ok so here is my thinking. I have test drove some different trucks, the taco(not big on mexican food...except chipotle) the ranger (Fix Or Replace Daily) and the colorado (I 5? wtf). So i had the frontier pretty much tops on my list all along. When i test drove that i really liked it, 2006 SE KC 4x4.
my decision is this, i know i want the frontier, i want a king cab and, even though i live outside columbus ohio, i want/need 4x4, but there is stuff that i would like to have that don't come with the SE package, and there are things that i don't need with the nismo/le package.
How hard is it to just go online or someplace and buy the step rails, tow hitch, fog lights stuff of that nature. I know that if i get the truck and it has all the stuff on it that i want then i am gonna have to bend over and take it 2 hole..and probably not walk the same for a while. I really like to do maitnence on my cars and i am decently good at putting mods on such as a stereo on my car,which is another thing i wanted...CD/MP3/Sirius Sat. Since apparently that doesn't come with the SE I can't justify purchasing the LE or Nismo and jacking the total price up at least $3-5k, when looking at the price of the add ons online they can be purchased cheaper. Does anyone have any ideas, or advice on what to do? Would i be better off just getting the Nismo or LE and not worrying about getting the aftermarket stuff and putting it on myself
sorry if this isn't flowing right...ive been at work since 1900 and still have 3 more hours until i have to go to my other job.
thanks in advance
t
Buy the SE. add what you want to the truck when you want...
I saw you have been to work since 1900-0700 or so. I thought to my self "bet he's got an Fire/Ems job" looked at your profile and i was on the money. Dosent that shift work SUCK. i do it everyday to.
ok so here is my thinking. I have test drove some different trucks, the taco(not big on mexican food...except chipotle) the ranger (Fix Or Replace Daily) and the colorado (I 5? wtf). So i had the frontier pretty much tops on my list all along. When i test drove that i really liked it, 2006 SE KC 4x4.
my decision is this, i know i want the frontier, i want a king cab and, even though i live outside columbus ohio, i want/need 4x4, but there is stuff that i would like to have that don't come with the SE package, and there are things that i don't need with the nismo/le package.
How hard is it to just go online or someplace and buy the step rails, tow hitch, fog lights stuff of that nature. I know that if i get the truck and it has all the stuff on it that i want then i am gonna have to bend over and take it 2 hole..and probably not walk the same for a while. I really like to do maitnence on my cars and i am decently good at putting mods on such as a stereo on my car,which is another thing i wanted...CD/MP3/Sirius Sat. Since apparently that doesn't come with the SE I can't justify purchasing the LE or Nismo and jacking the total price up at least $3-5k, when looking at the price of the add ons online they can be purchased cheaper. Does anyone have any ideas, or advice on what to do? Would i be better off just getting the Nismo or LE and not worrying about getting the aftermarket stuff and putting it on myself
sorry if this isn't flowing right...ive been at work since 1900 and still have 3 more hours until i have to go to my other job.
thanks in advance
t
Just another point of view-loaded vehicles tend to hold a better resale value
and if you do your own add ons they wont be covered under warranty.Also if
you put in an aftermarket stereo you wont have steering wheel controls.I got
a 4/4 Nismo w/Fosgate and it rocks!(cranked it up ALL the way once and could not hear ANY distortion-best sounding factory system I've ever heard).
I agree with Hawaiian NISMO, I also bought the 4X4 NISMO, and have since added the steps and the body side molding. I purchased all my OEM parts through www.yournissanparts.com, they are geniune Nissan Parts, and he has good prices (much less than my dealership wants!). And, because they are genuine Nissan Parts, I feel they add value to the truck and will retain that value longer. Besides, when it is time to sell it, no one but you will know if they came on the truck or were added later!
__________________ Paul... :-) 2005 Aztec Red NISMO LE 4X4 KC, Sliding bed Extender, Body Side Molding, Side Steps, GENTEK 50 Autodimming Mirror, License Plate Back-up Sensor, OEM Rubber Floor Mats, eXtang Trifecta Tonneau, OEM Nissan iPod Gateway, OEM Hood Protector, AirAid Intake, PowerAid TBS, and JBA Exhaust! I'm done... :-)Get Cash Rebates on your On-Line Purchases!
I would recommend that you go to the dealer and pick up a selection guide. you can take the guide and go down the list comparing what is available on each model
I took the guide and marked each of the options that I wanted and then looked to see which ones were available
on each model. I ended up getting an LE KC because it
was the closest to what I wanted.
If you are like me you will not be able to get exactly what you want so you will have to choose the model closest to what you want.
Some of the options can be added cheaper on the after-
market, but some cannot.
I would add the things like the bed divider with the sale as they are much cheaper. The '05 SE does not have the
wiring for the foglights so it would probably be better to order that with the truck, not available on the SE.
If you want a trip computer you would not be able to get that with the SE either.
The chrome door handles can be added to the SE reasonably, but the chrome mirrors would be a bit of a
stretch.
Just do the comparison of the different models and make your decision. For me that was the LE KC and I only wished I had added all the Nissan accessories I wanted when I bought the truck as they gave me the ones I did order at their cost.
I still get a nice discount from the dealer, but not at their cost.
My 05 4x4 SE did come with a hitch and bed extender so I didn't have to add those. Do an internet inventory search of dealers to see what they have in stock. I bought mine from a dealer that actually got it from another dealer's inventory. They'll do that if they are hungry enough. I shop around until I find one that is.
I put the body side moldings on myself. Its 35 bucks a side. I put Manik step rails on and added a Gentex mirror. The fog lights are already wired you just have to buy the parts. It's about 250 bucks but its all plug and play.
The SE stereo can be ugraded pretty easily as well. Start with the speakers. If the SEyou get only has 4 speakers, the dash speakers are already wired so it's easy to add tweeters there and you'll have 6. The head unit comes out easily. You can also buy a hitch if you can't find a dealer with one on it. Not too hard to put on or too expensive.
I understand the NISMO rides a bit harder and get worse mileage due to rear axle ratio differences. Your mileage may vary.
Try and find an '05 KC Nismo -- there's great incentives right now so you can probably get one for almost the invoice price of an SE. The problem of course is finding one.
Personally I dont think the LE is worth it. The majority of the differences between the LE and the other trims (mostly cosmetic) can be bought later. The Nismo on the other hand has things that will be very expensive to add later (locking rear diff most notably). Plus the Nismo has cooler wheels
I know it sounds small, but I really like the chrome side mirrors and door handles on the Nismo/LE. They totally class up the truck. Not sure what you'd pay to add that effect to an SE, but it's probably at least $250.
Whatever you get, I do think you should get 4x4. The 4x4 package will hardly depreciate (they never do), so it's a good "investment" as far as vehicles go. A 10 yr old truck w/ 4x4 will be worth about $1500-2000 more than a non 4x4. Then of course there's the fact you'll have 4x4 to use, which is ridiculously fun!
You can add the tow hitch later, but honestly you'll save about $20 not buying it with the truck, and you'll have to install it yourself. I certainly wouldnt pass on a truck with the options you want just because it already has a hitch.
I found a crew cab NISMO loaded with all the options and don't regret spending the extra cash for it. I was glad to find one with the side air bags, which seems hard to find when you look through the inventory of dealers. The sunroof is great and the Fosgate system sounds good; having the radio controls in the steering wheel is pretty sweet to have.
I wanted a NISMO b/c I drive on the beach once in a while. Long Island has soft sandy beaches so you need 4X4 for that and dealers around here only sell 4X4 unless its the XE. I did see a Grey 6pd KC SE 4X4 at one dealer which would have been my second option, but I saw the loaded NISMO in majestic blue and that was my #1 choice after seeing it. Any way you look at it though, if you get a Frontier w/ the 4.0 you won't regret it.
Btw, get the dealer to throw in something, bed divider, hitch, etc. b/c it really isn't that much cost to them, but would be to you afterwards.
__________________
'06 Majestic Blue NISMO CC 4X4
Last edited by Argo73 : Dec 20th, 2005 at 02:36 PM.
The chrome mirrors were $192.33 each list price and my price was $135.07 each plus tax. The door handles were
$27.90 and $25.75 list each and my cost was $19.98 and
$18.42 plus tax.
The door handles were not too hard to install, but I had to pay to have the mirrors installed.
To me the LE was worth the price and since I do not do any off road driving the 4X4 would not be worth it to me.
They are worth more at trade in time, but they are also more expensive to buy.
You also lose gasoline mileage with the 4X4's as well as have more expensive maintenance on them.
Although I am in the minority I personally like the looks of the LE wheels over the Nismo wheels. I especially like the
look of the LE wheel after it is polished.
You just have to decide what you want and then make a decision based on the price and your needs/wants.
Good luck.
OkieScot
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrFancypants
Try and find an '05 KC Nismo -- there's great incentives right now so you can probably get one for almost the invoice price of an SE. The problem of course is finding one.
Personally I dont think the LE is worth it. The majority of the differences between the LE and the other trims (mostly cosmetic) can be bought later. The Nismo on the other hand has things that will be very expensive to add later (locking rear diff most notably). Plus the Nismo has cooler wheels
I know it sounds small, but I really like the chrome side mirrors and door handles on the Nismo/LE. They totally class up the truck. Not sure what you'd pay to add that effect to an SE, but it's probably at least $250.
Whatever you get, I do think you should get 4x4. The 4x4 package will hardly depreciate (they never do), so it's a good "investment" as far as vehicles go. A 10 yr old truck w/ 4x4 will be worth about $1500-2000 more than a non 4x4. Then of course there's the fact you'll have 4x4 to use, which is ridiculously fun!
You can add the tow hitch later, but honestly you'll save about $20 not buying it with the truck, and you'll have to install it yourself. I certainly wouldnt pass on a truck with the options you want just because it already has a hitch.
Buy the SE. add what you want to the truck when you want...
I saw you have been to work since 1900-0700 or so. I thought to my self "bet he's got an Fire/Ems job" looked at your profile and i was on the money. Dosent that shift work SUCK. i do it everyday to.
Good luck with your buy.
thanks man, actually had to work over night at the hospital....not at the fire station until next wednesday. haha night shift isn't bad...i get like $2 more an hour so thats not too bad
I would recommend that you go to the dealer and pick up a selection guide. you can take the guide and go down the list comparing what is available on each model
I took the guide and marked each of the options that I wanted and then looked to see which ones were available
on each model. I ended up getting an LE KC because it
was the closest to what I wanted.
If you are like me you will not be able to get exactly what you want so you will have to choose the model closest to what you want.
Some of the options can be added cheaper on the after-
market, but some cannot.
I would add the things like the bed divider with the sale as they are much cheaper. The '05 SE does not have the
wiring for the foglights so it would probably be better to order that with the truck, not available on the SE.
If you want a trip computer you would not be able to get that with the SE either.
The chrome door handles can be added to the SE reasonably, but the chrome mirrors would be a bit of a
stretch.
Just do the comparison of the different models and make your decision. For me that was the LE KC and I only wished I had added all the Nissan accessories I wanted when I bought the truck as they gave me the ones I did order at their cost.
I still get a nice discount from the dealer, but not at their cost.
Good luck with your buy.
OkieScot
well everyone i really appriciate the input everyone gave. so now i am in the process of checking all these other dealers around ohio...some reason columbus suck for buying something that i want. i guess they (dealerships) are too stuck up on the yuppies here with their over sized SUVs and the dreaded mini van but yeah thanks...i will update on what i find....just not tonight..tired as hell ive been up for going on 36 hours straight....yehaw..
Does anyone have any ideas, or advice on what to do? Would i be better off just getting the Nismo or LE and not worrying about getting the aftermarket stuff and putting it on myself
I was in the same boat a few months ago when I was leaning towards a '05 SE CC 4x4. Since I wanted a auto tranny, the Nismo was only like $1,100 more than the SE and offered a lot more features. Then I found a Nismo with the sunroof/roof rack and RF stereo and a dealer that was willing to make me a killer deal to sell it, so I bit the bullet and spent the extra money. Never once have I regretted getting it over a stripped SE. And since I plan on keeping it for 10 years, the extra cost spread over that time is next to nothing.
The nicer rims, more agressive looking tires, taller height, and steering wheel mounted controls were worth it alone. Then toss in the skid plates, better shocks, sunroof, roofrack, etc and its a bargain.
Se or Nismo/Le
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