Any Nissan Frontier owners?

[SP33Demon]

I'm looking to buy a car, and have decided on the common Tacoma vs Frontier debate (yes I've read the other thread on it.). I'm really looking for opinions on a Frontier, 2002-2004 range with questions for owners such as: Have you had any problems with them? Any major repairs? Also please note which engine you have, the 4 or 6.

-Speed

UPDATE: Bought an 05 Automatic Super Black SE Crew Cab 4X4 with Sunroof, power and tow packages, bed extender/bed divider, and aftermarket leather seats (they didn't have any 05's within a 100 mile radius with factory leather).

 

[Aimster]

NFS4's dad I believe.

 

[VirginiaDonkey]

I have a 2001 XE. 4 cylinder, auto trans 2wd.
I bought it with 96K miles on it and have ran up another 12K with no issues. A common problem with the 4 cyl is that the EGR ports get clogged and will cause a cylinder misfire trouble code.

here is a website dedicated to Frontiers
http://p085.ezboard.com/btunfs

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: VirginiaDonkey
I have a 2001 XE. 4 cylinder, auto trans 2wd.
I bought it with 96K miles on it and have ran up another 12K with no issues. A common problem with the 4 cyl is that the EGR ports get clogged and will cause a cylinder misfire trouble code.

here is a website dedicated to Frontiers
http://p085.ezboard.com/btunfs

Excellent, I'll take a look at that site.

Is this problem associated with any of the new Frontiers, or in general all of their 4 CYL?

 

[Ktulu]

If you're looking at the last generation of trucks, i wonder why you didn't think about the S-10, had the most torque in its class and the best towing.

 

[BobDaMenkey]

My dad has a 2001 Crew Cab. Forget what the model designation was. He's put More than 110k miles on it. It's got the V6, and an auto tranny. We've never had any problems with it outside of general maint. It's still running like a champ.

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: Ktulu
If you're looking at the last generation of trucks, i wonder why you didn't think about the S-10, had the most torque in its class and the best towing.

Well, I'm mainly looking for a 4CYL because I travel a lot. If I have to get the 6 to get the better options, I don't mind spending a little extra. Really don't need torque and towing, just want to have an option to move my stuff on the fly if I need to switch apts, get a new job, etc. Comfort of ride, fuel efficiency, and acceleration are more important to me than torque/towing.

 

[DeadByDawn]

Although it's not a "Frontier" I have a 93 Nissan truck, 4 cyl 5 spd, that I have not maintained very well and beat the hell out of, and it just keeps on going... Best car money I've ever spent.

 

[coomarlin]

I have a 2005 Frontier 4x4 LE King Cab and it's a fantastic truck. I spent several months this summer test driving and comparing it to the Tacoma, Colorado, and Dakota. In the end it came down to the Frontier and the Tacoma. The Frontier was just a much better value for my money. Here is the break-down.

Frontier Strengths over the Tacoma: More Power (Most power in it's class), More Torque, Vastly superior steering and suspension.

Tacoma Strengths over the Frontier: About 2 pounds lighter, more refined interior, Better brakes.

Other than that the differrences were minimal. Both are good looking trucks, both have good ground clearance, the Taco has a composite bed and the Frontier has a factory sprayed in liner.

The Colorado was not even in the same class as the other 3. Sorry Chevy lovers, but it just felt cheap comapred to the other trucks. Even the Dakota.

With factory incentives I bought the loaded Frontier (Side Curtain Airbags, 6-disk Rockford MP#/CD, Tow package, Factory Spray in bed liner, Chrome package, step rails) for about $4000 less than I would've paid for a comparibly eqiuped Taco. I bought it in August and have put 5000 miles on it so far. I use it to tow my boat around in the summer and so far this winter it's been a blast to drive in the snow. I'm going to take it fly fishing in the mountains this spring.

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: coomarlin
I have a 2005 Frontier 4x4 LE King Cab and it's a fantastic truck. I spent several months this summer test driving and comparing it to the Tacoma, Colorado, and Dakota. In the end it came down to the Frontier and the Tacoma. The Frontier was just a much better value for my money. Here is the break-down.

Frontier Strengths over the Tacoma: More Power (Most power in it's class), More Torque, Vastly superior steering and suspension.

Tacoma Strengths over the Frontier: About 2 pounds lighter, more refined interior, Better brakes.

Other than that the differrences were minimal. Both are good looking trucks, both have good ground clearance, the Taco has a composite bed and the Frontier has a factory sprayed in liner.

The Colorado was not even in the same class as the other 3. Sorry Chevy lovers, but it just felt cheap comapred to the other trucks. Even the Dakota.

With factory incentives I bought the loaded Frontier (Side Curtain Airbags, 6-disk Rockford MP#/CD, Tow package, Factory Spray in bed liner, Chrome package, step rails) for about $4000 less than I would've paid for a comparibly eqiuped Taco. I bought it in August and have put 5000 miles on it so far. I use it to tow my boat around in the summer and so far this winter it's been a blast to drive in the snow. I'm going to take it fly fishing in the mountains this spring.

Thanks for your input! I'm actually leaning toward a 4X4 SE King Cab 05 V6 for 21K over a 4Cyl stick 4X4 Tacoma with the SR5 package, also 21K. Still have to test drive both, however.

 

[shibumi77]

Got a 2003 CC XE 4x4 long bed non supercharged v6 new in '03 and knock on wood very reliable. my only issue is a small rust spot in the drivers doorjamb seam, gotta have them fix it as its under warrantee, but if I had to do it again I'd get the Titan, same gas milage ;-)

 

[chris7b]

I have a 2002 v6 5spd. I think its a great truck. Aftermarket support isn't the greatest (if thats a concern for you). No problems other than a faulty ABS sensor when i first got the truck. Definitely a better value than the domestics and toyota...longevity of an import, price of a domestic. As far as ligth trucks during those years, i think its a good looking truck. The 4 bangers are so so on power but can be had at a great price. I say go for it.

 

[JasonSix78]

My Dad has an '03 or '04 (Can't remember the exact year) Crew Cab, automatic, V6, 4x4. I've driven it several times and it's a great pickup truck. He's had no major issues with it other than regular maintenance. He bought it brand new and I think it has around 60-70k miles on it now. Don't know anything about Tacomas, but I've always heard that Yotas are pretty reliable.

-Jason

 

[psteng19]

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[coomarlin]

Hey Demon. The SE crew cab would be a good choice. Don't get the SE in King Cab configuration because it doesn't have the sprayed in bed liner. The crew cab will. Also, you can by the side molding that is used on the LE and some NISMO's for about $70 and it will virtually make the SE look like the LE. $21K for the crew cab is a good price. Is it a stick or an automatic?

 

[marvdmartian]

Heh, I have a 98 Frontier 4x4 XE (first year of the Frontiers, so only the 4 cylinder was available) regular cab. Bought it used in 99, when a local dealer had a sale on their used vehicle lot (picked it up for $13k, 1 year old and 20k miles), and have enjoyed the heck out of it for almost 7 years now.

The only major money I've had to put into it was replacing the A/C compressor (~$400), but have a buddy who's an auto mechanic, so it only cost me the price of parts.

Definitely, look really hard at the Frontiers. IMHO, they're the best bang for the buck, and worth whatever you're willing to pay to get. Especially now, that they're a mid-sized truck (versus the original small truck size). Shoot, the Frontier was the only compact truck in it's class, when I bought mine, that I felt comfortable sitting in, for room & comfort, and I'm 6' tall and 250 pounds......so I ain't no compact guy!!

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: coomarlin
Hey Demon. The SE crew cab would be a good choice. Don't get the SE in King Cab configuration because it doesn't have the sprayed in bed liner. The crew cab will. Also, you can by the side molding that is used on the LE and some NISMO's for about $70 and it will virtually make the SE look like the LE. $21K for the crew cab is a good price. Is it a stick or an automatic?

Thanks for all the input guys... thanks for the input coomarlin, I did get to test drive the Frontier and the Tacoma today. I loved the Frontiers! Especially the stick, it blew the Taco's clunky shifting out of the water. I told them if they could find me an 05 Crew Cab manual, in black then I would probably go for it. If they don't have a stick then automatic is just as good too. I'll keep this thread updated as I find out more info.

 

[coomarlin]

I went with an Automatic in my LE. It's smooth as silk. After driving around a stick for 16 years I've grown to hate them with a passion. Automatic tranny's are so good these days it seems downright archiac to drive a stick. THis is the first auto tranny I've had since 1989 and it sure is nice to drive through town without bothering to shift. lol But hey, there are a lot of people out there who love their sticks

 

[dud]

Sp33demon,

I bought a 1995 Hardbody and it gave me flawless performance until June, 2004 when I was in a 3-car accident. The woman-at-fault's insurance company totalled my truck (since it was 10 years old). The truck was in GREAT condition and still had 4-8 years left on it.

Once I negotiated a settlement with her insurance company I had a week (of rental car time) to purchase a new truck. I considered some domestic models but the dealers never had the truck I wanted in stock so the decision came down to the Tacoma or Frontier.

Through research, I determined what it would cost me (with all rebates/incentives) to purchase a replacement truck (the frontier is the follow-on to the Hardbody). I then went to the Toyota dealership and told them that I would be willing to pay $2,000 MORE for a comparably-equipped Tacoma. The dealership I visited was HUGE but they only had two (2) 4 cylinder Tacomas in stock. After sitting and waiting and talking with the salesman for an hour I decided to walk because they could not (or would not) be able to work the deal.

I drove down the road 1000 feet to the Nissan dealership and met with the salesman I talked with on the phone. I took a test drive in a 2004 Frontier. I found the truck to be much more refined than the 1995. As I was standing there talking to the salesman the sales manager walks by. The salesman requests an "out-the-door" price on a 2004 and he gives me a price $300 BELOW the lowest price I thought I could have gotten without having to negotiate.

Needless to say I wrote a check a an hour later drove it off the lot. The truck has been great with no problems. It appears to be well built and should last me 10 years easily (like my old Hardbody). Just on enote: Nissan changed the body style for the 2005 truck and on.

If you have any questions please PM me. I have 12 years of experience with these trucks under my belt.

 

[VirginiaDonkey]

Sp33demon,
the problem I mentioned has not shown up on the 2005+ models. The new models use a 2.5L motor where the older style uses a 2.4L motor. I was able to fix the issue myself in about 1 hour and the cost was about $3 for a can of throttle body cleaner.

The new models aren't classified as a compact truck anymore as they have grown bigger. I love my little frontier and I plan on giving it to my son in a couple of years when he turns 16. Oh and BTW my model is the standard cab XE and gas milage is around 25 on the highway.

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: coomarlin
I went with an Automatic in my LE. It's smooth as silk. After driving around a stick for 16 years I've grown to hate them with a passion. Automatic tranny's are so good these days it seems downright archiac to drive a stick. THis is the first auto tranny I've had since 1989 and it sure is nice to drive through town without bothering to shift. lol But hey, there are a lot of people out there who love their sticks

Understood coo, many older people have told me the same, they don't want a stick b/c they're tired of them! Well, with that many ponies under the hood and such smooth shifting during my test drive, I get giddy just thinking about how fun the stick is to drive. Also, I'm pretty young (28) so maybe I'm not jaded yet on how bad a stick is to drive!

Ok I have some numbers here, last night on the 4X4 Crew Cab 05 SE it was priced at 22300. I'm going back there today to work out some numbers, BUT not buying from them just yet. Going to get their best offer on the one I want, and then waiting a day.

I have an appt @ another dealer for Sat. morning out of state, who claims that he has 2 Frontier Crew Cabs with Sunroofs! I read that the sunroof will add another 800, and the leather power package around 1700. So at 2500 more, I think it's worth it. I'll keep you posted after my meeting with them tomorrow, hopefully I'll have a new Frontier!

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: dud
Sp33demon,

I bought a 1995 Hardbody and it gave me flawless performance until June, 2004 when I was in a 3-car accident. The woman-at-fault's insurance company totalled my truck (since it was 10 years old). The truck was in GREAT condition and still had 4-8 years left on it.

Once I negotiated a settlement with her insurance company I had a week (of rental car time) to purchase a new truck. I considered some domestic models but the dealers never had the truck I wanted in stock so the decision came down to the Tacoma or Frontier.

Through research, I determined what it would cost me (with all rebates/incentives) to purchase a replacement truck (the frontier is the follow-on to the Hardbody). I then went to the Toyota dealership and told them that I would be willing to pay $2,000 MORE for a comparably-equipped Tacoma. The dealership I visited was HUGE but they only had two (2) 4 cylinder Tacomas in stock. After sitting and waiting and talking with the salesman for an hour I decided to walk because they could not (or would not) be able to work the deal.

I drove down the road 1000 feet to the Nissan dealership and met with the salesman I talked with on the phone. I took a test drive in a 2004 Frontier. I found the truck to be much more refined than the 1995. As I was standing there talking to the salesman the sales manager walks by. The salesman requests an "out-the-door" price on a 2004 and he gives me a price $300 BELOW the lowest price I thought I could have gotten without having to negotiate.

Needless to say I wrote a check a an hour later drove it off the lot. The truck has been great with no problems. It appears to be well built and should last me 10 years easily (like my old Hardbody). Just on enote: Nissan changed the body style for the 2005 truck and on.

If you have any questions please PM me. I have 12 years of experience with these trucks under my belt.

Thanks for the input dud. Sounds like you got a GREAT deal on your truck, and glad to hear you love it. Yes, the 2005's were the first year for the 2nd generations of the Frontiers, I don't want to get a 1st gen. That's pretty much why I'm pushing so hard now, because people are telling me that at the end of the year you have a ton of bargaining power because they're trying to push these vehicles out the door before tax season. Especially on the 05's, Nissan just slashed off another 1500 on those to try and move inventory that has been sitting.

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: VirginiaDonkey
Sp33demon,
the problem I mentioned has not shown up on the 2005+ models. The new models use a 2.5L motor where the older style uses a 2.4L motor. I was able to fix the issue myself in about 1 hour and the cost was about $3 for a can of throttle body cleaner.

The new models aren't classified as a compact truck anymore as they have grown bigger. I love my little frontier and I plan on giving it to my son in a couple of years when he turns 16. Oh and BTW my model is the standard cab XE and gas milage is around 25 on the highway.

Good to know Virginia, thanks. I decided on going for the extra horses in the V6 and stick, because I absolutely loved the smooth shifting and of course you get an extra gear with the stick. On avg vs the 4 CYL, I calculated at the most, 40-50 dollars more in gas per month IF I was driving it hard and getting 15MPG vice something liek the 4 that gets 19/20. All in all, I should get better than 15 with a stick and it should be more in the $25-40/month range, and I don't mind paying the extra money for the power. Of course, if gas prices climb then it could be PITA to pay for but not going to worry about something out of my control atm.

 

[vi edit]

I have an appt @ another dealer for Sat. morning out of state, who claims that he has 2 Frontier Crew Cabs with Sunroofs! I read that the sunroof will add another 800, and the leather power package around 1700. So at 2500 more, I think it's worth it. I'll keep you posted after my meeting with them tomorrow, hopefully I'll have a new Frontier!

Those are going to be LE's. That's a truck that will sticker at over $29,000. And will only come in an automatic transmission. You'll be lucky to walk away with it for $25,000 + TTL. Really starting to go outside of your budget.

From a budget standpoint, I like the 2006 XE 4 cylinder w/ the "Preferred" package(power windows/locks, cruise, tilt steering & CD) for under $17,000 + TTL. It doesn't have the grunty V6 or 4WD, but it's a great "big" little truck that will run a long time. If you are looking at used models, I'd go with this for the same money (if not less than some used).

The king cabs have a lot of room in them, and the 4 doors help make the most of the space. But, if you have kids, or plan to have kids in the future, I'd definitely go the Crew Cab route...if you can give up the extra foot in the bed.

 

[shibumi77]

Also, with regards to brakes, you can swap the lines for stainless steel and braking SIGNIFICANTLY improves, for about 80$ and an hour of work.