Nissan Frontier 2005+

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Comments

  • dadouglasdadouglas Member Posts: 7
    Marbles in the motor sounds about right. Defective plenum? Sounds like we have identified the first "issue" with the new Frontier. Let's hope this is the fix.

     

     What is a plenum by the way?
  • rx330ownerrx330owner Member Posts: 16
    I am about to purchase a 2005 Nissan Frontier LE Crew Cab 4 x 4. Would anyone know what a 5 year 100,000 mile extended warranty costs? Is the cost negotiable with the dealer?
  • jasong2jasong2 Member Posts: 18
    I got a quote from the dealer for a 6 year/100K warranty. Cost was $1300. I passed on it, though.
  • sigsauersigsauer Member Posts: 35
    i have the 7yr/100k security+ gold standard plan, no deductible, over 1500 components covered, transferable, free towing, rental for $1300. normally i'd pass it but since the 05 frontier is completely new and has no historical reliability data to compare, so i took the bait :)

     

    note that my plan is the gold std plan as oppose to the gold preferred plan. so what's the difference?

     

    taken from nissanusa website:

     

    What's the difference between the Gold Preferred Plan and the Gold Plan?

    The Gold Preferred Plan offers all the coverage of the Gold Plan plus 24-hour roadside assistance and trip-interruption reimbursement for meals, lodging and alternative transportation. You also receive an additional day's reimbursement (up to five days, not four) at up to $35 per day for car rental. In addition, the Gold Preferred Plan includes 17 different time and mileage options (the Gold Plan offers only nine options).
  • wyldcat89wyldcat89 Member Posts: 8
    Today I drove up to Puyallup Nissan (near Seattle) and picked up my new 05 Frontier Crew Cab 4x2 Auto with the Nismo package. It's red with charcoal interior.. real nice!! Total out the door price was $22,400. No other dealer in my area could compete with that so I feel as though I got a great deal on a great truck. The 160 mile drive home was smooth and quiet, she handles great so far.. I can give more impressions in the morning once I wake up from my Frontier hang-over. Wha-hoooo!
  • ecotrklvrecotrklvr Member Posts: 519
    dbauer - You keep trying to sit there in Michigan and tell me what happened to me in California. Please stop - you're giving a bad name to those good car salespeople who can listen and learn from customers.

     

    I admit that this is a rare quality, but customers think it's admirable. I bought a new 1996 Nissan Maxima from a good salesperson-and nothing but private-party used cars since.
  • driftracerdriftracer Member Posts: 2,448
    It's simply not a matter of what typical vehicles are ordered for California dealerships versus what they may order in Michigan. For instance, I doubt you'd find an engine block heater on most any vehicle in CA, but they're commonly ordered on many vehicles in Michigan.

     

    What dbauer is saying, and he's absolutely correct, is that you can order anything you want, anywhere you want, save for the issue of CA emissions, but even that is becoming less of an issue.

     

    Now, if your CA dealership wasn't interested in taking the chance of a car with a particular, possibly unusual, group of options, that's their choice. People slam dealers all the time with promises to take delivery of a car, only to change their minds without respect to the cost the dealer incurs, and get their money back. I wouldn't want to be stuck with a truck or car I couldn't sell, either, especially when dealing with the world of wishy-washy customers.

     

    It isn't that they CAN'T do it, it's that they WON'T. This is easy like shooting fish in a barrel - order a car from out of state, take a couple days off, fly out and get it, and you're done.
  • dbauerdbauer Member Posts: 416
    thank you! i was beginning to think i had lost my mind...lol.
  • ecotrklvrecotrklvr Member Posts: 519
    Good points, drifracer. To the Customer, going to three local dealers who doesn't have it and "won't" order it, is the same result as "can't" get it. How about we stop all this history and talk about the future. Like the 2005 Frontier?

     

    Anyone who has actually driven a 2005 Frontier XE 5-speed manual, please post your impressions. There are many questions in this forum about this model. dbauer, your post #454 hints at you're having driven one...
  • dbauerdbauer Member Posts: 416
    have one here...

     

    the 4-cyl is potent enough with an auto...pretty nice...drove the manual and was VERY impressed! makes it almost worth not getting a v6. kinda reminds me of the altima...the 4 is powerful enough to not want to waste money on the 6. ;-)
  • ecotrklvrecotrklvr Member Posts: 519
    Since you've driven both the auto and manual, which would you buy? Is the auto a 5-speed or 4-speed? Any manual-shift gating? A snow-mode (2nd gear start)? Sport/Econ switch? Overdrive cancel button?

     

    Sorry to ask all these questions, but there are very few of these XE critters around, and none of them have Auto yet. Nissan USA doesn't even list the auto as available for me in the 92610, or in Ann Arbor (my Alma Mater) 48104.
  • dbauerdbauer Member Posts: 416
    i wont hold it against you that you went to ann arbor...east lansing here. ;-)

     

    i made a boo-boo. the 4-cyl is a manual, and the auto i drove last week wasnt a 4 cyl. my bad...lol.

     

    but the manual we have is quite peppy if thats what you want.
  • ecotrklvrecotrklvr Member Posts: 519
    I still like the control of a manual trans. Now, if they would make the ABLS an option on the XE, we'd have a deal. But having just returned from a week in Milwaukee, I just gotta have a front driver, or a rear-drive w/ traction control or LSD. The Traction Control on the rental Impala kicked in pretty often there. A light-in-the-tail pickup would have been pretty scary w/o traction control.

     

    Hey, is Nissan going to offer a keyless entry on the XE? Are there dealer-installed Accessories for it?

     

    I still root for MSU when UM's BBall team can't get it done. Now, as to the Rose Bowl - still smarts.
  • dbauerdbauer Member Posts: 416
    keyless entry is usually done by auto-electric shops outside the dealer, but you can have the dealer arrange it for you as part of your deal.

     

    im the same way with them...i root for both until they play each other. my brother lives outside louisville, and their rivalry isnt quite so calm.
  • badnessbadness Member Posts: 242
    hey witch Truck did you get ,I'm looking for info on the king cab Le 4wd.
  • badnessbadness Member Posts: 242
    DID anyone get the king cab 4wd yet???

    lookin too by one in spring an I haven't had any input on the truck and i'm waiting for my dealer in NJ too call me asp.

      

    Badness from NJ
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,701
    I think jj bought the king 4x4. The posts were a couple pages back.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • badnessbadness Member Posts: 242
    JJ,did you buy the king Cab.LE 4WD,if you did could you tell me about please
  • badnessbadness Member Posts: 242
    hey can you tell me what you thought about your test drive ,likes and dislikes if you can.

    Thanks
  • jjpeterjjpeter Member Posts: 230
    Nope, have not bought one. Had to replace the wife's 12 year old Infiniti G20 first. So we bought a Hyundai Tucson (love it!).

     

    Will consider replacing the 99 Ranger sometime in the future. Only one car payment at a time please!
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,701
    Haha! Oops, my mistake. It was jflash and his was LE king 4x2, not 4x4. *shrugs*
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • badnessbadness Member Posts: 242
    I hear ya,paying my few months of payments on 01 crapy 4wd chevy s-10 and my 4wheeler by june or july if I hear some good points about it I'm their pal.
  • badnessbadness Member Posts: 242
    No biggie dude,seems like no one has it yet.
  • asaasa Member Posts: 359
    < Recently purchased a 2005 CC, SE, with 6 sp manual. Excellent power but noticing some engine noise on last 2 tanks. Specifically, when accelerating sounds like engine pinging.>

     

    I don't own an '05 Frontier SE CC 6-Speed, but this truck is on my short list and I am dissapointed that you're hearing engine pinging with 87 Octane. The Chevy Colorado CC is also on my list and the Frontier will cost me an extra $400/Year in gasoline over the Coly. If I have to burn premium gas in the Fronty, the fuel cost will probably be too high for me to bear. I'd hoped that the Fronty's V-6 compression ratio (which is less than Taco) would work better with 87 Octane. Sigh.

     

    Keep me posted. My wife's new Subaru should run fine on 87 Octane, but it pings too. With today's engines, it seems there's not much they can do except reflash the ECM and hope for the best.

     

    I want my '80 Honda back. It'd run on No. 6 Fuel Oil. <g>

     

    Asa
  • mrhazel44mrhazel44 Member Posts: 5
    If anyone has driven and compared the LE and XE/SE side by side, please post your impressions here. What, besides pricing, would make me want to go with an SE as opposed to the XE, or the LE? I don't really want/need the NISMO gear, but the LE is looking pretty slick next to the XE right now.

    Thanks
  • mrhazel44mrhazel44 Member Posts: 5
    *The king cabs only, I am not looking for a CC.*
  • jjpeterjjpeter Member Posts: 230
    I haven't test driven all the models, but short of that, the following link from the nissanusa web site let you compare all the various features of the XE, SE & LE.

     

    http://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/ModelHomePage/0,,75450,00.html>
  • buckobbbuckobb Member Posts: 2
    Just purchased the LE Crew cab 2WD with:

    Leater package, 380 watt Rockford-audio, sunroof, limited slip diff., side airbags, bed extender, microfilter, floormats and tow package.

    All for $27,500(incl. destination) Not TTL. According to the Edmunds site I got it for $428 over invoice. Bought in Alabama.

    Can't compare to the Toco since they don't offer half of those options.

    Hands down the Nissan is a better deal for the money...not to mention a more quiet and zippy ride. I have NO regrets.
  • mrtangmrtang Member Posts: 3
    Congratulations!

    Does the leather seating option give you an armrest other than the (IMHO) inadequate console?
  • buckobbbuckobb Member Posts: 2
    Same Console. But (IMHO) I have traded autos enough to know that all "new" consoles take a while to get used to. I wish it was a little forward but suspect it will grow on me to be comfortable one day.
  • cs1992cs1992 Member Posts: 17
    I am seriously considering an 05 crew cab 2wd but am concerned about the gas mileage. According to the EPA, the mileage estimates are 17 city and 21 hwy. Are these figures realistic?
  • novanova Member Posts: 135
    My 05 crew cab LE V6 auto gets 19/20 mpg on regular fuel. The window sticker says 16/20. I bought my truck a month ago. No problems 1400 trouble free miles.

           LOVE THIS TRUCK FROM FLORIDA
  • dbauerdbauer Member Posts: 416
    realistic for whom? you? me? noone here knows how you drive, what type of terrain you drive in, etc...

     

    i never get EPA estimates, but my sister always does.

     

    EPA doesnt post false numbers. they actually test the vehicles under perfect conditions, and achieve the numbers you see.
  • cs1992cs1992 Member Posts: 17
    A friend of mine has an '05 Colorado Crew Cab automatic with the I5 engine. After driving it, I was actually impressed with the power (I know it's only 220hp) and am now further undecided between the Frontier, Colorado, and Tacoma. Torque seemed to kick in at a fairly low rpm and the ride was surprisingly quiet. I think the exterior of the z71 Colorado is sharp, but the interior of the Colorado is disgustingly cheap. One big plus of the Colorado is the price. These things sell for invoice minus rebates. On top of that, Colorados are sitting on the dealer lots for weeks (at least here in south VA) so I think there's a lot of room for bargaining.

     

    At this point, I can almost rule out the Tacoma because of price...Toyota dealers do not like to negotiate. This is ashame because I drove a Tacoma and really liked the size & quality of the interior...it was significantly wider than the Colorado. I will visit a Nissan dealer today and compare the Frontier to the Colorado. I am very curious about the differences in engine power, interior size(if any) the width of the rear door openings (which on the pre '05 Frontiers is extremely tight) and overall quality between these two vehicles.

     

    If Nissan makes a comparable offer to the Colorado pricing, it's a no brainer. However, if the Colorado is priced as low as I think it is, I may think twice.
  • asaasa Member Posts: 359
    < If Nissan makes a comparable offer to the Colorado pricing, it's a no brainer. However, if the Colorado is priced as low as I think it is, I may think twice.>

     

    These are the two trucks that I'm deciding upon too. Coly's rear legroom is better than Fronty's I think. (Coly is also an inch or so longer). GM's now offering a $2K rebate on Coly/Canyon, so the price is right and Coly's MPG is 4 to 5 MPG better in real-world driving. But, yep, Coly's interior is sadly cheap. Coly is close to being great; if only GM would spend a $100 more on the interior.
  • cs1992cs1992 Member Posts: 17
    Just got back from the Nissan dealer and had the opportunity to sit inside a crew cab LE 4x2. The interior is great, but I was disappointed in its overall size. The Colorado definitely has more rear and front legroom (regardless of any posted measurements/specs); this was a big surprise to me. Both trucks seemed to have similar shoulder and hiproom and the Colorado's rear seats seemed a little less upright...which is a good thing.

     

    I didn't get a chance to test dirve the Fronty but I don't think I need to now. I really thought the interior of the crew cab would be a bit larger.
  • asaasa Member Posts: 359
    I've test driven both Coly and Fronty, but am far more familiar with Coly since the Frontier is so new. I need to go back to the Nissan dealer and spend some non-driving time inside and out. Coly seems to win out in many of my comparisons too, but we keep our vehicles and long, long time and I just don't know how long Coly will last. There's a great and extremely busy site at www.coloradofans.com that will answer any question you might have.
  • centralcalcentralcal Member Posts: 215
    Just bought my LE CC with all the factory options and satellite radio and sliding extender.

    Goods:

    1.silky smooth engine and transmission. This thing has a ton of power. Much faster than my brothers 04 F150 with 5.4 V8 (we did a short sprint test). Steering is very responsive.

    2. Extremely quiet, even with roof rack (which i can't decide if i like or not). Drove up the coast, very windy and still whisper quiet (even with strong cross winds).

    3. Great visibility, no blind spots

    4. Leather very nice. I actually like the plain interior, it will be very easy to clean, nothing to get scratched up or show its age.

    5. Other really small things: controls on steering wheel are very nice. Stereo is good(probably could do a little better with aftermarket, but I like a factory stereo to limit any theft), nice foot rest, well laid out controls, easy to see at night. I love the rims, they will be easy to clean (just got out of BMW, they have so much brake dust).

    5. The bed system is really nice, had to move some things, worked out great. The sprayed on liner is a great touch.

    6. Storage behind/under seats is very usefull. I was able to put some jumper cable/chain and some other things without trouble.

    7. Sunroof is great, quiet even at highway speed.

    8. To me the back seats are great, had some people back there and no one complained.

     

    What I would change (just my opinion):

    1. Chrome bumpers (I think will be out later).

    2. The seats are very firm, not bad, I would make them softer ( I loved the Taco sport seat).

    3. I would make the center arm rest adjustable. It isn't bad, very easy to get to cup holders, but I would make it sliding.

    4. Air vents don't close completely (very picky)

     

    What I would love to see Nissan do:

    1. Add air vents to back passengers

    2. Add power rear sliding window

    3. Add turn signals to side mirrors.

     

    Otherwise, this is an awesome truck. I also bought the extended warranty (gold, cost me $1080) that pretty much covers most things up to 100k or 6 yrs (and you are still well under what the Taco cost for less options). Only have 400 miles, but will definitely post any problems (it was raining this weekend, no leaks).
  • centralcalcentralcal Member Posts: 215
    Does anyone know where you can buy a tonneau cover for the 05 Fronty? I want a hard surface (aluminum/hard plastic) so it provides security, but something that can easily be removed/retracted/folded to allow you to use open bed.
  • atlgaxtatlgaxt Member Posts: 501
    I have a roll'n'lock on my current truck. These things are the greatest thing since sliced bread and are worth every penny. I do not know if they are available on the Frontier, but if they are not, I would wait until they make one for the Frontier. Every other bed cover out there is an unacceptable compromise IMHO.
  • badnessbadness Member Posts: 242
    Great news Dude
  • devo1devo1 Member Posts: 5
    Still wondering if anyone has or has seen an XE or SE KC bed and can let me know what type of tie-down points it has in lieu of the sliding attachment rail system on the LE and the NISMO bed packages. Thanks!
  • beanctrbeanctr Member Posts: 99
    centralcal,

     

    You mentioned that your Frontier is extremely quiet. Curious how it compared to the Taco in this area? I haven't test driven a Frontier yet, but the Taco was VERY LOUD when accelerating. It took me by suprise since Toyota usually does a good job at reducing noise in their vehicles.

     

    I am with you on chrome front bumpers. Disappointed to see that they offer the LE Crew Cab only with painted bumpers, however, at least they offer it on the other trims. Of course Toyota has totally done away with them on the Tacoma. In my opinion chrome looks better and is more durable.
  • centralcalcentralcal Member Posts: 215
    Much quieter with the Fronty. No comparison. The roof rack adds some sound, not much, but some. Toyota didn't do much for sound. Slam the doors on the Fronty vs the Taco, you will notice a huge difference in door seals. Take them both on the freeway, big difference. I found the Taco engine to be much less refined and no sound insulation which makes for a noisy ride. Just my $.02
  • acaaca Member Posts: 2
    I too have the 2005 CC SE, M/T. This is my first truck ever and I am very satisfied with it. But like dadouglas, I also noticed noise when accelerating. I upgraded to 89 on the second fillup and have been using that since. Would the dealer be able to do something about this?
  • dheidtdheidt Member Posts: 8
    I am experiencing the same problem. I took it to a dealer yesterday and he pinpointed it right away. Its a power valve on the intake manifold. If you get in front of the truck with the hood open and have someone rev the engine to a little over 2000 RPMs while power-braking, you'll see it.

     

    Unfortunately, there is no fix right now. The pathfinders are having the same issue, so hopefully it wont be long before there is.
  • midnightsunmidnightsun Member Posts: 92
    I called a Colo. topper shop last week to ask when a topper for the new Frontier 6' bed would be available. He said it was due in Feb. 4 and was priced at $1030 (I don't know if it actually came in yet.) I expected the price to be higher, so this is a relief.

     

    The topper in question is fiberglass, with bug- screened sliding side windows and sliding front window. The really interesting tidbit is a "fold- down" hinge on the front window, allowing one to clean both the cab and topper sliding windows.

     

    ------

     

    Re: noise level in Tacoma: I test drove Tacoma and Frontier trucks. I did not find the Tacoma road noise to be objectionable, but I did notice immediately how quiet the Frontier was. When sitting still with engine off in the Tacoma, there was wind whistle inside the cab, all windows closed. It sounded almost as bad as an ancient Nova I used to drive, which had badly-deteriorated weatherstripping. The wind whistle seemed to be coming from the Access Cab windows, not the windshield or the main side windows.
  • acaaca Member Posts: 2
    Good to know. Thanks for the info!

    Otherwise, this is indeed an awesome truck - worth the long wait.
  • badnessbadness Member Posts: 242
    hey goodluck with your Truck!!

    Did anyone get a KING CAB LE 4 WD Yet??

    tring too get some info on its in's and outs anyone have any info yet???
  • lilly2001lilly2001 Member Posts: 3
    I AGREE THE FRONTIER OFFERS LOTS MORE THAN THE TACO FOR MUCH LEST.

    !! I AM A ORIGINAL CC CAB OWNER SINCE 1988. AND I LOVE THE FRONTIER.

    THE ONLY ISSUE I HAVE WITH THE CURRENT MODEL IS THE SPLIT WINDOW. I NEED ONE FOR LUMBER CARRYING.

    I WILL WAITED FOR THE 06 OR LATER IN THE YEAR IF NISSAN DECIDE TO SPLIT THE BACK WINDOW. THAT IS THE ONLY DRAW BACK I HAVE. GUYS KEEP THE FRONTIER ALIVE, IS ONE OF THE BEST TRUCK BUILD ANYWHERE FOR THE PRIZE.

    MY LOCAL DEALER IN ROCKLAND NY IS DOING INVOICE OR NEAR.
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