any thoughts on the titan?

[david despain]

still contemplating the whole new truck issue, sorry to bring it up yet again. this time im looking for any ideas or thoughts on the titan. my wife says if we are going to spend lots of money getting a newish truck why not spend just a little more and get a full size. im still kinda undecided between frontier and titan. so im looking for input and things i may not have already considered. plus no one has posted about this truck yet. thanks for your time

 

[datrupr]

If it were me, I would take that grant to spend extra money on an even newer Frontier. A little more manueverable, better fuel economy, better aftermarket support. But, that is just my opinion.

 

[david despain]

yeah the fuel economy is a big difference and really it might be the only sticking point vs. going full size, but it also means being able to pull a camper trailer equiped with enough stuff for the wife and 3 kids eventually.

 

[The BN Guy]

I haven't heard a bad thing about them. At least nothing significant. The engine will pull the daylights out of just about anything you put behind it. Tons of power. Enough for a fifth-wheel trailer.

 

[bigreen505]

Take a look at the Consumer Reports reliability data, I vaguely remember that it was pretty bad. Also check in with the service manager at a few local Nissan dealers, they tend to tell it like it is.

Aftermarket support for the Titans is growing, I think AC either is finished with their Titan parts or is close. If you don't really want a pickup, ProComp has a lift available for the Armada.

My problem with a lot of these huge trucks is that you have to make sure you can afford to pay the gas bill for the trips you want to take. I know some of the America full size trucks actually do pretty well on gas mileage, but no idea about the Japanese trucks -- not a knock, just don't know.

 

[articulate]

I've run into more aftermarket support for the Titan than the Frontier, actually. The Titan has been out for a year longer, which could be a contributing factor. Also, I get the impression that the Titan is an upsell from the Frontier since it's so much more truck for not much more money.

Many of us prefer the mid-size trucks for navigating trails, and because extra power is unnecessary (and potentially dangerous) for back country travel. The size of the Titan ought to be a major consideration, though. A wheel base of 139.8", overall length of 224", and a width of 78.8"; let's compare that to the famous H2 that has a wheelbase of 122.8", an overall length of 204" and a width of 81.2". She's a big truck for certain.

I use the H2 as an example simply because I believe we agree that it's a big vehicle.

To everything there is a yin and a yang: the Titan is big, but she can also tow serious loads and you gain superb interior space. But you'll trade nature's pinstripes for it.

 

[The BN Guy]

Have also heard that in either 2007 or close to that, a diesel engine will be optional.

 

[david despain]

I've run into more aftermarket support for the Titan than the Frontier, actually. The Titan has been out for a year longer, which could be a contributing factor. Also, I get the impression that the Titan is an upsell from the Frontier since it's so much more truck for not much more money.

i too have found there is more stuff available for the titans but i think the frontier is catching up pretty quickly. the "lots more truck for not much more" thing is a big factor with my wife

Many of us prefer the mid-size trucks for navigating trails, and because extra power is unnecessary (and potentially dangerous) for back country travel. The size of the Titan ought to be a major consideration, though. A wheel base of 139.8", overall length of 224", and a width of 78.8"; let's compare that to the famous H2 that has a wheelbase of 122.8", an overall length of 204" and a width of 81.2". She's a big truck for certain.


yeah its big alright, thats why initially i was drawn to the frontier. i have driven full size trucks my whole life so im ok with the size but i have been in so many situations where its a pain to park and turn around etc. but its just an inconvience, whereas if i go with a smaller truck then need the size for something it simply isnt there and never will be. hmmmm

I use the H2 as an example simply because I believe we agree that it's a big vehicle.

yeah i bet we can agree on a number of things about the H2.


To everything there is a yin and a yang: the Titan is big, but she can also tow serious loads and you gain superb interior space. But you'll trade nature's pinstripes for it.

yeah there it is in a nutshell, i really need to be able to get the 3 carseats in the back (if went with frontier it would have to be a double cab, but with titan i think the king cab would be fine espically with the cool wide opening doors) and potentially tow a camper trailer and provisions for a whole family camping trip. but 99% of the time i will be comuting to work or taking a lawn mower over to grandmas etc. i guess i need to get some good seat time in both. mark as always thanks a ton, that is some brilliantly worded wisdom.

 

[asteffes]

The Titan is big, heavy, beefy, incredibly stable when hauling or towing and very thirsty for fuel. It's a great truck for doing work but I think you'll find it's a bit too big for tight trails and too thirsty for long-range expeditions.

Are you also considering a Tacoma as an alternative to the Frontier?

 

[david despain]

i was considering a tacoma at first but the prices here in salt lake are outrageous for used tacos. i found an 03 double cab with 40k mi and the used car lot wouldnt go below 23 grand for it. i can get an almost new or new frontier for that kinda scratch. that seems to be just the way it is here. and i find the newer frontier interiors to be much more user friendly and comfortable. the aftermarket isnt there yet but its getting better all the time. as for milage and size, thats the only thing i dont like about the titan. but it might be a compromise im willing to live with. i will have to get the wife to drive both of them and see which will work better for her as well. and if three carseats wont fit in a frontier then i guess it really isnt a contest.

does anyone have any experince with any of the salt lake city nissan dealers or with the ken garff dealers?

 

[jim65wagon]

Of course we can always find people who have some experience. My father-in-law has a Titan, granted it's the first year model but; just for knowledge sake; ( and I believe every little bit helps) His has had about six sets of brakes Rotors and all in 50,000 miles. And just last month his front diff went out while driving in PA snow. Yes it was all replaced by Nissan but his has been a little troublesome. And it rattles in the dash. And its lines of sight are worse than my Tundra, I know I'm negative (can't help it) but I really would consider the Toy before any other truck on the market

 

[david despain]

from my research the brake problem was fixed by mid production on the 04 model year. but thats good info hear. i went and drove one yesterday....and i did like it. the captians chairs were very comfy and both the king and crew cab had lots of room and storage space. and the power! whoa i could get into all kinds of trouble there is a huge amount of available torque down low and i really like the transmission. i think the power plant and drivetrain is great(except for all the stories i hear about the rear end, also supposidly fixed by now). however, like you mentioned the line of sight wasnt great. and like others said the size and fuel economy is "sub-optimal". but all the fancy gadgets and cubby holes and stuff are pretty cool. the price is ok for a new truck but probably still too high for me and there are very few used 05s around. i still like the frontier and i guess it all depends on what my wife likes as well, she hasnt seen either one up close yet. i have nothing against the toyotas, originally i wanted an 03-04 double cab taco. the price and interior refinement is what kept me away from toyotas so far but somehow i ended up looking at new full size trucks so maybe i can look at used 05 tacos afterall. hmmmmm i just keep thinking and dreaming

 

[articulate]

I got to thinking...for that interior space "issue" you have, it's worth some time to check out the 05 and later Tacomas. I have no idea about the pricing, which also seems to be a major consideration for you, but I bet it has the space you need for those car seats.

A guy I work with dragged his feet with the car salesman on an 05 Titan. After 3 weeks he'd scored a sweet price. Car sales people are seriously trained in negotiating and subversive intimidation. Never, ever, ever, ever feel guilty about low-balling. Especially on last year's model.

 

[david despain]

i had that exact same thought about the 05 tacoma even before u posted! so a very quick scan through the autotrader revealed that they are quite a bit more than the frontier and in some cases as much as a titan. but they do look bigger than a frontier so maybe carseats would fit a little better. i think they warrant further consideration. but on the other hand i think i should just get a frontier so i can be like mark he is my new hero:bowdown:

 

[asteffes]

If you're looking at new Tacomas, inquire about a AAA discount. I have heard they can be significant, and well worth the $50-100 it costs to join. Sadly, I found out about this after buying my truck. I was able to get the truck itself for about $1k over invoice, and got my add-ons for dealer cost (including the shell!)