PennSilverTaco's non-Toyota Japanese (and Korean) vehicle Rant/Rave MegaThread!

Except my Nissan doesn't have a CVT. It is doing just fine.

 

Ahh, so that was the X factor that you failed to mention previously. That changes the dynamics of the game entirely!

Nissan's auto transmissions were actually pretty darn well made. The V6 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 litre engines are pretty darn bulletproof also when maintained correctly. The only thing that can really destroy them is running them low on oil which was actually a doable thing if you neglected to do your oil changes at the proper intervals.

 

True. Except some are not willing to pay the high price for a Toyota. Had a 06 Tacoma and really enjoyed it. Went looking for a 2016 back then. No way was the Tacoma worth the extra dollars compared to the Frontier. But, hey , I always say buy what you want. Little over 3 years and no issues with my Pro 4x.

Toyota has ruled the midsize pick up market for a long time. Time will tell if the 3gen holds up as well.

https://focus2move.com/world-cars-brand-ranking/
2019 ranking
1. Toyota
2. Volkswagen
3. Ford
4. Honda
5. Nissan

 

You can prevent frame rust by using some kind of coating, pretty much can't do anything to extend the life of Nissan's garbage CVT's.

 

The Subaru ones are just as bad

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR7k7sI7PgE

Review of an old truck with a new 3.8L and 9spd. Will be interesting to see the all new 2021 Frontier later this year.

 

Here's my 89 Pathfinder 2-door. This is an internet pic but mine was exactly the same color/wheels/graphics. Probably my most favorite vehicle Ive owned.

 

From a 2020 Frontier. I know some people like the retro "I feel like I'm in a 20 year old" truck feel, but I can't do it. Purely aesthetic reasons for not liking Nissans. It could have a supercharged v8 under the hood and I'd concede that to you and still be happier in something else.

 

So what specifically is it that people don't like? I constantly hear that people think the interior of the frontier is dated, but nobody gets specific.

 

The... whole thing? *waves arms desperately trying to include everything*

For those who like it, by all means. This is just my perspective. If you want specifics, I think the steering wheel layout looks like someone embedded a calculator in it with no real intent as to what anything would be used for. The orange background LED's. The instrument cluster and white "racing" gauges looks dated. The automatic shifter from a 1998 Toyota Corolla. Nothing flows, it all looks like it was designed independently and fitted together later.

I spend more time inside my truck than outside of it... well that's not technically true, but you know what I mean - I like the way my Taco feels. The Ranger was a close second. I'm also not a fan of Chevy/GMC, everything feels like cheap plastic toy buttons (worse than the F150).

 

Huh. Okay. I guess its one of those things.

Full disclosure: I've been driving a frontier since 2008, its my other truck. I find the cruise control on the steering wheel to be super easy to use. And my gauges are black (white gauges are lame). I like the orange - my old chevy had this weird green tint which I hated. I really don't have any complaints. The cupholders are great, the salsa holder on top of the dash has been very handy, and after 147,000 mi - still no rattles. Its a very functional interior, but I guess it just doesn't resonate with some, and that's okay.

Thanks!

 

That's literally all it is. I can't quantify my opinion with scientific facts on whether or not it works, I'm personally just not a fan.

 

Totally fair. I've absolutely been in car interiors that felt way off as well. I'm pretty utilitarian, so the fancier it gets, the less interested I am.

Driving a ford explorer feels like a damn spaceship.

 

lol a grade 5 r34 gtr went for over 200k the other week at auction in my town. insane what people will pay for them.

 

My 2010 Pro-4x interior has grown on me over the years.

Good layout
Switches are all good quality and illuminated
Great visibility and seating position
Minimal squeaks and rattles
Holding up very well 10+ years on, no wear

It's definitely dated and was never fancy but I don't care for cutting edge stuff in a cheap truck that I take off-road and use for work. Would I pay $40k for the same thing today? Probably not, I'd buy another used one for $20k, these things are a great deal used.

2021 is going to be a full redesign and Nissan's current interiors are quite good, should be a sweet truck with this new 3.8L/9AT.

 

I wonder if toyota will do something to update the current gen after the new nissan comes out before the new tacoma in 2024. Something like a new transmission or power bump etc. The truth is the frontier would probably be my first choice after the tacoma.

 

Having driven rental Frontiers for weeks at a time in my travels, I don't like the Frontier interior for functional reasons:

• Straight pull automatic shifter lacks precision for shifting manually - easy to overshoot
  
• Horn pad too narrow - have to take my hand off the wheel to press it
  
• Uncomfortable seats compared to Tacoma TRD-trim seats (ill-shaped bottom cushion support, no side bolstering, too high)
• Brake pedal too high compared to gas pedal.
  
• No push-button start. Stepping on the brakes causes your knee to jab into the keychain.
• Bad visibility at the bottom of the A-pillar.

Shifter and lack of push-button start have been addressed by the 2021 model with the 3.8L, but the other issues remain. Nissan also removed the driver's side A-pillar grab handle, though it should be easy to retrofit with 2005-2020 parts.

 

I think for me at least its that god awful, light grey color that makes it look like cheap plastic. Most new vehicles have that dark color and texture that makes the dash look softer, almost leather like.

I'm really looking forward to the 21 frontier, if it looks anything like the Navara I may be switching

 

Haven't seen many Xterra Pictures yet, This one is mine. I have Zero complaints about it.