Tacoma, vs Frontier, "Just My Own Observation"

I had completely opposite experiences with the handling and interior. The Nissan is crap--seats are hard bargain basement things to sit on, Toyota is comfortable cradle for your body. Also there's NO comparison between the back seat room--Nissan SUCKS while Toyota is voluminous. I've had me, my 6' 5" brother, my 6' 2" Dad, and my 5' 10" sister comfortably in my Taco. Handling on nasty, broken up, rutty back road--Nissan=NO manners and no ability to suck up the bumps (and I drove all trim levels up to the fancy pants SE or whatever the letters are) while the Toyota TRD OR sucked up the impacts nicely providing a smooth, comfortable, controlled ride.

 

My 2000 1st gen. has the auto window thing...

Nissan & Toyota share the same shitty suspension

I liked Nissans when they were sold under the Datsun trade name although its always been made by Nissan Motor company, they seemed to be a much better vehicle then...

 

Have owned both. Had an absolutely awful experience with the Toyota. The truck was in the shop more than actually on the road. The taco was a 2012 6 speed manual and the clutch sounded like a creaky old leather shoe. Had the master cylinder and linkage replaced which worked for a while and then the pedal started sticking. After the third time, the clutch still creaked although it wasn't sticking any longer. Their explanation was, that's just what they do. The leaf springs also had to be replaced after 3000k because they squeaked horribly. Seat belt adjustment was broken when I purchased it, which I didn't notice until about a week later. The Nissan is much smoother, not nearly as jerky between gears as the Taco. The seats are WAY more comfortable. The interior isn't nearly as flimsy as the Taco's. With the Nissan, you get a lot more bang for the buck. I realized after being a life long Toyota driver, first truck was 87 4x4 hand me down in '95, they just don't make them like the used to. I just don't think the quality is there like the old days. My unpopular vote on this thread is for the Nissan.

 

I've wheeled with the nismos....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=g7H5vZE7qnQ#t=4



http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HorXVZ_L-rg#t=3

 

I thought the older frontier's were a lot better looking.i don't like the look of the new ones.mechanically I think the taco's and frontiers are comparable.
As to capacity and towing.I put air bags on my taco cause when I go camping I load 2000 lbs in the truck and tow 3500 lbs of boat and trailer through the rocky mountains.usually 4 times a summer.just gear down,rev the piss out of it and run the hills.did that for years(3500 rpm in 3rd=75 miles per hour)for 3 to 4 miles at a time with my dodge 4.7.the taco has done well so far.don't know how the frontier would be with that but if someone wants to loan me one I'll be glad to give it a try.
And yes, I know i'm over the payload limit.f*** that ,it's a truck

 

I can't believe the towed the Taco by the top hoop of the bumper. Towing like that wants to shear the bolts off the bumper.

 

I don't understand how they even got stuck there.

I too looked at both a Frontier and taco before I made my purchase. In the end it came down to a couple things:

Toyota reliability
Tacoma aftermarket
The Nissan salesman was a total dick while the Toyota salesman was a total bro

 

I like both. Since we're talking about the Nissan I like the clean styling, interior included.. just seems more grown up. The rear suspension, tail gate, and tie down system are superior.. all important on a truck. The V6 is definitely smoother and quieter than the Tacoma's. Nissan doesn't have an I4 4wd model though.. so I likely won't be buying one.

Both need an update.. I hope they tone down the Tacoma's styling on the next generation.

 

Not sure if this was mentioned (skimmed some reading) but one thing I really like that the Frontier has over the Tacoma, FULL BOX FRAME. Thats how fords have stayed out in front for a while. Everyone can say what they want, but in the oil field where I work... 68 % of the vehicles are Fords for the reason that they last on site longer then any other manufacturer.

 

Yea but my semi doesn't have a fully boxed frame. You want a frame to have some flexibility. Not downing ford because I like fords too.

 

You must have bought one of those special edition POS tacoma then

 

Oil companies use Fords because they have one of the best fleet programs in the nation.

 

My last truck was a Nissan, not even a Frontier, they just called it "truck" back then, lasted 14 hard years. A untraceable leak that kept dumping water into the computer put an end to that vehicle, sadly. That was the only thing that ever went wrong with that beast.

Like my new Tacoma but you won't catch me saying shit about Nissan trucks. I know better from experience.

ETA: I will say shit about Nissan's styling. The Frontier is hideous. As in "I won't drive one" hideous.

 

i once searched one (in person for security) i think the driver said it was a 2009, deffinately extended cab 4cyl 4x4. i dont remember if it was auto or manual, but i asked him lots of questions and talked to him about it because i had a 2008 tacoma 4cyl 5spd. He said it was the biggest mistake he made and if he had the option to go back in time he wouldnt do it, but he was upside down on the loan. same complaints i had with my tacoma 4cyl vs v6 in the 2nd gens, in 4x4, not enough power, barely any better MPG and overall a disapointment

I also dont think they make the new tacomas with the same care or comparitive quality as the old toyotas (i own and collect 79-95 trucks basically) but they are worlds apart in others. its a give take relationship.

either way i love my tacoma, i have always liked the frontier as well but im a toyota guy, and there is not as much aftermarket for the nissan. And i have never liked thier interior, i LOVE the interior on my tacoma (im 6' 1" 215lbs)

 

Good comparison, but I am disagreeing with the braking statement. The taco's rear brakes are drums, but of all the comparison test the taco still stops quicker than the fronty with rear discs..

 

Yeah, I'm always curious when people complain about the Tacoma brakes versus the other (or what is left of) midsize trucks. If the studies/facts say Tacoma brakes bring the vehicle to a stop quicker then I'd rather stick with facts than someones bullshit opinion based on how they "feel".

 

i have never had a problem with the drums. (minus a bad wheel cyl)

the same can not be said for disks, i have had to replace on or more on almost every older vehicle i have had

and my tacoma stops just as good as my 4runner. (4runner has disks)

the difference to me is they dont feel as "touchy" as others i have drove with disks.

 

Actually you are wrong on this. Pickuptrucks.com recently tested all the midsize trucks and Tacoma won the unloaded/loaded breaking over the Frontier by 10'/15' respectively.

 

thats a ford festiva/ford focus respectively

i picked Ford cars because i like to see them smashed vs broke down

 

That was a frontier they were towing, not a taco.