05' Frontier discussion

[SHIFT_mini]

Im thinking of selling my now current 97' Hardbody for a new 05' Frontier KingCab Nismo Edition 4x4 or CrewCab LE 4x4.What are some of the bugs associated with the new truck, any re-calls, whats its closest competion in the same catagory - Toyota, Mazda, Dodge, Ford, Chevy...Any links to compairson test ie. Car and Driver....

[NISTECH]

No recalls or bugs I have seen yet. But its still fairly new. I dont ever compare american vehicles to japanese since the quality of the american vehicles usually comes up way short by comparison.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I see the Toyota as the closest to the Frontier. It's comparably sized (moreso than other small trucks) and has a similar powertrain. It's also Japanese, so you can expect better reliablity than it's american counterparts. To me, the Taco and the Frontier are the only small trucks worth a look. The Tacoma stepped up to a 4 liter this year as well. It makes 245 hp and 283 ft lb of torque (compared to the Frontier's published 265 and 284), and is a capable truck. It makes slightly less power, but it's a Toyota, so you know it's well built. Toyota may have lost their touch of late, but you wouldn't know it looking at the Tacoma.

The Mazda B-Series is just a rebadged Ranger, and Rangers are turds at worst, and average at best. You will never be more than moderately happy with anything about the Ranger (I know--I've owned one). It'll get the job done, but that's it. And, being Ford, you can expect a bulletproof yet gutless engine, a terrible transmission, and more electrical problems than you knew a car could have (by the way, the other day, the accelerator pedal FELL OFF my old ranger [I sold it to a friend, so I still see it often]). The Ranger is a 22 year old platform in dire need of update. It's also tiny, especially when compared to the newer (in fact, all BRAND new) competition. The only reason I'd consider it is if I were looking for the least expensive truck I could possibly find--except that the Ford is more expensive...

Dodge's Dakota is far bigger than the Nissan, in size and engine wise, with an available 4.7 liter V8 making 26 more torque than the Frontier. The Dakota is what 1/2 ton trucks were 15 years ago. I like the Dakota. This'd be my #3 choice if I were shopping for trucks. Also, the Dakota will soon (or is already) be available rebadged as the Mitsubishi Raider which is, in my ever-so-humble opinion, ugly as hell. The Dakota has that "real truck" feel that's missing from everything else but the Frontier.

I've heard good things about Chevy's Colorado(GMC Canyon). Unfortunately, the base Inline 5 is a poorly balanced engine and seems to be a major complaint. One thing I've noticed about the Colorado is that the higher end models have a great fit-and-finish to them, while the base models look--cheap. I've never noticed such a range of quality in a single model before. The Linear 6 is a great engine from what I have heard and read. As yet, the V8 from the Trailblazer I've heard many good things about is not available in the Colorado. If you are seriously considering the Colorado/Canyon, also note that this summer (this month I believe) Isuzu will be releasing their rebadged version, the i-Series.

I have the C&D issue with the comparo, but I don't think I'd count on it to help with your buying decision here, as they gave the win to the Honda Ribbedcond--I mean Ridgeline, which is not even a truck, but a monocoque car-based SUV with a bed.When I get back home in a few hours, I'll either scan it or post the important parts.

Meanwhile, I hope this helps a little. I would have included the Isuzu i-Series and the Mitsu Raider, but they were not available choices for the comparison...

Here's another useful website: http://www.pickuptruck.com
Modified by MinisterofDOOM at 4:56 AM 7/1/2005

[1991S13]

My grandfather had a '03 Ranger with 15,000 miles that Ford just bought back from him. Every time, no matter if it were hot or cold, he would put it in reverse and let off the brake the engine would cut off. If you gave it gas while letting the brake out it would miss on 3 cylinders (that changed every time - the same 3 cylinders didn't miss consistently.) Over the last 2 months, the oh-so-smart people at Ford put in a new transmission, ECU, wiring harness, spark plugs, wires, and the list goes on trying to cure the problem. An engineer from Detroit even came in and tried to diagnose the problem...and couldn't.

So, with the money Ford gave him for it (the $6000 he paid for it, and $500 in "inconvenience cash") he bought a '05 Frontier LE.

The Ranger does not even come close to competing with it...not size, not comfort, not power...NOTHING. My uncle has a new Dakota and that has a smaller cab, but power is about the same.

Just wanted to put the word out that Rangers are GARBAGE.

[Crashsector]

I absolutely adore my 05 Frontier. As I just said in another post I walked on to the lot looking for a used Xterra and walked out with this. I left a 2002 Sentra SE-R Spec V. I wanted something heavier for my increased GM responsibilities at work and some around-the-house practicality.

It is bigger than everything in its class besides the Dakota. It has the highest power V6 in its class. The only engine more powerful is the V8 in the Dakota which only makes a dozen or two more HP/TQ.

The build quality is classic Nissan. Fit and finish is above average for American-market cars. That means TONS of plastic (actually 95% plastic), but it is all textured and fits very well.

The V6 really moves and the auto gearbox is crisp and responsive. The truck sounds great and I don't think anything can come close to the looks outside (I mean just LOOK at the Dakota). The Tacoma is OK, but I hate what they've done with the tail end and it's a bit too conservative for today's new car market.

There is only one thing that I don't like about the truck and that's the fact that it didn't come with keyless entry, even though it had the rest of the items in the power package. I have come to realize that this is more a function of my dealer than anything, so I digress.

I'm on 1 month and almost 2,000 miles. We'll see how it turns out!

[NISTECH]

Pick up a remote for your truck and try programing it. I bet you have keyless. If you have power door locks/windows and a red flashing light on your dash when you lock the drivers door with a key. You have it.

[ETTInnov04]

Alright well last night I test drove the tacoma and it was nice but I still think that Nissan did a better job. The tacoma has a lot of low end torque, and a very lock happy lsd. I was squealing tires taking off making right/ left hand turns. It is a nice truck but there are some design issues I struggle with on the tacoma. I drove the tacome for about 15min and the nissan for about 4min, if that tells you anything. I'm looking at the Nismo 4x4 or just the SE 4x4. I dont know yet though, affordability is the key factor here.

[Crashsector]

Pick up a remote for your truck and try programing it. I bet you have keyless. If you have power door locks/windows and a red flashing light on your dash when you lock the drivers door with a key. You have it.

I have the system but my dealer just doesn't include the key fobs when you buy the vehicle. It is about $100-115 for the part (I get cost ) and $30 to program. These keyfob's don't program like the previous generation and must be hooked up to a computer, so it's an automatic service charge. Not to mention the need to get an appointment.

I'll do it some day when I can be bothered.

[NISTECH]

Untrue, they do program the same but you dont get a light flas from the hazards. You have to guess about when to program it.

[Crashsector]

Untrue, they do program the same but you dont get a light flas from the hazards. You have to guess about when to program it.

Are you referring to the "old way" being the combination of turning the key on and off and pressing the buttons on the remote? If so I'll have to teach my service dept a thing or two...

[NISTECH]

yes its the same way as the old method but you have to guess when to turn the key to the on position as the hazrds dont flash on an 05 models. Someone had posted this awhile back and I swore it did flash. But after doing a couple more I realized I had done so many I just went through the motions and didnt catch the lights werent flashing...lol Your hear it click though when you program a remote.

[BadQ45t]

I had the same thing on my 05' X-Terra. I bought 2 of them from Santa Monica Nissan and they programmed them for free with no computer intervenion required.

Just go ask nicely and if you buy them there they should program them for free.