2003 SVE here-----bad things??? Horrible(HORRIBLE)gas mileage and some minor quality problems---but still a better truck than anything Toyata puts out.
You're saying that but how so (why do you say its better than the toyota)? Every review I've read about the Toyota says its got great gas mileage for a truck and is drop dead reliable...
I believe you'll want to compare the 2005 Frontier to the 2005 Tacoma. Right now, the Nissan VG33E engine (the N/A version) generates similar EPA mileage numbers as the Toyota 3.4L DOHC V-6 does. I bet it'll be even better next year with the VQ40DE engine. My father-in-law has a '95 Tacoma and it's been reliable as a rock, and I believe any Tacoma you bought would be 100% reliable. I also feel that way about the Nissans, but there tend to be small things about the Frontier here and there that just aren't right, but they may be isolated events (like the 3rd brake light seal). The Tacoma may have similar niggles that we just don't see here. For 2004 models, I personally like the 'Yoda better, in terms of powertrain and styling. But I REALLY like the 2005 Frontier, and if I were to buy a new compact truck, the Frontier would certainly be on my list (but so would many others, like the Colorado with the I-5; we have a 2wd 5-cylinder here at Fort Bragg and it's one great truck).
If you're only going to consider Jap trucks, wait until the '05 Frontier comes out and test drive that.
I owned a '97 Tacoma 4WD with the 4 cylider. I did not tow with it, but did carry some pretty heavy loads and had absolutely no problems. Having childern forced me to get something more family friendly. I thought the 4 banger was adequate, but had problems selling as everybody wanted the V6. Just a side note...the Tacoma is not actually built in a Toyota plant... http://www.nummi.com/ ...they are built under contract for Toyota.
Wow, very interesting. Though that doesn't factor in as much... I might just get the 4 cylinder then since its great on mileage. Everyone keeps telling me not to though (my brother, friends...) don't understand why...
There is a mania these days for horsepower.
Most people are dismissive of the 4 cylinder trucks. I have read a recent review of the Nissan that said the 4 cylinder was not even worth considering it was so anemic.
I have a 4 cyl Nissan with 200,000 miles on it. I hauled my entire house up my steep half mile long driveway in this little truck, 1,200 pounds per trip. Good thing I didn't know my truck didn't have enough power.
In a few years when gas costs 4 bucks a gallon, I bet the 4 cylinders will have plenty of power.
I have heard a lot of good things about the Toyota 4-cylinder. It's big for a 4-cylinder, 2.7 liters I think. Consider also the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon. Its 4-cylinder is 2.8 liters and is derived from their excellent 4.2L inline six. The 3.5L inline five is also in the same engine family.
I also agree with Simon about 4-cylinder engines being underdogs. My "anemic" 134-hp KA24E pulls this 3800-lb 4x4 truck around just fine. Mine is a stick shift, which I think is a big advantage with a smaller engine. You just have to keep the revs spun up a little higher. It easily keeps up with traffic, loaded or otherwise. Obviously, 5000-lb trailer tows are going to be difficult and slow. But the upside is 20-22 mpg with a 4x4 truck -- or closer to 30 mpg with a 2wd Nissan truck.
The above are some links to engine data from three manufacturers. I had to use 2wd trucks, since Nissan doesn't offer a 4-cylinder 4x4 anymore. There are no fuel economy numbers on the Chevy 4-cylinder, but note the I-5 makes more power and torque than the others (at a LOW 2800 rpm!), and still returns better fuel economy. Can you tell I'm a fan of GM's new inline engines?
...but note the I-5 makes more power and torque than the others (at a LOW 2800 rpm!), and still returns better fuel economy. Can you tell I'm a fan of GM's new inline engines?
That I-5 does look like a nice compromise between power/efficiency
18 city 24 highway
That I-5 does look like a nice compromise between power/efficiency 18 city 24 highway
The magazines wonder if the egos in today's truck buyers will accept a five cylinder. They also say it "sounds weird". Hey, a Viper V-10 (essentially two 5s) doesn't sound like an LS1 V8 or a Ferrari 12 either, but it gets the job done! I think the Vortec 3500 I-5 is a really nice engine (we're just breaking ours in at work). It pulls very strong all the way to redline. If the buzz of a 4-cylinder doesn't turn you off, I don't think you'd be offended by the five cylinder. I do wish the GMC trucks were available with the TrailBlazer's 275-hp 4200 I-6. Maybe when they see the new VQ40DE and Toyota's top engine, they'll find a way to shoehorn that long six in there. Hey, Jeep did it for decades in smallish Cherokees and Wranglers with their AMC inline six.
I believe you'll want to compare the 2005 Frontier to the 2005 Tacoma. Right now, the Nissan VG33E engine (the N/A version) generates similar EPA mileage numbers as the Toyota 3.4L DOHC V-6 does. I bet it'll be even better next year with the VQ40DE engine. My father-in-law has a '95 Tacoma and it's been reliable as a rock, and I believe any Tacoma you bought would be 100% reliable. I also feel that way about the Nissans, but there tend to be small things about the Frontier here and there that just aren't right, but they may be isolated events (like the 3rd brake light seal). The Tacoma may have similar niggles that we just don't see here. For 2004 models, I personally like the 'Yoda better, in terms of powertrain and styling. But I REALLY like the 2005 Frontier, and if I were to buy a new compact truck, the Frontier would certainly be on my list (but so would many others, like the Colorado with the I-5; we have a 2wd 5-cylinder here at Fort Bragg and it's one great truck).
If you're only going to consider Jap trucks, wait until the '05 Frontier comes out and test drive that.
Also, Toyota is introducing a new body style for the Tacoma in 2005. I own a Nissan because it was alot cheeper used than a Toyota was (this is because Nissan's have a $hitty resale value). I also am a Fleet Manager at a Toyota Dealership so I see the resale values on all types of vehicles. Nissan is alot better than Chevy's & Ford's, but not as good as Toyota or Honda (Honda dosen't have any good 4x4's though). If you are buying new, spend your money wisely. The Toyota will be worth alot more than the Nissan will in 5 years or whenever the truck is paid in full. I picked up my Nissan (1995 XE 4cyl ex cab 4x4) for $6,000.00 with 36000 miles. We had a Toyota with similar miles and year that I could have got for $10,500.00. Both were dealership employee prices, but we pay $100.00 over cost (trade in value). I am cheep. Don't get me wrong, I love my Nissan, but I would rather have a Tacoma any day.
the only problem I have with the i-5 is that it's rather peaky so it doesn't feel that powerful off the line and it sounds like a really big 4 banger. since you are so close I would definitely wait to compare the 05 tacoma and 05 frontier since they will have no competition. (the colorado is worlds better than the s10 but still cheapo inside and under powered compared to the 05 japs) Oh by the way the power figures have finally been released for the 05 fronty with the 4.0 265hp and 287 lbft of torque... that blows the Toyota 4.0 v6 out of the water and that's stepping on the heals of the 4.8 chevy v8 motor in both hp and torque and it will tow 5500 lbs(as opposed to the colorado's 4000lbs)! I would definitely wait another 6 months....
as for the current frontier vs. tacoma... I like the way the tacoma looks better. and the 3.4 v6 in the Tacoma, although pretty close to the N/A 3.3 v6 in the frontier (190hp vs. 180hp), seems to move the truck a little quicker but I like the interior of the frontier much better and the bed is much deeper and holds more than the toyota(big + since I use my truck a lot). I like the way the Toyota Pre-Runner package looks better than my Desert runner (mainly because of wheel and tire package) but the nissan just got the nod in price. The current frontier is about 2k cheaper when comparably equipped to the Toyota and as far as reliability, I've put 29,000 miles on mine and have only had real minor problems (rattling glove box, wacky throttle position sensor, noisy power windows) and they were all fixed at the same time. other than that I just change her oil and feed her regular gas. oh by the way... in the current frontier, the S/C is nice and powerful (mainly in the 2wd) but not the worth the premium when it comes to fuel stops. At least I get about 18 around town where as a friend of mine with the Xterra 2wd S/C gets about 14-15 around town. Hope this helps! Choose Wisely!
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
Hmmm... thanks for all the honesty. I think I'm more torn between the two than ever. I don't think I'm going to buy domestic because I need it to be reliable and honestly... I've never found a lot of reliability in domestic vehicles.
I can't wait 6 months... i need it probably by December at the latest. And I still don't know what the 4.0 does for gas mileage. I think right now top contender is the toyota. Either 6 or 4 but I think the Frontier is lacking in too many areas.
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I think the Vortec 3500 I-5 is a really nice engine (we're just breaking ours in at work). It pulls very strong all the way to redline. If the buzz of a 4-cylinder doesn't turn you off, I don't think you'd be offended by the five cylinder. I do wish the GMC trucks were available with the TrailBlazer's 275-hp 4200 I-6. Maybe when they see the new VQ40DE and Toyota's top engine, they'll find a way to shoehorn that long six in there. Hey, Jeep did it for decades in smallish Cherokees and Wranglers with their AMC inline six.
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