[tadium54]

Hi guys,

I'm new to this fourm, but am a frequent member on the RCCA, Jemsite and Truckfourms.

In a few months, I'll be done school and onto working in the world. I drove a 96 Ford Escort in my last job working for an environmental consulting firm. Needless to say, it fell short a few times in its ability to carry things around. I'm looking at a small truck/suv to use as my daily driver. I'd use it to get to work, play on the weekends, haul some stuff around, etc.


I'm looking to get one of the following (used, and from 1995-2005 probably):
Nissan X-Terra
Nissan Frontier
Nissan Pathfinder
Toyota Tacoma
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota FJ4

I'd like to give it a:
- mild lift
- deck with an ipod input
- hitch
- winch
- light bar
- canopy cover (for the frontier or tacoma)
- bed toolbox (for the frontier or tacoma)
- tires/wheels
- sunroof
- maybe an intake / exhaust
- skidplates.

So now I'd like some opinions from the owners - how do you like each one of these trucks?

Anything else I should consider? Standard trucks like the F Series, Silverado and Ram series would be overkill for what I need (same with the Titan and Tundra)

 

[igbar]

As far as the Frontier goes, the first generation goes from 1998-2004
1995-1997 models are all the hardbody style.
2005 is the beginning of the 2nd generation Frontier. There are FAQ writeups in my signature for more info.

Good luck on finding your future truck!

 

[notilloc]

What are you looking to spend? you wont be able to get an fj unless your willing o go to 2007. I have a 2007 for sale in the for sale section you should check it out. Of all of those they are all awesome trucks though. You really cant go wrong with any of them. I have driven all of them and they are all really fun. If i could keep my fj I would because it is my favorite truck out there but I need a little more utility and need a pickup now. I would say go test drive them all and then see what you like. That is the only way to really find out. Good luck and if you are interested in the fj that I have for sale let me know.

 

[devious1]

Check out: http://www.clubfrontier.org/forums/f8/why-did-you-choose-frontier-over-tacoma-59041/ and then go to a Toyota forum for the Nissan bashing threads. It seems as if everyone on here is going to vote Nissan Frontier or Pathfinder but we have good reasons. Everyone has their opinions.

 

[mrgrayaz]

The Toyota's will be cheaper to wheel then Nissan.

 

[blackout08]

I personally like the 1996-2004 4runners and Tacomas. They are a little more expensive though than other trucks in their class. Me and my girlfriend recently bought a 1997 4runner with around 140k miles on it. We got it to be her daily driver and my weekend wheeler. We've already put 10k+ miles on it, and I can honestly say that I think we can push it to 200k miles with no major problems. I chose the 4runner over the pathfinder mainly because of reliability and the optional locking rear diff.
Positives: reliability, function, options, they keep their value, huge aftermarket
Negatives: they keep their value = costly, slow (not as much power as i'd like), OEM parts can be expensive.

 

[Mainerunr]

The Toyota's will be cheaper to wheel then Nissan.

but more expensive up front...

 

[JeniorNV]

Seems like it's the last 5 years or so that Toyota's quality has come into question. Toyotas from 95-05 were awesome vehicles. I think you'd be fine with any of the vehicles you listed; just drive them all and see what you like. I was considering a Taco when I bought my Fronty last year; but I think the Fronty was built a bit better in '09 plus mine was $3k less than a comparable Taco.

 

[PBRdbsb]

Seems like it's the last 5 years or so that Toyota's quality has come into question. Toyotas from 95-05 were awesome vehicles. I think you'd be fine with any of the vehicles you listed; just drive them all and see what you like. I was considering a Taco when I bought my Fronty last year; but I think the Fronty was built a bit better in '09 plus mine was $3k less than a comparable Taco.

Toyotas from 95-05 had issues too. My 93 4runner went through 4 rebuilds in 2 years, not my and it was hard to find a shop who would rebuild them. The 3VZ-E ENGINE WAS PLAGUED with problems

 

[NISM0]

They are all good vehicles. If I had to make the choice, I would go with the one that gets the best fuel economy.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/

 

[JeniorNV]

Toyotas from 95-05 had issues too. My 93 4runner went through 4 rebuilds in 2 years, not my and it was hard to find a shop who would rebuild them. The 3VZ-E ENGINE WAS PLAGUED with problems

An isolated incident doesn't mean Toyotas are bad cars. Toyotas have been know for their quality. I have an '05 Vibe (which is made by Toyota) with 130K miles. It runs like a brand new car; I have yet to have a single problem with it. My dad has an '01 Tundra with well over 200K that he abuses the crap out of. The truck just goes and goes. For every car make out there, you can find plenty of people who have had a bad experience.

My Fronty has only 15K miles. It's been to the dealer for two different problems. I need to bring it in this week for problem #3. It's starting to get ridiculous. I've never had a brand new vehicle with this many issues. Thankfully, they have all been minor.

That doesn't mean I'm condeming Nissan. My family has had Nissans since before I was born. Two of them went well over 300K miles with no major issues. I chalk this up to bad luck.

 

[toryroyce]

Personally if you're just looking for a small truck and aren't concerned with size, I'd do a 95-04 Taco. They're dead reliable, get good mileage, and are fairly light compared to current trucks. I like the Fronty, but it's a tank and sucks up gas like it's going out of style. IMHO, I think all the manufacturers need to step back and try to figure out why all their vehicles are getting so damn heavy.....

 

[domoMKIV]

Get yourself one of these babies

 

[tadium54]

Wow. Thanks for all the opinions. Heres a bit more info/criteria:

- Be able to switch to 4wd should I need to
- Auto trans
- V6, or a 4 banger with some actual power

I probably wouldn't be wheeling it - just driving in some not so nice conditions, and community built roads that are makeshift to say the least. I'd like to have decent mileage, so the lift will only be 3 inches or so probably, and the tires an inch or so bigger, and all terrains.

As for price, I'm probably looking for 7 grand or so. maybe a bit more if it has some mods

 

[Hazekillax]

Nissan frontier ftw...

The frontier is able to have all of your desired attachments put on....The NISMO's come with upgraded suspension, rear lockers, skid plates, and a certified badassness.....tacoma's are a little bit more pricey*and a little over-rated* cough cough....but for all of the wants you listed above, the frontier does all of that and PLENTY more.

 

[Jordo]

IMO toyota and nissan are really close on quality..... the nissan just costs, much less.

 

[jski701]

Get yourself one of these babies

Nice, right out of Back To The Future, did it come with a Delorean?

 

[Hazekillax]

Haha...that toyota is pretty legit. Not gonna lie. I would have to take that over a delorean.

 

[tom.beyer]

Wow. Thanks for all the opinions. Heres a bit more info/criteria:

- Be able to switch to 4wd should I need to
- Auto trans
- V6, or a 4 banger with some actual power


As for price, I'm probably looking for 7 grand or so. maybe a bit more if it has some mods

That price knocks most of these off your list. Toyota's are pricey, you MIGHT be able to find a high-mileage early 1995-ish Taco for that. Same with 4Runners. No FJ's, they're all gonna be over 15. Pathfinders, you are looking at the older generation (nice rides, but unibody and not so offroad-oriented), of first gen Frontier.

Check with your insurance company also, different trucks cost different amounts to insure (frontiers are pretty cheap, for whatever reason. I guess becuase only smart, talented people drive them :nana

 

[tadium54]

That price knocks most of these off your list. Toyota's are pricey, you MIGHT be able to find a high-mileage early 1995-ish Taco for that. Same with 4Runners. No FJ's, they're all gonna be over 15. Pathfinders, you are looking at the older generation (nice rides, but unibody and not so offroad-oriented), of first gen Frontier.

Check with your insurance company also, different trucks cost different amounts to insure (frontiers are pretty cheap, for whatever reason. I guess becuase only smart, talented people drive them :nana

I might go as high as 10, but that would have to be for something really nice. I'd like to stick with normal fuel too (not mid-grade or premium)