bijanjames
Adventurer
This is not a Tacoma bashing post, having owned 3 first gens, and other Toyotas, I understand and appreciate their popularity. I detail cars in my garage as my second job. I usually only work on high end vehicles (I'm expensive), but yesterday a customer had a 13' Tacoma extend cab TRD 6 speed, with 39k on the clock. I haven't driven a 2nd gen in quiet some time, and was actually pretty excited to pick his truck up. Having had just driven my truck, I was looking forward to a comparison. First: The clutch had a very noticeable creak, I looked it up and found the tsb for the replacement of the clutch arm and master cylinder, no big deal. Second: The driving position was awkward and the visibility was compromised compared to the Frontier. Third: The ergonomics were, in my opinion, not as "clean" as the Nissan. The gauges are rather bulbous and don't give you as much information, i.e., no oil pressure or battery info. Fourth: The drivetrain has a significant amount of slack with the 6 speed, more than the Frontier. Fifth: I'm not a fan of the emergency brake, although that's what I was used to for years. Sixth: Rear drum brakes...Seventh: C Channel frame...
Now what I liked. First: The stick felt better than mine, shorter throws, and an overall quality feel. Second: The seats were very nice, great bolstering, and nice upholstery. Third: Factory rocker panel height is huge! In stock form the rocker panels are the same height as my truck with 2 inches of lift and slightly larger tires. Granted, the drivetrain hangs lower on the Tacoma, while the Frontier has all the drivetrain between the frame rails. Fourth: The front IFS layout is a better design, more down travel, and ride compliance. Fifth: tailgate is much lighter, I have no idea why the Frontiers tailgate has to be so heavy.
All in all its a shock to me why the Nissan is out sold 4 to 1. It's all in the marketing I guess. The reliability on both trucks, according to consumer reports, edmunds, etc...is the same. Consumer Reports only recommends the Frontier out of the two. There both great trucks, you really can't go wrong with either, but I highly recommend a back to back test drive before making your decision.
Now what I liked. First: The stick felt better than mine, shorter throws, and an overall quality feel. Second: The seats were very nice, great bolstering, and nice upholstery. Third: Factory rocker panel height is huge! In stock form the rocker panels are the same height as my truck with 2 inches of lift and slightly larger tires. Granted, the drivetrain hangs lower on the Tacoma, while the Frontier has all the drivetrain between the frame rails. Fourth: The front IFS layout is a better design, more down travel, and ride compliance. Fifth: tailgate is much lighter, I have no idea why the Frontiers tailgate has to be so heavy.
All in all its a shock to me why the Nissan is out sold 4 to 1. It's all in the marketing I guess. The reliability on both trucks, according to consumer reports, edmunds, etc...is the same. Consumer Reports only recommends the Frontier out of the two. There both great trucks, you really can't go wrong with either, but I highly recommend a back to back test drive before making your decision.
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