I was wondering if anybody has had any experience towing with their V6 Frontier. I am considering making the V6 Crew Cab my next pickup. I need to make sure it can tow a medium to small boat (about 1250 lbs plus trailer weight.) I know it's rated up to 5000 lbs with the automatic according to the company info. Any real world experiences out there you guys/gals could share?
Frontiergirl; You can put down as little or as much as you like, There are no requirements here. I haven't heard of this program, but anything is worth a shot, good luck and don't be nervous.
Leew; I have never personally towed anything with the frontier, but I do see a lot of similar boats being towed by the 4cyl hardbody truck, and I have had one customer with a pathfinder that tows a much larger boat with no problem.
Leew Although I don't have a Frontier (yet), I do still have a 13 year old Hardbody with the 3.0 V6. I have used it to tow a U-Haul from central Texas (Ft. Hood) to north Alabama (Huntsville) with absolutely zero problems. This load probably grossed out at 2500 pounds. Over the past years I have regularly pulled one of the trailers for our Boy Scout troop (maybe 1000 pounds) with the bed loaded with gear. The truck won't pull that kind of a load anymore, though. It is just about worn out. But after all, I have over 215,000 miles on it, so I am not complaining. (I can't pull the same load I could 13 years ago either.
I had been waiting for Nissan to bring out the V6 in the 2 wheel drive, now I am waiting for the dealers to start accepting a price less than MSRP sticker. It'll happen though, and I have time to wait. Now if I could only make up my mind over the choice of the Dessert Runner, Xterra, or CC. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!!!
Keep monitoring this list. Most of the folks here will gladly pass on good, honest information.
skg: Yeah, I have experienced the same inflexibility on the part of the Nissan Dealerships. The 4WD models are few and far between here in Portland OR (suprisingly enough.) And if one DOES show up on the lot they want a king's ransom. I won't even sit down to deal until they drop that dealer mark up BS.
SKG; Just to let you know, with all of the attention on the CC and Xterra, you can get a deal on the desert runner, In my area Nissan has given us $500 dealer incentive. Maybe this will help make a decision, and I imagine most dealers are in the same boat and will consider a deal on a desert runner.
just a little update on my 99 se 4wd. never had an automobile that has the quality, performance and reliability before. usually you have to return to the dealer for some problem. i liked it so much i bought my daughter a standard cab. she absolutely loves it. i would recommend to anyone to consider any nissan product.
just a little update on my 99 se 4wd. never had an automobile that has the quality, performance and reliability before. usually you have to return to the dealer for some problem. i liked it so much i bought my daughter a standard cab. she absolutely loves it. i would recommend to anyone to consider any nissan product.
Just purchased the Nissan 2000 Desert Runner SE extended cab. Paid 3% over invoice. This is one awesome truck!! Is my 4th Nissan to date. First brand new one. Got it with everything.
Anyone else have one?? Any comments or problems to watch out for??
Spawnman, Where did you get your information that the DR only comes with the automatic transmission. The official Nissan "Build Your Own" website lists the auto as a $1050 option. I must admit, though, that the only SE DR that I have seen was an automatic, but the sticker price was in line with edmunds and nissan for the automatic. I know first-hand that the XE DR is available with the 5-speed manual, I have been in one.
I guess I'm wrong. I've only seen it in an automatic. I guess I was also assuming that since the Toyota Prerunner (basically the same) is only available in an auto, must be the case here.
Sorry for the misinformation. I still love the truck though
Just curious if anyone has stuffed 31x10.5 tires on their Frontier 4x4 without a lift?? I'm pretty sure that they will fit ok but I would like to here real world driving experiences with them. THANKS
cncman, are you in here?? I drove an Xterra today. Wow, Wow, Wow, I can see why it won over the Honda/Toyota/Subaru. This litte ute is impressive and I thought good looking. The dealer had 4 and 2 were sold already! I think Nissan has a hit on its hands. The room was very good, comfortable for 4 people and you had room for luggage at that. Price was right too. A tip of the hat to Nissan.
Yesterday I went to talk with a salesman about getting my frontier cc se, well I didn't get the truck because the sales rep said that they only sell the trucks at MSRP, when I asked to see the DI he refused, with my downpayment and @ MSRP my payments would have been to high. Am I wasting my time to haggle the price? I've never bought new before. help
Hey Vince, glad you liked it, I agree it is a nice package, BTW you did not like the front of the frontier, what do you think of the Xterra front? Nissan says they will make the frontier look like that also.
Frontiergirl; Someone in the Xterra topic said they were successful at getting a discount from a buying service, maybe you can check there, but now pretty much expect to pay MSRP, so far as the invoice, I would have showed it to you, there is only about $1500 markup in these things. Good luck.
I tried out the www.carsdirect.com website and checked on the Xterra SE and the Desert Runner SE. Their price for the Xterra was about halfway between the MSRP and the dealer invoice, but on the Desert Runner, they were $600 BELOW dealer invoice! I realize that the D/R has a $500 rebate, but that is something else. This outfit is parterned with Michael Dell of Dell Computers and U.S. Bank. They say that they will shop for your vehicle in your general area, and if they can't get it for you at the price that they quoted, they will eat the difference! I am going to check them out in a couple of months; the local dealer is not interested in dealing for less than sticker, even with rebate, on the Desert Runner, and is marking the Xterra up $1500 and calling it "Adjusted Market Value". I told the salesman that I didn't know what they had been smoking, but it was obviously good stuff. Moultrie Nissan is asking MSRP minus rebate for the D/R and MSRP for the Xterra.
cncman, if they put the front end of the Xterra on the Frontier I believe it will help Frontier sales. The front end of the Xterra was more aggressive looking in my opinion than the present Frontier front end. Do you think prices for the Xterra will be less or more flexible next year or over the next 6 months?
I just bought (6/24/99) a leftover '98 Frontier XE std cab for $8800 plus my '91 Mits Base truck which might have been worth about 700 bucks. The truck was loaded (A/C, am/fm/cassete, tilt/cruise, tach, bedliner, sliding glass, alloys, bumpers,etc). So far its great except I'm getting impatient waiting for the motor to Break-in. It feels like a slug right now but I know with a DOHC arrangement the power is all above 4000RPM and I'm staying below 3000. The truck is used as a commuter/errand runner and for the price is perfect for this role. A comment about the power. The 2.4l engine has a very short stroke 3.38" (3.73" bore)which is good for higher RPM but a poor choice for low-end torque. The gearing in the transmission needs lower 1st-3rd gearing in my opinion. My Mitsubishi (3.9" stroke with tiny 3.41" bore) felt like a rocket off the line by comparison. Only have 300 miles on so far so I'm trying to be patient. Overall, I'm quite satisfied with the fit and finnish as well as the overall solid road feel and handling. I would have been hard-pressed to find a better overall value.
Another observation, all the money Nissan was allegedly losing on the new Frontier platform they are more than making up by getting full list on the new Crew-cabs and Xterras. It's amazing how the magazines rave about these yet scoffed at the Frontier which shares 90% of the major components. Nissan should savor this Yuppie "flavor of the month" press as long as it lasts.
I hope that Nissan doesn't change the front of the Frontier to look like the Xterra. The Xterra looks cheap in front with all that semi-flat black plastic. I think that the Frontier (the SE model) looks a lot richer in appearance, w/just the right amount of faux chrome and body colored plastic. I like the Xterra overall but feel that the front looks like a Tonka toy. Of course, this is just my opinion but it's worth at least .02 :-)
I totally agree with you! My first comment to a sales guy when I first saw the CC SE was "damn, its too bad they didn't give the X the same front end".. I understand that they want the X to look more rugged for trail purposes but if they end up cladding the Frontier for 2001 I just don't see it looking very good.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks so! Hey, have you heard anything back from Stillen about supercharging the Frontier v/6? I haven't heard anything, but they did say it could take awhile for a reply. Just to live vicariously through you for awhile, how do you like your CC so far?
I thought you knew that its on order and I don't have it yet.. Its possible that I might get it within a week if my dealer can trade with another dealer for the color I want, other wise the latest it will be is August sometime. And no, I still have not heard anything back from Stillen either. Talk at ya later....
If anyone is interested the Xterra beat out the Cherokee in July issue of Car and Driver.
It also had a very good review in the July issue of Four Wheeler magazine.
This weekend while in Vermont at my family's summer home. I spotted this lovely Xterra at a dealer's lot and was so entranced, but if not for my wife reminding me I would have miss my turn.
I haven't seen a lot of info on older Nissan 4x4s. A few posts on mileage but not much else. Sooo, I have a couple questions for anyone that can assist:
1. The 93 4x4 4 cyl is supposed to have ABS, standard. Is this 4 or 2 wheel?
2. Has anyone had the clutch adjusted so it engages a little earlier (mine almost hits the floor)?
3. Any major problems anyone has had with the vehicle? If not I'd like to hear that as well.
I'm confused... are the 2000 Frontier KING Cab 4X4s (as opposed to crew cabs) out yet or are we still on the 1999 model year? Also does anybody have inside info on the next round of rebates for Frontiers? Nothing on Edmunds or other websites yet.
Ok here is an interesting tid bit... I just got the new Car & Driver in the mail today and it has the CC 4x4 SE with AT road test.. I found the following info a little strange: last months test they had on the Xterra SE 4x4 has the X as the same weight, drive ratio, brakes and transmission yet they have the CC as stopping from 70-0 in 221ft and the X in 199ft!! WERE THEY TESTING THE CC IN WET GRASS OR WHAT! also, they have the X as a half a second quicker to 60mph. they are also quoted as saying that the CC and the X are "merely average in the off road dept."
Mine was an '87 and had a hydraulic clutch. It never needed an adjustment in 140k miles, but I did lose the master cylinder once. Perhaps you're simply low on fluid.
FOUND OUT YESTERDAY THAT NISSAN HAS A $1500 REBATE ON THE DESERTRUNNER BUT I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S ON ALL FRONTIERS OR FOR HOW LONG IT WILL LAST. MOST LIKELY IT IS ON ALL OF THEM. THIS IS ON TOP OF INVOICE PRICING, PER MY DEALER CONTACT. A DESERT RUNNER AT INVOICE, THEN DEDUCT $1500!! IF THEY KEEP THAT UP EVERYONE WILL HAVE THE DESERTRUNNER. SAW ONE ON THE ROAD THE OTHER DAY AND IT LOOKS GOOOOOOD. BUILT ON 4X4 CHASIS, V6. FROM OTHER SITES COMMENTS EXCELLENT RELIABILITY + QUALITY. A COMBINATION YOU JUST CAN'T BEAT. I'VE HAD TWO MAXIMAS (87 AND 91). STILL DRIVING THE 91. 30MPG ON THE HIGHWAY (70 MILE DAILY CALIF COMMUTE) AND NEVER A PROBLEM. WILL PROBABLY BE SELLING IT FOR THE DESERTRUNNER. TOYOTA WATCH OUT.
CNCMAN, I heard about the $500 rebate and asked my internet dealer about it. He responded to me that he was giving a $1500 rebate on top of selling the DR to me at invoice, plus 5.9% interest to those that qualify. Sounds like a deal (with a capital "D") to me. When I get time I'm going to visit him. That's in northern CA, east of San Francisco. Maybe it's a regional thing?? I don't know where you're from. I'm torn between the DR and the Prerunner. My son has a 4X4 Toyo but local dealer is lousy. Wanted him to leave it in the shop for 3 weeks for the headgasket recall. My experience with the local Nissan dealer has been excellent (over 12 years and two Maximas) so that, I think, is going to be the deciding factor. Toyos are nice but if you have to travel 40 miles to have it repaired I think the choice becomes easier.
cncman, e-mailed the dealer for clarification on the rebate. All 1999s (including the DR) have the $1500 + 5.9 financing. If you can find a 99 it's still a deal. All 2000 DRs "had" $500 dealer cash and no special APR's. This program expired on 7-6-99.
2000 Frontier's (except DR) have $1,000 dealer cash and its up to the dealer to decide if they will give up the dealer cash to the customer in the form of the discount. Thanks for your comment...I'll be looking for a 99. I'm discovering that invoice + fees not hard to get around here, even on Toyo PR, which makes the prices pretty competitive. There are more aftermarket goodies for the Toyo which has always added to their popularity and re-sale value. Hope Nissan and the aftermarketers would catch up on the DR. I think Toyo prices will get more competitive as the Tundra eats in the the Prerunner market. Tundra heck of a truck, especially with the V8 and 4 doors, but going for MSRP + fees...no deals. As I hear more I'll pass it on. Thanx.
rotorray; I think you need to clarify with the dealer again, all DR's are 2000 models. There may be different incentives regional, but usually the money is the same. Maybe one place has a $1,000 rebate and another has $1,000 dealer incentive. There are lots of accessories available for the DR, since it is still basically a Frontier king cab, there is alot out there that will work for it. Good Luck, Nice truck, I have one that is the grey color, looks absolutely fantastic, it may even draw me away from the Xterra, but probabaly not.
Hello Everyone!! I saw a previous post by mosi about my Nissan Message Board. Well, just like to let you, and everyone know that the site move to a New and Improved address at http://home.earthlink.net/~mcervantes
THANKS SO MUCH for supporting the site MC~Nissan News and Rumors
Just wanted to know if anyone has info. about supercharging a V6 Frontier. The 1999 Frontier 4x4 V6 runs great. I love it. My wife was hesitant when we bought it but now she loves it. I had to get rid of a Stratus '96 and got the Frontier. If fact my wife hit some ice on the road in MO and had an accident causing $2000 damage to the front end. She walked away without a scatch. She cried at first but reassured her it could be fixed. It is as brand new as ever. I am stationed Korea and she has had no trouble with it at all back in the states. I knew I had gotten her a reliable truck. I'll only buy Japanese brand vehicles until the others are up to their standard. Too many GM's broken down on the highways. It turned me away. That and experience with them.
Deltoid; I have a 98 king cab and I live in Texas, I went through last summer and this summer so far, I only live about 5 miles from work, but it cools down right away.
Deltoid, I, also, live in 'Bama (Huntsville - you don't get any muggier than this!). My son's '99 XE King Cab (2x4, 4 cyl) cools a LOT better than my 86.5 SE ever did, even when new. Air is not something that I am worried about when I buy my new Nissan "something" - I just can't make up my mind. Oh well, I can wait. Prices will come down and I will be willing to buy when dealers are ready to deal.
Thanks for the a/c info.I'm about to dump a crappy "97 Ranger for a Frontier and the A/c is very important here in "steambath" country.Reliability is another concern after the trouble I've had with my Ford.
deltoid1, You can get to the filter by removing several plastic fasteners that hold the rubber fender well liner on the passenger side. Fold the liner down and you should easily see the filter. You will need an extension and the type of wrench that fits over the end of the filter. Make sure to put a rag under it when you remove it. It can be messy.
Comments
You can put down as little or as much as you like,
There are no requirements here. I haven't heard of this program, but anything is worth a shot, good luck and don't be nervous.
Leew;
I have never personally towed anything with the frontier, but I do see a lot of similar boats being towed by the 4cyl hardbody truck, and I have
had one customer with a pathfinder that tows a much larger boat with no problem.
Although I don't have a Frontier (yet), I do still have a 13 year old Hardbody with the 3.0 V6. I have used it to tow a U-Haul from central Texas (Ft. Hood) to north Alabama (Huntsville) with absolutely zero problems. This load probably grossed out at 2500 pounds. Over the past years I have regularly pulled one of the trailers for our Boy Scout troop (maybe 1000 pounds) with the bed loaded with gear.
The truck won't pull that kind of a load anymore, though. It is just about worn out. But after all, I have over 215,000 miles on it, so I am not complaining. (I can't pull the same load I could 13 years ago either.
I had been waiting for Nissan to bring out the V6 in the 2 wheel drive, now I am waiting for the dealers to start accepting a price less than MSRP sticker. It'll happen though, and I have time to wait. Now if I could only make up my mind over the choice of the Dessert Runner, Xterra, or CC.
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!!!
Keep monitoring this list. Most of the folks here will gladly pass on good, honest information.
skg:
Yeah, I have experienced the same inflexibility on the part of the Nissan Dealerships. The 4WD models are few and far between here in Portland OR (suprisingly enough.) And if one DOES show up on the lot they want a king's ransom. I won't even sit down to deal until they drop that dealer mark up BS.
Just to let you know, with all of the attention on the CC and Xterra, you can get a deal on the desert runner, In my area Nissan has given us $500
dealer incentive. Maybe this will help make a decision, and I imagine most dealers are in the same boat and will consider a deal on a desert runner.
Just purchased the Nissan 2000 Desert Runner SE extended cab. Paid 3% over invoice. This is one awesome truck!! Is my 4th Nissan to date. First brand new one. Got it with everything.
Anyone else have one?? Any comments or problems to watch out for??
Thanks
Greg
Thanks
Yes it is exactly the same at the 4WD. Even has the same ground clearance. Only comes in an automatic though, no 5 Speed.
Hope it helps
Where did you get your information that the DR only comes with the automatic transmission. The official Nissan "Build Your Own" website lists the auto as a $1050 option.
I must admit, though, that the only SE DR that I have seen was an automatic, but the sticker price was in line with edmunds and nissan for the automatic.
I know first-hand that the XE DR is available with the 5-speed manual, I have been in one.
I guess I'm wrong. I've only seen it in an automatic. I guess I was also assuming that since the Toyota Prerunner (basically the same) is only available in an auto, must be the case here.
Sorry for the misinformation. I still love the truck though
THANKS
I drove an Xterra today. Wow, Wow, Wow, I can see why it won over the Honda/Toyota/Subaru. This litte ute is impressive and I thought good looking. The dealer had 4 and 2 were sold already! I think Nissan has a hit on its hands. The room was very good, comfortable for 4 people and you had room for luggage at that. Price was right too. A tip of the hat to Nissan.
glad you liked it, I agree it is a nice package, BTW you did not like the front of the frontier, what do you think of the Xterra front? Nissan says they will make the frontier look like that also.
Frontiergirl;
Someone in the Xterra topic said they were successful at getting a discount from a buying service, maybe you can check there, but now pretty
much expect to pay MSRP, so far as the invoice, I would have showed it to you, there is only about $1500 markup in these things. Good luck.
This outfit is parterned with Michael Dell of Dell Computers and U.S. Bank. They say that they will shop for your vehicle in your general area, and if they can't get it for you at the price that they quoted, they will eat the difference!
I am going to check them out in a couple of months; the local dealer is not interested in dealing for less than sticker, even with rebate, on the Desert Runner, and is marking the Xterra up $1500 and calling it "Adjusted Market Value". I told the salesman that I didn't know what they had been smoking, but it was obviously good stuff.
Moultrie Nissan is asking MSRP minus rebate for the D/R and MSRP for the Xterra.
Do you think prices for the Xterra will be less or more flexible next year or over the next 6 months?
Another observation, all the money Nissan was allegedly losing on the new Frontier platform they are more than making up by getting full list on the new Crew-cabs and Xterras. It's amazing how the magazines rave about these yet scoffed at the Frontier which shares 90% of the major components.
Nissan should savor this Yuppie "flavor of the month" press as long as it lasts.
c-ya
Bobby
I totally agree with you! My first comment to a sales guy when I first saw the CC SE was "damn, its too bad they didn't give the X the same front end".. I understand that they want the X to look more rugged for trail purposes but if they end up cladding the Frontier for 2001 I just don't see it looking very good.
It also had a very good review in the July issue of Four Wheeler magazine.
This weekend while in Vermont at my family's summer home. I spotted this lovely Xterra at a dealer's lot and was so entranced, but if not for my wife reminding me I would have miss my turn.
1. The 93 4x4 4 cyl is supposed to have ABS, standard. Is this 4 or 2 wheel?
2. Has anyone had the clutch adjusted so it engages a little earlier (mine almost hits the floor)?
3. Any major problems anyone has had with the vehicle? If not I'd like to hear that as well.
I have an 95 Nissan with ABS and it is only 2 wheel.
Never had the clutch adjusted, seems fine where its at.
No problems at all with the truck, trying to sell it now infact, bought a new 2000 Desert Runner
Also does anybody have inside info on the next round of rebates for Frontiers? Nothing on Edmunds or other websites yet.
Thanks
I know there is an option for the Desert Runner.
Also, is it cheaper to order, than to buy off the lot?
Not sure where you got the info, but the only incevtive I know of on the DR is $500 dealer cash,
there is a $1500 rebate on 99's
I heard about the $500 rebate and asked my internet dealer about it. He responded to me that he was giving a $1500 rebate on top of selling the DR to me at invoice, plus 5.9% interest to those that qualify. Sounds like a deal (with a capital "D") to me. When I get time I'm going to visit him. That's in northern CA, east of San Francisco. Maybe it's a regional thing?? I don't know where you're from. I'm torn between the DR and the Prerunner. My son has a 4X4 Toyo but local dealer is lousy. Wanted him to leave it in the shop for 3 weeks for the headgasket recall. My experience with the local Nissan dealer has been excellent (over 12 years and two Maximas) so that, I think, is going to be the deciding factor. Toyos are nice but if you have to travel 40 miles to have it repaired I think the choice becomes easier.
e-mailed the dealer for clarification on the rebate. All 1999s (including the DR) have the $1500 + 5.9 financing. If you can find a 99 it's still a deal. All 2000 DRs "had" $500 dealer cash and no special APR's. This program expired on 7-6-99.
2000 Frontier's (except DR) have $1,000 dealer cash and its up to the dealer to decide if they will give up the dealer cash to the customer in the form of the discount. Thanks for your comment...I'll be looking for a 99. I'm discovering that invoice + fees not hard to get around here, even on Toyo PR, which makes the prices pretty competitive. There are more aftermarket goodies for the Toyo which has always added to their popularity and re-sale value. Hope Nissan and the aftermarketers would catch up on the DR. I think Toyo prices will get more competitive as the Tundra eats in the the Prerunner market. Tundra heck of a truck, especially with the V8 and 4 doors, but going for MSRP + fees...no deals. As I hear more I'll pass it on. Thanx.
James
I think you need to clarify with the dealer again,
all DR's are 2000 models. There may be different incentives regional, but usually the money is the same. Maybe one place has a $1,000 rebate and another has $1,000 dealer incentive. There are lots of accessories available for the DR, since it is still basically a Frontier king cab, there is alot out there that will work for it. Good Luck,
Nice truck, I have one that is the grey color, looks absolutely fantastic, it may even draw me away from the Xterra, but probabaly not.
I saw a previous post by mosi about my Nissan Message Board. Well, just like to let you, and everyone know that the site move to a New and Improved address at http://home.earthlink.net/~mcervantes
THANKS SO MUCH for supporting the site
MC~Nissan News and Rumors
I have a 98 king cab and I live in Texas, I went through last summer and this summer so far, I only live about 5 miles from work, but it cools down right away.
I, also, live in 'Bama (Huntsville - you don't get any muggier than this!). My son's '99 XE King Cab (2x4, 4 cyl) cools a LOT better than my 86.5 SE ever did, even when new. Air is not something that I am worried about when I buy my new Nissan "something" - I just can't make up my mind. Oh well, I can wait. Prices will come down and I will be willing to buy when dealers are ready to deal.
info.I'm about to dump
a crappy "97 Ranger for
a Frontier and the A/c
is very important here in
"steambath"
country.Reliability is another concern after the trouble I've had with my Ford.
I presently have a '99 Mazda B3000 that is killing my neck. I need to get rid of it and don't want to go to a larger truck like the F150
Pleas help.
Thanx
You can get to the filter by removing several plastic fasteners that hold the rubber fender well liner on the passenger side. Fold the liner down and you should easily see the filter. You will need an extension and the type of wrench that fits over the end of the filter. Make sure to put a rag under it when you remove it. It can be messy.