Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Toyota Tacoma vs. Nissan Frontier
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Your story sounds exactly like mine, I moved into a house and decided to get a truck for all of those weekend projects my girlfriend had me do! This was around 97 I started looking, I had an old accord, I was seriously thinking about the hardbody Nissans until the frontier came out, it had a much better ride, was quieter, had more power and more convenience features, I got it. This was my first truck, I am so pleased after two years I may stay with a truck, it was not hard for me to get used to the differences bewtween the truck and a car, good luck
I now drive a '99 Frontier 4x2 kingcab 5sp. Very nice truck for the money. Quieter and bit bigger truck than the Tacoma, but is little thirstier on gas. You need to evaluate your own needs to see which size/style truck fit you best. If 95% commuting and once in a long while light-duty hauling, then a 5sp ext. cab compact pickup is ideal. Most fall into this category.
Being used to driving hot-hatch GTIs, I had no problem adjusting to riding in a pickup other than having to respect the limited handling and traction compared to most performance cars. VNH is no worse than your ordinary compact car.
If you do decide to get one, you will appreciate it the very first time you watch some hapless chap at the Home Depot parking lot trying hopelessly to shoehorn a sheet of 4x8 plywood into a sedan. :-) I tried not to laugh everytime, but I'm sorry, I just can't help it. :-D
Thanks for your comments and insight regarding my post. I purchased a Salsa red Frontier 4x2 (as opposed to a 2x4, oops) king cab, 5 speed, 4 cylinder. It came with the value truck package, over rail bedliner, and matts. I required that I got the following add-ons at dealer cost (or at least they were discounted from a total of about $670 to $430): fender flairs, step rails & hood bug deflector. Total price: $15,011 + ttl-$1,000 rebate. Not bad? Also, the truck has some fancy decals along the side. They said either pay $240 more or choose another truck. I paid $30. Sorry for the lenght and detail. I will make this post my home as I couldn't find a Frontier post.
Understood about not having a Frontier-specific topic. For some reason, Frontier owners don't seem to be a chatty bunch. I have been able to swap notes with other owners here from topic to topic though.
I was saddened to hear that Obiwan Kenobi had passed away this week. Sir Alec Guiness was a great actor and I'm sure will be missed by a lot of fans...
stloointn
Don't forget the replacement cycle on the timing belt/chain...on Toyotas replacement is not as critical as on Hondas...good luck.
Dean
The Honda needed warranty work at 11,000 miles, and endless adjustments at the dealer. I'm sure they're good, but it wasn't my experience. I've never had a Nissan anything, but I've know lots of people who have and most have never had any problems with them.
After 3 1/2 months and 5500 miles on my 2000 Tacoma 4x2 reg cab, I've had no problems at all, and the mpg has been increasing (gotta love that!). First 3000 miles, I averaged around 23 mpg (70% city 30% hwy). Ever since then, I'm getting about 24-25 mpg (again, mostly city driving - commuting to and from work). I use it for weekend projects a lot, and it's great! It handles a pretty good load very well, with a nice ride, too. I won't be going back to a car anytime soon, that's for sure!
The truck itself is great. Though I'm still getting used to the ride, I like the general feel of the toughness, the ride height and the utility of the bed (it's been used twice already).
Lets liven this post up a bit! I'm disappointed that there are only a trickle of posts once in a while. Tell me, Tacoma owners, what are your likes and dislikes of your trucks, like iwphill's post? Volfy, our Frontiers are the same...what have been your experiences with your ride?
However, if you are into driving for fun, having a powerful engine, and best in the class off-road capability, then by all means go get the Tacoma. It's more fun than the Frontier in my opinion.
Make no mistake that even though the Tacoma is more truckish than the Frontier, it's perfectly livable. I live in NJ and 99.99% of the road here is paved. If I lived in Arizona I'd go offroading every week and definitly go with 4x4.
My friends and I took a 700 mile trip once from New Mexico to the Grand Canyon. We did the round trip in three days in a Geo Tracker (95 hp engine, soft top). A quarter of that trip was offroad...and it was the best trip I have ever had. There was no question for me that when it's time to get my own car I want the most rugged, reliable, offroad capable vehicle out there. Tacoma it was and there was no competition (I can't afford a Humvee or a Defender and Jeep isn't reliable enough...don't want to be stranded at the rim of the Canyon 60 miles from the closest road).
Yeah, I loved mine and it worked awesome. While I was attending FSU I needed the timing chain replaced. Since I didn't have alot of $$$ I went to the cheapest guy in Tallahasse to replace it but, he didn't replace the oil pump gears and he couldn't seal the cover correctly so the motor was not only leaking alot of oil but it wasn't getting the oil around the engine properly. I must have driven around on that motor for about six months, reving it up at stop lights and stop signs to get the oil to the top of the motor. I finally saved up $600 to buy an '83 Celica engine to replace mine. I went this route because it was about $400 cheaper than a rebuild and I just wanted it to get me through college so after I graduated I could really do it right. I planned on keeping this '81 4x4 longbed forever. I had completely redone the interior new carpet, new dash, Mazda seats that flipped forward so I could get behind the seats. Anyway, I did the trnsplant of both engines: air cleaners, flipping the oil pan and so on. I really good friend of mine who happened to be one of the best mechanics in town let me use the back of his shop. He actually did the installation of the engine and I paid him about $200. But anyways I loved that truck. I even had new decals on order, they were coming from Japan. I had 33" tire with 15x10 rims and a 3" suspension lift. The only complaint I had with the truck, and it was my fault because I didn't do the gear swap yet, was as 'bulletproof' as that engine was it was really weak after I put the big tires on it. Engine mods were soon to come. But, now she's gone and I never got to finish her. Maybe one day I'll take on another it'll have to be an '83 though I like the grills better and the transmission doesn't have welded gears on the input shaft(the '81 was the only year they did that, figures right? a you can tell I had the tranny rebuild after bearing failure)but these little guys are hard to find in stock condition. I used to love shopping for it. Every now and then I break out the pictures
I too am trying to make that switch from car to truck for the reasons of getting into a house which will mean I will need to carry things.
In my case, the car I have is a last generation Mazda RX7 twin-turbo...my baby!
I tested a 1997 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 (auto) with 36K miles. The dealership here in Austin, TX was originally asking $20K...now were talking around $18.5K. What do you think? I haven't yet tried a Frontier, but I had heard some of the same comments posted here from a co-worker earlier wrt to bang for buck coupled with reliability giving the nod to the Frontier. Of course that Tacoma has puppy dog eyes now, and I want to take it home. Help me out! Thanks!
I my opinion the Taco has the best looks for 2000 but, 2001 it's the worst(it looks like a catfish). I love my Nissan CC 4x4. It doesn't look bad at all either.
jessejames,
I think that even at 18.5 no matter what options that truck has is too much for a 3 yr 4x4. For 23K you could get a fully loaded(every option)2000 Frontier CC 4x4. BUt you probably don't want the CC so a King Cab would be even less. Full warranty and only driven by you...who knows where a 4x4 has been.
Yes, BRAND NEW FOR $22,500! The price of the 97 Taco you are looking at is about average, a little high for my taste, but is average re-sell price for used Tacos.
You are in the same boat I was in last month...I looked around for a 97-99 Taco, all around $18k PLUS...well for only $2k more you can have new. That's why I bought new.
Understand this, Toyota Trucks ARE THE BEST. HANDS DOWN.
My last car was a '93 Toyota 4x4 std cab 4Cyl and I got $5300 for it on trade in. The '93 had 160k miles on it with no AC! Fact of the matter is, Toyota Trucks are extremely dependable. On my '93 I replaced the brakes 1 time, battery 1 time, and a couple of head lights. Along with oil changed every 4k miles.
Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to let you know that I was in your position and bought new and that Toyota builds the better truck.
Needless to say, I was very happy. I used to own a '93, and it was a great truck, but this one by far has the best ride. It was very comfortable to drive - no problems whatsoever. And for a truck, it was a very nice ride. Toyota makes a great truck. I haven't seen any photos of the 2001's, but I can say that the 2000's are outstanding!
I just got back from a trip from Tampa to Miami and found the truck to perform flawless. It was great through the FL thunderstorms, I passed while all the tourists sat on the shoulder(something they do here because we do get some heavy downpours). I averaged 85mph the whole trip there and back and it rode so smooth the seat's position is actually more comfortable than my Legend's was .
Iwphill,
If you do see the new Taco get you fishing rod ready and hide the cat food because they look just like a catfish! I think that 2001 is going to be a bad style year for Nissan and Toyota. Thank god for the 2000's. Do you have the 2wd?
I don't like either the 'catfish' look (great description, btw :-) of the new Tacoma, nor the 'boxer glove' front fascia and WAYYY-oversized fender flares of the '01 Frontier. May be I'll get used to the new styles in time, but for now i feel somewhat old-fashioned and prefer the old if not stodgy looks. I just think pickups ought to look like a work truck, not a plastic panel laden show car.
How does that price sound? Be brutally honest...I can take it, and it will make me a better buyer in the future.
Thanks again!
Sounds like your crew cab is a fine machine. How's the room in the back? There's a guy at my work that has a Frontier crew cab - a 4x2 base model 5-speed, and he seems to love it. The only thing he's added to it is a roof rack, so far. It looks like a lot of room inside.
I like Nissans because I think they're great vehicles. I just went with the Toyota because it was the best deal I could get for what I wanted. I priced a similarly equipped Frontier (checked 3 different dealerships in my area and the internet), and they wanted more money. Maybe Toyotas are more expensive on the 4x4's, extended cabs, etc., but my reg cab 4x2 was cheaper than the Frontier at the time.
from other publications to THIS forum. It is illegal, exceeds the "Fair Use" doctrine, and we are required to delete it. You may post links to the article on other forums, you may NOT cut and paste.
I have tried to say this nicely several times, since that doesn't seem to WORK, I'll just have to get heavy on the SCRIBBLE key for a while. Sigh....
Front Porch Philosopher
SUV, Pickups, & Aftermarket and Accessories Host
One thing I seem to notice is this topic is the most civilized that either of these two vehicles are involved with. I mean the frontier v. ranger is crazy, the ranger v. tacoma certainly has it's moments but, after seeing this room the above common denominator could be proof of why those topics are so crazy.
Is the 4 cyl enough power? Will be travelling throughout Mexico in mountainous terrain, not much off road.
How is the gas mileage?
And what should I pay for one with about 80,000 miles or so?
Thanks,
How about power, mpg?
Any options to look for that owners really like, especially for long trips?
What major things go wrong with Nissan 4X4 from 120,000 to 180,000 miles so I can do some preventive maintenance before heading to Mexico?
thanks,
So here is another one.
Which year(s) were the best for Toyota pickups?
1990 through 1996.
Thanks.
Best Toyota pickups--from reading this board, I think the '89-'94 generation (before the Tacoma) wins the most points. But I have no personal experience; I own a Frontier.
Started search: '90, '92, '85, seen so far.
'92 v6 only one so far that drives like a dream, though could be too small a sample.
Seems like I can get a 92 or 93 in good shape for mid 8k.
??? How is AT on v6 of 89-94 models, still enough power??? Anybody?
Thanks again.
I now have a Tacoma, and I must say there I some things I like about the Tacoma better, and some things I like about the 85-95 pickups better.
The Tacoma's have more goodies, and don't feel as sparse. The factory 4 wheeeling options are better, better suspensions, lockers, ect.
However, so far, the 85-95 Toyota's feel a little more solid to me, in terms of taking abuse and overall seals, quietness, and toughness.
The 85-95 Toyota pickups are PURE machines with no frills fine tuned and honed from the finest auto parts ever crafted. They are bulletproof, and no truck ever made could ever even HOPE of living up to the durability and reliabilty of those trucks.
I would appreciate it very much.
I have a Nissan 1993 King Cab for sale. Automatic O/D. It is not 4x4, but it has only 67300 mls. It is extra clean and in excellent condition. Chrome wheels, wider Michelin tires, chrome bumpers, A/C, AM/FM+Cass, bed liner. Will take fair price between high/low Blue book.
I live in a city and don't use it for loading, etc, which makes no sence for me to keep it. So, I decided to sell it and get a midsize car. Maybe Altima, or so.
Since, you're mentioning Mexico, I live in Southern California. So, no rain (meaning rust) here.
just posted a message for you, #94
Go nissan.......keep building ugly,chinsy trucks that will NEVER compare to a tacoma!
I do disagree that the Frontier will never compare to a Tacoma.Any truck will compare with any other truck.The features each individual finds important will determine which truck is best suited for that person.
Have you seen the new 2001 tacoma? Now that's an ugly vehicle...looks like a catfish! Don't worry though, Tacoma will win two awards for 2001...THE UGLIEST TRUCK and THE TRUCK WITH THE SMALLEST INTERIOR(they always win this catagory.hahaha)
is sooooo cheezy!they are the same old crappy truck with a new body.Oh and the 170 horse engine,
what a powerhouse...lol
You of course are entitled to your opinion.Enjoy your new Toyota when you get it and we will enjoy our Frontiers.
It's really sad that you don't know what you are talking about when it comes to style or your knowledge of the Nissan. It's not the same truck as the Hardbody, it's obvious you don't have a clue. I challenge you to tell me how much "better" the toyo is..give me metal thickness or diameter. Anything more than just shallow comments like look underneath the front end, c'mon tell me you can support your weak comments better than that...because that won't fly here sport! Nice plastic bumper by the way...real heavy duty. Oh when you get your new truck stay away from the bush hooks!