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Toyota Tacoma vs Nissan Frontier

1428 messages,  Last post on Jul 02, 2008 at 6:58 PM

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

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#1370 of 1428 Re: Fontier turned out to be the right choice [dmo09] by driver56 Jun 17, 2007 (5:46 pm)
Replying to: dmo09 (Jun 17, 2007 5:17 pm) Sounds like a carbon copy of my own experience. The two trucks are close in price (Msrp) here in Canada, but very few, if any, of the Toyota dealers will dicker. They told me on the Toy lots that the price was already cut. I found, as many others have here, that our local Toyota sales people are quite smug. Nissan will deal (love it), so consequently I ended up with a better equipped truck for about 4 grand less. It's a hoot to drive, love every minute I'm in it.   Enjoy your truck and safe driving to you!
#1371 of 1428 Nismo by linkfeeney Jun 18, 2007 (7:19 am)
so what do you gusy think about the Nismo crew cab? with the rockforsget package... I can get it for $25000??
#1372 of 1428 I just bought my Tacoma by uncalumnus Jun 18, 2007 (9:05 am)
I just bought my Tacoma. Here in NC (USA) Toyota trucks are far more popular(atleast in my area) There are more Toyota dealers here, and they do bargain with you. I have really enjoyed my truck. It is a double cab prerunner with the SR5 and towing packages. I will not say anything bad about Nissan, but I have known Toyota trucks that have gone on for a LONG time. My brother in law had one for 450,000 miles. This is my second Toyota truck, and I have loved them both. To everyone that prefers Nissan or Toyota, I hope you like your choice as much as I do. Good Luck to you all.
#1373 of 1428 2007 Nissan v. 2007 Tacoma : Tow Package? by tent2tt Jun 22, 2007 (10:39 am)
I am planning to tow a 17' travel trailer or Scamp or Escape fifth wheel (both which are specially designed for compact trucks, so don't freak out on me and tell me it can't be done...these have a GVWR of under 5,000 lbs. and are often paired with Tacoma SR5s). Plan to take it on backroads, up hills, etc. (but I do not want a Titan or Tundra or other large truck...I just need to tow about 6-8 times a year, not all the time and like the compacts).   Test drove a Nissan Frontier NISMO 4 x 4 (AT) with a max tow rating of 6,100 lbs. and a Tacoma SR5 4 x 4 (AT) with a max tow rating of 6,300 lbs. I can tell that the Tacoma is a great truck, but strongly prefer the ride and smoother engine performance of the Frontier. However, the Tacoma can be ordered with a tow package which includes: 130 AMP alternator, transmission oil cooler, engine oil cooler, heavy duty battery, and a 7 pin hardwired hitch receiver with converter. The Frontier doesn't offer this option. Only two Nissan salespeople have bothered to note down what the Tacoma offers to see if the Frontier can be similarly spec'd. What I have been told is that the Nissan dealership can install all the same options EXCEPT the 130 AMP alternator. They said the only option with that would be to install an aftermarket 130 AMP alternator, which they do NOT recommend because it might create electrical problems.   I have two questions:   1. Are the Nissan dealerships telling me the truth about being able to install the engine oil cooler and transmission oil cooler? 2. How crucial is having a 130 AMP alternator for the towing use I have detailed above? Will it hurt me to not have it? Would having a heavy-duty battery paired with a non-130 AMP alternator create any problems? 3. Why would an aftermarket 130 AMP alternator possibly cause electrical problems?   Thanks to anyone out there who can explain this... I am anxious to buy, but want to be sure I know what I am getting (or not getting)! Replies to this message: carnut21 (Jun 23, 2007 2:03 pm) tent2tt (Jun 24, 2007 7:21 am)
#1374 of 1428 Re: 2007 Nissan v. 2007 Tacoma : Tow Package? [tent2tt] by carnut21 Jun 23, 2007 (2:03 pm)
Replying to: tent2tt (Jun 22, 2007 10:39 am) I have an 05 CC, 6spd 2x4, Frontier and have towed 6500 pounds with this truck (tandem axle trailer and Kubota tractor with front end loader and 6 foot tiller). The truck was GREAT pulling but if I were going to be towing on a consistent basis I reconsider using the mid-size truck and go for the full size (with this much weight). I am not sure anyone sells a 5th wheel hitch for either truck but sounds like potential disaster. The key to trailers in not necessarily pulling but getting stopped and that is the reason larger trucks are best for this (larger trucks=larger brakes).   Also, the RV trailers are not that heavy but when you start loading them down is where you will get into trouble. my BIL has a 4,800 GVW trailer but by the time you get 4 bicycles, groceries, water, food, clothes, etc. you will approach or exceed the GVW of either truck unless you travel lighter than most of us.   The Titan has some EXCELLENT reviews for towing trailers and while they are rated for 9300 +/- pounds, they are capable of much more. Read in a RV or boat magazine where a guy in Florida was towing a 13,000 +/- cigarette boat with no problems.   I would think long in hard of a 5th wheel in either, especially the Toyota since it has less power. Replies to this message: tent2tt (Jun 24, 2007 7:21 am)
#1375 of 1428 Re: 2007 Nissan v. 2007 Tacoma : Tow Package? [carnut21] by tent2tt Jun 24, 2007 (7:21 am)
Replying to: carnut21 (Jun 23, 2007 2:03 pm) Hi,   Thanks for your response--great to hear that it tows well. We loved the ride and power of the 4 x 2 we test drove... have you ever pulled anything through mud, sand or snow with your 2WD? We'd rather get a 2WD, but are likely to take some backroads that may be muddy, sandy and rocky, so thought we might need that 4WD, though the 2WD felt very capable.   I am sure the Titan is a great truck for hauling, but we wanted the Frontier because we will only be towing 6-8 times a year to go on vacation, and wanted a smaller truck as our second car for around town and Home Depot runs. We are factoring the weight of all cargo, water, occupants and additional options onto the dry weight of all trailers and fifth wheels being considered so that the total amount being towed never exceeds 5,500 lbs. This allows for a 600 lb. margin between the maximum weight being towed and the max tow rating for a 4 x 4 NISMO Frontier or a 800 lb. margin with a 4 x 2 NISMO. What do you think--is that adequate?
#1376 of 1428 Just Drove both back to back by chris512 Jun 30, 2007 (10:39 am)
Here in Austin the Toyota and Nissan dealerships are next to each other. Just got home from driving both. Each was access cab, 4cyl, auto, base units.   The Tacoma had a smoother engine, smoother ride, but bad driving position.   The Frontier had a nicer driving position and tighter handling, but the engine seemed stressed, the ride was firmer. I also experiences blind spots in the Nissan.   I think if the Tacoma's steering wheel was positioned out towards the driver, it would win hands down. So now, I'm still confused! Replies to this message: asa (Jul 01, 2007 4:32 am) tent2tt (Jul 01, 2007 5:56 am) driver56 (Jul 01, 2007 6:38 am)
#1377 of 1428 Re: Just Drove both back to back [chris512] by asa Jul 01, 2007 (4:32 am)
Replying to: chris512 (Jun 30, 2007 10:39 am) If you garage your truck, you might want to consider exterior dimensions too. I have an '06 Frontier SE Crew Cab 4x2 6-Speed and it's dimensions are an inch or two shorter and narrower than the Tacoma, which helps me greatly in my garage. I too agree that Tacoma's seating position is peculiar. My knees hit the steering wheel when I got in; I just couldn't get comfortable during my ride. They're both fine trucks though; I don't think you'd go wrong with either. Replies to this message: tent2tt (Jul 01, 2007 5:56 am) driver56 (Jul 01, 2007 6:38 am)
#1378 of 1428 Drive a number of them too! by tent2tt Jul 01, 2007 (5:56 am)
Replying to: asa (Jul 01, 2007 4:32 am) We just drove home our new NISMO 4 x 4, fosgate, sunrf, traction package. We had driven 3 other 4 x 4 's, 2 without traction pkg, 1 with. We also drove two 4 x 2's. The ride of the 4 x 2's was by far the best and most powerful, and they get better gas mileage and have more tow capacity, but we were leaning to the 4 x 4 to have the option to really go off-road in some of the areas that a 4 x 2 could not--i.e. rugged backroads of Utah and AZ.   However, after the first 3 test drives in 4 x 4s, we thought for sure we'd have to go with a 4 x 2 after all, because the 4 x 4's felt sluggish and not nearly as nimble--in fact, the first 4 x 4 was definitely the runt of that day's assembly line litter, because the engine was noisy and anything but smooth and the traction control was doing weird things. The last 4 x 4 we test drove we bought a little below invoice at 2.9% financing and took home with us last night--its engine feels almost as powerful as the 4 x 2, it's ride almost as smooth.   Considering that the 4 x 4 components add 200 lbs. of weight, that is quite an accomplishment. I have a Nissan Altima 2000 and I can say that nearly every time I have had it serviced, the mechanics have made some comment about what an unusually zippy engine it has--so not every car is created equal. After 7 years and 79,000 miles, my Altima feels just like it did driving new...it's going to be really hard to let it go, but we only need one commuter car and we are keeping the one with the very best gas mileage to offset the loss in gas mileage on the truck (my Altima gets 27 mpg, my wife's Echo gets 37-39).   Point is, each one is unique. Test drive several of the same model with the same features to find the one whose ride fits you to a T. It's a lot easier to stomach the immediate depreciation of the vehicle (and in our case, the lower gas mileage that the 4 x4 gets) when you really love the ride.   Before this purchase, I hadn't realized to what extent an individual vehicle's performance could vary. The same day we bought our new truck, we had test driven an identical one (exactly same features and options and miles on it...only 17) that was actually in the color we really wanted (white) but we were completely unimpressed with the drive. With how few of these 4 x 4 there are within reasonable distance from us, we felt good about getting one that drives like a dream.   Now, does anyone know what aftermarket add-ons GENUINELY increase the gas mileage? We got 16.9 mpg on the freeway coming home--it started out much lower than that, but increased as we kept driving. Didn't think gas engines really had a "break-in" period in terms of gas mileage increases.   Note that we will not be blazing any new off-road trails because we will not destroy pristine areas or contribute to new erosion problems. Our other car is a Toyota Echo and we are planning to get the plug-in Prius when it's available to help balance out having this truck.   Happy Shopping and Happy Trails! Replies to this message: driver56 (Jul 01, 2007 6:38 am)
#1379 of 1428 Re: Drive a number of them too! [tent2tt] by driver56 Jul 01, 2007 (6:38 am)
Replying to: tent2tt (Jul 01, 2007 5:56 am) Congrats! I noticed little difference at all between the 4x2 and any of the 4x4's, except I felt the Nismo actually handled a tad better. Ride quality, performance levels, etc., were not really noticeable to me. I began test driving these trucks in Jan. 05, and purchased an 07 Nismo 4x4 Crew Cab just this year. The V-6 is a fine power plant, the VQ engine is an ace. I drive quite conservatively 90% of the time, so consequently, get decent gas mileage. I'm not at all concerned about fuel prices, because for one, I average 9000 miles per year including a yearly long road trip. And this truck is my wife's and I only vehicle.   Enjoy!

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