[dougcp4]

I know we are in a recession, with trucks in general, not selling well. But still
I think Nissans trucks are better quality, than Ford or Dodge, a little better
than Chevy and as good as Toyota. To me the Frontier looks the best of any
medium sized truck. So, other than not making a reg cab, what reasons do
members think, Nissan isn't selling better?

A crew cab Frontier, with a lid over the bed, is just like a sedan w/a big
trunk. Seems to me, it would be more popular. I'll bet the 4.0 V6 will out last most other V6 engines and even a few V8s.

 

[NISM0]

Dec 2, 2009 Nissan sales improve 21 per cent over year-earlier period
Smyrna-built vehicles lead way for company

For Nissan-branded vehicles, the increase over November 2008 was even more impressive — 30 percent overall — with sales of the Altima climbing 43.1 percent to 15,490 units, and the Frontier up 71.4 percent to a total of 2,007 sold.

Check out the article:

Nissan sales improve 21 per cent over year-earlier period | tennessean.com | The Tennessean

 

[00 FRONTIER]

Because people get on these forums and read about timing chain, rear end, radiator issues, poor service from Nissan, poor gas mileage... J/K.

Nissan does not advertise well. I saw a commercial on TV the other day and I think it showed a Frontier driving with all the other Nissan products, but I think they were really pushing their bread and butter, the altima, sentra, and versa.

Look at the new Maxima, its a very nice looking ride and looks unique, but they are not selling either and I think I've only seen one on the street. Plus they are super expen$ive.

I think a lot of folks in the market for a midsize pickup automatically go to Toyota, I know I did until I got kicked in the head with the price. Toyota's are solid rigs and have a great reputation for quality regardless if in actuality it has gone down over the recent years. If the price was more reasonable I would have bought one. Toyota's sell themselves and people who only look at the monthly payment and dont care that they are paying $30k+ buy them. I have a buddy who bought an 08' X-cab SR5 4x4 for $27k and didnt care, "its a Toyota". And yes, he always bags on my Frontier.

For those of us that do REAL research and can get past the potential issues with these trucks realize they are a pretty good value. Read Edmonds, Consumer Reports, etc and I think the Frontier is actually rated higher than the Tacoma.

So I guess bottom line IMO is marketing and competition.

Not sure if these trucks sold any better when they first changed in 05'?

 

[mustard23]

Because people get on these forums and read about timing chain, rear end, radiator issues, poor service from Nissan, poor gas mileage... J/K.

Not sure if these trucks sold any better when they first changed in 05'?

LOL yeah all the forums have those post go look at ranger station or soem taco site....


Nissan are the dodge of the import world..

 

[whitewolf_4x4]

Actually, I saw an article a few months back that the Frontier was the best selling truck in its class because of mileage. Trucks in general aren't selling well but the Frontier isn;t below average.

However, maybe people read the forums. One thing that GM and Ford have on Nissan is that those guys man up to defects and issue recalls. Nissan just puts out an endless string of TSBs. In my opinion, thats not manning up to anything.

 

[xtopherfishing]

Because people get on these forums and read about timing chain, rear end, radiator issues, poor service from Nissan, poor gas mileage... J/K.

Nissan does not advertise well. I saw a commercial on TV the other day and I think it showed a Frontier driving with all the other Nissan products, but I think they were really pushing their bread and butter, the altima, sentra, and versa.

Look at the new Maxima, its a very nice looking ride and looks unique, but they are not selling either and I think I've only seen one on the street. Plus they are super expen$ive.

I think a lot of folks in the market for a midsize pickup automatically go to Toyota, I know I did until I got kicked in the head with the price. Toyota's are solid rigs and have a great reputation for quality regardless if in actuality it has gone down over the recent years. If the price was more reasonable I would have bought one. Toyota's sell themselves and people who only look at the monthly payment and dont care that they are paying $30k+ buy them. I have a buddy who bought an 08' X-cab SR5 4x4 for $27k and didnt care, "its a Toyota". And yes, he always bags on my Frontier.

For those of us that do REAL research and can get past the potential issues with these trucks realize they are a pretty good value. Read Edmonds, Consumer Reports, etc and I think the Frontier is actually rated higher than the Tacoma.

So I guess bottom line IMO is marketing and competition.

Not sure if these trucks sold any better when they first changed in 05'?

I agree with you 100%. I think Nissan has made a decision to limit advertising and instead spend more on R & D (research and development)to further improve their products. Its "word of mouth" from existing customers that they are counting on to push sales upward. So far my "word of mouth" is very good. I just got done with a 4,000 mile trip in my '08 XE out to Seattle and back and it performed great. A comfortable, and quiet ride with 4 new snow tires on. I just beat this most recent snow storm back home by just a few hours so my trip was not marred by slick roads.

 

[Mathster]

I dont think its so much that Nissan isn't selling well as it is Nissan doesn't advertise their truck line.
That said, there are more Xterras around here than FJCruisers.
There are as many frontiers as tacomas and colorados are almost non-existant.

The only thing I see that is holding back Frontier popularity is the lack of after market.

 

[cletus]

It is pretty simple actually.

These days fullsize pickups get about the same mpg as tacos and frontiers. Further, the Titan is seen as an underpowered and bottom of the barrel for a fullsize. I love my Frontier but half the reason I love it is that I got it for so cheap. The truth of the matter is that if my budget was 5-8k higher I would have gone with a fullsize pickup

 

[mike]

The truth of the matter is that if my budget was 5-8k higher I would have gone with a fullsize pickup

I wouldn't. I have no need for a full size truck. Most people that buy a smaller truck don't want a big truck. I actually prefer a compact truck over mid-size but no body makes them anymore.

It's advertising. Haven't seen a commercial in years but I have to say there are more Frontiers around me the Taco's.

 

[mudflap]

It's funny because I see a 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 banner at the bottom of this thread when I was reading it.

 

[Mathster]

It's funny because I see a 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 banner at the bottom of this thread when I was reading it.

I got an F150 banner...

if you look at the capabilities of full sized trucks vs. our trucks, they are comparable. to get 20mpg highway out of a full sized, your looking at a big v6 or small v8 which limits your tow capacity to Class 3. payload may be a bit higher, but not much.

I dont know about everyone else, but I have a heck of a lot easier time stuffing my truck in a parking spot than my boss has with his 2500 quad cab dodge.

 

[colin123]

Further, the Titan is seen as an underpowered and bottom of the barrel for a fullsize.

how is the titan considered underpowered and bottom of the barrel, it is only outmatched in power by the tundra and the ram (only the hemi) as far as half tons go. if anything as far as half tons are concerned its the american trucks that are underpowered

 

[Clint]

Nissan needs a new and better advertising company.
My Titan was an awesome truck to own and drive.
The complainers on any brands forum damage the trucks image and hurt sales. The complainers are a minute percentage of total ownership but their pissing and moaning stands out and turns up on a google search.
I've had minor issues but don't run here and post about it, I let it slide and save the large and safety issues here.

Clint

 

[Mike202]

Actually, I saw an article a few months back that the Frontier was the best selling truck in its class because of mileage.

Here are the sales figure for the Jan-Nov 2009:

Tacoma: 102,327
Ranger: 51,097
Colorado: 31,614
Frontier: 25,427
Dakota: 10,072
Canyon: 9481

 

[dubie2003]

Here are the sales figure for the Jan-Nov 2009:

Tacoma: 102,327
Ranger: 51,097
Colorado: 31,614
Frontier: 25,427
Dakota: 10,072
Canyon: 9481

The thing about sales figures is that it doesn't break down the sales to individuals to sales to corporations. A lot of companies buy the colorado, ranger and Tacoma as fleet vehicles while the Frontier, Dakota and Canyon or purchased by individuals. Lets not forget about the die-hards thou. They must drive an xyz since they are living in the past and don't notice that xyz has been left behind in all categories from space to payload to mpg to etc...

I agree with the advertising comments thou. Nissan sucks at it and that is what hurts their sales. Most people are swayed by others thought too much and thus the Tacoma sells even thou it costs more for less functionality.

I also agree that all brands have their ups and downs and it is up to the buyer to weight them all out and figure out which matches their life style more.

 

[Clint]

I laugh when some make fun of my foreign truck that was built in Smyrna,Tennessee but their Dodge Ram that was built in Mexico and formerly owned by the Germans and now the Italians is an American made truck.

Clint

 

[NissanTy]

advertisement. watch sunday football i gurantee you'll see atleast 50 ford and chevy truck commercails. as far as midsuze trucks go im all nissan. i'll never EVER buy a toyota product after all the frame rust recalls and stuck gas pedal recalls, F that. my next truck will more than likely be another frontier if not then a ford f150, hopefully by that time they'll offer the 6.2 v8 in the xlt or lariat models.

 

[kavonalair]

I know we are in a recession, with trucks in general, not selling well. But still
I think Nissans trucks are better quality, than Ford or Dodge, a little better
than Chevy and as good as Toyota. To me the Frontier looks the best of any
medium sized truck. So, other than not making a reg cab, what reasons do
members think, Nissan isn't selling better?

A crew cab Frontier, with a lid over the bed, is just like a sedan w/a big
trunk. Seems to me, it would be more popular. I'll bet the 4.0 V6 will out last most other V6 engines and even a few V8s.

The problem is that most people will buy American made trucks, because most people want a full size. If they want a Mid-size they go with Toyota. The reasons behind it are simple. If they need a full size, historically the US has always made the best trucks. If they need something smaller for lighter use, or better MPG's Toyota is chosen because of the old saying "Japanese cars get such better gas mileage." So if you look at the track record of Nissan and Toyota, the one with a stronger history is definitely Toyota. If you want to disagree with me I suggest you first read the book SHIFT. The other question I have and I don't mean this to be rude, but I hear people say this all the time. What is it that makes you say that Nissans are as good as Toyota, and better than the big 3 American brands? I own an 05 Frontier and a 96 F-250, and I have owned a 78 Datsan pickup, a 98 Dakota, a 90 S-10, an 88 Toyota pickup and a 79 F-150. So I have something to compare to, and Honestly I think that the best overall quality is a tie between Nissan and Ford. They both have pros and cons but over all they are the winners. Like I said I'm not trying to be a know-it-all, but I always here that argument and very few people can say they know first hand.

I'm not at all trying to deny your point, it was just a question that came to mind as I read through the posts. And advertisement truly is a big factor, all I ever see is GMC Sierra and F-150.

 

[novakane]

cant imagine why a frontier wouldn't sell well. a colorado is plasticky and cheap, a ford f150 is a total piece of ****, i wouldn't take one for free. a ranger.. the ranger is the turd the f150 squeezed out, i would rather watch my entire family be executed than sign the papers to own one.. i would consider a tacoma as a second truck but overall my fav is a frontier, hands down. you get a lot for the money and so far its been crucially dependable. i just wish i asked for mud flaps and a hitch in my sale

 

[something else]

I'm almost positive a lot of people skip Nissan altogether when car hunting.

I mean, while I was getting ready to leave Japan in 2005, I already had a truck picked out to buy when I got home: The GMC Canyon. I don't remember seeing a lot of the Frontier in my online searches before getting back. It wasn't until I saw them at a dealer, I had to stop in and check them out. I was sold after about 2 minutes in the test drive. I also checked out the Toyota Tacomas, but in my budget the Nissan kicked Toyota's butt. The base model Tacoma is plain ugly and hugs the ground. Nissan's boxed frame and discs all around helped seal the deal too.

Nissan being the 'underdog' of the Japanese companies, I think people move magnetically to Honda and Toyota, forgetting Nissan.

Someday I would like to see a Maxima in my driveway.


And yea, it doesn't help that Nissan's advertising is almost non-existent.