Ft. Lauderdale Auto Show & no closer to a decision

[rob_s]

I just came back from the Ft. Lauderdale Auto Show, and wouldn't ya know it, they had a Nismo Frontier parked nose-to-nose with a Sport Taco. They were basically both set up exactly as I want, with only the color being off (and even then it was Silver, which would be my second choice). I was hoping that the show would help me finalize a decision, but it left me even more confused.

As I see it after today

I prefer the way the rear seat on the Frontier folds up leaving the entire floor empty. Much better solution than the Tacoma, but admittedly the seat is more comfortable in the Toyota. Since I'm not actually riding back there, I'm not sure how much I can about how comfortable it is.

I also like that the Frontier has a locking tailgate and glove compartment, even if the glove compartment is awfully damn small.

The rail system in the bed of the Frontier was nice too. It allows the bed extender to be slid all the way forward to stow completely out of the way, or locked at any point along the bed to use as a divider. Cool feature.

The Tacoma has a bigger center console and glove box, and the center console/armrest is in a much better position than that in the Frontier.

The dead-pedal in the Tacoma is also much more comfortable and more out of the way, making for a larger footwell.

I'm really much more torn than I was hoping to be. I had all but settled on the Tacoma, but that rear seat thing is my current sticking point.

[xrunnrcanada]

I'm really much more torn than I was hoping to be. I had all but settled on the Tacoma, but that rear seat thing is my current sticking point.

Wouldn't a guy be more concerned with drivetrain, ride quality, resale value, build quality in a truck or you find they are both pretty even at par ?

I used to work at nissan and in the last 5 years have come out with some spectacular vehicles. I noticed the nissan v6 was a little more stout and prefered the nissan automatic to the yota. It is a tough choice but i think id stick with the yota for now, hard to see how they will hold up in 5 years.

[ochatesme]

Yota all the way, although I do agree that the Frontier looks a lot better now than it ever did before. I can't rag much on Nissan though, my first truck ever in high school was an 86 Nissan Hardbody 4x4 and that thing was put through hell and back and went 200k miles on a stock motor, trans, and clutch. I'd have to test drive both and make a comparison before making a final decision though.

[rob_s]

Originally Posted by xrunnrcanada

Wouldn't a guy be more concerned with drivetrain, ride quality, resale value, build quality in a truck or you find they are both pretty even at par ?

Yes, I don't see much of a difference. I do think the Frontier has a lower resale, but that's not as much of an issue for me. I'm more concerned with how happy I'll be with the vehicle day-to-day.

[elwinna]

When I was looking at buying my truck a couple years ago I couldn't even find a Nismo locally to look at. That sold me on the Tacoma since there was no Nismo to drive. When I drove the Tacoma I fell in love with it immediately so there was no regret ever. I don't know how easy it is to get the Nismo now but its something to consider since you are having trouble finding the Tacoma you want. If you need help or names to contact for buying your Tacoma just PM me. I got mine at Kendall Toyota and my sister has gotten 2 Tacomas and a Camry at Germain Toyota in Naples. If anyone can get you the one you want they can and at a good price.