[krook]

Hello folks,

I'm sitting on the fence after several weeks still trying to decide whether to trade in my (paid off) 2002 GMC Sierra w/ 45k miles in for a new 2005 Frontier King Cab Nismo. Nothing wrong with the GMC, I'm just scouting a smaller (read: able to flip the passenger door locks from the driver's side with a seat belt on) truck. I had two Chevy S-10s prior to the Sierra.

I've looked at Canyons and Colorados (had the vehicles in the mid-size segment today been around three years ago I wouldn't have "rounded-up" to the Sierra) and compared against the Tacoma. All signs are pointing to me to choose Nissan over Toyota where it counts... style, quality of the manual gearbox, performance, etc.

Still, I still have some questions:

* Should I wait a few months for the 2006 Frontier in hopes that there will be some incentives on the 2005? Any idea when this is due to hit the market? I know the 2005 came out later than most models last year. I'm weighing this also against the depreciation of my trade-in which has gone from $21,800 to around $12k on Edmunds/KBB/Galves in three years.

* I'm wary about first model year designs. Are there any configurations or features I should avoid? Stuff that still seems "beta" quality?

* Are there any factory to dealer incentives that I might be able to use as leverage in my negotiations w/ the dealer?

I know I'm asking the questions of people who already have Nissans and would likely choose them over GMCs in a heartbeat, but I'd like to see some solid input to push me over the fence

Got:
2002 GMC Sierra 1500 SL 5-speed. Basically only upgrades were CD player, 4-wheel drive, and aluminum wheels

Drool:
2005 Nissan Frontier King Cab Nismo 6-speed. Bed, Audio packages.

Thanks in advance.

 

[05_NISMO_4X4]

krook,

Welcome to the site! IMO you won't go wrong with the Nissan. I purchased the KC NISMO as well and am very happy with it. Not sure about your area, but here in Indy the supply was pretty limited, and having watched the dealershipe prior to and after the purchase of my truck, it doesn't appear they are getting any new trucks on the lot! Not sure what the national inventory is like, but if this city is any indication, I doubt there will be much of an incentive if any once the 06 models hit the showroom. And if there are incentives, it's hard to say what will be avainlable in the way of left over 05's!

Personally, I don't consider the new Frontier a first year design. Technically I guess it is, but the frame and suspension are the same design as the Titan and the engine is just a variation of the tried and true VQ35 used for years in the Maxima and 350Z. The utilitrack and sprayed in bed liner were introduced with the Titan as well. Other than the sheet metal, the rest of the truck has been around for a couple years, just in a bit larger size!

I also feel you pain about your truck. I have a fully loaded 03 Explorer Limited 4X4 with less than 22K miles and the Dealer was only willing to give me $17K for it. I paid $29K for it new, and it had an MSRP of $35K! It really sucks the way these things depriciate. I decided to keep it and try and sell it myself, I just hope that wasn't a bad decision! I'm not that concerned, my wife is turning in her leased Grand Prix the end of next month, if it doesn't sell, she'll be driving the Explorer!

 

[TwoBills]

I bought my '01 s/c cc 5sp at the end of 2001 and got it for $19K. I thought that was a decent price. Nobody wanted the manual transmission. Go figure.

If I didn't need the back seat, I would prefer the kc model. Just compare the hp to weight ratio. Those things gotta run! W/a 6 speed. Whoa.

If I were you I'd wait till the end of the year and try to cop a deal on a 6 speed. You've already ate the depreciation, so what's a couple more months? You can always go for an '06 if the right deal doesn't show up, but I bet it will.

 

[krook]

Guys,

Thanks for your replies. Eyeing an '05 parked next to me at the grocery store when I came out and seeing the Frontier commercial during the final game last night are tempting, but currently I think I'm going to try to wait another month or so.

Thanks.

 

[krook]

As a follow up, I ended up getting a 6-speed 2005 CC SE in Storm Gray w/ Bed, Power, Sunroof and ABLS. I was "talked" into the CC instead of the KC by my girlfriend, but I think it ended up being a better idea to have a backseat anyway. Good stuff.

Unfortunately since the Nismo CC only comes in automatic, I had to go with the SE package. Very happy anyway though. I admit, wanting the Nismo was more about the trim (fog lights, chrome, tires/wheels) than the capability though. I would still like to get a hold of the Nismo package tire/wheel set, so if anyone has swapped those off their Nismo, let me know.

Between the current factory incentive and since my company was a VPP partner, I got a solid deal too. If you happen to work for a large company, check to see if they participate: http://www.insidenissan.com/vpp/vendor/offer.html

 

[05_NISMO_4X4]

Krook,

Congratulations on your purchase! But, you may have been given some mis-information. The NISMO can be had in the 6 speed configuration, the standard is the automatic, but the 6 speed can be ordered as an option. If you check the build your own section of the Nissan website, you'll see where you have the option of choosing the 6 speed over the default automatic. Either way, I'm sure you're going to love your new truck!

 

[kevducridr]

It's funny you were interested in a Nismo. I ordered a new 2006 and it will be in mid to late October. The first wave of 2006's are arriving in mid to late September, I just missed the initial order.

Here in Michigan, none of the dealer stock more than 2-3 Frontiers at a time and only order if they sell. That has as much to do with the market here as the product. The Big 3 own this area and it is tough to sell Nissan trucks.

But let me tell you, after reading 3rd party reviews and test driving an Xterra and a KC 4X4 Frontier a couple of weeks ago, I was sold on the Nissan. It is huge on the inside compared to the older models and the engine rocks.

I ordered a KC 6 speed manual Nismo and I can't friggin wait to put it on the road.

Congrats on your purchase, let us know how you like it.

 

[krook]

Paul,

You almost had me nervous there, but I just double checked the configurations on nissanusa.com too; there's no option for the Crew Cab Nismo to have a six-speed, but the King Cab Nismo does have the option.

The transmission was the only thing deciding my choice between Nismo and SE CC. I'm curious why they didn't allow that option for this model year. Hmm.

A tip for the configuration designers of the Nissan web site (actually I complained about this to the GMC site too....) would be to let you locate a vehicle based on "make or break" criteria, so you don't have to open up the link for each dealer to then see their inventory and how it compares to the vehicle you preconfigured...

In my case I could have discarded all the dealers who didn't have 6-speeds in their inventory right off the bat, likewise if a user absolutely had no interest in a Desert Gold or XE config for example.

 

[05_NISMO_4X4]

Sorry! Being as I have the King Cab, that's what I was thinking about! When I was searching for my truck, I wasn't looking for a Crew Cab, so I haven't the knowledge of that body style! Thanks for the clarification!

I agree with your opinion about the dealer search function! They say to use it to locate "your" truck, but they don't have the capability to actually filter out the exact truck "you" want! I must have looked at a dozen dealerships in surrounding zip codes, and scrolled through 50 or more vehicles before finding one close to what I wanted, and it still wasn't exact!

 

[krook]

Heh, I think I looked at every dealer within 100 miles (the max on the locator) of Hartford, NYC, and Providence to see what was out there.

Another issue I had with the site was that what the dealers had on the lot wasn't always up to date with the locator.... I had a guy actually tell me that they don't report their change in stock to the system that feeds the web site till the end of the month (that includes new stuff as well as old... it wasn't a ploy to bait and switch, he made clear though), so it's pretty key to check in w/ the dealer to see what they have, which makes locating your truck a bit harder.

In any case, I'm real happy with the vehicle I got and all the research I did ahead of time to find it.

 

[05_NISMO_4X4]

Interesting you were told the dealership didn't update the website till the end of the month! I was told the website is updated by Nissan Corporate based on what is shipped to the dealership! So, given my scenerio, something could be listed before it actually arrived! I wonder which story is actually accurate? :lol: