to your dick.

the cruise control in the frontier and pathfinder I found to be amongst the worst of any vehicle i've owned. I've yet to use cruise in my taco on a long hilly drive so that could very well change.

 

Even though Frontier Pro-X's are listed at $36k, you can find steep discounts on them since the GMC twins and Tacoma redesign came out. You can purchase them at a bargain. They are reliable and proven. The 3rd gen hasn't proven itself yet.

 

I test drove and almost bought a Pro 4x. It was a nice truck. But I just didn't like the way it looked. If they would change the front end and interior room a little bigger I think it would be a really nice truck.

I know some same the interior and leg space is the same in the Frontier. But I didn't feel that way. Felt way smaller.

 

Hi.

Would you expand on why you prefer the Nissan manual? I like manuals. Have owned a dozen plus, but really disliked the clutch pedal feel on my old 2013 Taco 4 cyl./5speed. It was bad enough for me that I traded it after just a year. I've not driven a Frontier stick, and would like to hear more...
Thanks...

 

Reading the thread Nissan sales are here too

 

As a Toyota guy, the Frontier is a good truck that I have respect for. I was working an accident where a Frontier totaled one car, crashed through a guard rail, and fell into a 3 foot ditch. It still remained intact with minimal damage and the driver and passenger had no injuries.

It's proven off road and recent model years have minimal to no issues. The 3rd gen has yet to earn my trust and respect. It still has to prove itself to me.

 

Exactly...i can't stand the way the frontier looks...especially the front end. I'm sorry but i cannot buy a truck unless i like the look of it. The 2nd gen and 3rd gen look way better in my opinion.

Although i certainly understand why someone would buy one...for its proven reliability.

I would rather buy a 2nd gen tacoma..2015 before a frontier though. (Especially a white trd pro) For every 3 tacomas i see on the road..i see maybe 1 frontier.

Why not just use what you have now a few years longer? I feel like if you buy a frontier now, you will be kicking yourself not waiting once the few kinks get worked out.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

I traded in my 2010 Frontier for my '16 TRD. Let me tell you, they are on two completely different levels. The Frontier was good to me and never had any issues, but it's not even in the same stratosphere as the new Tacoma in any way I can think of.