School me on the Nissan Frontier

Andy J.

Andy J.

Doin’ it LIVE
Joined
Nov 5, 2005
Location
Winston
What does the NC4x4 community think about the Nissan Frontier? In particular, the 2016-2018 year models? I’m looking at 4-door medium sized pickups and the Frontier seems to be the only reasonably priced truck on the market.
 
They are cheap, and cheap for a reason. Pretty much the same truck they started making in 2007. My dad bought a 2018 last year. We drove several that were only a year or two old with low miles. Had you not told me the year/mileage, I would have thought they were 7-10 years old with 100000+ miles. Cheap plastic everything.

I would have paid more and bought a Tacoma and when I sold it, got more back.
 
Andy J. said:
What does the NC4x4 community think about the Nissan Frontier? In particular, the 2016-2018 year models? I’m looking at 4-door medium sized pickups and the Frontier seems to be the only reasonably priced truck on the market.
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Cheap is as cheap does

292k on ‘08 Tacoma minimal repairs (hub bearings, ujoints, shocks/struts) bought used was a former fleet vehicle can sell for more than purchased for, daily driven

haven’t seen a recent Nissan truck that can claim that

the ‘16 Tacoma’s had some issues (first year of new body and drivetrain), most everything was ironed out by ‘18
 
We've got a 2015, and a 2016 at work. They both have a weird deal with the transmission sometimes where it seems like the truck is stuck to the ground and it doesn't want to move. That hasn't caused any real problems as of yet. They are very comfortable trucks and I would recommend them.
 
I drive a 2017 Frontier for work. Our company got bought out a few years ago and because of that we went from F150's to Frontiers...ugh, bad call. They are only worse in every way. We had to install helper springs in all of them because they simply can't carry any weight, but that is only a band-aid and they don't help as much as they should. I carry less weight in mine than any of the other techs in my shop, and still the rear suspension bottoms out on slight bumps. The gas mileage is pathetic; the F150 with a V8 actually got better mileage. The paint chips at the slightest provocation; my hood is covered in paint chips just from normal road debris you get on the interstate. For long drives the seats are torture. The base model Ford electronics package is far, far better than the Nissan's. Nissan's CVT transmissions are renowned for crapping out way sooner than they should. Turns out that our new owners have a plan to make these trucks run 200,000 miles before replacement...mine is at 75,000 now after three years, and I will be shocked if it makes it to 150,000 without major problems. They are simply too lightweight to use as a work truck. If you are just planning to only haul yourself around in it then maybe it might be the truck for you, but honestly, I would pick a better used truck over this steaming pile of unfortunateness.
 
The trans fluid issues were for 05-09 or so.
Check out the frontier club forum. They are good trucks and there’s plenty high mileage ones. I have a 18 pro4x and it’s been good to go. It’s not as fancy or as refined as a taco but I like the body style and the simplicity of it. And I got mine 6-7 thousand cheaper than a comparable Toyota.
The leaf springs in the back will need an add a leaf at some point if you tow or haul a lot.. not a big deal and it’s an excuse to do a small lift .

I’m kinda surprised to see so many negative comments on a truck that’s been made since 2005. Also, there’s a lot of false info in some of the comments here as well.
 
Roughshod said:
I drive a 2017 Frontier for work. Our company got bought out a few years ago and because of that we went from F150's to Frontiers...ugh, bad call. They are only worse in every way. We had to install helper springs in all of them because they simply can't carry any weight, but that is only a band-aid and they don't help as much as they should. I carry less weight in mine than any of the other techs in my shop, and still the rear suspension bottoms out on slight bumps. The gas mileage is pathetic; the F150 with a V8 actually got better mileage. The paint chips at the slightest provocation; my hood is covered in paint chips just from normal road debris you get on the interstate. For long drives the seats are torture. The base model Ford electronics package is far, far better than the Nissan's. Nissan's CVT transmissions are renowned for crapping out way sooner than they should. Turns out that our new owners have a plan to make these trucks run 200,000 miles before replacement...mine is at 75,000 now after three years, and I will be shocked if it makes it to 150,000 without major problems. They are simply too lightweight to use as a work truck. If you are just planning to only haul yourself around in it then maybe it might be the truck for you, but honestly, I would pick a better used truck over this steaming pile of unfortunateness.
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Good thing the frontier doesn’t have a cvt transmission, in any trim level
 
I drove 2018 rental a while back....could've sworn I was in a 92.
 
Everything I found online says they haven't been redesigned since 2005. They don't have any of the new technology, which I am fine without. I'm more interested in reliability than having the latest tech gadgets. Whatever I end up with won't be my daily driver and I intend to use it for mild wheeling, some road trips, and pulling a small trailer on occasion. Nissan is a 'value' car brand in my mind. I have owned an driven many different Nissan cars and SUVs. They do not have the best interior or the most power or the best technology, but you get a lot of bang for your buck. My Altima had 250k on the clock when I sold it and my Versa Note has been reliable so far. I think I'm intrigued enough to go drive one now.
 
Andy J. said:
Everything I found online says they haven't been redesigned since 2005. They don't have any of the new technology, which I am fine without. I'm more interested in reliability than having the latest tech gadgets. Whatever I end up with won't be my daily driver and I intend to use it for mild wheeling, some road trips, and pulling a small trailer on occasion. Nissan is a 'value' car brand in my mind. I have owned an driven many different Nissan cars and SUVs. They do not have the best interior or the most power or the best technology, but you get a lot of bang for your buck. My Altima had 250k on the clock when I sold it and my Versa Note has been reliable so far. I think I'm intrigued enough to go drive one now.
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Mine has navigation and a touchscreen radio. A Rockford Fosgate sound system with a sub woofer. Heated seats. Back up camera and back up alarm. And a locking differential. Bluetooth with steering wheel controls. I wanted the truck for its simplicity as well and they are reliable trucks. To me this truck has plenty of options and I am very happy with what I have. I did not want a bunch of new technology crap inside the truck to end up going bad in 3 to 5 years.

I also have dual climate control as well
 
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