A little history: So I was set on buying an '06 Taco Prerunner DoubleCab automatic with OR package. I had the price negotiated down to $25,055 (about $800 above invoice) and was just waiting to sell my '04 Nissan Titan. Well that turned out to be a chore, and a month has gone by with no serious buyers yet.

So I stopped by the Nissan dealer yesterday and they buzzed around my Titan like flies....and offered me a REDICULOUS amount on trade in for it....10% more than the toyota dealership. I started listening.

On top of this they offered me the opportunity to down-trade and sell me an '06 Frontier Prerunner Crew Cab automatic for $21k. Basically they will give me retail value for my Titan and sell me the fronteir for invoice. I took it for a drive and was pretty impressed. Interior was not quite as nice as the Taco but was very do-able.

My main goals in a new truck are: Reliability, Gas Mileage, Towing Capacity, Comfort and resale value.

The fronteir seems to meet them all EXCEPT resale value, and is a little low on mpg. HOWEVER, I'm basing that off the '04's that I've seen given away the last few years...and I guess nobody liked those because of the 3.3L motor (underpowered) and looks.

The main differences I've noticed so far: Taco is rated at 18/22 mpg, Fronteir is rated at 16/20 mpg. Motor is the same displacement, trucks weigh about the same...wondering why such a difference. Real world? I don't know. The seats in the frontier fold a bit nicer (up OR down) but the seats in the taco are angled better for rear passengers. HP/Tq and tow ratings are all about the same.

I'm wondering if anybody can give me a comparison of the '05+ frontier and taco double cabs. Let me know if you considered a frontier WHY you went with the Taco, and if you switched WHY you switched, and if theres any hidden faults the fronteir has that I'm not considering. Thanks!!!

 

My personal opinion is that the interiors feel and look cheap, but that is my personal opinion and the same has been said by others about the new Tacos. The rear seat in the Frontiers suck for adults and it doesn't have the underseat and behind the seat storage the Tacomas have because of the angle in the rear seat. There are more options available and you can even get a sunroof (I think, I don't know why Toyota doesn't offer this). Nissan should have the rearend kinks they initially had with their Dana 44 worked out by now and since you are getting a prerunner you don't have to worry about their aluminum front housing that has been reported to crack. I bet you will still take a wash in the resale departement, I read on another forum the other day about someone getting a 2005 4x4 ext cab or double cab used for like $20,000, you can't even buy a 2003 Tacoma for that. You do get rear disc brakes which are nice!

I think the current line of Nissans look great specs wise but in my opinion leave a little to be desired in execution and in real life.

I too looked at the Frontiers before buying my truck as one spec'd the same as my truck was around $2500 less but there were too many negatives in my book and the rear seat was a big turnoff for me.

 

Well they are dicking me around on price so it may be a moot point but....I agree on the rear seating storage thing with you. I didn't consider the rear disc brakes but thats a good point.

As far as price the frontiers have a $1500 rebate now so its more like a $4000 (yes FOUR) savings to go with the frontier...so I guess I have to decide how much of a premium I am willing to pay for the Tacoma I love Toyotas but it seems they are pricing me out of buying new ones these days....

 

I could of sold you my 05 PreRunner DC for like $21,500 about a month ago and it has 23,000 miles on it, roof rack, running boards, and Revo tires. I traded it in on a 07 Camry. Wish I knew I could of helped you out if you found a buyer for your Titan that is....

 

Damn...yeah I would have snatched that up!!

 

I kinda thought the pricing thing sounded too good, generally if they are willing to make you a sweet deal on your trade then they stick it to you on the backend.

My best friend's Dad has a Nismo double cab 4x4 frontier that is fully optioned and is a nice truck but I would still take my Tacoma any day and I think he feels the same way. Ever since he bought that truck he has been wanting to lift it so it sits as high as the stock Tacomas, he said he hates pulling up next to them at stop lights and having his truck 4" lower.

 

Yeah they're trying to screw me $2500 down now...no thanks, looks like I"ll hold out for a Taco. Really thats what I want deep down so I guess they made my decision for me. Thanks nissan! hahaha.

 

don't cheap out over $4k. if you want a taco, then pay the difference and grin for years. if you'd rather have your money, then take the cheaper option...

$4000 over 60 months is less than $70/month before interest...

 

= Toyota, not Nissan

Nuff said.

 

I've never owned a vehicle over 20 months, and I have yet to lose money on any vehicle I've owned, so I guess you could say I don't look at finances in quite the same way other people do

$4k is only "cheaping out" if you don't play the game right, if you do that is all my profit (or loss) on a vehicle.