I guess somebody has to be first. I have an 06 4wd V6 6spd manual access cab TRD Off Road.
I will be the first to say that TOYOTA kicks all others ASSES!!! Can I say that?
All mudslinging aside, nissan is also japanese and they are good too. tacomas have their issues and so do frontiers. the manual trans is the biggest complaint. it shifts/feels a little funny but once you get used to it most people like it. it's unique. some of us also have some rattles that come from the manual trans. no one knows exactly what it is, apparently neither does toyota. other than that i love my tacoma.
nissan- the frontier and xterra are basically the same underneath so bear with me. the xterras have really bad rear diff locks. they are a piece of crap and many of em break. i'm guessing the frontier is the same in that regard. i have a friend with an xterra 6spd and he loves it. i've also seen frontiers in another forum with a rear squeaky suspension.
it's all in what you like and need. i would suggest taking each for a 24hr test drive. the dealer should also offer to let you drive it for 24 hrs and see how you like the vehicle whichever it is.
good luck.
GO TACO!!!!!!
oh ya, did i mention that toyota tacoma has owned the mid size truck market for a long time? this means lots of demand for aftermarket toys for our toys. more than you'll find for a frontier.

 

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/edm...son?basestyleid=100913042&styleid=100939927&maxvehicles=5&refid=&op=3&tab=print

 

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/edm...son?basestyleid=100913042&styleid=100939927&maxvehicles=5&refid=&op=3&tab=print

Whoa, whoa...what's up with that?

>>>>>"Rear Quarter Windows swing out"<<<<<<

My rear quarter windows don't "swing out." Am a missing something or are they? I would love for my windows to swing out though...:naughty:

Oh yeah, I had a 1997 King Cab for years and it was a great little truck. But when I test drove the 07 Frontiers compared the the 07 Tacomas it was clear. The looks on the Tacoma is far better IMO and the Frontier felt mushy at highway speeds, the back end swayed slightly. It may have been because I just had test driven the Tacoma and in comparison it felt loose.

 

come on now...a frontier...:lol:

 

Thanks for the responses so far, still looking for some more.

I do have a frontier now.. I was asking why I should switch. What are the problems besides the transmission? Any interior rattles? More advice would be great!

 

Off the top of my head, Tacoma is lighter. Frontier has issue with timing chain.

and just IMHO Tacoma looks better more aggressive although I do like the Frontier too.

 

Oh, also hear Tacoma has better cab and interior holds up better.


Although, if you plan on throwing large heavy things in the bed all the time you would be better off with Frontier

Threw a ford 9 inch rear in the bed and it rolled around took out chunks of my bed!

 

Ouch, that's got to suck!

What about lifts? Does the tacoma have a 4" lift? Also how much are the lifts costing? A nice and I mean real nice lift for the frontier was $1600 for a 3", I'm looking for a 4" or so cause I know 5-6" you have to cut into the frame.

Whats the difference between the models? I tried to figure it out, was kind of confusing.

 

I'd be using the truck for 4-wheeling as well as pre-running, which lifts are best for the tacoma? (price/amount of lift)

If you go to the official results of the 2007 Baja 1000, not one competitor drove a Nissan:
http://race.off-road.com/race/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=473504

there you go

 

A coworker has the new Frontier and I have the new DC Tacoma. His bed is one foot shorter than mine. His back seat/doors are not as big inside. He's a rather tall guy and big to boot and said he had trouble with the steering wheel on the Tacoma getting in and out. But he did like the Tacoma better overall but the getting in and out switched him over to the Frontier. Good luck on your choice, let us know what you end up with.

 

well drive them both and get what ya want

 

I think the fronty is a respectable second choice. It even has a better bed rail system. I've also heard that you get a lot more in the way of "accessories" at any given trim level, including the possibility of a sunroof.

But the reliability of the Tacoma, depreciation rate, and overall durability stand on their own very well. You do have to pay a bit more up front for the taco, but you will more than make it back in saved repairs, better resale, or both.

IMHO.

 

You do have to pay a bit more up front for the taco, but you will more than make it back in saved repairs, better resale, or both.

IMHO.

This is not necessarily true, I priced both, looked at both, test drove both. The Tacoma was hands down the better vehicle both for ride and comfort, performance was comparable but I like the way the Taco drove better. And when it came down to numbers the Tacoma was atleast a $1000 cheaper when similarly equipped. But I do have to say that the Frontier does have the option of a sunroof which I really wish Toyota would catch on to.

 

After my experience with Nissan with my 2007 SE-R, I would never buy, recommend, or even look at another Nissan product again. Ever.

 

Yeah! What he said;former Nissan 4x4 owner and after 2 trans. and motor rebuild you couldn't pay me to drive another one! Some 17 yr. olds problem now,poor kid. I love my 07' Prerunner,it smokes anything Nissan has on the road.

 

I have a 07' access cab 4x4 trd sport. I love it! I have been getting into some moderate wheeling since I have owned it and even stock it goes pretty much everywhere I have the balls to put it. Ordering my lift today, about 800 for the toytec 3" lift with OME shocks all the way around. From what I have read here though, you also need the total chaos upper control arms (about 600) to do it right and not have handling issues. I just had those delivered yesterday and am looking forward to hitting the harder trails in the next few weeks. There is TONS of info on lifts here on this forum so just search "lifts" or "Toytec" and you can get pretty much all the info you need on that subject.

 

I have a double cab V6 6speed off road. Love it 100k no big issues Service and go. Check me on this but I'm not sure if you can get a rear locker on the frontier. my cousin had everything I did on his nissan but didn't have a rear locker oh and his was automatic. I personnaly like the full rear passenger roll down windows. on the frontier there is about a 3" section that doesn't roll down. The short bed is only for double cab manual trans. Pretty sure the auto you can get the long deck, right? or you can't get long bed double cab auto with off road package? Toyotas tend to have a higher resale value than most other trucks. matter of fact I think the Pre-runner is highest. anyway my two cents.

 

You can get the locker on the Frontier. Its just not half as common as it is on the Taco

 

If you're looking at an access cab, then you're unlimited in your choices. If you're looking at the double-cab, then you're limited only if you want the long bed. You cannot get the TRD Off-Road with a DC Long Bed...only TRD Sport (limited slip) or SR5 (neither of these 2 have a rear-locker).

 

I was in the exact same boat as you, well in that I was deciding between the Frontier and the Tacoma. This is exactly what changed my mind:

Frontier - Couldn't get the exact model I wanted, Blue ext & int, 4x4 Nismo. I like to wheel, so that weak front axle in the Frontier scared me. It is heavier than the Taco and that helps the Taco get marginally better fuel economy. Even with a more powerful motor, I've raced a Frontier 6spd vs 6spd, my Taco owned it. Both rode very nicely but the Taco I bought had heated seats that the PO had the Dealership install. (Don't ask me how, I didn't care to ask haha.) Also the rear seats in the King Cab are an absolute joke compared the the back seats in the Access Cab. <- That was my biggest deciding factor. I need space for my dog man.

So basically I found a Taco that was certified pre-owned on a dealer lot that was 4x4 TRD Sport Access Cab and 6spd. It is Speedway Blue too which IMO, is a much nicer color than the blue Nissan offers. But the TRD Sport tires suck ass, especially in the snow. The driveshaft in my truck was FUBAR and gave vibrations throughout the truck (easy fix with a Tom Woods D/s). The lim slip was a better choice for someone like me because at the time I didn't know you could mod the locker in the Nismo and the TRD Off-Road to be on whenever. Finally, the dealership for Nissan treated me like a 10 yr old that was only interested in a joy ride. The Toyota dealership was awesome. The salesman was the coolest man I've ever worked with, and most importantly, I can honestly say I'm happy with my deal and my experience with them. When it comes time to find another vehicle...I know where I'm going.
Mike

 

I see some of you have the dealer install leather or heated seats, How are you getting this done?

I don't know if I stated but i'd be on the market for a AC 6SPD silver, most likely TRD sport

 

I see some of you have the dealer install leather or heated seats, How are you getting this done?

I don't know if I stated but i'd be on the market for a AC 6SPD silver, most likely TRD sport

all you have to do is ask, dealerships have vendors that install those items.

 

Test drove both. Nissan's front passenger seat was very uncomfortable for me and my wife (we are both 6'+). No leg room, glovebox too close to the floor.
Toyota was more expensive (they are overpriced in Alaska), but I found a good deal on the used one.
On another hand, Nissan has a fully boxed frame (Taco does not), and better rail system.

 

My uncle has a Frontier, and I am not impressed. The seats are very uncomfortable, the shift shock from 1st to 2nd is jarring, and he has been to the dealer multiple times with transmission problems. Once he finally gets it fixed he said he's going to buy a Tacoma.

My 2 cents.

 

If your gonna lift it just go with the procomp 6". It may cost a little more and yeah you do have to cut the frame, but if toyota installs it, you get to keep the warranty.

Check resale value as well, no one can beat a toyota on that. they are the best. plus the aftermarket support on a tacoma is better than a frontier too.

 

You really shouldn't skimp on the lift. If you are going to go for 3"+ lift you should really look into a decent set of coilovers some decent springs and shocks and then probably a new 1 piece driveline.

$$$$$


Definitely get a bed mat. Wish I had one :hammer:

 

Ya I wouldn't go a cheap way on the lift because I do 4-wheel and pre-run so I need a lift thats actually useful and good, How much are these lifts costing?

Also, for those who had the leather and heated seats installed, how much extra was that?

 

I do 4-wheel and pre-run so I need a lift thats actually useless and good, How much are these lifts costing?

I hope you meant to say useful...

Unlike some, I won't bash Nissan -- if the current Tacoma didn't exist, I would likely own a current Frontier. It's been a few years since we compared & drove both, but I recall a couple things. The Nismo we drove rode somewhat stiffly, but not much worse than our Off Road Tacoma. We were looking at doublecabs, and Tacoma is a clear winner with better seats & leg room, and much better access with wider doors -- larger rear windows too. I read somewhere that Frontier's headlights were marginal but Tacoma's were very good. Didn't drive the Frontier at night but I can tell you the Tacoma's H-4 headlights are superb on both high and low beam.

Though I've had no problems with my composite bed, I still like the idea of Nissan's all-steel bed -- and its fully boxed frame. Same goes for my rear drums -- they work fine but I'd prefer discs all around. And Frontier's heavy tailgate, while harder for my wife to operate, is surely stronger than my truck's lightweight unreinforced skin.

That said, I am still happy with my trucklet!

 

^ Yes useful, thank you for correcting my horrible grammer. LOL.

Any one else want to add pros and cons of the tacoma?

Maybe the price of the procomp 6" lift?

I'm still wondering how much people have paid for the leather seats/heated seats installed.

 

Does Nissan (or aftermarket) make a supercharger (or any FI power upgrades) for the Frontier?

At least you can supercharged a Tacoma (superchargers available from TRD, URD, etc) later on if you're itching for some more power but want to keep the warranty

 

^

Thats the thing. Frontier's have way less parts then the tacoma does. They do have a supercharger by stillen, but its over-priced and it doesn't even work correctly (I know of someone with one)

I'm just looking to get into a tacoma cause I know they are similar to the frontier, but they seem to have way more options and parts open if I want to do things to it. I'm just looking for the complaints and pros of getting one, as well as how much lifts cost.