welcome to CF, personally I don't think the mileage is all that high, especially for an '08, many frontiers go 100s of 1000s of miles, smart to have it checked out, but I will say that at that age and mileage you should expect to have to replace some parts, sooner or later.

 

Thanks for your feedback. I appreciate it.

 

The 4.0/5sp is ultra reliable. Do a full service workup on all fluids if you buy it. Make sure the SMOD issue is resolved like you mentioned - AKA not the stock radiator, it was the only noteworthy issue on the sub 2011 versions of the drivetrain. A 2008 at 165k miles though would likely already have been fixed.

It's probably literally one of the most reliable V6 motors ever made. The car will decay away around it while that sumbitch keeps drinking a gallon of gas every 12 miles.

 

Thanks. Should I have a Nissan dealership do the inspection? There is a tire auto service center next door that does an auto inspection for $40.
From the description of the truck I gave in my original post, what do you think the truck is worth?
Way back in the 90' I owned a 1990 Nissan Truck ext cab 4 cylinder, loved that lil truck but t rusted out so bad it leaked gas and the tranny wentbad. Then had a brand new 2001 Frontier ext cab 4 cylinder in Colorado and it was a dog going up those mountain roads and had horrible mpg, like 12 mpg for a 4 cylinder because of flooring up mountain roads. End up trading it in for a pathfinder V6 4x4, loved that suv.

 

I agree with grampy. My truck is only a 2013 and has 154,000. So that mileage is pretty low for an 08, but time will continue to age certain parts regardless of mileage. Even if the dealer service records show the maintenance being up kept for the truck's whole life, it still won't show what work they turned down or the dealer never suggested. Rubber hoses and plastic components will be deteriorate with age, so just be prepared to potentially replace those items or something else. If it fits your budget, I would be inclined to take the gamble as the service history and truck condition are both good signs. I'd request proof that preventative measures were taken against smod and inquire if they had the dealer perform the idle rpm bump due to excessive vibration.

 

Thanks for the tips! What does SMOD stand for?
This truck won't be driven all that much, I work from home and use my vehicles very little. I have a 2005 lexus rx330 awd and probably fill the tank up once every three months.

 

Welcome to the group. The '08 is worth maybe $8k plus or minus. Mileage is reasonable. Carfax is useful if all previous owners were honest in entering data. Not worth much.

A $40 inspection may only be for State required inspection. A pre-purchase inspection should cost over $100.

I would be concerned with the high idle. The Frontier's idle speed is set by the ECU and throughout its life changes to restore this speed are made via the so-called idle air relearn process. Otherwise the 4.0 L is as solid as Fort Knox.

The tranny is not so solid as its old age symptoms can start early. The air in/exhaust out systems are weak also. Especially the cats/ O2 sensors. One exhaust leak can befuddle a mechanic. These repairs can be costly.

For your anticipated mileage, the truck will last years. You have to be very unlucky for this investment to not work out.

 

Welcome to the group. The '08 is worth maybe $8k plus or minus. Mileage is reasonable. Carfax is useful if all previous owners were honest in entering data. Not worth much.

A $40 inspection may only be for State required inspection. A pre-purchase inspection should cost over $100.

I would be concerned with the high idle. The Frontier's idle speed is set by the ECU and throughout its life changes to restore this speed are made via the so-called idle air relearn process. Otherwise the 4.0 L is as solid as Fort Knox.

The tranny is not so solid as its old age symptoms can start early. The air in/exhaust out systems are weak also. Especially the cats/ O2 sensors. One exhaust leak can befuddle a mechanic. These repairs can be costly.

For your anticipated mileage, the truck will last years. You have to be very unlucky for this investment to not work out.

Thanks for the info! The small dealership is asking $6,000 for the truck. I'm going to have the Nissan dealership do the inspection because it has an open recall on it (emblem airbag) and I will need to get that done anyways. The Nissan dealership verified my carfax and stated the truck has been getting regular maintenance done at a Nissan dealership every 4k miles since it was purchased new. I currently have a 2005 Lexus RX330 AWD since 2007 and now has 101k miles, I haven't done anything other than basic maintenance and never had a problem, still rides like new.

 

You can keep just about anything running if you pour enough money into it.

The fact they were were running to the dealer for every little thing is an excellent sign. They avoided Billy-Bob's garage from hacking away the vehicle. Or hacking it themselves.

If this is rust-free, and other wise looks well maintained, it might be an acceptable risk. Just remember, it's 16-17 years old, and expensive stuff has reached end of life... like weatherstripping, instrumentation, hvac, interior, etc... so don't overpay.

 

The Nissan dealership verified that it has had regular maintenance every 4k miles at a Nissan dealership since it was purchased brand new. I'm taking it to a Nissan dealership for a pre purchase inspection which will be free because the truck has an open recall on it for the airbag/emblem.

 

Agreed that a more thorough inspection should cost more than $40. He should pull all four wheels while on a lift and search for any damage while checking fluids/leaks and wear-components. Should the mechanic tell you not to buy it, then consider that money WELL spent.

 

With that age and mileage, I'll say that as long as it works well and you get it for a reasonable price, it is a good deal. Make sure issues mentioned above have been addressed or for peace of mind you would be addressing. I bought my 2005 LE back in September 2020 with 103k miles, it currently sits at 117k, I daily drive it to work and have done maintenance and replaced stuff that based on age it needed.

 

I included pics in the original post.

 

see first post

 

Still recommending a detailed inspection my an independent mechanic not affiliated w/ the dealership. See my post above...

 

Why not have the Nissan dealership inspect it? I'm not purchasing the truck from a Nissan dealership, I'm purchasing it through a little mom and pops independent dealership. From my experience, the manufacturer's dealership usually gives the best inspection. If I were buying it from a Nissan dealership I would not have them inspect it because they are trying to make the sale.

 

Wish those pics you posted would show up!
It sounds like a decent deal! Really low miles for that year!

 

I put some pictures in the first post, you cannot see them?I'll post lower resolution pics and maybe they'll show up better.

 

Looks clean and decent, I'll say that is a very fair deal.

 

I'm looking at purchasing a 1 owner 2008 Frontier SE 4X4 V6 Ext Cab that has 172k miles. I pulled the carfax and it verifies that it is a 1 owner truck and maintenance was done at the Nissan dealership just about every 4k miles since it was bought brand new. The report shows it did have one minor accident about 13 years back, the left side was damaged but minor. The frame is clean no rust and is clean in and out. It had good acceleration and pretty smooth, idle seemed a tad elevated tho. Should I be concerned buying this truck with such high mileage? I understand with this model year the radiator can leak coolant in the transmission? I'm having the truck checked over by a Nissan dealership. I'm buying it at a local small mom and pops dealership. He is asking $6k obo. I was looking at getting an older Toyota Tacoma 4x4 V6 but they want a lot of money for those, nearly double of what you can get a Frontier for. Any advice would be appreciated. This will be a third vehicle just used to haul my motorcycles and golf cart occasionally, just an extra vehicle. I will probably get basic insurance.
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I’m really surprised that nobody bothered to give the engine a quick detail with a soft brush and a rinse at a minimum.

Clint

 

Also, the dealer didn't pull the Carfax, if he did he would have seen it was dealership maintained 1 owner car which would have bolstered his ad appeal. The interior looks brand new, whoever owned it before kept the interior immaculate but not the engine bay. If I were the dealer selling this I would have cleaned that engine bay for sure.

 

I can't see your pictures, so I can't comment on that.

Rust free, 175k miles on an '08 for $6k with all that service history / 1-owner is a good deal. So you are starting at a good place. I've got an '08 with 250k miles on it and it is wonderful. I'd verify two things:
1) listen for any timing chain noise (or look through history to see if work was performed)
2) make sure SMOD was dealt with.

That said: know that you're getting into an older car and it will need work. Even if it was a "legendary" Toyota or anything else, it'll need work. Everything on it is old, aging and probably covered in crud. That's life. For the price it looks like a good deal. Almost too good of a deal to be getting from a dealer!

 

I re-uploaded the pics, refreash and check again.

I didn't hear any odd noises with hood and truck running. I will be taking the truck to a Nissan dealership for a pre-purchase inspection and recall work. I'm buying it from a small mom and pops dealership.

I have a 2005 Lexus RX330 AWD with 101k miles, it was purchased in 2007 with 35k miles, zero issues and still drives like brand new. This Nissan truck won't be driven that much so I can't see too much going bad, it will mostly be used to haul motorcycles, golf cart and get mulch for all the ridiculous amount of landscaping it has.

I've had three Nissan trucks in the past. First one was a rust bucket 1990 hardbody king cab 4 cylinder I got back in 1998, I loved driving that truck but my ex gf destroyed the transmission and the gas tank rusted out and was leaking and I had to scrape it. I bought a brand new 2000 Frontier king cab 4 cylinder and it was a dog going up Colorado mountain roads and got 12 mpg so I traded it in and got a 1998 Pathfinder v6 4x4 and loved that suv. I actually like the Frontier's interior more than the Tacoma's interior. I don't understand why Tacomas are so dang expensive because they seem pretty budget for the high price .

 

For comparison, here is a one owner, one minor accident 2007 Toyota Tacoma V6 4X4 Access cab with 253,289 miles that is selling for $11,995! Double more in cost and nearly double the mileage compared to the similar spec 2008 Frontier I will likely be buying. That is nuts!

 

Is that rear bumper rotted through, or is that reflection?

 

It is not rot, probably a reflection. I checked the truck over.

 

I'm taking it to a Nissan dealership for a pre purchase inspection which will be free because the truck has an open recall on it for the airbag/emblem.

A pre-purchase inspection has nothing to do with an airbag recall. They are not throwing in a pre-purchase inspection for free, you are misunderstanding if you think they are. I would expect a dealer would charge $150 for a proper inspection. Money well spent in any case.

 

The service lady said an inspection required before doing recall work.She said it was free. I told her I wanted a full pre-purchase inspection. From my experience in the past it is about 1 hour service cost which is usually abut $150 or more.

 

Take a look at THIS inspection checklist.

 

UPDATE 2/23/24: I took it to the Nissan Dealership to get a full pre-purchase inspection. It cost $176.14 total.
Needs $5,738.77 in repair with the biggest issue being it needs a rear differential at a cost of $3,823.33
The tech said numerous engine codes. Rear shocks were shot. It has the original radiator that was beginning to seep coolant but not SMOD yet. Radiator needs replacing.
he said the battery was held by a bungee cord and there was a. fair amount of bondo covering up body damage.
I included an itemized statement from the Nissan dealership.

 

UPDATE 2/23/24: I took it to the Nissan Dealership to get a full pre-purchase inspection. It cost $176.14 total.
Needs $5,738.77 in repair with the biggest issue being it needs a rear differential at a cost of $3,823.33
The tech said numerous engine codes. Rear shocks were shot. It has the original radiator that was beginning to seep coolant but not SMOD yet. Radiator needs replacing.
he said the battery was held by a bungee cord and there was a. fair amount of bondo covering up body damage.
I included an itemized statement from the Nissan dealership.
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Money well spent. Now you know why Carfax is not reliable. For the dealer to not disclose trouble codes is shameful.

But! Differentials do not die easily. It may be it will last 10k which will be several years of use for you. Radiator must be fixed. You may be able to go back to the dealer and buy the truck for $3k as is.

 

Did they say what's wrong with the rear dif?

 

He said it was a loud bearing noise and was close to failure, mandatory replacement at $3,823.33. The more I drove the truck the worst it, it was making a weird rattle noise, the idle was a bit high and would surge on occasion, ride got rougher the more I drove it.

I re-posted the inlace above, hopefully it shows up.

 

That sucks. Hopefully you'll find something better.

 

How come you didn't hear the squealing diff?

 

Money well spent. Now you know why Carfax is not reliable. For the dealer to not disclose trouble codes is shameful.

But! Differentials do not die easily. It may be it will last 10k which will be several years of use for you. Radiator must be fixed. You may be able to go back to the dealer and buy the truck for $3k as is.

How come you didn't hear the squealing diff?

I don't know. lol I guess he has better hearing.

 

As the old saying goes, “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is”
It’s amazing how low a car dealer will go to pass off something. Glad you’re not stuck with it.

Clint

 

As the old saying goes, “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is”
It’s amazing how low a car dealer will go to pass off something. Glad you’re not stuck with it.

Somebody will be.

 

$175 saved you $15,000. At least.
The purchase price, tax, plates, plus repairs needed.
Not including aggravation.

 

$175 saved you $15,000. At least.
The purchase price, tax, plates, plus repairs needed.
Not including aggravation.

Yeah that $5,700 repair cost didn't even include the issues with all of the engine error codes that came up which need further diagnosing. No wander that truck had been sitting on the lot for nearly a month. However, they'll find some sucker to unload it to.
To add insult to injury the sales guy won't give me my $100 holding deposit back so I had to put in a dispute with my credit card company. Typical shady small lot dealer that props up crappy cars with bondo and bubble gum. They had the battery attached with a bungee cord. How did I miss that? lol