Well, I started looking at the Tacoma, but that was before I found out about the Frontier. The SE King Cab Frontier has the cabin room, bed length, engine, lack of unneeded options and price that I was looking for.
I'm almost decided on an '05 se 4x2. A local dealer has 2 low option 6speeds that he went down to $17k from an inflated $22k sticker after 10 minutes of haggling. I think I can squeze him a little more or maybe get different model at around that price.
I wondering about two things, auto tranny and limited slip. I'm in Louisiana now, but I know I'll be spending a winter or two in snow in the future. Would an open diff and snow/ice tires get me going on the road or is the LSD needed? I'm used to driving rwd in northern winters, but I managed better once I installed a torsen lsd. The non-Nismo lsds have so many other options, I might as well go for the Nismo. They sticker at about $23.5K.
The other thing is the auto tranny. The 6 speed's shift action was rubbery and vagueish. I guess I could get used to it, but the main thing it has going for it is that it's just one less computer controlled component. Will the auto stand up to the high torque of the v6?
Oh, and the dealer had to jumpstart the truck I drove and the 2 parked in front of it. By the dirt covering them, I know they've been sitting (good for me), but damn, a jump?
hey boss, that sounds like a hell of a deal for 17k. as for moving to a different model, you may not be able to get the same deal, and that is partially due to the options. Sounds like you were wanting to go with the nismo version, in which case you'll be getting a few more standard features as opposed to the SE. as for the limited slip, you'll probably be ok just by changing your tires. And the part about having to jump the truck, pretty simple explanation really, when vehicles sit without being driven the batteries will eventually drain themselves, that and when people leave the dome lights on inside tha trucks doesn't help much either.
Just bought an 05 NISMO KC 4X2, love it I've been driving a Tacoma PreRunner 99 extra cab for the last 6 years and 141K miles, didn't think I'd ever drive any other truck but a yota, Nissan finally got this one right. It absolutely beats the new tacoma in every battle on and off road.
Ric-
So $17k sounds good. I was lurking around another dealer's lot today and was pleased to find this place didn't have the little dealer mark-up stickers and $300.00 pin stripes. I saw a white auto NISMO 4x2 with alloy spare delete (-$100.00) and bed liner ($430.00) for just about $23k even. I'm gonn keep my eye on it.
Just bought an 05 NISMO KC 4X2, love it I've been driving a Tacoma PreRunner 99 extra cab for the last 6 years and 141K miles, didn't think I'd ever drive any other truck but a yota, Nissan finally got this one right. It absolutely beats the new tacoma in every battle on and off road.
Ric-
When I first started to look for a truck to replace my Ranger, I was pretty positive I was going to get a '05 Tacoma (since Ford is too stupid to release a crew cab version). Never really considered Nissan until I it included in a mid sized truck review. Looked interesting, so I did a lot of research (and I mean a LOT) on both models and drove them both. I was much more impressed with the Frontier than the Tacoma, especially since the price was well under it.
If I planned to sell the truck in 2-3 years, I probably would have gone Toyota since their halo effect helps resale value. But I plan on driving this thing for 8-10 years.
I got my Silver NISMO 4X2 with factory bedliner, floor mats and microfilter and alloy spare for 21,295 , thought that was a hell of a deal considering I've seen SE's go for the same or higher
Ric-
When I first started to look for a truck to replace my Ranger, I was pretty positive I was going to get a '05 Tacoma (since Ford is too stupid to release a crew cab version). Never really considered Nissan until I it included in a mid sized truck review. Looked interesting, so I did a lot of research (and I mean a LOT) on both models and drove them both. I was much more impressed with the Frontier than the Tacoma, especially since the price was well under it.
If I planned to sell the truck in 2-3 years, I probably would have gone Toyota since their halo effect helps resale value. But I plan on driving this thing for 8-10 years.
Buying into that whole "resale" thing was another reason I went with Toyota at the time, but when it comes down to it most stealerships will rape and rob you on the value for trade any ways. I'm like you I buy a vehicle for the long haul. I expect to get 100K miles plus with my Nissan with minimal repairs, save normal maintenance items and parts that are supposed to wear out at 100K+ miles.
Buying into that whole "resale" thing was another reason I went with Toyota at the time, but when it comes down to it most stealerships will rape and rob you on the value for trade any ways. I'm like you I buy a vehicle for the long haul. I expect to get 100K miles plus with my Nissan with minimal repairs, save normal maintenance items and parts that are supposed to wear out at 100K+ miles.
When I was checking out the Tacoma forums, I also saw a lot of people with various problems with their trucks (far more than the Frontier, even adjusting for the 3x sales difference). That kinda made me question if the $3-4k higher price was worth it.
I probably only average about 10k a year on my truck, so I figure that 10 years and 100k shouldn't be any problem for the Nismo. I've been nothing but impressed with the truck so far.
So $17k sounds good. I was lurking around another dealer's lot today and was pleased to find this place didn't have the little dealer mark-up stickers and $300.00 pin stripes. I saw a white auto NISMO 4x2 with alloy spare delete (-$100.00) and bed liner ($430.00) for just about $23k even. I'm gonn keep my eye on it.
I just posted a similar response to a different thread earlier today, but I think it applies to your inquiry on the price of your truck too.
Edmunds does a pretty good job of telling you the dealer invoice, MSRP, and based on your zip code, what other people in your area have paid for the vehicle you are looking for.
When I first started to look for a truck to replace my Ranger, I was pretty positive I was going to get a '05 Tacoma (since Ford is too stupid to release a crew cab version).
Yes, they do... it's called the Explorer Sport Trac.
I've had 3 Rangers. The last was a '99 XLT S/C 4x4 w/ the 4.0L V6. Loved the truck, had to ditch it because it wouldn't hold a car seat.
I bought a car in early 2003, but couldn't stand not having a truck. So, I researched it to death, assuming I would get the Sport Trac 4x4 because it would be the most like my Ranger that I loved so dearly. I test drove one, and I HATED it. On the Interstate, it bounced so much I thought my head would hit the headliner.
So, I thought after that I would get a Tacoma Double Cab 4x4. I test drove one and really liked it. However, I saw the Edmunds.com review of the Frontier, and test drove a 4x4 SE. I loved the truck, so I searched the Internet until I found my 4x4 NISMO. I saved almost $4,000 off the price of the comparably-equipped Tacoma, and I honestly think the Frontier rides better than the Tacoma.
Yes, they do... it's called the Explorer Sport Trac.
I've had 3 Rangers. The last was a '99 XLT S/C 4x4 w/ the 4.0L V6. Loved the truck, had to ditch it because it wouldn't hold a car seat.
I bought a car in early 2003, but couldn't stand not having a truck. So, I researched it to death, assuming I would get the Sport Trac 4x4 because it would be the most like my Ranger that I loved so dearly. I test drove one, and I HATED it. On the Interstate, it bounced so much I thought my head would hit the headliner.
So, I thought after that I would get a Tacoma Double Cab 4x4. I test drove one and really liked it. However, I saw the Edmunds.com review of the Frontier, and test drove a 4x4 SE. I loved the truck, so I searched the Internet until I found my 4x4 NISMO. I saved almost $4,000 off the price of the comparably-equipped Tacoma, and I honestly think the Frontier rides better than the Tacoma.
While its built off the Ranger platform, its still a Explorer at heart.
The car seat thing is exactly why I had to dump my '94 Ranger 4x4. With one kid it wasn't that bad, either the wife or myself could sit in back with the carseat in the passenger seat. But with kid #2....that wouldn't work anymore. Originally I was looking at 2-3 year old Sport Tracs, but the bed was a big too small (the Frontier CC bed is barely big enough) and the ones I looked at were either beat, overpriced, or both. So I started looking at new trucks and ran across the Frontier.
I couldn't justify the price different between the Taco and the Fronty either, my Nismo 4x4 offered the best bang for buck out of anything I found.
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