A question about reliability of nissans

[Cypher]

Gotta completely disagree with you there...THe Nissans are far more car like in every way compared to the Toyotas counterpart... Really, in the dirt, to me there is no comparission the Toyota Tacoma is a far better truck off road, the Nissan is the clear winner on the road...

Ive driven both and I stand firm on this assertion. IF I weer buying a truck that was goign to be used 99% on-road I'd think about the Nissan, but in terms of building a trail rig that see alot of trail time I would go with teh Toyota 10 times out of 10... And comapring the X to the 4Runner, the 4Runner wins hands down every time for me as well. There are certainly some AWESOME X's here on our boards, they just don't do it for me when I'm behind the wheel... The V8 4-Runner on the other hand is intoxicating IMO...

Not that I dislike the Nissans, I just like the Tacoma/4Runner that much more. AS far as reports go thoguh it seems that the Nissans are now as reliable as their Toyota counterparts. Seems like Nissans are good trucks abnd it's all up to wether or not they fit you. They don't fit me, but then I'm not you eh




Not if you've driven both... again it's a Toyota Victory by a landslide (70 series LC versus Patrol)IMO...

Cheers

Dave

Hehehe... Thats cool Dave, I completely disagree with you as well. :sombrero: But that is what is great about this site.

As far as the comparison goes, I did drive an 07 Tacoma Double Cab TRD-Offroad and the 07 Frontier Crew Cab Nismo Offroad Frontier back to back. Specifically what I refer to as "truck like" is the seating position and the firm truck like ride. The Frontier does feel more car like through the steering wheel which I think has to do with the speed sensitive steering (which is nice I might add). On road the Tacoma seems to want to understeer and push through turns were as the Frontier handles very well and is a little more exciting to drive (back to the sports car comment made previously). I will agree that the Tacoma as set up from the factory has a better suspension when it comes to the dirt and is noticed. However when modified, the two of them are very equal as far as I am concerned in the dirt. I speak to this from running trails with a number of modified Tacomas and observing suspension design, articulation, and flex.

I honestly have no problem with either maker as we have the 07 Frontier and an 07 FJ Cruiser as well. I do still feel that you get more for your money when it comes to Nissan, but that is how they have to market themselves to compete with Toyota sales. That V8 in the 4Runner is amazing, and I would love to see Nissan put the Endurance V8 in the X. They have already done so in the Pathfinder, which unfortunately we will not see much offroad.

 

[4Rescue]

Hehehe... Thats cool Dave, I completely disagree with you as well. :sombrero: But that is what is great about this site.

As far as the comparison goes, I did drive an 07 Tacoma Double Cab TRD-Offroad and the 07 Frontier Crew Cab Nismo Offroad Frontier back to back. Specifically what I refer to as "truck like" is the seating position and the firm truck like ride. The Frontier does feel more car like through the steering wheel which I think has to do with the speed sensitive steering (which is nice I might add). On road the Tacoma seems to want to understeer and push through turns were as the Frontier handles very well and is a little more exciting to drive (back to the sports car comment made previously). I will agree that the Tacoma as set up from the factory has a better suspension when it comes to the dirt and is noticed. However when modified, the two of them are very equal as far as I am concerned in the dirt. I speak to this from running trails with a number of modified Tacomas and observing suspension design, articulation, and flex.

I honestly have no problem with either maker as we have the 07 Frontier and an 07 FJ Cruiser as well. I do still feel that you get more for your money when it comes to Nissan, but that is how they have to market themselves to compete with Toyota sales. That V8 in the 4Runner is amazing, and I would love to see Nissan put the Endurance V8 in the X. They have already done so in the Pathfinder, which unfortunately we will not see much offroad.

Yep, goota love the Portal eh

I agree completely with your assessment of the Taco versus the Fronty on the road, they're like night and day. Honestly, one of my favorite trucks ever was our old 91 Trooper (except for the lousy GM garbage 2.8L V6...) because of the massively upright seating and that giant green-house cabin... Seems like trucks these days just don't have that no matter who makes them.

To be fair though, comapred to my old 1st Gen 4Runner... Both the Toyota and the Nissan feel like modern luxury cars in terms of NVH/ride etc... Frankly, I just like old trucks more then anything made in the last 15 years I think (yeah I'm a young-old curmudgeon like that ).

SO back to the OP: Seems like the Nissans are getting a pretty big thumbs up from all those here who have them. I think though that the newer version of all the Nissan trucks are far better then the last gen. trucks and X's, the old X's are "noodly" feeling and flat out not too great IMO. The New Nissans seem to have solved ALOT of the flex issues and the trucks are completely re-invented now, not to mention IMO they fianly look bearable (1st Gen Fronty's dn X's are not something I like the looks of)

It's sad too that Toyota has gone away from their massively overbuilt frames like they have under my truck... Toyota used to blow the Nissan HB/Pathy out of the watter in terms of built quality, chasis strength and longevity, but recently they've just "wussified" their trucks a bit too much (at least in N.America)... Sad, VER SAD...(good on Nissan for bring back the toughness, but BOO to Toyota) time to go back to their roots. Oversized frames, tough engines, simple interiors etc.(and how about a Diesel from either comapny).

Cheers

Dave

 

[Cypher]

^^^ I am totally with you on the old trucks Dave! :victory:

I would love to have one of the old Toyota trucks (before they were called Tacomas). Those things are tough to beat...

 

[mcm4090]

Gotta completely disagree with you there...THe Nissans are far more car like in every way compared to the Toyotas counterpart... Really, in the dirt, to me there is no comparission the Toyota Tacoma is a far better truck off road, the Nissan is the clear winner on the road...

Ive driven both and I stand firm on this assertion. IF I weer buying a truck that was goign to be used 99% on-road I'd think about the Nissan, but in terms of building a trail rig that see alot of trail time I would go with teh Toyota 10 times out of 10...

Of course I am going to disagree with your statement.
Toyota seem to be going backwards with the Tacoma making it weaker then the last. Nissan seems to be headed in the right direction making the second generation Frontier.
I myself am a former Toyota owner and can't understand Toyota's thought process in switching to a C channel frame and a plastic bed. Everywhere I look on the Frontier I see were Nissan has done a better job at building a stronger truck.

As for Toyota's reliability, well I work at one of their dealers and there isn't a motor I have not had to remove that was released after 2006. I don't want to sound like Toyota makes junk. They make great cars and trucks but they are no longer the far superior company they once were. Hopefully that will change.

 

[mcm4090]

Let try to get this topic back on trac instead of a toyota vs Nissan debate.

Hi

Any information {good or bad} would be very much appreciated!

I do like the value of Nissan's compared to Toyota's. The two I'm looking at, an '05 with 56K and a '07 with only 27k on the clock. Both are DC NISMO's, when did they go to a larger body?

Thank's Mark

The Gen2 Frontier came out in 2005.
In 2005 the factory bedliner and the utili-track system was not standard on KC Frontiers. I don't remember when they were made standard but either 2006 or 2007 on the KC NISMO. The utilitrack system is a must in my opinion.

 

[UK4X4]

Nissan reliability my experience

ist generation 2 door pathfinder germany - owned for 3 years - 6 trips from Hamburg to Spain and back- zero breakdowns- just changed the cam belt

Nissan patrol 2 door swb 2.7ltr turbo diesel 4 years twice to spain from the UK changed the front leave spring rubbers and timming belt - no breakdowns

Nissan Patrol 4.2 ltr 2 door normally aspirated 1 clutch @ 240k miles.....

Nissan Patrol 2006 so far so good.........the only time I look under the bonnet is to clean the dust off 4.8ltr straight 6

 

[Gone2Baja]

Excellent information! Thanks to all of you, I'll be buying something soon I'll let you know what I end up with.

Thank again, Mark

 

[CoastalDefender]

I've had my 2nd Gen Frontier since Jan 2005.

Things gone wrong-
Left front axle seal
Left valve cover gasket leak
Primary drive line U-joints replaced
Secondary drive line U-joint replaced

And my Valve cover gasket needs to be replaced again.

 

[michaelross]

Aftermarket parts and accessories are just harder to find. Nothing wrong with Nissan.

I have a nissan and so far it's been doing great. But the problem is, I am having a hard time looking for aftermarket nissan pathfinder parts..

 

[RonapRhys]

Just to toss in my $0.02 - I absolutely love my Xterra. 07 OR 6spd. So far it's amazed me every time I've gone off-roading, especially now that I've got quality shoes on it. Mind you, my wife and I use it mostly as a Lab Cab, but we also end up taking several trips a year to see relatives that live several states away. The ride is comfortable, we can take the metric ton of crap that appears to always be necessary (and then the even larger amount of crap we end up with on the way back...), and it's a 4wd tent for me when off-roading. I slide the passenger seat forward, put in a small foot rest (the case from my circular saw, oddly enough), toss in a thermarest and I can stretch out completely.

Aftermarket parts are adequate and I've not found there to be a part that I'd want that I can't get at this time.

40K plus and not a single problem, as well.

 

[lamontagne]

Here is my rundown on our Nissan's...

Wifes got an 04 'X, she bought it new and currently has 90,000 miles. At 35K, the A/C compressor ate its self, the internalls just shattered for some unknown reason. Repaired under warranty. Last month the A/C stopped working again. Turns out, some of the debris from the first event lead to the eventuall destruction of the entire A/C system. $2100 to replace the compressor, condensor, cooler, dryer, and all the lines. Other than that, just routine maintainence!

My 05 Fronty CC, bought used with 28,000 in 07. Sitting at 65,000 right now. Only had one issue with mine, the timing chain guides wore prematurely and were replaced under warranty at 58,000 miles. This is common for the 05 and early 06 VQ engines untill Nissan fixed it.

 

[RMP&O]

Nissan reliability my experience

ist generation 2 door pathfinder germany - owned for 3 years - 6 trips from Hamburg to Spain and back- zero breakdowns- just changed the cam belt

Nissan patrol 2 door swb 2.7ltr turbo diesel 4 years twice to spain from the UK changed the front leave spring rubbers and timming belt - no breakdowns

Nissan Patrol 4.2 ltr 2 door normally aspirated 1 clutch @ 240k miles.....

Nissan Patrol 2006 so far so good.........the only time I look under the bonnet is to clean the dust off 4.8ltr straight 6

Yup...the Patrol is KING! Thing is we don't get them in the USA so unless youa re willing to import and drive a 25yr old Patrol it is a no go.

I know of many Patrols in Australia with 500,000-1,000,000 with only minimal repairs and standard maintanence. As far as the TLC vs Patrol arguement goes. The Patrol drivetrain is considerably stronger. The engines are comparable with the TLCs, about equal for the two. Patrols bodies are know to rot more than TLCs. The frame or chassis of the Patrol is considerably stronger. Trust me I have been around both of nearly all models over a 50yrs span. New old, trashed, stock, mdofied, just about everything for both trucks. Nothing aginst TLCs or no bash on them, it is also a solid well built truck.

That being said...I have a Taco, an 04. When I bought it in 07 it had 70k miles on it. We put a S/C on it, 7th injector kit, headers, bigger exhaust, URD small pulley, ect ect. I have had next to no issues with it at all with 30k miles on it now with the S/C. It took awhile to get it to stop popping a check engine light but now it is all set. It has been a really solid truck for me. I also once had a 87 TLC that I put 50k miles on and all that ever went wrong with it was the clutch M/C started leaking. I also own a 1983 Patrol that until the last few years was totally stock. It had 330,000kms on the clock and had the tranny changed out once from a Japanese import. Otherwise no problems at all except from neglect.

I know lots of Nissan guys who love the Frontiers, X-Terras and Titans. They swear by them. Personally I don't like the look of most of these trucks unless modified a bit.

Both companies make good trucks/cars. If you had bad luck with Toyotas maybe you got lemons? My only complaint about Toyota is their service at the dealerships. Their "master" mechanics don't seem to be masters. For example it took Toyota 4 times to finally get my power window fixed right. They replaced everything including the motor, regulator, ect and it still was broken. After all this it turned out to be a long screw in one of my speakers!