Taco versus Frontier

I get where you're coming from with that. I just got my '14 3 weeks ago and a bunch of my coworkers have bought new trucks over the summer. I keep hearing about all these great features in the Chevys, Fords and Rams. But I didn't by my Tacoma for today's gadgets. I bought it because my new Explorer (back in '93) died at 120K, my new ('03) Dodge Durango refused to stay on the road no matter how much I babied it.

All the creature comforts of those US built trucks are useless when the cooling system goes at 80K and takes your head gaskets with it. I'll put in an aftermarket stereo and ride major problem free for 300k, thank you.

 

False.
I had a 96' for years. My little bro has it now. The truck is about to turn 300k.
The truck was (and still is) being driven to the ground. Hard driving, working, towing, ext..

Probably the most dependable vehicle I've ever owned.

 

Agreed, the frames are only a problem in the rust belt. You see them running around down here all the time with 250K+. My uncle had a 93 that he drove out to 425K mi, still ran fine and frame was in good shape. That truck lived it's life in Florida BTW.

 

I went from an 05 prerunner to a 14 4X4. My 05 was a great truck, just wish I had a DCSB 4X and wanted to get one before they redesigned it with more shit I couldnt work on. I plan on having this truck for a very long time so didnt want direct injection either and have to deal with carbon build up on my valves.

All new vehicles are awesome but over the long haul. I think Tacoma will take the win generally (reliability and resale).

Plus the older Toyota trucks and FJ's get, the cooler they are. Just my take.

I'm not a diehard Toyota guy either. Had a Chevy and looked at all the other brands before buying my 05 and it took a lot of convincing before i bought that Prerunner. Now a Tacoma guy since. Yeah its due for a redesign cause the competitors are coming out with gadgets etc, but if you want a vehicle as a keeper long term, gadgets technology becomes worthless really fast. A good running truck is almost priceless to me......

 

The little things ….. Tacoma / Frontier Comparison

I’ve had my Tacoma for several weeks now and have beenkeeping a list of my impressions vs my Frontier that I drove for 9 years. Theseare all just the small things and my impressions / opinions about what I’venoticed in daily use.


I figured I would list each item and which vehicle I thinkis better.

A/C vents: Frontier - I don’t like the A/C blowingdirectly on me so I typically point them towards the ceiling. The Tacoma israther limited on high the vents will point.

Seat belt latch: Tacoma – Nissan puts the buckle forthe driver’s seat belt kind of down in the space between the seat and thecenter console. It was a PITA to buckle in, especially if I was wearing ajacket. The Tacoma is much better … works well, as it should. BTW, Nissan evensells a little seat belt buckle extender thing, which makes me think itssomething others have complained about. I never could bring myself to giveNissan $20 for it though.

Cruise Control: Frontier – The Nissan had a greatcruise. It always held its speed well and was easy to engage. In addition tothe on/off indicator light, which theTacoma has, it had a light for when the cruise was actually engaged. This washelpful too. I don’t know why the speed with the Tacoma fluctuates so much.I’ve noticed it with my wife’s FJ as well.

Sun Visors: Tacoma – The Tacoma’s visor shape andwhat they cover is much better than the Frontier. I live west of where I work,so I go into the sun on the way to and from work. The Nissan had the visorextenders but it still left a big gap in the center of the windshield.

Steering Wheel Audio Controls: Frontier – I find theTacoma’s controls overly complex and sometimes odd. I guess this ties into thedesign of the Entune system. The Frontier was simple and straightforward. Ihave yet to figure out why I need the button in the center of the 4 waycontroller and I don’t understand why you can’t turn the radio off from thesteering wheel, you can only mute it.

Turning Radius: TACOMA – This is actually a big dealto me. The Frontier’s huge turning radius was ridiculous. I notice it now everytime I park and when maneuvering around my property between trees and such. TheTacoma is so much better and easier to maneuver.

Tailgate Lock: Frontier – Really Toyota? Couldn’t adda lock?

Tailgate Weight: Tacoma – I think Nissan puts leadweights in their tailgate.

Bed light: Frontier – Again, Toyota cutting smallcorners.

Engine Noise: Tacoma – Specifically, squeaking belts.From the beginning, my Frontier’s belt would squeak when it was very humid orraining. I had it looked at several times over the years. My mechanic shopadjusted the tension, put some kind of “dressing” on it and after a few years Ijust had it replaced. Every time I had something done, it was better for alittle while then went back to squeaking … rather loudly.

Torque / HP: Frontier – Where we live there’s anarrow drive with a very steep hill that goes up to our driveway. I go slow upthe hill in case someone is coming over from the other way (driving, walking orriding a bike). I think it’s a good test for torque. The Frontier just wentright up without any problem, the Tacoma seems to struggle a little. Also,acceleration from a stop is noticeably different. However, I think these canalso relate to my next item.

MPG: Tacoma – I’ve been getting almost 2 mpg betterwith the Tacoma on my drive to work. To me, that’s welcome improvement.

High Speed Handling: Frontier – This may be theshocks. My Frontier was a Nismo Off-road with Bilstein shocks. It handledsharper corners at a high speed better. The Tacoma feels a little “mushy”.

Low Speed Handling: Tacoma – In addition to the bigturning radius, the Frontier was just difficult to move around at low speed. Itfelt sluggish and heavy and was more difficult to steer.

Interior outlet plugs: Frontier – Another Toyota costcutter? My Frontier extended cab had more plugs than my Tacoma Double-Cab. TheNissan had a plug in the center console, which was helpful for having somethingsmall plugged-in and out of the way or for reaching a cord to the back. I’vealready found where I could really use at least one more plug and it would begreat if it was towards the back.

Wipers: Tacoma - Something about either the shape ofthe windshield or the blades, but the Frontier’s wipers never worked that well.I went thru all kinds of brands and types. The Tacoma’s work really well.

DTE (distance to empty): Frontier – The Frontier hadthis little indicator that when the low fuel level light came on it gave you anestimated distance to an empty tank. I thought it was pretty useful since Ihave a 20 miles commute, mostly on the Natchez Trace which has no servicestops. The Nissan also had average mpg, which I could take or leave.

Center Console: Tacoma – The side hinges and springopening lid are much more user friendly than Nissan’s design.

Dash Board Storage: Frontier – The Frontier had thissmall flat area at the top center of the dashboard. It was a great place to setsomething temporarily and get it off the seat or out of the way. I thought itwas a good use of otherwise unused space.

Bed Design: Frontier – I think the bed and side railsystem on the Nissan is just more heavy-duty and useful. However, I do like thelittle storage boxes in the sides. They’ve been a great place to keep tie-downstraps.

Overall Ride Quality: Tacoma – I just overall preferthe way the Tacoma drives and handles on the road.

Overall Interior Finish: Tacoma – The Tacoma’sinterior finishes and design feel more thought out and comfortable. They alsoseem to be better quality, except for the steering wheel. There’s no way itsleather.

Fender Flares: Tacoma – Nissan has some fender flares butthey’re part of the main quarter panel. So if they get damaged (like mine did)a body shop (like the one I went to) wants to repair and repaint the entirequarter panel. The Tacoma has plastic parts that can be easily (I assume)replaced.


And just a random thought, what’s up with the weird zig-zagpattern for the automatic transmission control?

Overall, I prefer theTacoma and I’m happy with it.