Thoughts on Nissan Frontier

My frontier was a great truck and I beat it to death. Never gave me an issue but, as others have said they do not hold their value like a toyota. I had much, much more room in my frontier than my tacoma's. If you wont be offroading and plan to keep it for awhile i'd personally look into the frontier.

 

Please don't take a legitimate thread and turn it into a shitpile, Rick.

 

Well... that didn't take long. Fanboys streaming out. It was only a matter of time since every thread on this site eventually turns out that way.

Comparison? I thought I already did some of that. Look, I know there are a bunch of people on this site that would rather die than drive anything than a Tacoma. There's also a bunch of people that would say you don't deserve to drive a truck unless you chop off the bumpers, add skids and sliders and destroy in in the woods or trails.

I need a truck for the things I like to use my truck for, but I will now need more than a forward-facing jump seat. I also have a budget- unlike the members that buy a $35k truck, chop shit off it, add a lift and sink it in a mudhole to complain about their check engine light and knocking sounds. I need to stay in a certain range per month, and Tacomas in my area are higher than I would comfortably pay to own a vehicle. Simple. I'm not asking about which is better- I really do enjoy my second Tacoma.

But for someone to RAH-RAH-RAH about one vehicle and has no experience with the other? Give me a break.
I guess they're stupid for using a boxed frame and giving better HP and torque with the same or better gas mileage, huh?

Go shit in a Colorado bashing thread.

 

The frontier is a good truck and honestly is better built in some cases (frame) also the frontier will hold up as long you take care of it.

 

I've driven a couple Pro4X's for work and like them but I like my Tacoma much more. The most recent one (2014 model) had some weird electrical glitches going on with cruise control and the front diff binding on moderate turns. I find the leather seats in the Frontier uncomfortable and the cab's a little too small for me. They are a nice truck, but if the only thing making you look at it is that they are a few grand cheaper, just buy a Tacoma that's a year older. Saving a couple grand to get the vehicle you don't want doesn't make sense long term. And short term, I think you'd lose more on your investment with the Frontier anyway.

 

As I've never driven on, I'm not sure if it's a vehicle "I don't want" yet. For all I know, I may find it's not as "smooshy" as the Tacoma and more "truck-like"... I simply don't know yet. I guess I was looking for real experience that may shed light on it being a vehicle to NOT consider at this point- beyond blind opinions.

If I'm going to "upgrade" my Tacoma, I'd rather go with the newer styling of the 2012. Makes no sense to me personally to take out a new loan on something more than 3 yrs old to get into a 2010 with more or equal miles to my own truck. And 2012 Tacomas around here are pricey- again, hence looking at a 2012 Frontier that is about the same price as some 2010 Tacomas. And, though resale value is a nice thing to have, I don't buy something now to have and use with the thought of getting more later when I dump it.

Size-wise, I actually liked my 04's cabin better- so if the Frontier is more like that, then I'll be ok unless the "Full-sized" back seat is not any bigger than what I've got now.

I think on Monday, I'll go look at this Frontier with baby seat in hand to see the room I would have in there and take it for a spin to evaluate how I feel about it.

Thanks to all who've given honest reviews and first-hand experience. I do appreciate it!

 

Alright I'll tone it down. I have looked at then and just never liked them.. But good luck with whatever you do

 

Theyre pretty much the same in terms of specifications. So the question is, which do you thinks looks better?

 

Toyota fanboy here!
Hey everyone buy what you feel comfortable with, I'm not bashing Nissan, I've had a lot of great Toyotas over the years.
So I stick with what I like and what works for me, that said, everyones experience is different, but we don't have to crap on someone elses opinion because we disagree!
I started with a '80 toyota 4x4, gutless but bulletproof back in the early '80s, wish I still had it!
Since then I've had a '87 ranger 4x not a bad truck after I put a 4.0 in it, 2000 Taco xtra cab 4x, and a '98 taco xtra cab 4x, just sold on Toyotas, that's why I stick with them.
Maybe we all need a chill pill, at the end of the day we buy and drive what we want and can afford!
Why all the shit slinging? go have a beverage!

 

I don't think they look ugly- I like the tail lights and the cargo area of the Frontier, but I like the grille and headlamps of the Tacoma. Maybe I can get a junkyard Frontier and mix it with mine for a "Tacomatier"???

Inside, I like them both.

But really, it boils down to me getting what will do the job- it's a truck, no more-no less, and I need it to be affordable.

Once driven on Monday, if I go there on Monday, I'll report any opinions/findings/etc...

Again, thanks!

 

http://wot.motortrend.com/2005-10-n...-plagued-by-transmission-failures-111579.html

This happened to friend of mines Pathfinder at 95,000 mi. 2 weeks in the shop and $3200. Nissans rebuild kit was on back order due to all the repairs across the country. Whatever you do go 2010 or later. Good luck!

 

I recommend test driving a Frontier that's 3 or 4 years older than the one you are looking at to get a general sense of what happens to Frontiers with age. Domestic trucks are notorious for just turning into sloppy rattling clunkers after a few years but I've never driven a Frontier more than 3 years old. Get a sense for how they hold up. Comparing new trucks rarely does a Tacoma justice. People buy them for how well they hold up and you should consider what kind of truck you will have in 3 or 4 years if you buy a frontier. Maybe they stay tight. I have no clue.

 

On the other hand- you could drive my 06 and someone else's 06 and they would likely be completely different. My specific truck has 67k so it would most likely drive different than an 06 with "normal" miles- approx 108k+.

I'm looking for personal experience to determine if there were systemic issues that cropped up- if a bunch of people said that they sound like bb's in a coffee can after 45k or something like that.

 

You could get a non TRD double cab 4x4 for $28k here new. No personal experience with the Nissan but no way I'd buy one over the Toyota unless it was significantly cheaper.

 

well clearly there's going to be a difference in two 7 year old trucks if one has 3x the mileage and a hard life but you could test drive one that will have similar mileage you expect to see. That way you're forming your own opinion to go with the reliability stats you see on the internet. Or don't.

 

I just built a new 15 on Toyota's website.

Double cab
4x4
4.0
Auto trans
Short bed
SR5 trim
Convenience package

$29,905 MSRP

So unless your dealer is marking up Tacomas you would only be in $3k more than that used Frontier if you paid full asking price. Typically here it's easy to get at least a grand off with minimal haggling. And the truck I just built is very common around here. I see more SR5 models than I do TRD.

And also consider the resale value difference. So even if you pay a couple grand more, you're not really out any more money if you want to trade it in 5 years down the road. Just some food for thought.

 

From OP's first post.

Maybe it's the shitty seats in the SR5?

 

What's the difference other than the fabric?

I mean, is a hood scoop, stickers, and different color seats really worth paying the up charge?

 

If you decide on a used Frontier please get the radiator checked. They can fail internally, usually around 80k to 120k miles. This causes coolant to get into the transmission and destroy the valve body. The resulting repairs can exceed $5000. A quick google search will give you more info.