Tacoma or Frontier??

[Applegate]

I was sure I wanted to by a quad cab Tacoma, then just for the heck of it I stopped and looked at the Frontier. They seem to be a good bang for the buck.
Toyota's seem to be kinda overpriced, and the dealers are not to willing to work much of a deal in this area anyway.

Anyone have a Frontier, or experience with them?

Thanks in advance!

[Reel_Big_Fish]

I'm going through this same dilema right now, too. Like you said, the Frontier is a bit cheaper. I've had three different Nissan's (1997 & 2002 Pathfinder, 1987 Hardbody pickup) in the past and they make a good rig. But then again so does Toyota.

I'm still a few months out and haven't test drove either one. Hence the not picking one or the other yet.

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread

[Cornbread]

I own an Nissan XTerra and a Toyota Scion and engineering and quality wise Toyota's quality and design is a lot better than Nissan. I love both my vehicles but from and engineering standpoint Toyota builds higher quality vehicles. Not sure if that crosses over into each companies trucks or not but car and light SUV wise there is a big difference between the two brands in quality. My next SUV after the XTerra will be a Toyota because of what I have observed so far owning both brands.

[HntnFsh]

Why settle for a Frontier,when you can drive a Tacoma?

Cant beat Toyota!

[oregonmuley]

I've had both, drive a 4Runner now and if I replace it with a truck it will be a new Crewcab Tacoma. For me the Toyota has always fit better and just seemed to drive better. Off road though the Frontier isn't that bad, it doesn't look like it would perform as well but it sure does. One thing you maybe consider, the Tacomas seem to get a little better gas mileage - or used to anyway. Every little bit helps.
Good luck to you - both good options.

[StickFish]

I don't have either rig, but a friend of mine has had two Frontier's and has really liked each on. He has the four door right now and the bed is big enough for his quad and he tows an 18' travel trailer and has no trouble on the hills. Been in it a couple times and it seems like a nice truck.

Toyota has always been a bit full of themselves to me, but then I thought that of Honda as well and we have a Honda now - so - well not sure where I was going with that

[wilsonriverfisher]

Yeah I think they are two really good trucks and It should be narrowed down by accessories and trying to figure out the ones that you really like. I would take the tacoma for the offroad capabilities and interior.

mike

[salmontime]

Toyota all the way. They will work on the price. Just be tell them what you're willing to pay (within reason) and hold to it. I had 2 dealers in the Portland area with the same truck fighting over my business. Considering the state of the economy, I'd bet they will work with you on the price. I bought a 2006 4 door Trd for $2000 less than sticker. Drove it for almost a year and sold it for $200 less than what I originally paid. The Toyota will have a better resale value than the Nissan and it made better.

[Wingdam]

I own a completely stock 2005 4x4 Nismo Frontier extra cab, and I wouldn’t own another! Aside from the strong engine, this things a rattle trap. The door seals suck. The cab flexes and squeaks. The 6 speed manual transmission is the roughest/hardest shifting manual I have ever owned. It tracks so poorly on the highway that it takes two hands on the wheel to control it. This truck wasn’t built in the first run of production for the new body style; it was built in the 3rd run. Biggest *** I’ve ever owned! I paid cash thankfully. It would be hard to make payments on this thing knowing I'm paying interest. I want to buy another truck, but I’m holding out to see what will become available in the next few years. I’m betting we will see a high mileage diesel in compact trucks soon.

[Corkie Monster]

I am also in the market for a new truck too; I looked at both the Tacoma and the Frontiers. The Frontiers do seem to be more bang for the buck, but that’s it, they seem to be but they’re not. The Tacoma’s are more expensive but you do get a lot more nice options than the Frontier. Also, go sit in the back seat of both vehicles, the Tacoma has more leg room, the Frontiers are cramped (I’m 5’9”). The Tacoma seats are Waaaaay more comfortable too! Before you buy look at both trucks closely, the Tacoma’s in my opinion are put together better.

We also looked at the new Tundra’s and that was the route we decided to take. The wife likes the more room, and with baby coming soon we decided a full size would fit us better.

Good luck on your decision making.
CM

[blacktail]

Tacoma all the way! Better truck and much better resale value.

[Bloom]

I sold cars for 32 years before retiring, the last 20 years, selling Toyotas. Either one would be a good choice over the competition, but Toyota has an edge when it comes to fit and finish and long-range durability. As far as pricing goes, if you can't get a decent deal through your local dealer, he's in a 3 year-old mindset.

With the market as it is right now, there are a lot of incentives, both factory to customer and factory to dealer. It would not be an unreasonable offer to offer $100.00 over invoice as a starting point. You can go on-line and determine the cost of the vehicle, as you would like it equipped,factory incentives, etc, go back to your dealer and give him the chance to make it right with you. There are countless dealers who WILL deal right now.

One of the best times to buy is late in the day, late in the month and especially during a holiday event. There was a time many years ago when dual invoicing(phoney) was a reality, but there's way too much at risk for a dealer to pull that kind of stuff nowadays. Stay away from auto brokers who do the bidding for you. They get paid from two sources, you and the dealer and that translates into higer costs to you.

I like to keep it simple(like me) and go in, knowing what I want, find the truck, make the offer and ask to see the invoice, just to see that everyone's on the same page. If you are financing it, get a commitment from a lender before going in, but don't hesitate to let the dealer match the rate with their lender and sign up with them. Sure, they get a little participation through the lender, but it costs you nothing and it helps the dealer stay in business.

Enjoy your new truck!

[veilside180sx]

FWIW both trucks will last forever if taken care of.

The VQ in the Frontier is a much better motor IMO...chassis are about even...but the interior edge goes to Toyota.

[BornToFish360]

Ok so I just had that same dilemma. So I had one of my buddies at work who has a frontier take me out and drive his rig (frontier). Street wise it handle fairly well. Gas mph was not bad either. Now 4x4ing suspension did ok didnt flex as well as the tacoma did. The tacoma did get better mph buy not by much. Room wise i liked the tacoma better than the frontier. I do know the tacoma is a little higher but it was worth it when put in to the hole picture. 4x4 handleing was better street was better and mph was better. Also i have owned 4 yotas all together. Best truck/suv's i have ever had.

Btf360

[Fishingfanatic]

go check the resale values of both of those rigs. The difference in MSRP will be more than compensated for when you go to sell em. Toyota all the way!!!!!!

[bad habit]

Originally Posted by HntnFsh

Why settle for a Frontier,when you can drive a Tacoma?

Cant beat Toyota!

totally agree

[Applegate]

Drove em' all, and had to travel across the state to find a dealer to deal, but just pulled the trigger on the Tacoma TRD Offroad.

I likes my new truck.

[BornToFish360]

Originally Posted by Applegate

Drove em' all, and had to travel across the state to find a dealer to deal, but just pulled the trigger on the Tacoma TRD Offroad.

I likes my new truck.

You wont regret it... Awsome trucks...

[Penobscot]

I had the same debate only 4 runner vs. Pathfinder. Went 4 runner and absolutely love it. I have a Pathfinder as my rental this week in Boise and can't believe how cheap it seems. No better than the 2001 Xterra I dumped for the 4 runner. Go Toyota and you will never regret it.

[SilverBullets]

I have the Tacoma. It's a 2007 TRD Offroad quad cab v6 4wd. I am very happy with it. My last Toyota lasted 350,000 miles, it was a 1988 4-runner and was still running strong when I sold it. Ask about the TSB (toyota service bulletin) that adds extra leaf springs in the rear to cure the bottoming out problem. 2005-2007 came with 3 leafs, not sure on the newer ones. The tsb adds a 4th spring to each side. Have them throw in a bed liner while your at it.

[Pescadote]

Another Toyota guy here. For me the problem with the Nissan was that the leg room was so much less than the Toyota. I'm tall and have tall kids that have to sit in the back seat, so after sitting in both, it was a no-brainer for me.

Mine is a '04 Quad cab - 4 x 4 - great truck.

[Half fast Toyn]

Look at my name.... Ive owned over 12 Toyota Vehicles in the last 15 years. But today I drive a Nissan CC Truck and my Wife drives a Nissan Xterra. The New Nissan is a great vehicle. The problem comes when you want to add things like a lift. If you want to lift or modify a vehicle your best bet is with a Toyota. After market mods are plentiful for Toyota's. I still own 3 Toyota's, but I drive a Nissan.

[Ghost hunter]

I have the Frontier because it was cheaper on the pocket, long drives kinda suck. Seats are very uncomfortable to sit in long periods. But other than that its a good rig.

[SeanD]

I love the tacoma, I paid $300 over factory invoice for my 2006 and I paid exactly invoice for my 2007. Keep that in mind. Try internet dealings, make sure you are looking in Medford too. They will deal.

[Pinecone]

I don't own either and never have, but when I was doing research on trucks (SUV's actually, looked into a Pathfinder) about two years ago, I was put off by the Nissans because of the very poor gas milage. At least compared to the competitors. Other then that, they seem to be a pretty nice rig. They might have improved the milage in the newer models, But I'd still go with the Toyota.

- Joseph

[BarroomHero]

Toyotas really hold their value also.