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Toyota Tacoma vs Nissan Frontier

1446 messages,  Last post on Nov 08, 2010 at 12:40 PM

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What is this discussion about? Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma, Car Comparisons, Truck

Messages Page 134 of 145

#1331 of 1446 2007 Frontier vs. Tacoma for me by peacefield1

Apr 15, 2007 (4:22 pm)

I spent a lot of time laboring over which to get, a Tacoma or a Frontier. I'll apologize in advance for what will be a very long message, but I'm a slightly different type of buyer and thought I'd share all of my thoughts for those with similar needs as they generally are not otherwise addressed.
 
I needed to replace my 1999 regular cab base Chevy S10. I've cared for it well and it has treated me equally well for 130,000 miles. I think it has a lot more left, but I am passing it to my son who is beginning college. Understand that I also own a BMW Z4; a spectacularly fun car to drive . . . but not in the snow. Also know that I commute about 80 miles round trip each day. A truck for my purpose is essentially a commuter vehicle that offers the utility of a bed (a lot of projects around the house and garden, plus hauling to support some hobbies). The goal is cheap and reliable transportation. The S10 was a 4cyl 5spd. Bought it new for $10k, only option is A/C; crank windows, no tape/CD, etc. Got ~29 mpg mixed driving and, other than replacing a fuel pump, it has been flawless. It was cheap to buy and cheap to keep. The goal is to get something just like it, but the domestics didn't look like they'd fit the bill. It was down to Toyota or Nissan.
 
I just bought my wife a new Camry a few months ago. Not exactly a driver's car, but it's pretty handsome, comfortable, and if you buy the base model with few options, it's pretty inexpensive (I think we paid $18k + tax/tags). This, along with their top-drawer reputation for quality had me leaning towards the Tacoma. The target was a Tacoma regular cab Prerunner with the SR5 package.
 
Here's the problem. As you may have noted, other than the Z4 which was a once-in-a-lifetime indulgence, I like my cars simple and cheap. The base Tacoma has 215 sized tires inside of wheel wells shaped for something much larger. The standard wheels look silly. Okay, the Prerunner gets me appropriately sized tires and doesn't add that much to the cost. Now I find that I can't order a/c, it's part of a $1k package. And even after that thousand, I still don't get intermittent wipers (wipers dragging across the windshield more frequently than they have to is a personal bug of mine) so I speced the SR5 package which comes along with that and other goodies. The dealer wouldn't move from MSRP on the price so with assorted rebates, the Tacoma finished out at around $16,800 + tax/tags.
 
The Frontier XE's stock tires look appropriately sized to the vehicle and adding only the "preferred" package to get A/C and other essentials brings the Nissan to $16,500.
 
Here's how the two trucks compared for me:
 
EXTERIOR STYLE: Equal. I like the look of the Frontier, but the Tacoma regular cab as a Prerunner looks pretty good, too.
 
INTERIOR STYLE: The Tacoma by a mile. The Fronty's interior looks dated; like it came straight from 1980. Oddly, I think the Frontier interior from the previous generation (2002 - 2004) looked better than the current version. The Tacoma's interior is very handsome; car-like.
 
BED: I know Toyota's composite bed is criticized. I've heard tales of it being punctured or the tailgate breaking off. I'm not hauling concrete and don't expect to damage it. That said, I would rather have plastic over steel instead of just plastic. However, to my surprise, the XE included only a steel bed, not the coated trak bed available on all other Nissans. I think Toyota has to get the nod here.
 
ENGINE: I'm giving this to the Toyota, too. The specs indicate only a modest difference in horsepower, but between only being a regular cab and having the plastic bed, the Tacoma is quite a bit lighter and definitely feels like it has more pull and acceleration. The Frontier's is fine, but by comparison, it seems like seems a little underpowered. I also feel the more positive feedback from the Tacoma's shifter. Lastly, though the official numbers are similar, I suspect the Toyota will get better mileage.
 
HANDLING: Pretty close. I think they're both pretty agile for midsized trucks. The Nissan might be a little more nimble, but it also jumps around more over bumps.
 
BREAKING: Hands down, the Frontier. I know there's a lot of criticism about the Tacoma's rear drums. I think the Toyota stopped fine, but the Nissan was definitely better.
 
RELIABILITY: Ya' never know. Toyota has the better reputation, but I've been hearing that reliability has suffered as the company has grown in size. Nissan definitely doesn't have Toyota/Honda grade reliability, but they are known for solid 4cyl engines. I'd give a small advantage to Toyota here.
 
So you'd think I'd have picked the Toyota, right? I do think it is the better truck, but here are the problems:
 
I live in NJ and Toyota does not ship Prerunners to the Northeast. I had to call on four dealers to find one willing to order it (8-12 weeks). Toyota's $500 rebate would no longer be in effect and I'd have to gamble on whatever deal might be in effect (or not) months from now. My wife earned her degree last May which is good for another $400 rebate, but that would also longer be good by the time the truck came in because she would have graduated more than a year ago by then. Without those, the Toyota is $17,700, more than a grand higher than the Nissan. And remember, this is for a REGULAR CAB! The same Tacoma as a regular cab would have been north of $19k. To seal the deal, Nissan offered to put in a Rhino spray-on liner and bed rails at no cost to me.
 
Yeah, the Tacoma is generally a better driving truck and the interior is MUCH nicer, but for about a thousand less, I'm getting an extended cab for free and a composite-over-steel bed. And the truck exactly as I want it right down to color was immediately available.
 
If this was a working vehicle for me, or my only vehicle, I might have coughed up the money for the Tacoma; maybe even the extended cab version. But for me, I think the Frontier will serve the need very nicely. I struggled a lot over this decision. I hope my sharing these thoughts helps others who are likewise laboring over a similar choice.

#1332 of 1446 Re: Toyota Tacoma vs. Nissan Frontier [rocketman67] by rocketman67

Apr 15, 2007 (5:08 pm)

Replying to: rocketman67 (Mar 13, 2007 6:02 am)
No appology needed at least in my reading your thoughts on the two trucks. You bring up some good valed points.
I also replaced an S-10/Sonoma for a Frontier.
I went for the Frontier because of the Engine/transmission roots. The VQ6 4.0 has a better linage of where it came from and that is the VQ3.5 which is a World Class Engine.
True the interior of Frontier is dated but it's a truck not a car.
I did not like the composite bed of the Tacoma because my logic is the a$$ end of a truck is light enough without making it 'lighter'.
The Frontier frame comes from the Titan which is a FULL SIZE TRUCK unlike the Tacoma is a combo of 'C' Channel and box frame to save weight......that all.....weight.
If the VQ6 was in the Tacoma it would be a 'ROCKET' because of the weight difference.
Conversley if the Tacoma engine was put in the Frontier it would be a SLUG.
I rest my case and hope ya enjoy your Frontier as much as I enjoy mine.

#1333 of 1446 Re: Toyota Tacoma vs. Nissan Frontier [rocketman67] by driver56

Apr 15, 2007 (6:55 pm)

Replying to: rocketman67 (Apr 15, 2007 5:08 pm)
I couldn't agree more Rocketman. I test drove both trucks back to back more than once and found that the Nissan not only suited me more, but that I preferred practically everything about it. I had already researched both trucks to death, dating back to the Fall of 2004, and after multiple test drives chose the Frontier. I prefer the ride, size, handling, look (interior and exterior) of the Nissan. The VQ is second to none. The build quality, fit and finish, ergonomics, materials, are all top notch. It's actually fun to drive, which I found from the get-go, and is very well equipped (bang for the buck). On and off-road it's very capable, very confident and I haven't a single beef with it thus far. I use it for my work and play, is our only vehicle, and also fits nicely in the garage.
Enjoy all!

#1334 of 1446 Re: Toyota Tacoma vs. Nissan Frontier [driver56] by moparbad

Apr 16, 2007 (12:13 pm)

Replying to: driver56 (Apr 15, 2007 6:55 pm)
Having owned both Tacoma and Frontier in the past I preferred Tacoma until the 05's arrived. I was very biased toward Toyota until I was able to spend time driving both the 05 Tacoma and Frontier and I decided that the Frontier was the better truck so I purchased an 06.
Not one problem and it is a very satisfying truck.
Changes I would request is for the truck to be lighter and to offer a higher mileage engine option such as a diesel.
If either the Tacoma or Frontier offers a diesel I will buy one, otherwise I will own my 06 for a long time.

#1335 of 1446 Re: Toyota Tacoma vs. Nissan Frontier [moparbad] by peacefield1

Apr 16, 2007 (2:01 pm)

Replying to: moparbad (Apr 16, 2007 12:13 pm)
I agree re: lighter and better mileage. The only other improvements I'd like to see are all minor:
 
  - raise the center console so that it's even with the door's arm rest; also, move it more forward
  - More substantial storage under the rear seats
  - A more direct feel to the shifter
  - The dash isn't bad, but it could/should definitely be nicer

#1336 of 1446 Re: Toyota Tacoma vs. Nissan Frontier [moparbad] by driver56

Apr 16, 2007 (5:14 pm)

Replying to: moparbad (Apr 16, 2007 12:13 pm)
I was never overly smitten with the older compact trucks, even though I'm a mid-sized guy, the trucks always felt too small to me and also unstable. Really, I was anxiously waiting for new mid-sized trucks to hit the market, and when that happened for the 05 model year I went shopping. The Dakota, for one thing, wouldn't have fit in my garage. And of course, I like the wider track of these mid-sizers, can barely imagine tipping one of these over.
I'd like to see Nissan or Toyota offer a diesel for the North American market. That would definitely be of interest to me for my next purchase.

#1337 of 1446 Re: Toyota Tacoma vs. Nissan Frontier [moparbad] by peacefield1

Apr 16, 2007 (1:57 pm)

Replying to: moparbad (Apr 16, 2007 12:13 pm)
I agree re: lighter and better mileage. The only other improvements I'd like to see are all minor:
 
  - raise the center console so that it's even with the door's arm rest; also, move it more forward
  - More substantial storage under the rear seats
  - A more direct feel to the shifter
  - The dash isn't bad, but it could/should definitely be nicer

#1338 of 1446 07 LWB SE crew frontier at 2500mi by stringbender

Apr 27, 2007 (7:12 pm)

Ok here I go:
Test drove the Frontier, Tacoma, Dakota,GMC Canyon and Ford Ranger. Considering price, mpg, size ,towing capability and ride it came down to a choice of Tacoma or Frontier.
 
As a lot of you have done before buying, I followed the forums on Tacoma and Frontier ever since the new design trucks came out. It seems that overall the Tacoma owners were not as happy as the Frontier owners, so chose the frontier.
 
I Bought a 07 Charcoal LWB 2WD Crew with the V6 and automatic. As soon as I saw this truck I loved it, it even looks better now since I added the splash guards all the way around.
 
I originally test drove the Nissan Frontier crew cabs with the 5' bed and V6, when they first came out and really liked the ride, power and the handling ,but when I test drove my new 07 with the longer 6' bed and longer wheel base I could tell that it was even better.
 
This truck rides smooth and has a quite cab , handles like a sports car on turns and during rain holds the curves like the pavement is dry.
 
I am also very happy with the gas milage, my truck averages
about 19 to 20 mpg city, hwy and does about 21 to 23 mpg on straight hwy. driving. I never use premium gas, I always put the cheapest gas I can find in it and have not heard one ping, even under heavy acceleration.
 
No leaks, no rattles, no pings no vibrations. The truck has more than enough power. It's not a hot rod, it has a heavier feel like a well made larger truck, but it can really move when you want to get on the free way, best acceleration seems to be from 3500 to 4500 rpms, when you get to that band of torque, you feel it push you back in the seat.
 
I have the automatic and I am also very happy on the way that it's geared, my rpms run low in town and on the hwy. In town engine runs around 1200 to 1400rpm going 40 to 50 and at 70 it is about 2k, so my mpgs are always good. In fact my mpgs in the 265hp frontier are about the same as my 2000 Ranger at 140hp V6 and it's cheaper to run because the only way I could keep the Ranger from pinging was to put super unleaded in it.
 
Down falls, there are only 2 things that I do not care about in the design of my truck. It is kind of hard to park because of it's long turning radius, plus the back seats are kind of crampy for full size adults. Althoug the back seats are kind of small for sitting to make up for it when I fold them down they give me a lot of extra cargo room in the cab, and I sure like that.
 
Overall all the great things about the truck far out weigh a few design problems that it has. I would buy it again in a heart beat.
 
Bottom line ,very happy with truck at 2500 miles. Oh yeah forgot to say, I love the track anchoring system in the bed. It's so cool.

#1339 of 1446 Re: 07 LWB SE crew frontier at 2500mi [stringbender] by driver56

Apr 28, 2007 (9:52 am)

Replying to: stringbender (Apr 27, 2007 7:12 pm)
My wife insisted on a crew cab when it came time to purchase a new truck, so we have an 07 Frontier Nismo 4x4 crew cab. The 5 foot box is sufficient for my painting supplies and the roof rack works well for my ladders. The disadvantage of the short bed is offset by the advantage of having a truck that is 14 inches shorter - a little easier to maneuver and park. We rarely use the back seating as such, so it is generally folded flat, and used for groceries etc.
The turning radius is equal to my last vehicle, a Toyota van, so consequently am used to that.
Thus far I have not a quibble against this vehicle. Everything is what I had wished for and more. I actually enjoy driving again, cause this truck is fun to drive.
I agree, the anchoring system works well, and is a must for us.
Drive safe, enjoy your truck.

#1340 of 1446 Re: 07 LWB SE crew frontier at 2500mi [driver56] by rocketman67

Apr 28, 2007 (1:14 pm)

Replying to: driver56 (Apr 28, 2007 9:52 am)
My wife insisted on a crew cab when it came time to purchase a new truck, so we have an 07 Frontier Nismo 4x4 crew cab.
 
That's why when it came time to buy 'MY' truck I left the wife home.....
With what I sold my '95 Sonoma & some play money I had enough to not have her name on the bank loan.....
Long term it worked out better because we have since parted ways...

Messages Page 134 of 145

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