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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Nissan Frontier vs Tacoma vs??

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Nov. 9, 2011 2:06 p.m. z31maniac SuperDork

Bobzilla wrote:

z31maniac wrote:

belteshazzar wrote:

i would go buy a late model avalanche. what do the tacoma or frontier do better? cost less?

Size.

I went with a Frontier because modern "full-size" trucks are just too big.

You'd be suprised.

Frontier Crew with 6' bed

Length: 219.4 Width: 72.8 Height: 70.1 Wheelbase: 139.0

2006 GMC Crew 1500 with 5'8" bed

Length: 230.4 Width: 76.5 Height: 72 Wheelbase: 143.0

They are litereally within an inch or two of each other. The GMC/Chevy were rated at 16/22, and those are a bit on the low side in real driving. The Frontier is 16/20 and those are a little optimistic in real driving.

I have a hard time believing those numbers. I was given a 2011 Chevy full-size as a loaner vehicle, and it's more like 10-12" wider.

Also a Titan appointed like my Frontier was almost $15k more. I'll never tow anything more than a Miata on a small trailer, or a utility trailer so the bigger vehicle and cost wasn't something I wanted.

To each their own.
Nov. 9, 2011 2:30 p.m. Bobzilla SuperDork

2011, yes it is massive. Hence the reason I specifically stated "2006". THat was the last year of that body style and was still a reasonable size.

Don't believe my numbers, www.edmunds.com is where they came from. The new "compact" trucks are far from being compact.
Nov. 9, 2011 3:10 p.m. z31maniac SuperDork

Ahh, well not sure why, when we are talking about new trucks, you would bring up the last gen as a comparison point.
Nov. 9, 2011 3:15 p.m. Bobzilla SuperDork

wE'RE talking in the OP's purchase price range, $10-15k. As far as I know he's not shopping new.
Nov. 9, 2011 6:55 p.m. motomoron HalfDork

I've got a 2001 Tacoma. X-tra cab, 3.4 V6, 2WD, Automatic, SR5 + PreRunner+tow packages.

I considered Dakota - S10/S15 - Frontier - Ranger - Tacoma, and the 'Taco was the winner by a mile on build quality and everything I heard from previous and current owners.

One thing I'd consider carefully is how much and how frequently you're going to tow. I didn't know when I bough the truck I'd be racing in a couple years time. had I known I'd have gone bigger.

I'm pulling a 1000# pound sports racer + 2 sets of wheels on a 16' steel open "Big Tex" dual axle - total package is about 2500#. It's fine on level or moderately hilly terrain, particularly when it's not too hot out.

Towing to the UTCC in July, over the hills past Charlottesville was not good. It could maintain 50-55mph w/ OD off and the "max towing power" button on, but it wasn't liking it. I can't imagine pulling double that load up anything.

The brakes are huge, and work fine, although once I managed to smoke 'em pretty thoroughly on a very hilly back route home from Summit Point. I'm running NAPA ceramic pads though - so who knows.

As a DD it's great. You get in, it always goes, it's fast enough, handles well for something w/ 275/75-16 truck tires, and is very easy to work on. I continue to be impressed with how well everything is designed for ease of service - it's the opposite of the Dakota in that regard.

If I end up wanting a V8 for towing power, if I don't go diesel I'll probably get a last-not-gigantic-body style Tundra. Just a bigger one of my 'Taco.
Nov. 9, 2011 7:16 p.m. nocones HalfDork

I would be looking at either 2012 taco/frontier or some low mileage used option. Again thanks for all the insights.
Nov. 9, 2011 7:44 p.m. z31maniac SuperDork

For the record, if I keep my foot out of it when driving around, I avg nearly 19 with mixed city/hwy driving in my 2011 Frontier.

If I drive it "fun" (I actually really like the V6 in this truck) I avg about 15 mixed.
Nov. 9, 2011 8:10 p.m. evildky Dork

belteshazzar wrote:

evildky wrote:

PS GM knows about the head cracking issue but it happens at 100k miles so they don't care

i haven't got any idea what you're talking about. which engine?

It's the 5.3, there is a service buliten about it, I don't recall the exact years but mine was an 04, the TSB states castech heads which mine were not but had the same crack they blame on a supplier
Nov. 9, 2011 8:12 p.m. MedicineMan Reader

I love my frontier!!! I am now a Nissan fan!! Bought it new in 2008 have 66k on it now and havent had any problems. I tow a camper/bass boat/jet ski regularly (at least every weekend) and havent looked back. Mine is a Nismo (same as the Pro-4X) 6 speed, which I think is the best shifting truck transmission I have driven. Liked my truck so much I bought my wife an X- terra.

The one thing I have noticed is gas mileage...I try and run ethanol free fuel when I can, and it makes a huge difference in mileage. I drive about 80 miles round trip to work...with "real" gas I average about 23 mpg, e10 only makes about 18 mpg. My commute is mostly interstate with the cruise set.

Keep up on the maintenace and they are great. There are several of the '05's around here with 150k + miles and are still in great shape.

I looked at Tacomas when I was looking, but the closest dealership is over an hour away. My dad has a tacoma however, it has been a good vehicle...he has to replace the water pump soon though, the front seal went with 52k miles. He has had some brake problems too but nothing serious.

I havent heard of the clutch problems that was mentioned previously, the clutch disk is supposed to be similar to the 350z disk...though I wonder if the new ones use a 370 disc...or if there is any difference.
Nov. 10, 2011 7:13 a.m. Bobzilla SuperDork

z31maniac wrote:

For the record, if I keep my foot out of it when driving around, I avg nearly 19 with mixed city/hwy driving in my 2011 Frontier.

If I drive it "fun" (I actually really like the V6 in this truck) I avg about 15 mixed.

Holy cow! I am suprised at how much of a gas hog these things are. I can Listen to the 4.8 scream to redline, make the beautiful Magnaflow sounds and still average 18 around town with the foot down.
Nov. 10, 2011 8:09 a.m. Datsun1500 SuperDork

lizard wrote:

I hadn't heard about it either until I though I was going to need to replace the second OEM clutch. Then I started looking at a couple of Xterra specific forums and saw a lot of posts related to premature clutch failures.

I had a 2000 Xterra manual from new until 110,000 miles and replaced it with a 2003 Frontier manual that I ran up to 87,000 miles and never had an issue. Both truck towed cars many times and were thrashed in the mud a bunch, go figure
Nov. 10, 2011 11:11 a.m. belteshazzar SuperDork

evildky wrote:

belteshazzar wrote:

evildky wrote:

PS GM knows about the head cracking issue but it happens at 100k miles so they don't care

i haven't got any idea what you're talking about. which engine?

It's the 5.3, there is a service buliten about it, I don't recall the exact years but mine was an 04, the TSB states castech heads which mine were not but had the same crack they blame on a supplier

new to me
Nov. 10, 2011 1:39 p.m. evildky Dork

belteshazzar wrote:

evildky wrote:

belteshazzar wrote:

evildky wrote:

PS GM knows about the head cracking issue but it happens at 100k miles so they don't care

i haven't got any idea what you're talking about. which engine?

It's the 5.3, there is a service buliten about it, I don't recall the exact years but mine was an 04, the TSB states castech heads which mine were not but had the same crack they blame on a supplier

new to me

Google, it's your friend: http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/Bluegorilla/2008-12-05_142924_Coolant_loss_5.3.pdf

http://www.truckforums.com/forum/chevy-silverado-gmc-sierra-forum-11/2005-silverado-5-3l-cracked-head-need-advice-14359/

http://chevroletforum.com/forum/silverado-fullsize-pick-ups-21/2005-silverado-5-3l-cracked-head-need-advice-35017/

the TSB: http://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/gm-engine-exhaust-performance-21/vortec-5-3-head-replacement-castech-706-crack-473251/
Nov. 10, 2011 1:42 p.m. Bobzilla SuperDork

same here, I hadn't heard of it until you mentioned it. Doesn't seem to be a huge issue, as I haven't seen much on FSCForums either.
Nov. 10, 2011 1:51 p.m. evildky Dork

Bobzilla wrote:

same here, I hadn't heard of it until you mentioned it. Doesn't seem to be a huge issue, as I haven't seen much on FSCForums either.

It's not a problem........ unless your owned one of them. I bought my 04 Z71 new, it was properly maintained and the heads cracked right at 100k miles. Prior to owning the chevy I had 2 nissans and put over 250k miles between them with no issues, nothing but wear items and oil maintenance, cost of ownership of the chevy was almost twice the cost of the latter nissan.

purchace price, minus sales price, plus all upkeep and maintenance (oil, tires etc) the Chevy cost me $5k a year to own was about $3k a year to own, the first nissan I bought used and it cost less then $2k a year to own

I now have a tundra and love it
Nov. 10, 2011 2:09 p.m. Bobzilla SuperDork

Last Nissan truck we had required 3 PCM's in the first year/11k miles. It got traded in for a used GMC that went 190k miles before I traded it (foolishly) for a Sonoma.... that went 64k miles in 26 months, etc. Different people have different experiences. There is always the oddball and the obscure issues.

I bet no one here has had a Rav4 eat 5 cats, and catch their shoes on fire either.
Nov. 10, 2011 4:13 p.m. CLynn85 Reader

Figured I'd chime in here since my daily for the last ~5 years has been my 2007 Tacoma TRD. I just hit 120k and all I've done is changed the oil, plugs, and gear oil, along with a few upgrades. My truck has been to every state in the continental US except Nebraska and up as far north as you can drive in Labrador, needless to say I :heart: my truck.

The only things I'd give the nod to on the Frontier would be the bed and the price. I actually came extremely close to buying a Frontier until the Nissan sales team pissed me off and I went down the street and struck a deal with the Toyota dealer.

I've added bilstein 5100 shocks, a small lift, add-a-leaf in the rear, firestone airbags, and a winch bumper among other things. It hauls a camper in the bed and I tow occasionally with it. I have a ~1700lb dual axle trailer and haul our Lemons and RallyX cars on it pretty regularly, but usually only within a 2hr drive or so, any farther and I usually opt for pop's F250 or a buddy's 2500 Silverado Duramax.

I bought my truck new because I knew exactly what I wanted and planned to keep it forever, so far I've been able to stick to that.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m_8U39q6Qd4/Tl_9DZ8oSEI/AAAAAAAAANs/gp--6dUgpU8/s1600/DS...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2761/4291452973_78eba916e5_z.jpg?zz=1
Nov. 12, 2011 8:08 p.m. nocones HalfDork

Ok so I thought some may be interested in how this worked out.

First thanks for all the tips and experiences. I sold my Vibe for a good sum and have pulled the trigger on it's replacement (keep in mind my summer Daily driver is my recently purchased MR2 spyder).

In the epic battle of Tacoma vs Frontier vs ?? The winner for me was..

1997 Chevrolet Astro Van. I took a good look at what I really needed and decided that I didn't need to spend a bunch to fill this need. I was looking at 4WD trucks and going dang that 100k+ mile vehicle is about 5K+ more than I really want to spend. So I started looking at Astros, 2wd trucks, and SUV's as they have much lower prices. I was at a housewarming party tonight and noticed that the homeowner had an astro in the garage and I was going to ask him how he liked it.
He said want to buy it? 1000 bucks? I took it for a drive and now it's in my driveway. Most everything works, it runs strong shifts good and generally is in good shape. It needs rear seats as it's a passenger van without them right now and a general overall cleaning. Hey It's in the Trifecta isn't it?
Nov. 12, 2011 8:33 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

Well Done!
Nov. 12, 2011 9:12 p.m. Vigo Dork

I took a good look at what I really needed and decided that I didn't need to spend a bunch to fill this need.

Words of wisdom!

I applaud your decision.. now post pics!
Nov. 12, 2011 9:15 p.m. nocones HalfDork

It's dark.. I'll get them tomorrow
Nov. 13, 2011 1:37 p.m. belteshazzar SuperDork

great choice
Nov. 14, 2011 10:55 a.m. nocones HalfDork

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/reader-rides/7201/

Added it to readers rides. Will keep things updated as I get it fixed up for Daily use and track mileage and come up with a plan for future use

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