Tell me about frontiers

[OutToWinPAHC]

Interviewing for a new job, pays a lot more, but no more company vehicle. My company vehicle is a 2011 Ram 1500 4x4 5.7. A bit overkill, but is nice for when I need to tow the 240sx to the track, or my motorcycles.

So I am looking at 4x4 V6 trucks capable of towing. Mainly to get to work in snow, commute 90 miles round trip daily, and occasionally tow. I found a 2006 Nismo with 42K miles for 17K. History is clean, and I have read some reviews on them. My buddy manages a Firestone shop and he doesn't see many of these, but I am really interested in maintenance cost. Ford chews up ball joints, rod ends and wheels cylinders, Chevy eats shocks and wheel bearing, how do these things do. Suspension and brakes mainly. I'd probably keep her to about 85K miles and then buy new.

[MilkMan]

I'm fairly new here, but this is where I go before buying ANY vehicle..

http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/nissan/frontier/


Edit: It was the glowing reviews I read on CarSurvey.Org, that convinced me to buy my 97 HB. After reading the positive feed back on the 05+, I'm really considering trading my Caddy on an 05 Nismo.

[Rev_D21]

I have read about cross-contamination of transmission fluild and coolant because of poorly constructed radiators. I have read about shoddy paint. And the only other consistent complaint is the MPGs which don't exist.

[OutToWinPAHC]

good to know, coolant inspection would be a must, and converted to an aftermarket cooler which is a win win IMO. The drive is 1 mile to I-95, 4 miles traffic, 35 miles highway at 65-75 and one mile off the ramp. I would hope for 19-20 while at highway speed.

[Rev_D21]

I hearing more like 12-15mpg on these. I think the 2.5 does better except it seems to have timing chain problems even though it's sold as a lifetime unit. I know I am merely throwing out the bad but I cruise multiple truck forums and this stuff seems common enough to share.

[OutToWinPAHC]

s*** my dodge ram averages 15-17 highway

[AZhitman]

Our 05 Frontier 6MT 4wd (loaded) does about 18mpg.

Pulls a trailer without flinching with the stout 4.0, and she'll bake 20" summer tires across an intersection (great torque).

[nissangirl74]

I have had ZERO issues with our Frontier and we sure don't baby it. It is quite possibly the most comfortable vehicle I have ever owned. With the stock wheels and tires it was SILENT on the road. It consistently gets 18.1 mpg. The only time I have seen reduced numbers was the last time we towed a car across the mountains at 85 mph. It dropped to about 13.5. While towing on normal terrain, the mileage difference isn't very significant. One mpg, maybe two if you're driving into a headwind.

Here's the review I wrote about 30K miles ago. http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/long-t ... e-4x4.html
She's due for brakes but that's the only significant thing I've ever had to do to her. Everything else, save for a battery replacement, has been us modding for performance / looks. Not because anything wore out. If you plan on trading in at 85K, it's doubtful you will ever have an issue.

[OutToWinPAHC]

Sounds good becky. The one I saw is not a crew cab, just extended aka a place to put stuff. However it is auto, hmmm I might want a 6 speed. So no tie rod ends, shocks, or ball joint issues to date?

[nissangirl74]

Sounds good becky. The one I saw is not a crew cab, just extended aka a place to put stuff. However it is auto, hmmm I might want a 6 speed. So no tie rod ends, shocks, or ball joint issues to date?

None at all.

[Q451990]

My '04 four banger has been great, as was it's '97 Hardbody predecessor. These things just run like a top. Don't expect super gas mileage. My 4 cylinder gets around 19-21mpg in mostly town driving.

I would love to upgrade to a crew cab in a newer Frontier... but finding a long bed with a manual transmission is nearly impossible. I saw one '07 on Craigslist about 800 miles away and probably should have jumped on it.

Heath

[OwnerCS]

I understand Honda is starting to let the word slowly creep out about the end of the Ridgeline product line for 2012. The Element was recently cancelled -- so no surprise. Some of the club members are talking Frontier as the preferred replacement.