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Toyota Tacoma vs Nissan Frontier

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

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#41 of 1428 Re: For what it's worth... [centralcal] by tacofan4life Jan 17, 2005 (11:42 am)
Replying to: centralcal (Jan 15, 2005 6:55 pm) Sorry but I never said "I have a friend who had a friend, who had problems" I know he has had these problems because I was the one out there until 2:00am helping to fix the clutch problem and replace the power window motor. I was also the one that picked him up at the dealer when he dropped his truck off to get the AC fixed since that happened when the truck was still under warantee. I have noticed that the Nissan cars don't have any problems like that so maybe Nissan will start putting that quality into their trucks! Replies to this message: centralcal (Jan 17, 2005 2:26 pm) tacofan4life (Jan 17, 2005 6:22 pm) centralcal (Jan 17, 2005 9:09 pm)
#42 of 1428 Re: For what it's worth... [tacofan4life] by centralcal Jan 17, 2005 (2:26 pm)
Replying to: tacofan4life (Jan 17, 2005 11:42 am) I hope so as well. It has me worried that the Taco has had such problems. Really didn't mean to be sarcastic, but outside of JD Power, consumer report (which seems extremely biased), where do you find good quality data on reliability? Replies to this message: tacofan4life (Jan 17, 2005 6:22 pm) centralcal (Jan 17, 2005 9:09 pm)
#43 of 1428 Re: For what it's worth... [centralcal] by tacofan4life Jan 17, 2005 (6:22 pm)
Replying to: centralcal (Jan 17, 2005 2:26 pm) I went to the JD Power site and didn't see any info on the 05 frontier or Tacoma. As for reliablilty I am going by past experience of owning multiple and knowing people that have owned Nissan trucks. Also the resale value of a Toyota is a lot higher than any other vehicle so that says a lot about their reputation. 10 years ago Toyota had a bigger edge over the rest of the auto companies but now days it is a lot closer. Even still I think Toyota still has a slight edge... Just my opinion. I am just speaking from past experience. Replies to this message: centralcal (Jan 17, 2005 9:09 pm)
#44 of 1428 Re: For what it's worth... [tacofan4life] by centralcal Jan 17, 2005 (9:09 pm)
Replying to: tacofan4life (Jan 17, 2005 6:22 pm) I was comparing 04 models. Only thing you can do for now. I would tend to agree that Toyota holds and edge in both resale (big advantage) and reliability. I am more just frustrated that Toyota doesn't offer a lot of amenities with the Taco. Hopefully they will lose some sales because of this and upgrade the options.
#45 of 1428 my thoughts by stephen1 Jan 18, 2005 (6:54 am)
I do like the Toyotas. I've owned a couple and currently have one to trade in on whatever truck I decide on. I finally saw an 05 Frontier crew cab this past weekend and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. I like the looks, impressive tie down rack system in the bed, factory spray in bed liner, and price. Everything appeared to be much improved from the previous models which are also on the lot. I can now say that the Frontier is in the running for my next truck purchase. I'm a little disappointed with some of the quality issues with the new Tacoma but who knows, the Frontier will probably have its own issues. I'll have to see how the Nissan drives. Not real impressed with the wind noise of the new Tacoma. I realize that Toyota will probably hold a higher resale. But as mentioned before, you pay more up front and you get more when you sell it - so its a wash. One of my factors may be my Toyota trade. My local Toyota dealer has been very generous in the past when I have traded in a used Toyota for a new one. Will have to see how it goes... Replies to this message: xwesx (Jan 18, 2005 1:20 pm) mafan (Jan 21, 2005 8:11 am)
#46 of 1428 Re: my thoughts [stephen1] by xwesx Jan 18, 2005 (1:20 pm)
Replying to: stephen1 (Jan 18, 2005 6:54 am) My local Toyota dealer has been very generous in the past when I have traded in a used Toyota for a new one. Will have to see how it goes...   Rewarding customer loyalty? Smart move on the dealer's part because he'll make money on both the rigs anyhow and is likely guaranteeing not only a future purchase from you, but also free references!   This could also work in your favor with the Nissan dealer, though. If you get to the point of negotiating a purchase, you can just let the dealer know that you are a repeat-buyer of Toyotas and it will take a little extra incentive to win your business. The dealer knows how much he can make off the trade so I wouldn't be afraid to push him a little... Of course, if he doesn't budge, maybe that '05 Tacoma's wind noise is not such a big deal after all!
#47 of 1428 2005 Tacoma vs Frontier... My experience (and decision) by mafan Jan 21, 2005 (8:11 am)
Replying to: stephen1 (Jan 18, 2005 6:54 am) I "seriously" considered both trucks and went through great pains trying to decide on which one to go with. I actually took each one on three separate test drives (one in the city, one on the highway and one when it was raining). Here is what I found (obviously, this is purely subjective based on my opinion):   The three main pros for the Frontier are: - Frontier has a more powerful engine. I have seen multiple 1/4 times posted for each truck and sometimes the Tacoma is within 1/10 second and other times it is a second behind (I think the differences were probably street vs off-road test). Subjectively though... you can feel it. At low RPMs, the Frontier is just quicker (however, the Tacoma feels quicker at higher RPM).   - Bed tie-downs. While both have movable rail tie-downs, the Frontier has tracks in bed itself which is much more flexible.   - Value. For the exact same price (within $80), I could have gotten a 10-speaker 380 watt stereo, sunroof, roof rack, Stability control, Bed Extender, Hill Climb/Decent Assist and a locking rear differential.   ==== The three main pros for the Tacoma are: - Hands-down better driving experience. Handling was better, felt more stable on the road, absorbed bumps better (both Tacoma and Frontier had off-road packages), better transmission, etc. Note that, while the Frontier felt quicker, the Tacoma was no slouch either and actually felt like it had more punch on the highway (versus a standing start) than the Frontier. - Exterior design. Frontier looks nice, but the Tacoma IMHO just outshines it in this category. - Undeniable reputation for Quality and Reliability   However, the deal breaker (on behalf of the Tacoma) was: - Better interior design, comfort and room. If I am going to be spending a large amount of time in a cabin I want it to be comfortable, nice and ergonomically sound... seats in the Tacoma offer MUCH more support, dash is nicer, more overall room (especially in rear seats), placement of center storage was better (offered better armrest). The interior design of the Frontier is unimpressive (which surprised me for Nissan).   While both trucks are excellent, I decided on the 2005 Tacoma Double Cab Sport 4x4
#48 of 1428 Neither is Ideal for daily use by 307web Jan 24, 2005 (1:49 pm)
Too bad. The Frontier has the uncomfortable rear seat and the Tacoma is just plain loud inside. I suppose Toyota could add more sound insulation in future models more easily than Nissan could improve the rear seats, but neither have done either so it doesn't matter at this point.
#49 of 1428 More input on Tacoma vs. Frontier by midnightsun Jan 27, 2005 (11:35 am)
For more than 2 years, I have been looking for a pickup truck to replace two very different vehicles (a '92 Toyota longbed 1-ton 2WD PU and a '00 Jeep Wrangler Sport). Taken together, both vehicles do everything I want but so far I have found no one vehicle that is the perfect replacement for both. However, with the introduction of the '05 Tacoma and Frontier and the giving up of one requirement (7 ft or longer bed), my "compromise truck" is looking much better.   TACOMA: I first test drove the '05 Tacoma (4WD Access Cab 6-speed, non-TRD). There was no TRD truck available to test drive, or I would have tried that. Impressions are summarized as follow:   - Clutch felt radically different from the older Toyota truck clutches. Took more travel before engaging. Did NOT like this change, as I have to start up a very steep hill any time I drive. With my present vehicles, I do not need to use a parking brake or "hill holder."   - As expected, the engine gave plenty of oomph, including climbing up a famous local highway grade. Both the Tacoma and Frontier 4.0L V6's feel like they have gained a lot of power while *increasing* highway gas mileage--going strictly by the EPA ratings on the latter attribute.   - Tacoma's handling felt a bit vague and wandery and the ride too soft for my tastes. Steering effort was so light I did not like it in the gusty crosswinds.   - Hood's tallness obscured view.   - Dealbreaker #1: the transfer case would not go into 4Lo until many minutes of experimenting, driving a few feet alternately in 1st gear and Reverse. It just keep beeping. (The transmission also beeps when you shift into Reverse, adding to the irritation.) It finally did go into 4Lo, but then it put up the same fight when I tried to return to 4Hi.   - Dealbreaker #2: I am very skeptical about the composite inner bed. The ads claim that the impact strength is higher than that of steel, but there are other types of "strength" that may be more important in a truck bed. (I don't plan on dropping engines on the bed floor.) Another potential problem is warping due to environmental temperature extremes. I also wonder how the composite inner bed will behave if/when the outer bed twists.   Basically, I was disappointed after driving the new Tacoma. I would have driven a TRD for comparison if they'd had one (to see if the vague driving feel improved) but that would have still left the 4Lo and composite inner bed as negatives. I have owned 2 Toyota pickup trucks so these comments are coming from a long-time happy Toyota owner.   FRONTIER: When they finally became available, I test drove 2 Frontiers. First one was a 4WD Crewcab 6-speed, non-NISMO.   - Right off the bat, the truck lurched forward from a dead stop. No gripes about long clutch travel here! In fact, one time I accidentally peeled out. Then I got used to the clutch. I like it. (In 4Lo, it's not as touchy.)   - I took this truck up the same famous climb that I drove the Tacoma. Next thing I knew, it was doing 80 mph in 5th gear like nothing--better be careful not to get speeding tickets in either the new Tacoma or Frontier! (The salesman said it could go up it in 6th gear but I wanted to compare apples with apples.)   - Frontier had good road feel. I felt like I could tell where all 4 wheels were, yet it was still a very smooth ride. Steering was responsive without being too light. Truck was unaffected by crosswinds, but to be fair, they were not as high as they were the night I drove the Tacoma.   - I made sure the transfer case worked in all modes, and it did without a hitch.   - The full steel bed with spray-on coating and cargo tie-down rails will be just the ticket for my needs.   - I went back and test drove a NISMO 4WD Kingcab (automatic; there were no 6-speed NISMOs available). Basically, I just took this one over some speed bumps. I preferred the stiffer suspension (as expected, based on my appreciation of the 1-ton PU's ride) as well as wanting the locking differential, skid plates, and so on.   Soooooo, I ordered a 4WD Kingcab NISMO 6-speed with tow package and "bed utility package." With mudflaps, all-season floor mats, body side moulding, and bug shield, it came to about $24,650 plus another $250 destination and handling (of course), or $24,900. I got this price by dealing exclusively with the Internet sales rep. It is at least $470 less than the "no-haggle" dealership's price quote for the same configuration, which itself is below MSRP.   I hate to lose my 7 ft bed, but if I make better use of the space fore and aft of the wheel wells, I should be able to get by with the 6 ft bed.   Now I just gotta sell my existing truck and Jeep while I wait. Replies to this message: badness (Jan 28, 2005 5:41 pm)
#50 of 1428 Re: More input on Tacoma vs. Frontier [midnightsun] by badness Jan 28, 2005 (5:41 pm)
Replying to: midnightsun (Jan 27, 2005 11:35 am) Hey Great review,waiting for my dealer in NJ too call me and come test drive the king cab le 4wD, but I want the auto,TOOOOOO much traffic in NJ for 6speed even if its alot of fun I wont even enjoy if you no what I mean. can you let me know what your truck is like when you get it, email me. lgdead optonline net   fill in the lug nuts if you understand me.   thanks man. Badness,NJ

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