Posted: Feb 04 2008 at 8:53am | IP Logged

I have had my frontier for a month and couldn't be happier.  Was a Tacoma driver before I totaled it the day before xmas.  In looking to replace it, the Tacoma's I found were either beat or overpriced, new and used.  To buy a new Tacoma  I would have had to spend over 5k more to get what was on my Frontier(08, KC, 6cyl, Auto, Value Pkg)  Even so if they were equally priced, I would have bought the Frontier.  There are a lot of little touch's  on the Frontier that the Tacoma does not have.  It rides better, is quieter and overall is a nicer looking vehicle.  Gas mileage, the jury is still out on that.  My first Tank I got a little over 15 MPG driveing around town, no trips yet. 

On Gas mileage, back with the first gas shortage, early 80's, Saab put out an article on how to improve gas mileage with a standard transmission.  According to them,with a 5 speed,  by shifting 1, 3, 5, skipping 2nd and 3rd gear you could realize a 10% improvment in gas mileage.  Even though you rev the motor higher in first and third gear you would get the improvment.  I know in my old Tacoma, 97, 3.4 ltr, 5spd, 4wd,  I got 24-25 consistently on a trip and and around town I shifted, 1,2,3,5.  Skipping 4th.and still got 21-22 mpg.   If you have a 6 speed tranny,  try different shifting patterns to see what works for you.  

08 Frontier KC SE 4WD

07 AValon

05 Suzuki Boulavard C50  

Posted: Mar 07 2008 at 12:07pm | IP Logged

I've had my '07 Frontier CC Long bed for just over a year now. 4WD, tow package. Overall, still very happy with it. My mileage stinks, about 14 - 16 mpg, although mostly short trips. Probably not really broken in yet, only 10k miles on it!

My biggest annoyances involve the HVAC system. Little things like it switches from recirc to out side air everytime you turn the fan off. Sometimes in the late spring/summer I just want the relatively cool outside air from the vents, but since the air intake sucks all the heat from the hood, thats just not possible. I really wish the floor level vents would actually direct air flow at my feet. My feet are always cold, and my eyes wind up getting roasted out of my face.

I always like riding with the windows open, but the way the air streams around the mirrors, it seems to come in sideways  right at the side of your head. It's so loud in your ear that you can't hear well, and actually blows the hat right off my head. This really sucks. Folding the mirror down changes the airflow so that doesn't happen so much, but...

My truck was affected by a recall of the ABS controller. Apparently the unit in my truck was intended for a 2WD truck. My HORRIBLE dealer had the truck for 16 days!! Lame stories about ordered parts not coming in, ordering extra parts, etc... And when I picked it up there was a puddle of brake fluid under the controller, and brake fluid all over the unit. Very sloppy. (Yeah, I gave them hell) Worst dealer I ever been to...

I have some of the front end noises I hear others talking about as well, but it seems like there is nothing that is going to be done about it...