Frontier, Tacoma or Prius?

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: handyman
Guys, My old Nissan Frontier got crunched a few days ago. I’m thinking of replacing it with one of these cars.
(1) Nissan Frontier. I’ve had different Frontiers for the last 22 years. This last one lasted 13 years.
(2) Toyota Tacoma. I really like Toyotas and would like to try this.
(3) Toyota Prius. Gas mileage.


I like either of the trucks if you do plan to haul stuff with any regularity. I haven't owned a Frontier, but did own a Hardbody and it was indestructible. My father-in-law has a 1995 Tacoma with 220k miles on it and it's been a very good vehicle as well.

I like the idea of a Ranger if you can get an awesome deal on it. I've driven countless Rangers and have never been impressed with them as daily driver vehicles. They are reliable, yes, but not very refined. Engine NVH is often poor, and the interiors don't speak to me. From this perspective, the Toyota offering will be superior, but also more expensive. It just depends on what you want to pay for and what you don't. If I were buying a used truck as a 3rd vehicle to haul stuff, I'd probably consider a Ranger, but not for something I'd drive every day. But like I said before, I suppose if I could get 50% off MSRP for one...maybe.

I'd also throw in the Chevy Colorado here. Under no circumstances would I own one (we have three at work, and I don't like them at all), but that doesn't mean they wouldn't be a good fit for you. Interior quality on them isn't great, but engine NVH, even with the I-5, is pretty good, and the transmission shifts well also. The body structure is very jiggly.

Be sure to test-drive all of the small truck offerings before making a choice, and don't restrict your choices to just one or two brands. Drive them all and see what works best for you. We can all tell you what we'd buy, but the best truck for you is one that will fit you and your lifestyle the best.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd

I like the idea of a Ranger if you can get an awesome deal on it. I've driven countless Rangers and have never been impressed with them as daily driver vehicles. They are reliable, yes, but not very refined. Engine NVH is often poor, and the interiors don't speak to me. From this perspective, the Toyota offering will be superior, but also more expensive. It just depends on what you want to pay for and what you don't. If I were buying a used truck as a 3rd vehicle to haul stuff, I'd probably consider a Ranger, but not for something I'd drive every day. But like I said before, I suppose if I could get 50% off MSRP for one...maybe.

I'd also throw in the Chevy Colorado here. Under no circumstances would I own one (we have three at work, and I don't like them at all), but that doesn't mean they wouldn't be a good fit for you. Interior quality on them isn't great, but engine NVH, even with the I-5, is pretty good, and the transmission shifts well also. The body structure is very jiggly.


My primary problem with the Ranger/B-series is legroom in the standard cab. With the seat all the way back, my knees bump into the dash. Don't want to know what happens in a frontal collision.
The interior didn't seem so bad on the B2300 SE5. It's essentially the same as the Ranger except for the seats and steering wheel airbag. I didn't like not having a Japanese style wiper stalk on the right side of the column but a shifter goes there on an automatic equipped B-Series/Ranger so I guess that makes sense.
Also didn't like the side facing jumpseats in the back of the B2300 SE5. My kid probably would have been fine. Countless kids have ridden back there for decades now. But I prefer a regular seat. I just feel better about it.

The standard cab Colorado/Canyon has better legroom. It actually feels like an older Isuzu or real Mazda made B-series (ie:B2000/2200)in legroom. The jiggly ride you described makes me wonder if they just didn't build the [darn] thing on old Isuzu pickup frames leftover at the Lafayette, IN factory.

I'm sure the Atlas 2.9 is a good engine. It makes 40 some odd horsepower than the Duratec/MZR....but it sure doesn't feel like it. It makes quite nearly the same torque and quite a bit more horsepower than the Ford's venerable Vulcan 3.0 that resides (or used to reside...the Vulcan is as obsolete as the Mazda B-Series) under the hoods of Rangers and B3000s but I swear the old pushrod Vulcan feels more powerful. The 3.5 L5 is better but it still feels down on power compared to the V6 Toyota and Frontier. Of course that's just feel. It could quite well be quicker than it's competition. But it doesn't feel like it

If gas mileage is not much of a priority (it probably is judging from the addition of the Prius to the list) I would include the Dakota. You are going to consume as much fuel as a Ram but you can actually fit the thing in your garage and it's easier to manage in a parking lot than a full-size.

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd

Be sure to test-drive all of the small truck offerings before making a choice, and don't restrict your choices to just one or two brands. Drive them all and see what works best for you. We can all tell you what we'd buy, but the best truck for you is one that will fit you and your lifestyle the best.

+1

 

[Ursae_Majoris]

I owned an 05 Tacoma, AT Double Cab, TRD Off-Road, short bed.

I would not buy another Taco. I had to have the tailgate replaced because it caved in when I stood on it and loaded stuff in the bed (I weight 200 pounds). Dealer told me that with Tacos you are not supposed to sit or stand on the tailgate and refused the repair. 6 mo. later TMC came out with a TSB for tailgates that told dealers to add 2 U-Channels inside the gate to stiffen it up. Dealer had to order all new tailgate for me and put reinforcements in and paint the gate.

Truck bottomed out with 500# in the bed until Toyota came out with a TSB for 3+1 springs (still not standard on US trucks).

Thin paint chipped if you looked at wrong, thank you California and EPA.

Had to replace FP shock--it was leaking @22K miles. TMC paid just for one, not the front pair, so rebound rate was a bit different.

I was fortunate that all these problems occurred in the 3/36K window, otherwise they would not have been covered.

Undercarriage rusted like crazy.

Google "collapsed Taco engine mounts", if you do any hard-core four-wheeling.

Inside room was great (I am 6', my wife 5'11"), both front and rear seats. Stock radio was just fine. I got 17+ MPG in 100% city driving. Rear locker was great off-road.

I still miss having a truck, though.

PM me with any questions.

 

[FXjohn]

You can get the chevy colorado with a V8 now too. something to think about.

 

[Ursae_Majoris]

Just one more thing to add. My buddy had a new style Frontier (traded it in for a Titan--bought a bigger trailer). I've ridden in it many times. I'd say it was a more solid than my Taco. The only drawback (and it pertains to ALL Nissan cars/trucks), the glovebox was too low for me.

My legs could not fit under it properly.

PS ABS on new Tacos is horrible. I almost pulled the ABS fuse (like many Taco owners). It is too sensitive. I've slid thru many intersections in Taco. After 20 years in AK I know how to drive in snow and ice. That was the worst snow/ice vehicle I had, despite the dedicated studded snow tires on all 4 corners.

 

[fdcg27]

You have a pretty broad range of choices.
If you want fuel economy, price out the Prius, the Yaris and the Fit. Consider the difference in allocable depreciation between the Prius and the other two in deciding whether the Prius has a sufficient fuel economy advantage to offset its higher acquisition cost.
If you want one of the two small pickups, buy whichever you can get a deal on. I'm guessing price would be pretty close, with the Nissan maybe being a little cheaper, so buy the Nissan, particularly since you've had years of good experience with them.
Just my couple of pence.

 

[123Saab]

Originally Posted By: Ursae_Majoris
I owned an 05 Tacoma, AT Double Cab, TRD Off-Road, short bed.

I would not buy another Taco. I had to have the tailgate replaced because it caved in when I stood on it and loaded stuff in the bed (I weight 200 pounds). Dealer told me that with Tacos you are not supposed to sit or stand on the tailgate and refused the repair. 6 mo. later TMC came out with a TSB for tailgates that told dealers to add 2 U-Channels inside the gate to stiffen it up. Dealer had to order all new tailgate for me and put reinforcements in and paint the gate.

Truck bottomed out with 500# in the bed until Toyota came out with a TSB for 3+1 springs (still not standard on US trucks).

Thin paint chipped if you looked at wrong, thank you California and EPA.

Had to replace FP shock--it was leaking @22K miles. TMC paid just for one, not the front pair, so rebound rate was a bit different.

I was fortunate that all these problems occurred in the 3/36K window, otherwise they would not have been covered.

Undercarriage rusted like crazy.

Google "collapsed Taco engine mounts", if you do any hard-core four-wheeling.

Inside room was great (I am 6', my wife 5'11"), both front and rear seats. Stock radio was just fine. I got 17+ MPG in 100% city driving. Rear locker was great off-road.

I still miss having a truck, though.

PM me with any questions.


I never had any issues with my 03 ranger, Just for a comparison.

Luck? Maybe?

Either way, I know a few Taco ppl that really like theirs.

 

[FXjohn]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
You have a pretty broad range of choices.
If you want fuel economy, price out the Prius, the Yaris and the Fit. Consider the difference in allocable depreciation between the Prius and the other two in deciding whether the Prius has a sufficient fuel economy advantage to offset its higher acquisition cost.
If you want one of the two small pickups, buy whichever you can get a deal on. I'm guessing price would be pretty close, with the Nissan maybe being a little cheaper, so buy the Nissan, particularly since you've had years of good experience with them.
Just my couple of pence.


I can't imagine buying a honda fit instead of a truck. ugh.

 

[Ursae_Majoris]

As long as I used my Taco as a mall crawler it was OK. But the moment I started using it as a truck, it started having problems. Truck was rated for 1100#. It bottomed out with 500# of paving stones going 50 MPH on a highway.

Pre-05 Tacos were built much better.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: FXjohn
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
You have a pretty broad range of choices.
If you want fuel economy, price out the Prius, the Yaris and the Fit. Consider the difference in allocable depreciation between the Prius and the other two in deciding whether the Prius has a sufficient fuel economy advantage to offset its higher acquisition cost.
If you want one of the two small pickups, buy whichever you can get a deal on. I'm guessing price would be pretty close, with the Nissan maybe being a little cheaper, so buy the Nissan, particularly since you've had years of good experience with them.
Just my couple of pence.


I can't imagine buying a honda fit instead of a truck. ugh.


If most of the "truck" stuff is running to the mall to pick up smaller pieces of furniture, yard supplies, and the like, a Fit with a set of air helper springs is a good truck alternative. Ours has hauled 5'x4'x2' (LWH) furniture before with the hatch closed, and ~32 mpg doing so. The amount of cargo space in that car is astounding.