So I'm in the market for a truck (fingers crossed the vibe will be gone this weekend and I'm really in the market). Need to tow 5000ish lbs would like it to be Manual and here's the kicker I don't want to buy something that I'm going to need to work on. I find myself in the strange more money than time situation (well strange for me). I had hoped to find a decent lower mileage option in the 10-12k range. That is not possible in my area. They either have 130K miles or are starting to rust and generally beat down. Anything 4wd with <50K miles is 15-20K and up. I'd like to buy something and keep it for a long long while so I'm really thinking new. Right now I can buy a SV V6 frontier longbed crewcab with manual for a little over 24K with 0 miles.. The Tacoma is ~4K more. Frontier can tow 6100lbs, Taco is 6500lbs. Anyone have any hands on experience with these? Is there a magic vehicle I'm missing in my search.
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Nov. 8, 2011 10:56 p.m. nocones HalfDork
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Nov. 8, 2011 11:03 p.m. imirk Reader
Ridgeline? Ranger? T100?
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Nov. 9, 2011 5:53 a.m. jrw1621 SuperDork
Aside from the Frontier, have you shopped for a Suzuki Equator?
http://www.suzukiauto.com/equator_extended_cab/
My guess that the Suzuki depreciates quicker and sells much slower. -
Nov. 9, 2011 7:06 a.m. Woody SuperDork
I've had my 2005 Tacoma since December of 2004. Mine was a very early production model of the new design and, as such, there were a few issues that I'll tell you about, but overall, I love it.
Mine is a six cylinder automatic, four wheel drive, long bed, double cab. I have about 60k miles on it. It didn't see a lot of daily driver use until about a year ago. I mainly used it for towing, plowing and hauling stuff to the dump. I hate DD'ing a truck, but this one isn't bad.
Here are the issues:
People complained that the stock rear suspension was soft and would bottom out easily, which is true. Toyota issued a TSB and offered to replace the rear springs with the one ton units, which everybody then said were too harsh. My solution was to add Timbrens to the rear, which was an easy install and cost about $200. They smooth out the ride and increase the load carrying capacity. Well worth it. Twice a year, I load the truck with 2000 pounds (50 forty pound bags) of wood pellets. It's not a fun ride home, but it handles it.
Toyota stopped about an inch short with 10 cents worth of seam sealer on the cowl of some early ones and the cab can leak. It took me a while to figure out what was happening, but it was covered by warranty. It's a big job though, as the grill and fenders need to come off (ask me how I know). Once they're off, it was five minutes with a tube of caulk. Moral of the story: Check for wet floors. If I found a used one with wet floors, I'd use that to get the price down and then fix it myself. The job is not as bad as it sounds, but it will take most of a day and you'll have to replace about $20 worth of plastic clips.
For the first few years, the tailgates lacked sufficient bracing. There were lots of stories of guys buckling their tailgates by riding a motorcycle up a ramp and having it collapse in the center. Toyota would replace it under warranty if it happened. I've never had an issue and I'm sure that mine is one of the weaker ones. It has since been redesigned.
Aside from that, the only problem that I've had was that the A/C refrigerant leaked down and I'm sure that's the result of the truck sitting unused for months at a time.
My truck tows great. Just understand that it will be revving higher than a V8, but it handles it without an issue. I also plow with it and it hasn't had any trouble handling it.
I use mine like a truck, and it keeps on taking it. I'd buy another, but I probably won't have to for another 250,000 miles.
Porsche. Everyday.
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Nov. 9, 2011 7:37 a.m. nocones HalfDork
Woody wrote: I use mine like a truck, and it keeps on taking it. I'd buy another, but I probably won't have to for another 250,000 miles.
And that's why I'm thinking new. I'd love to just buy it and keep it for the next 10-20 years. Thanks for your insite. I'm leaning heavily towards the frontier but that is really based only on price. I need to spend some time in each truck and decide if the increased cost of the Tacoma is worth it for me.
Looked into the Equator. I like it but it's not much less new and it's very hard to find used. Also it's not available with the V6 manual. Otherwise I didn't even know it existed
Ridgeline would be great for DD (except maybe the MPG) but only has a 5000lbs towing capacity. I may decide that's ok but right now I'd like the extra 1100-1500lbs the Tocoma Frontier have. I'd hate to kick myself down the road when I'm buying a different vehicle to get an extra couple of lbs towing capacity/capability.
Thanks for the Input thus far. I think If i could find a low mile used avalanche I would be happy despite the Automatic only but New they are out of the question and used are difficult to find at a good price with less than 70k miles..
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Nov. 9, 2011 8:01 a.m. Woody SuperDork
If I could plow with a Ridgeline, I would trade some towing capacity for the carlike ride, but that's not an option.
I owned two Dakotas before this. The size was perfect for me but the reliability was terrible. I sold the second one with 35k miles on it because I couldn't survive without a warranty. I loved the engine, but the transmission was never right.
I looked at a Colorado for a moment, but that was all it took for me to walk away.
Porsche. Everyday.
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Nov. 9, 2011 8:58 a.m. wvumtnbkr Reader
I LOVE my frontier.
I have the extended cab with the V6 4wd autotragic. I wanted teh manual but I found this truck brand new on the lot for 17.5K. It doesn't have power locks/ windows or cruise. Whatever.
I have had two issues with the truck (both covered under warranty). The computers are a known weak spot of 2008-2010 frontiers. They just quit. Then you need towed.
The other issue is still kind of ongoing. At about 40 mph if you try to gently get on or off the throttle the truck "bucks" like there is a TON of lash in the driveline. Some trucks have this issue from brand new and some will never get it. The test drive should prove if the exact truck you are looking for has this issue.
I have had my truck since october 2008. I now have 115K on it. It still drives (aside from the bucking) like it is brand new. Still tight!
My owners manual says the towing capacity is 6700 #'s BTW.
Rob R.
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Nov. 9, 2011 9:12 a.m. z31maniac SuperDork
I think I had a thread on this back in May/June. I ran into the same issue, I wasn't willing to pay 5 figures for something with 150k+ miles on it.
I picked up a 2011 Crew cab, Pro-4X Frontier with the lux package in June. I got the autotragic because it's a truck and my DD. I think the 4wd brings tow rating down to 6300#
I got my truck for $26,700 OTD.
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Nov. 9, 2011 9:17 a.m. Woody SuperDork
Oddly enough, the MSRP of comparably equipped Tacomas hasn't changed much since 2005. Of course, neither has the truck.
Porsche. Everyday.
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Nov. 9, 2011 9:20 a.m. dj06482 HalfDork
My brother-in-law has a Dakota that's been pretty good to him. He uses it as a truck, and I've been impressed at how well it's handled very heavy loads (concrete, rock, etc.). I believe they were available with a 6spd manual. If you're getting an auto and using it, all the usual caveats apply (use tow/haul mode, change the fluid frequently, add an extra cooler, etc.).
'05 Odyssey | '06 RAV4 | '06 Dodge RAM 1500 QC
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Nov. 9, 2011 9:42 a.m. Joe Gearin Associate Publisher
The Pathfinder ( with 4.0 liter V6) we had around the office for a couple of years withstood over a hundred thousand miles of unsympathetic use without ever letting us down. It towed well, and was comfortable on long trips. Whenever I am truck shopping (dreaming) a V6 Frontier is my small truck of choice. I like the looks better than the Toy, and quality wise they seem about even.
You may want to look for a 4wd out of the snow belt and fly-in, drive home. 4wd doesn't command the premium down here in FLA that it does up North.
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Nov. 9, 2011 10:01 a.m. integraguy SuperDork
I was considering these two trucks...well, the Toyota more than the Nissan (I can't go into the reason here). I found a 2005 Tacoma that was almost exactly what I was looking for, until I did some research on Edmunds.com. It seems that even on 2005 Tacomas there are still some premature/excessive(?) frame rusting issues. And since I would be driving back and forth between Florida and the "Rust belt", that alone would tip me back to the Frontier. Though I also prefer the Nissan's styling.
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Nov. 9, 2011 10:06 a.m. Woody SuperDork
No rust on my Tacoma, and it's never been inside. I drive it in the worst weather.
Porsche. Everyday.
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Nov. 9, 2011 10:27 a.m. Bobzilla SuperDork
06 GMC/Chevy 1500 2wd Crew Cab. Perfect fit. Better fuel economy than the Nissan or Toy, more towing capacity, better ride, more room and pennies to fix when/if they break. Plus they sound absolutely glorious with a magnaflow exhaust.
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Nov. 9, 2011 10:41 a.m. belteshazzar SuperDork
i would go buy a late model avalanche. what do the tacoma or frontier do better? cost less?
spending money I don't have to buy parts I don't need to impress people I don't know
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Nov. 9, 2011 10:48 a.m. belteshazzar SuperDork
v6 4x4 frontier is rated 14/19, so is the chevy with a 5.3
spending money I don't have to buy parts I don't need to impress people I don't know
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Nov. 9, 2011 10:51 a.m. belteshazzar SuperDork
the chevy tows over 7000lbs too. is it just bigger than you like?
spending money I don't have to buy parts I don't need to impress people I don't know
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Nov. 9, 2011 11:48 a.m. evildky Dork
I had a frontier SE V6 with a manual trans rated at 3500 lbs towing, I towed 5k on a regular basis without issue, it did not like steep grades but it did the job
I later had a Chevy Z71, it did the same job with very little effort, but the whole 100k on the frontier I had no issues, wear itmes only (breaks, tires, battery, oil), the chevy in the same amount of miles in addition to the regular weak items it needed new spedometer, transfer case control module, transfer case control buttons, transfer case encoder motors, steering rack, wheel bearing assembly and right at 100k the heads cracked, I'll never own another GM
the Nissan in terms of depreciation and maintenance cost about $3k per year to own, the Chevy was $5k per year to own
PS GM knows about the head cracking issue but it happens at 100k miles so they don't care
no stupid! it's Man Bear Pig
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Nov. 9, 2011 11:58 a.m. nocones HalfDork
I need to drive a few but full size I think is just bigger than I want. I'd for sure get 4x4 so anything 2wd is out. That said I looked up a 2wd 06 and it is rated the same as a 4x4 frontier so why do you say better mpg?
06ish 1500 extra cabs in my area seem to have about 80k miles and pull down 15k pricetags. Thanks for the sugestions ill be sure to check out/drive some of them before I make my choice. -
Nov. 9, 2011 12:12 p.m. z31maniac SuperDork
belteshazzar wrote: i would go buy a late model avalanche. what do the tacoma or frontier do better? cost less?
Size.
I went with a Frontier because modern "full-size" trucks are just too big.
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Nov. 9, 2011 12:26 p.m. Bobzilla SuperDork
z31maniac wrote:
belteshazzar wrote: i would go buy a late model avalanche. what do the tacoma or frontier do better? cost less?
Size.
I went with a Frontier because modern "full-size" trucks are just too big.
You'd be suprised.
Frontier Crew with 6' bed
Length: 219.4 Width: 72.8 Height: 70.1 Wheelbase: 139.0
2006 GMC Crew 1500 with 5'8" bed
Length: 230.4 Width: 76.5 Height: 72 Wheelbase: 143.0
They are litereally within an inch or two of each other. The GMC/Chevy were rated at 16/22, and those are a bit on the low side in real driving. The Frontier is 16/20 and those are a little optimistic in real driving.
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Nov. 9, 2011 12:34 p.m. evildky Dork
both of my trucks were 4x4, both extended cabs, both had 6.5 foot beds, the difference is that you can lay drywall, plywood plaf int he fullsize
as for fuel economy, my nissan averaged 17 mpg mixed city (granted this was the older 3.3 truck) my chevy doing the same job averaged 13.5 mpg, and when towing that loaded trailer they both averaged 11 mpg
my new tundra, is 6 inches shorter in length than the chevy, weighs 500 lbs more, has a roomier interior but the same 6.5 foot bed, the space is saved in front of the engine, and I'm averaging about 13 mpg mixed city drivign but when towing I average a slightly better 11.5 mpg
no stupid! it's Man Bear Pig
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Nov. 9, 2011 12:58 p.m. belteshazzar SuperDork
i had a V6 extended cab tacoma 4x4 for years. traded it for a 60k mile Z71. they got the EXACT same fuel mileage, and the chevy was literally twice the truck at doing trucky things. in 100k miles i only ever needed a fuel pump in the chevy.
spending money I don't have to buy parts I don't need to impress people I don't know
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Nov. 9, 2011 12:58 p.m. belteshazzar SuperDork
evildky wrote: PS GM knows about the head cracking issue but it happens at 100k miles so they don't care
i haven't got any idea what you're talking about. which engine?
spending money I don't have to buy parts I don't need to impress people I don't know
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Nov. 9, 2011 1:28 p.m. Bobzilla SuperDork
belteshazzar wrote:
evildky wrote: PS GM knows about the head cracking issue but it happens at 100k miles so they don't care
i haven't got any idea what you're talking about. which engine?
Ditto. New one to me as well. Dad has 180k on his 5.3, boss has 280k on his 5.3 and I have 67k on my 4.8. None of us have ever had problems, all still on original drivetrain (they are the "crappy" 4L60E)
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