any thoughts on the titan?

[david despain]

:confused: still contemplating the whole new truck issue, sorry to bring it up yet again. this time im looking for any ideas or thoughts on the titan. my wife says if we are going to spend lots of money getting a newish truck why not spend just a little more and get a full size. im still kinda undecided between frontier and titan. so im looking for input and things i may not have already considered. plus no one has posted about this truck yet. thanks for your time

[datrupr]

If it were me, I would take that grant to spend extra money on an even newer Frontier. A little more manueverable, better fuel economy, better aftermarket support. But, that is just my opinion.

[david despain]

yeah the fuel economy is a big difference and really it might be the only sticking point vs. going full size, but it also means being able to pull a camper trailer equiped with enough stuff for the wife and 3 kids eventually.

[The BN Guy]

I haven't heard a bad thing about them. At least nothing significant. The engine will pull the daylights out of just about anything you put behind it. Tons of power. Enough for a fifth-wheel trailer.

[bigreen505]

Take a look at the Consumer Reports reliability data, I vaguely remember that it was pretty bad. Also check in with the service manager at a few local Nissan dealers, they tend to tell it like it is.

Aftermarket support for the Titans is growing, I think AC either is finished with their Titan parts or is close. If you don't really want a pickup, ProComp has a lift available for the Armada.

My problem with a lot of these huge trucks is that you have to make sure you can afford to pay the gas bill for the trips you want to take. I know some of the America full size trucks actually do pretty well on gas mileage, but no idea about the Japanese trucks -- not a knock, just don't know.

[articulate]

I've run into more aftermarket support for the Titan than the Frontier, actually. The Titan has been out for a year longer, which could be a contributing factor. Also, I get the impression that the Titan is an upsell from the Frontier since it's so much more truck for not much more money.

Many of us prefer the mid-size trucks for navigating trails, and because extra power is unnecessary (and potentially dangerous) for back country travel. The size of the Titan ought to be a major consideration, though. A wheel base of 139.8", overall length of 224", and a width of 78.8"; let's compare that to the famous H2 that has a wheelbase of 122.8", an overall length of 204" and a width of 81.2". She's a big truck for certain.

I use the H2 as an example simply because I believe we agree that it's a big vehicle.

To everything there is a yin and a yang: the Titan is big, but she can also tow serious loads and you gain superb interior space. But you'll trade nature's pinstripes for it. :)

[The BN Guy]

Have also heard that in either 2007 or close to that, a diesel engine will be optional.

[david despain]

[QUOTE=articulate]I've run into more aftermarket support for the Titan than the Frontier, actually. The Titan has been out for a year longer, which could be a contributing factor. Also, I get the impression that the Titan is an upsell from the Frontier since it's so much more truck for not much more money.

i too have found there is more stuff available for the titans but i think the frontier is catching up pretty quickly. the "lots more truck for not much more" thing is a big factor with my wife

Many of us prefer the mid-size trucks for navigating trails, and because extra power is unnecessary (and potentially dangerous) for back country travel. The size of the Titan ought to be a major consideration, though. A wheel base of 139.8", overall length of 224", and a width of 78.8"; let's compare that to the famous H2 that has a wheelbase of 122.8", an overall length of 204" and a width of 81.2". She's a big truck for certain.


yeah its big alright, thats why initially i was drawn to the frontier. i have driven full size trucks my whole life so im ok with the size but i have been in so many situations where its a pain to park and turn around etc. but its just an inconvience, whereas if i go with a smaller truck then need the size for something it simply isnt there and never will be. hmmmm

I use the H2 as an example simply because I believe we agree that it's a big vehicle.

yeah i bet we can agree on a number of things about the H2. :rolleyes:


To everything there is a yin and a yang: the Titan is big, but she can also tow serious loads and you gain superb interior space. But you'll trade nature's pinstripes for it. :)

yeah there it is in a nutshell, i really need to be able to get the 3 carseats in the back (if went with frontier it would have to be a double cab, but with titan i think the king cab would be fine espically with the cool wide opening doors) and potentially tow a camper trailer and provisions for a whole family camping trip. but 99% of the time i will be comuting to work or taking a lawn mower over to grandmas etc. i guess i need to get some good seat time in both. mark as always thanks a ton, that is some brilliantly worded wisdom.

[asteffes]

The Titan is big, heavy, beefy, incredibly stable when hauling or towing and very thirsty for fuel. It's a great truck for doing work but I think you'll find it's a bit too big for tight trails and too thirsty for long-range expeditions.

Are you also considering a Tacoma as an alternative to the Frontier?

[david despain]

i was considering a tacoma at first but the prices here in salt lake are outrageous for used tacos. i found an 03 double cab with 40k mi and the used car lot wouldnt go below 23 grand for it. i can get an almost new or new frontier for that kinda scratch. that seems to be just the way it is here. and i find the newer frontier interiors to be much more user friendly and comfortable. the aftermarket isnt there yet but its getting better all the time. as for milage and size, thats the only thing i dont like about the titan. but it might be a compromise im willing to live with. i will have to get the wife to drive both of them and see which will work better for her as well. and if three carseats wont fit in a frontier then i guess it really isnt a contest.

does anyone have any experince with any of the salt lake city nissan dealers or with the ken garff dealers?

[jim65wagon]

Of course we can always find people who have some experience. My father-in-law has a Titan, granted it's the first year model but; just for knowledge sake; ( and I believe every little bit helps) His has had about six sets of brakes Rotors and all in 50,000 miles. And just last month his front diff went out while driving in PA snow. Yes it was all replaced by Nissan but his has been a little troublesome. And it rattles in the dash. And its lines of sight are worse than my Tundra, I know I'm negative (can't help it) but I really would consider the Toy before any other truck on the market

[david despain]

from my research the brake problem was fixed by mid production on the 04 model year. but thats good info hear. i went and drove one yesterday....and i did like it. the captians chairs were very comfy and both the king and crew cab had lots of room and storage space. and the power! whoa i could get into all kinds of trouble there is a huge amount of available torque down low and i really like the transmission. i think the power plant and drivetrain is great(except for all the stories i hear about the rear end, also supposidly fixed by now). however, like you mentioned the line of sight wasnt great. and like others said the size and fuel economy is "sub-optimal". but all the fancy gadgets and cubby holes and stuff are pretty cool. the price is ok for a new truck but probably still too high for me and there are very few used 05s around. i still like the frontier and i guess it all depends on what my wife likes as well, she hasnt seen either one up close yet. i have nothing against the toyotas, originally i wanted an 03-04 double cab taco. the price and interior refinement is what kept me away from toyotas so far but somehow i ended up looking at new full size trucks so maybe i can look at used 05 tacos afterall. hmmmmm i just keep thinking and dreaming

[articulate]

I got to thinking...for that interior space "issue" you have, it's worth some time to check out the 05 and later Tacomas. I have no idea about the pricing, which also seems to be a major consideration for you, but I bet it has the space you need for those car seats.

A guy I work with dragged his feet with the car salesman on an 05 Titan. After 3 weeks he'd scored a sweet price. Car sales people are seriously trained in negotiating and subversive intimidation. Never, ever, ever, ever feel guilty about low-balling. :) Especially on last year's model.

[david despain]

i had that exact same thought about the 05 tacoma even before u posted! so a very quick scan through the autotrader revealed that they are quite a bit more than the frontier and in some cases as much as a titan. but they do look bigger than a frontier so maybe carseats would fit a little better. i think they warrant further consideration. but on the other hand i think i should just get a frontier so i can be like mark he is my new hero:bowdown:

[asteffes]

If you're looking at new Tacomas, inquire about a AAA discount. I have heard they can be significant, and well worth the $50-100 it costs to join. Sadly, I found out about this after buying my truck. I was able to get the truck itself for about $1k over invoice, and got my add-ons for dealer cost (including the shell!)

[Maddmatt]

Make sure you really check out how the 3 carseats fit. I had an '02 Taco Dbl Cab that I loved, but when our 2nd came along it became pretty tight. The car seats fit just fine, but the other "essentials" tended to fill it up. Books, dolls (2 girls), etch-a-sketches, diaper bag, snack cooler, basically all that other stuff that goes along with the occupants of the car seats filled that double cab up pretty fast. I couldn't even imagine it with 3.

Everybody has their own pet peeves, one of mine is stuff falling out when I open a door. Books, sippy cups, crackers, etc... all over the ground at a gas station in Rock Springs in the snow just sucks. We went back to the SUV route, but I still miss my Taco from time to time.

The '05's and up are bigger inside, but still, make sure.
Just my 2cents.
-Matt

[articulate]

i had that exact same thought about the 05 tacoma even before u posted! so a very quick scan through the autotrader revealed that they are quite a bit more than the frontier and in some cases as much as a titan. but they do look bigger than a frontier so maybe carseats would fit a little better. i think they warrant further consideration. but on the other hand i think i should just get a frontier so i can be like mark he is my new hero:bowdown:
So, one day I was eating alone at a busy Mexican restaurant when a fire truck parked and 4 firemen came in the restaurant. I was eating at a large table all by myself and they came out with plates in-hand. Said I, "Hey, why don't you fellas join me."

"Really? We'd appreciate it."

"Well, yeah. Who wouldn't want to eat with a group of heros?"

And another fireman spoke up, "You'll change your mind in a minute, when we start farting and talking about pussy." :xxrotflma

(No lie!)

Lucky you - should you get a Toyota - you'll have a much better selection of cool guys to glean from than me. :o

Seriously, if you've got three little Despains now, you've got to think about growth room too, yeah? You might need something like a Jeep Commander. You'd be the first on this board to have one! And the object of envy for many.... Matt made a good point there with all the stuff you've got to carry, too. No matter what, though, it always seems like you never have enough space.

I'd always thought that having one of those late 80s to early 90s Suburbans would be awesome on some 35" tires and loaded with the whole family. :)

Good luck with the hunt, though. Keep us posted.

Mark

[kcowyo]

.....all over the ground at a gas station in Rock Springs in the snow just sucks...... -Matt

If we're talking Rock Springs, WY - the whole town blows, literally and figuratively. ;)

Do you live in Rock Springs, WY? And have a white '88 FJ62.....?

[Maddmatt]

If we're talking Rock Springs, WY - the whole town blows, literally and figuratively. ;)

Do you live in Rock Springs, WY? And have a white '88 FJ62.....?

Yeah, Rock Springs WY, luckily I don't live there. I do have a champagne '89 62 though. Rock Springs is a common gas/potty break for us when on the way to better things.
-Matt

[kcowyo]

Love the 62's. :cool:

I had a white '88 that I sold to a "Mathew" in Green River. Thought you might be him.

You live in WY?

[david despain]

http://www.4x4parts.com/public_html/shop/shop_image/product/9861fe81da842982d5e37e1402870f86.jpg pretty cool looking i think. so in the last few days my wife and i decided to trade in my truck for a minivan then i get the discovery for a while until i can trade or sell it and get a truck but i think it will be a frontier when that happens. the fuel milage aspect is the thing that keeps bringing me back to the frontier, if i cant afford the gas to go driving none of the rest of this matters :D. of course nothing is set in stone until its sitting in my driveway. perhaps the whole carseat thing has been over emphasized by me then run away. it will be 99% of the time a daily driver for me about 30 mi a day commute to work and run around to haul the lawn mower over to grandmas or get a bag of dirt. so while it somewhat important to be able to stuff them all in there if i had to, they wont be in car seats forever and i very rarely would have to take all of them at once. usually just one or two.

[BajaTaco]

Nice! Personally, I'd like to see another Frontier around here to provide us with more real-world perspecive on them. So far I really like them.

[The BN Guy]

I'll see if I can't dig up a couple or get some Xterra's too.

[articulate]

Nice! Personally, I'd like to see another Frontier around here to provide us with more real-world perspecive on them. So far I really like them.


I'll see if I can't dig up a couple or get some Xterra's too.
BWAHA!

If these other Nissan vehicles can be BLACK, that would be most helpful.....we'll have a load of WHITE Toyotas and BLACK Nissans. It'll be hilarious. Snorkelize 'em, and we'll have one funny-*** photograph. :wavey:

[azskyrider]

Hello David,

My Brother has a 05 Crew cab short bed Titan 4x4 SE. Personally I really like the truck. My brother use it to haul the pop up trailer on our hunting and camping trips and as a DD. So far the Titan is quiet, smooth, and roomy. I really like it. I have a bunch of positives to say about it. Here are the only items that my brother has encountered that he would say are important to know.

1. The interior plastic is not of a high quality material as his Toyota. They scratch very easily.

2. The MPG is bad in Arizona as a DD. Especially in rush hour traffic.

3. The outside front tires are wearing really fast. He has had the alignment checked and made sure the wheels were not bowed. We did notice that the front tires lean quite a bit when turned which is probably why it has such great turning radius for a double cab. The Titan comes with 18" wheels so replacement tires are expensive. Nissan told him to rotate his tires every 3,000 miles or more frequently to fix the outside wear.

4. My brother picked up a bag of ice from the supermarket and left it on the passenger seat to drive 2 miles away. The condensation when it dried out left a water stain outline. He now has seat covers.

5. It is very wide that you get a lot of pin stripes where ordinarily a regular truck would not receive so much damage off roading.

All in all it is great truck. He has used it off road many times and it is really a roomy comfortable vehicle. Especially for the passengers in the back seats with plenty of leg, shoulder, and head room to spare. I really would like to have one for long trips but I think the big kicker is the MPG and the cheap quality interior plastic. I felt it more roomy than a suburban.

Cheers,

[jim65wagon]

BWAHA!

If these other Nissan vehicles can be BLACK, that would be most helpful.....we'll have a load of WHITE Toyotas and BLACK Nissans. It'll be hilarious. Snorkelize 'em, and we'll have one funny-*** photograph. :wavey:

Crap! That means I screwed up when I bought the Black Toyota!

[datrupr]

Crap! That means I screwed up when I bought the Black Toyota!

You bought it like that? From what I gathered on this board I thought white was pretty much the only color Toyota painted thier trucks. I thought it was a custom job:p :hehe:

[crawldit]

I've got a 2004 4-Door Titan LE. We bought it brand new in 2004 and have only had it in for warranty work once. Apparently we had one of the early models with the warped rotor problems but Nissan replaced everything and we haven't had any problems since. I have a 2wd so I can't comment too much about offroading. We have done some forest roads in it up north and the clearance of the 2wd mated with the side steps is absolutely terrible. The stock tires are nothing particularly great either. We only have about 15k miles on the Titan and have already replaced 3 out of the 4 tires because of flats. The interior space of the 4-door is amazing, and the leather seats are top notch. The only problem that we do have is the overall size of the truck....it massive! Parking it has always been an issue but I think most of my problem is that I'm used to parking my Jeep :beer: The engine has all sorts of power and easily tows my pop up A Frame camper. I have heard that the rear Dana 44 is not strong enough for the power that the engine puts out and some people have broken them but I have never had an issue. All in all I love the truck. My sister has a new 4 door Frontier and that truck is seriously just a miniature version of my Titan. If I had it to do all over again I might have just gotten the Frontier and saved myself like $10k.

[Den.]

The Titan? Rear diff problems, front rotor problems, rear seatbelts jammimg, Interior trim flaking/etc, though drivetrain is solid and most problems seem to have been solved. Some complaints about dealers honouring warranties also.

Check the Titan forums as even with the problems the Titan has a huge fanbase. There are at least two really good forums for it also.

I worked for Nissan at the time the Titan came out and though our Parts manager had a few problems, it was a real nice truck!

Most dif problems I believe you will find is people towing with less than 500 miles on the truck as the manual is VERY specific about NOT doing this!

Hope this helps.

[brettf]

Figure I'll throw in my input. This is long, disjointed and badly written... but this is my last forum stop for the night... too many posts to care :)

I own a 2004 Titan XE ("cheapo" model). 4 doors and 4WD. I love the truck. I hate the mileage, but that's to be expected from a full-size gas Nissan...

I use the holy sh!t out of it. 3 years and more than 70,000 miles... still going strong. I had the brake problem, which was fixed. That's the only real problem I've had with the vehicle. I take good care of the internals; changing fluids, watching levels, all that. I expect this vehicle to last a long time. Synthetic rear diff fluid first changed at 10K. No problems there, but I did hear of a few problems with rear diff failures... also of some diffs not being filled properly at factory. I think there may be a correlation, but who knows...

The OEM tires were crap. The BFG AT/As or whatever they are called that I have on now have been fantastic.

I spend a lot of time in deep snow and on rough roads. Not as much on true 4WD trails, but a little time there. I find the width of the truck to be a little tricky every now and again... occasionally I find it to be beneficial even, but that's pretty rare.

I'm not super-psyched on the suspension or the axles. I think it is slightly undersprung and I can see the axles being maybe a little underbuilt for true abuse... but I'm not jumping the truck out in the desert like some of the nuts out there (I think some of you have purchased products from PreRunner Greg, eh?). I think for 90% of the people out there the suspension is great. Does well enough off road and is very smooth on the highway. I may upgrade the suspension at some point for better high-speed bad road performance... but that's $$ better spent on other things at this point. It has a IFS for those keeping score, which is pretty standard on Nissan trucks... and most trucks these days, but for some that's a strike against the vehicle... I'm much happier with this than those I know who have purchased domestic full size trucks in recent years in terms of off-roading, general power, highway behavior, etc...

I replaced the bumper with a Kennesaw Mtn Accessories "Wincher" bumper because I hit a parking block and messed my bumper up pretty well. I wanted something cheap with a lot of strength, but didn't want to spend a lot of money. The bumper I bought is cheap (relatively), tough, a little ugly, and has the options I want. I got a reciever style bumper so I can attach a reciever post mounted winch when I need it. I also got holes put in the bumper to accomodate some 5" and 7" lights for better lighting. I had tabs welded on before it shipped as well. D-rings on the way. I'm working on fabbing up custom brackets to re-install the alum. skidplate to protect the steering hardware and feel better about being off-road again.

The cheap plastic liner I got with the truck was garbage. I put a proper bed-liner in there (Line-X) and a Leer shell that I had sprayed as well (got a killer deal on that one). I'm really happy about the ability to pressure wash the inside of the truck bed, top-to-bottom.

I'm planning on getting a Maggiolina (spelling?) rooftop tent on the topper one day. I'm just short enough to be able to fit into the bed to sleep (5'8" tall... but I have to sleep at a slight angle. the bed is 5'5" or 5'6"). I like sleeping in there well enough, but usually have a lot of gear so it is difficult. Usually bikes, skis, food, stoves, dogs, water, god knows what else... I've spent many a night in the cap stretched accross the back seats or even the front (with "bench" seat folded flat). It is too short to do it often, but does the trick for someone my height in a pinch.

The transmission is very smooth on the Titan. I think it is the same as is used on the Xterra's newer iteration. The engine is huge, gas guzzling, and fast. It can tow plenty and is really strong in 4-lo (no surprises there). I spend as much time on the highway as rough stuff, so I tend to get from one place to the next as quickly as possible. The truck is very smooth on the highway and the engine pulls great.

The interior in the nice version is pretty nice, but it is all overkill for me. I have the base-model with crappy cloth and plastic and am totally happy with it. Simple, intutive, ugly, easily repaired, etc... who needs nice mahogony **** on your dash while you are driving from Denver to Smithers, BC to AZ? I had one small tear due to my negligence... but maybe a tougher interior wouldn't have torn? I dunno. It's a truck afterall. Who cares.

All in all, aside from fuel economy, I'm pretty happy and would make the purchase again. If you need a truck that can haul a lot of gear and people with room inside to spare, that can 4 wheel reasonably well (with rear locker!) for a full-size pickup, it is a decent option. Plus it has an auxillary audio port and I can plug in an iPod. What more do I need??

I'll dig up some recent photos, but here's one with the truck in stock form, taken a couple of years ago at altitude... complete with hot-pink cast...
http://www.foncannon.org/logs/summer%202005/CAStruck.jpg
(taken pre-bumper replacement, post bumper damage (out of sight), pre-desert/mountain/urban pinstriping, pre-a lot of things actually...)

[calamaridog]

My impression is the Titan is the least desirable full size truck option. Nothing personal to anyone, but that is my .02.

I base this upon having driven in all the new truck offerings, except the new Tundra, which I sat in. My friend at work bought a Titan for himself and an Armada for his wife. Two years later and they are both driving something else, due to too much time in the shop.

While I really like the Frontier pickup, and would consider it alongside the Tacoma, I just don't feel the same way about the Titan. Hopefully time will prove me wrong and I'll hear more positive feedback from people like Brettf.

I really like my brother-in-laws new Dodge 1500. I feel the mid-model improvements were dead on.

[jingram]

If you are going to buy a full size vehicle, what is the point of buying one without a diesel. That means the Nissan and Toyota are both subpar compared to the domestics.

:peepwall:

[DaveInDenver]

If you are going to buy a full size vehicle, what is the point of buying one without a diesel. That means the Nissan and Toyota are both subpar compared to the domestics.

I do think that's a great point and I agree that we should be able to get diesels in more vehicles. However you can't get a diesel in a F150, Ram 1500 or the Silverado 1/2 ton either. That's the market in which the Titan and Tundra supposedly compete.

[brettf]

If you are going to buy a full size vehicle, what is the point of buying one without a diesel. That means the Nissan and Toyota are both subpar compared to the domestics.

:peepwall:

I certainly wish I had a diesel. I didn't really know better at the time though...

That being said, for someone who wants a new full-size truck and can't afford a diesel or doesn't want to deal with diesel for some reason, a gas engine is a good (if only) option.

Not sure your logic is sound with regards to toyota/nissan being subpar... I think I see what you mean, but that sounds an awful lot like sh!t talking for the sake of it. :)

[Haggis]

brettf, seems like your having better luck with your Titan than my Dad is. On the plus side :
-Great strong pulling motor and smooth trans
-Nice for those long trips over the interstate
-Does a great job towing
Now for the bad:
-Brakes and rotors are crap, 80,000 miles and on its 4th set. Nissan took care of the first two sets, Dad bought factory stuff the third, This time we are trying Powerslot rotors and EBC brakes, Mainly because they are half the price of the OEM crap.
-Rear diff went out around 40,000 miles
-Front axles snapped around 50,000 miles
-Rear door latches broke around 55,000 miles
-Exhaust rotted off behind the cat and radiator cracked along the plastic seam around 80,000 miles
-Nissan OEM parts are very expensive when compared to other brands

This truck is not wheel hardly at all and is used mostly for driving the old folks from one of my Dad's huntin' trips to another. Out West, Up North, down South, anywhere there's critters to get. It's an 04 crew cab with the Nismo Offraod package and the Big Tow Package. It sucks off road, never seems to be able to find traction and it sits way to low. We thought the traction issue was with the stock tires, so we switched to Toyo's with no real improvement. Dad's been driving off road for ever, you have to when your in the timber business, so he knows what he's doing with a rig.

He's had a belly full and wants to get rid of it.

[jingram]

Not sure your logic is sound with regards to toyota/nissan being subpar... I think I see what you mean, but that sounds an awful lot like sh!t talking for the sake of it. I own a Nissan (see Avatar) and have owned several, same with Toyotas and Isuzu and Jeep for that matter. It was a bit of a poke because I wish Diesels were more plentiful in the US.

:sombrero:

I don't think either of their offerings are subpar, far from it. In reality I was giving calamaridog, who made the post above mine stating that the Titan was the least desireable of the full size trucks, a hard time. IMHO though, if you are going fullsize, really what is the point of going with an Import offering? Domestic Automakers have that market down cold. Not to say there isn't any room for innovation, far from it, but if I was in that market, the Big 3... err was Big 3 would be on the top of my list. It is simply hard to beat the package offered with the towing power and fuel economy of a diesel package and I see no other good reason to own a full size vehicle besides their capability as heavy duty/heavy hauler platforms.


I do think that's a great point and I agree that we should be able to get diesels in more vehicles. However you can't get a diesel in a F150, Ram 1500 or the Silverado 1/2 ton either. That's the market in which the Titan and Tundra supposedly compete. Now this I can agree with. Both the Tundra and the Titan were designed to compete with "entry level" offerings from Ford, GM, and Dodge. Then again, if both Toyota and Nissan had a decent Diesel offering, it isn't like they need a new platform to make a Titan or Tundra "Heavy Duty". We all know that the only real thing that seperates at least the first and middle tier of full size trucks is the drivetrain and suspension. Interior/Exterior volume are nearly identical between identical packages (quad cab, standard cab longbed, etc.)

[edgear]

Being a Toyota guy myself, I was bummed when my dad recently sold his Tundra double cab & bought a Titan double cab. But after having spent more time around the vehicle, I'm starting to like it more. The interior space seems much bigger. And the lockable storage behind the rear driver side wheel is pretty darn cool. When he was getting ready to put on a camper shell, I encouraged him to get one with "windoors." Now he has a pretty nice setup. I was jealous on our last hunting trip when he was sleeping comfortably on his queen sized mattress in the back of his truck, and I was sleeping in the fetal position in the back of my 5' bed.

Personally, I wanted a small truck, so that's why I bought a Tacoma before they made the bigger body style in '05. But if I was in the market to get a non-diesel full-size pickup, I would seriously look at the Titan. I haven't talked him into taking it on a difficult trail yet, but time will tell...

[brettf]

brettf, seems like your having better luck with your Titan than my Dad is. On the plus side :
-Great strong pulling motor and smooth trans
-Nice for those long trips over the interstate
-Does a great job towing
Now for the bad:
-Brakes and rotors are crap, 80,000 miles and on its 4th set. Nissan took care of the first two sets, Dad bought factory stuff the third, This time we are trying Powerslot rotors and EBC brakes, Mainly because they are half the price of the OEM crap.
-Rear diff went out around 40,000 miles
-Front axles snapped around 50,000 miles
-Rear door latches broke around 55,000 miles
-Exhaust rotted off behind the cat and radiator cracked along the plastic seam around 80,000 miles
-Nissan OEM parts are very expensive when compared to other brands

This truck is not wheel hardly at all and is used mostly for driving the old folks from one of my Dad's huntin' trips to another. Out West, Up North, down South, anywhere there's critters to get. It's an 04 crew cab with the Nismo Offraod package and the Big Tow Package. It sucks off road, never seems to be able to find traction and it sits way to low. We thought the traction issue was with the stock tires, so we switched to Toyo's with no real improvement. Dad's been driving off road for ever, you have to when your in the timber business, so he knows what he's doing with a rig.

He's had a belly full and wants to get rid of it.

:eek: :eek: :eek:
Wow. Not good to hear. I've been somewhat active in a Titan forum and am aware of some of these problems on some trucks, but wow.

On the traction note, there are quite a few Titan owners running lifts who have installed traction bars because of axle wrap issues. Some people with stock suspension have done the same to eliminate (real or perceived) axle wrap as well. I have no complaints in that department whatsoever, lucklily.

Good luck to you guys getting rid of it or whatever happens with it.

[brettf]

I wish Diesels were more plentiful in the US.


Amen.

[vengeful]

brettf, seems like your having better luck with your Titan than my Dad is. On the plus side :
-Great strong pulling motor and smooth trans
-Nice for those long trips over the interstate
-Does a great job towing
Now for the bad:
-Brakes and rotors are crap, 80,000 miles and on its 4th set. Nissan took care of the first two sets, Dad bought factory stuff the third, This time we are trying Powerslot rotors and EBC brakes, Mainly because they are half the price of the OEM crap.
-Rear diff went out around 40,000 miles
-Front axles snapped around 50,000 miles
-Rear door latches broke around 55,000 miles
-Exhaust rotted off behind the cat and radiator cracked along the plastic seam around 80,000 miles
-Nissan OEM parts are very expensive when compared to other brands

This truck is not wheel hardly at all and is used mostly for driving the old folks from one of my Dad's huntin' trips to another. Out West, Up North, down South, anywhere there's critters to get. It's an 04 crew cab with the Nismo Offraod package and the Big Tow Package. It sucks off road, never seems to be able to find traction and it sits way to low. We thought the traction issue was with the stock tires, so we switched to Toyo's with no real improvement. Dad's been driving off road for ever, you have to when your in the timber business, so he knows what he's doing with a rig.

He's had a belly full and wants to get rid of it.

I'll tell you why. It's a 2004. Never buy the first year of a new model release. They are always full of bugs and problems. I bet you even got an early 04, too, with all the real bad brake issues.

Trade it in on an 07, and you won't have any of those issues. ;)

[Haggis]

I'll tell you why. It's a 2004. Never buy the first year of a new model release. They are always full of bugs and problems. I bet you even got an early 04, too, with all the real bad brake issues.

Trade it in on an 07, and you won't have any of those issues. ;)

It's my old man's truck, not mine and I would not have bought it. I never buy the first of anything, just not an early adopter I guess, Hell I'm an old school solid front axle guy, not to many choices in those these days. But then again a nearly $40,000 truck should not have these kind of problems and having talked to the Nissan manager at the dealership he bought it at, it seems this a recurring experience for many titan owners, not just the '04s. I don't know about you all but the pricing on new trucks is just getting out of control, I'd rather spend my $40,000 on a good rental property, and be collecting $500 a month than paying it to some bank. Nissan had their shot at the old man, I don't think they'll get another chance. He's considering a new Tundra, but when Ma saw the price on those that Nissan will have to last for awhile. What's funny is that his most dependable vehicle is his 79 Dodge 250 dumping flatbed, now that's a truck.

[vengeful]

I do agree that Full-Size truck pricing has gotten WAAAAY out of hand.

I priced out a 2008 Ford F-350 Superduty the other day..came out to just over $60,000. $60,000 for a friggin pickup truck! Outlandish!
:smileeek:

[jingram]

$60k? Are you kidding me? That IS outlandish!! :smileeek: What is the term on that thing? 120 months?

[vengeful]

Monthly payments were $1092 over 72 months - and that's through USAA!

Unbelievable....I'll take a $12,000, 120k mile 80-Series before that! :sombrero: