2006 Nissan Frontier: Reformed Tacoma Customer
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Nissan knew they had a long way to go to gain sales margin in the small truck business. They looked at Tacoma and asked themselves how they could edge out Toyota in every way - horsepower, fuel economy, capacity, comfort, and still sell it for less. I thought it was unlikely, but now I'm a believer.
You can see from my other vehicle reviews that I've been driving a lot of different vehicles for several years. From my work truck that I drive 1,500 miles per MONTH, to other vehicles in the fleet that I drive when not using a truck to the rental cars that I drove all over the western US before finally settling one that one vehicle the one vehicle for 95% of my personal travel. That one vehicle is a 2006 Nissan Frontier with a Crew Cab and a short bed. I waited until I put 3,000 miles on this truck to start this review. Here's the story:
I was pretty much settled on a late model Toyota Tacoma. I have several friends that own and swear by them. The only problem I was having with buying one is that they don't depreciate, so you can't pick up a good used Tacoma at a typical depreciated price. Finally, last November I had a good down payment saved up and decided to buy a new Tacoma. On the way to the Toyota dealer I stopped in at a Nissan dealer because while researching small trucks for over a year I knew that the Frontier had gained a lot of ground and was getting the same ratings as Tacoma. First I drove a 2008. Then I asked to drive a used truck (not with the intent to buy used, but to see how much 2 years took out of the truck). I was shocked. Two years and 35,000 miles hadn't changed a thing. I spent several days driving trucks and finally went back to that used truck that saved me about $10,000 compared to a new Tacoma. I have to admit that I would have still gone with Tacoma if anyone could have found me a 2006 4x4 crew cab for $20,000 - now I'm glad that I was forced to make the hard decision to go with Nissan.
My first trip was a 10-day Christmas family visiting tour that took me through Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and back to Idaho. I was one of only a handful of vehicles that braved a blizzard across the Wyoming plains, and the whole time I gained more confidence in my new (to me) truck. I easily cruised through 10" of slush on I-80 that was closed within hours after my passing. In Utah I avoided a massive pile up with maneuverability that I've never felt before in a truck. On that trip, which included a lot of driving in 4x4 because of snow and ice, I averaged well over 20mpg. My kids (age 7 and 10) in the back seat never complained about comfort like they have in most of the other vehicles we've driven in the last 2 years.
A few more details, and then I'll let you go out and find your own.
I'm currently driving on snowy and icy roads in a town that doesn't believe in plowing the roads. I think that the crew cab and short bed are largely responsible for the traction that I'm getting. The weight is far better distributed than the more typical truck designs.
I was also sold on the 6-speed manual transmission option. It allows me to smoothly skip gears on the road, but also gives me a gear for every off-road or towing challenge.
My wife is begging for a husband in bed, so I'll add to my Nissan story as it develops.
Source: eBay Motors Reviews