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Comments
The tacoma's reliability is far better as well. But you're right about the price issue. The frontier is cheaper, when you look at 4x4's or desert runners, but when comparing reg. cabs, they are almost identical. I bought my '98 reg cab for $12,500. That's a pretty cheap new vehicle no matter which way you look at it.
I still think both reg. cab models are uglier than anything on the road, of course, and will never buy another reg. cab model.
I got my info from carpoint.com, by the way.
I'll research and try to find a test of reg. cab frontier so I can give you an accurate number. The 8.4 above for the tacoma either came from Edmund's or a magazine. I'll get that one for you, too.
By the way, I was commenting on reg. cabs, but I no longer own mine. I traded up for the Prerunner ext. cab. I don't dislike Nissan, don't get me wrong. Good luck with yours and I'll be getting back today or tomorrow if I can find those stats.
The 0-60 info I have is for king cabs for both, which should be comparable because they both have the 2.4l 4cylinder.
9.7 seconds for the tacoma and 10,2 for the frontier. Also I just realized you said you paid $12,500 for your regular cab,
that's how much I paid for my XE King cab with the VTP 5spd. I also have privacy glass, sliding window, 15" alloys, step bumper, mats, etc. My only point is that you started claiming that there was a world of difference between the two trucks, I really think when you look at all the data, they are pretty much on the same level, and you can't go wrong with either I don't think, just depends on what you like, I am going on vacation today so everyone have a happy holifay! (why is this darn type face so small? I cna barely read it!)
I am wanting to purchase either a Tacoma or Nissan doublecab 4x4. I have only had 5spds in the past, but am now considering an automatic(which is what the Taco comes in anyway). Here are a few questions: What kind of gas mileage do the two vehicles get? Does it vary between 5spd and auto? I helped a friend recently purchase a 2000 Nissan double cab, and it was nice, but didn't seem as 'quality' as the Toyota. Also, I owned a '96 Tacoma 4x4 xtracab, which felt unstable to be, does the double cab afford more stability?
One last question, I have found out the the 4runner is going to re-generate in 2002, how about the Tacoma? Does anyone know the next Toyota small truck will be introduced? Thanks!!!!
There is a quality difference between the Nissan and Toyota trucks period, regardless of model. The frontier is cheaper in price because of this.
As far as gas mileage, I think Autoworld got 18 mpg with theirs (could be wrong on that.) I have a prerunner, which weighs about 400 lbs less than the 01 Double Cab, and I have gotten 18.67 MPG in 29,000 miles (I keep detailed files).
As far as stability, I haven't owned or driven a '96, so my comments would only be relative to other models I have owned or driven, but my truck is stable considering its height and suspension. You won't mistake it for a 911, but you can take corners with confidence in it.
Hope some of this helped.
I stated that frontiers are cheaper in price because of the value difference. If you question this, go to Kelly Blue Book and check out the resale value of the Tacoma to get an idea how the buyers and sellers perceive the quality of the two trucks. A comparison between a 1998 regular cab tacoma and frontier with nothing but A/C on either one and 30,000 miles netted $1825 more in resale value for the Tacoma.
And, actually, the Mazda B-series won the latest J.D. Powers initial quality study. Here's the link: http://www.jdpower.com/auto/jdpaawards/award-au00.html
The Frontier did win the 1998 initial quality study 2. Here's the link: http://www.jdpower.com/auto/jdpaawards/award-au98.html
The Tacoma last won in 1997. Here's the link:
http://www.jdpower.com/auto/jdpaawards/award-au97.html
If you check out consumer reports magazine, which has the largest pool of respondents to query from, you will find the Tacoma consistently ranks #1 in its segment and does it convincingly.
Your data from carpoint.com is inconclusive as there are only a handful of people rating those vehicles. For example, in 1998, the frontier was rated 9.1 from 17 respondents and the tacoma was rated 8.7 from 41. If you add 24 more ratings onto the frontier's, you'd probably water down that .4 advantage. But even 41 is not a large enough sampling to represent several hundred thousand owners.
Both trucks are good choices, better than the so-called domestics, but I, personally, choose the tacoma over the frontier.
I think you looked at the new truck ratings not the used cars like I said, sorry, the link does not directly post here, go to used trucks, then look at nissan pickup and toyota pickup, it shows data with problem areas and overall dependability ratings for 91-97, these were compiled by an automotive repair consulting service that gets over 20,000 calls a month. Nissan is rated higher.
Actually you did not state that there was a difference in price because of a value difference, you said,
"There is a quality difference between the Nissan and Toyota trucks period,
regardless of model. The frontier is cheaper in price because of this."
Which it is obvious that the quality/dependability of the two are comparable. If you meant to say there is a value difference, I am even more confused, I think if you can get a king cab with more equipment, bigger bed, larger tires for the same price as a regular cab with less equipment that is a good value, and your resale argument would be valid if the trucks were the same price new,
but there is actually around a $1500 difference in prices new, so actually resale value between the two is the same also,
I looked at the '91-97 reliability boxes at carpoint.com (yellow, red, and green colorings), and, yes, it appears that during those years, Nissan had less problem areas and fewer problems in those problem areas than did Toyota.
Good job, Cncman.
Above all else though, the single biggest drawback with the Tacoma that kept me from being a repeat customer is its lack of side notches for setting pieces of 2x4 lumber so I can haul 4x8 plywood sheets flat. It was a pain not being able to do that when I had the Tacoma. I don't know why Toyota doesn't just pay the royalty to whomever holds the patent on it and implement it in the Tacoma. Granted it's a small detail, but a pickup truck is meant for, well, picking up and hauling loads. So a minor oversight in that department becomes a big drawback in my book.
Having lived with the Tacoma, I now know why MDF comes in oversized 49"x97" sheets. Can you say "shipping damage"? ;-)
Incidently, the Tacoma did not come with seat back covers (the yellow foam was in plain view) and cabin backwall liner (just bare painted body panel).
I do wish both Toyota and Nissan would use better grades of interior trim plastic, as the hard plastics in both trucks are easily scratched.
My wife did like the spunkier & nimbler Tacoma reg cab better than my current Frontier ext cab, but even she can tell the Frontier rides smoother with better NVH isolation. Compromises, compromises...
it might sound naive but i am not quite sure what the trd package is..
thanks for your help
I have had a Tacoma with out TRD and now with the TRD package. I love the difference, it is a much firmer and tighter ride. Some may not like the harder ride, but I think it handles a lot better and doesn't bottom out as easily off road. But if you want a "car like" ride, the TRD is not for you! It can be too harsh on really bad roads.