Looking for a small crew cab pickup, narrowed it down to the Frontier I think, would prefer the supercharged version too. I read there were lots of changes in 01 compared to a 00 (SC, leather, CD, steering wheel controls) , and 2001 onwards had more extras..
I read the 02 had 2 extras compared to 01, the longbed,and the Rockford Fosgate stereo that the 01 didnt.
Is it worth paying the extra and getting the 02 for the better stereo?
Overall is the Frontier a decent truck?
I was pretty open to any truck and narrowed it down to the Toyota Tacoma, Dodge Dakota and the Frontier. The Dodge and the U.S. reliablity problems worry me, though the V8 is appealing and its roomy apparently.
I have a POS Ford ranger now, never again. The Toyota prices seem very high and seem to get similar feedback than the cheaper Frontier. I'm not hauling heavy stuff, just a few boxes now and then.
yeah I was in the same boat as you back in august except I was looking at new small trucks.. I found the frontier was the best deal overall (toyota and dodge too expensive, chevy and ford too big a piece of crap) If you go with the 02 you also get the newer and much nicer interior with the cool gauges and updated stereos and like you said the longbed option (which I think looks better anyway). if you are going to go crew cab I would definitely go S/C if you want power. My 2wd King Cab does okay with the non S/C v6 but I can't imagine adding more wieght. Just make sure the truck has been taken care of and you'll be fine... Nissans and Toyotas are the most reliable trucks on the road! I've put 15,000 miles on mine already and it has only seen the shop for oil changes and for a loose bumper bracket!
Later,
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Black Knight - 2004 Crew Cab XE-V6 4x4
"...God made men the way they are because we desperately need them to be the way they are. Yes, a man is a dangerous thing, but so is a scalpel. You don't make it safe by making it dull, but instead you put it in the hands of someone who knows what he's doing." - John Eldridge
It sounds like you're really in the market for a powerful small truck, and I'd probably recommend either the 3.4L Tacoma or the V8 Dakota for that. The S/C Nissan is still just barely in line with the Toyota (at 210 hp), and it'll suck gas like you wouldn't believe (15/18 mpg I think). The V8 Dakota (especially the new 4.7L versions) is going to be at least as fuel efficient and much more powerful and flexible. If you're looking at an older V8 Dakota, they have the Chrysler 318 V8 engine which has been around for decades. Reliability is a non-issue. Ask any V8 Grand Cherokee owner (of which my family is one). There isn't an ounce of quit in them.
Nissans are great trucks, but until the '05 Frontier comes out, they're really down on power compared to their competitors.
Yeah I noticed the Frontiers were not great on gas. The V8 is appealing and apparently the Dakota has more leg room/rear seat room. I would go for the RT model crew cab. But the reliablity problems are a concern. The Jap cars just seem better built, can't be a myth as the Toyotas and Nissans hold their value and their resale value much better and you always have to take that into consideration. Owning this Ford Ranger has really put me off domestic trucks. Reading epinions.com the dakota did have suspension and heater coil problems it seems.The Toyotas seem to be very high in price, even for used trucks. I'd love a brand new 05 but dont have the $$$.
I was hoping I'd get lots of positive feedaback on the Frontier to make my mind up but I'm as confused as ever again lol.
Back to more research I guess as I'm not in a rush, next 3 months I have, would like to get one before summer, this Ranger wont take another Fla summer.
don't get discouraged... the nissan is still an awesome truck!! it's just the major drawback to it is engine power relative to some of the others... Actually it's power figures are good considering the size of the v6 it's just that they are heavy trucks. What kind of ranger do you drive now? if it's a 4 banger that S/C or non S/C will probably feel like a rocket. The tacomas are a little quicker but have cheesy feeling interiors, very shallow beds and are very pricey. That's what curbed my decision on top of Toyotas "we are toyota and you'll pay for it" mentallity. My nissan has yet to disappoint me even while being a little down on power it still makes up for it in just about every other area including reliability!
later,
__________________
Black Knight - 2004 Crew Cab XE-V6 4x4
"...God made men the way they are because we desperately need them to be the way they are. Yes, a man is a dangerous thing, but so is a scalpel. You don't make it safe by making it dull, but instead you put it in the hands of someone who knows what he's doing." - John Eldridge
Its a 4 banger ranger yes. I'm looking for a rocket truck, I have a superchared M3 with 370 HP for that. Just a little more HP than stock would be nice, for those times when you wanna get a move on and in a rush. The guys on a dakota board like their trucks but their is problems with suspension like bushings, shocks etc they tell me. Couple of those guys actually recommend the Tacoma supercharged model! I'd wanna keep the truck for about 6-8 years.
I'm not hauling kids around so cabin space isnt a big deal really but its nice to know you can get 4 people in if I have to, I'd use the back seats for boxes also that I haul around town on occassion, leaning towards the Frontier or Tacoma again now, Frontier SC for the price leading the two, I think the Dakota is off my list
well I think overall you would be extremely happy with the frontier crew cab... and there are some easy mods you can do to the S/C model (intake, pulley swap) that increase power dramatically. With the differences between the toyota and nissan it's all up to personal preference, just remember the s/c tacoma is a TRD option and a costly one at that! If you decide on the frontier you'll be plenty welcome here... if you get the toyota don't show up around here ever! LOL j/k
Later,
__________________
Black Knight - 2004 Crew Cab XE-V6 4x4
"...God made men the way they are because we desperately need them to be the way they are. Yes, a man is a dangerous thing, but so is a scalpel. You don't make it safe by making it dull, but instead you put it in the hands of someone who knows what he's doing." - John Eldridge
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