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shiftless Newbie
Joined: Jul 08 2007
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Posted: Jul 08 2007 at 5:23pm | IP Logged
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Hi All,
I'm new to the forum and also new to trucks. I am now looking for a replacement vehicle (my '91 Accord still works well but is getting a bit long in the tooth) and am seriously considering an intermediate pickup as my new day to day driver. I decided that the utility aspects of a truck is worth the trade-off for the not-so-great gas mileage. So far all that I've read about the Frontier is generally very positive and so I'm leaning toward this vehicle. It also looks to have the best overall value for such vehicles. The model I'm considering is a crew cab as I need a four door vehicle, a 4x4 to get me through the winter, I haven't decided at this time whether it will be and SE or LE model or for that matter on any other options as yet. The one major question I have about the Frontier is whether to go with a short bed or long bed version. The long bed it would seem would have added utility, and in my opinion looks better proportionally but I'm concerned about the turning radius. This question is something I know that's been kicked around in the various forums but I still don't have a good feel for what the difference is. It would be good to know what current owners have experienced in this regard. Is the long bed going to be a bear to maneuver in parking lots and other tight places? Is the turning radius of the long bed very much worse compared to the short bed version or are they both just not very good (so I might as well go with the long bed)? I'm not use to driving trucks so I would like to get an idea of how different the two versions are.
Thanks in advance for any responses.
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lakota Moderator Group
Nissan Frontier Forums Moderator
Joined: Feb 14 2005
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Location: U.S. - Texas
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Posted: Jul 09 2007 at 1:39am | IP Logged
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..
shiftless;
If the front end geometry is equal the long wheel base will have a longer turning radius. It’s a shame they don’t make parking place stretchers. Just get something you will be happy with and welcome to the group.
Have a good one while you can still laugh about it.. Don S..
__________________ PLEASE >>> A SIG similar to mine can be VERY HELPFUL to all the members!
'99 4x4 3.3 Frontier Se KC Auto, 48,000 miles
'76 4x4 401 Wagoneer QT
'04 FWD 1.8 Sentra '08 FWD 2.4 Camry LE
Fort Worth
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DrKwan Newbie
Joined: Mar 16 2007
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Posted: Jul 09 2007 at 1:52pm | IP Logged
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I have the long bed CC. Yes, it is tough to move about tight parking lots. Yes, I back into most spaces so as not to stick out. No, I would not go short bed for my needs. Yes, I agree with you about the proportioned look.
I love my truck, and consider the turning radius a compromise, but one well worth the extra foot.
__________________ Chance favors the prepared mind
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AZTera Newbie
Joined: May 05 2007
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Location: U.S. - Arizona
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Posted: Jul 09 2007 at 10:17pm | IP Logged
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I have a 2002 CrewCab Long Bed and I do agree with DrKwan. The turning radius definately takes some getting used to, I still roll up on curbs taking sharp corners. But I definately like the hauling capacity.
Good luck with your search, Nissans are good trucks.
__________________ 2002 Frontier Crew Cab 4X4 V6 Longbed - Tera
1994 HB 2WD Standard 4Cyl - Siggy (long gone)
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kcidmil Moderator Group
HI! My name is Ben and I have Car ADD.
Joined: May 02 2005
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Location: U.S. - Utah
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Posted: Jul 10 2007 at 7:28am | IP Logged
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I'll tell you this much, after driving my current truck around for the past year, a CC long bed Frontier would be easy to manuever.
I used to own a Chevy Colorado CC with a short bed. If you haul stuff, you really won't want a short bed. One of the reasons I bought the long bed you see above. Nice being able to drop whole sheets of plywood in the back. Or fit a 250cc Blaster with all my camping gear and firewood in as well.
__________________ Fight back this year, do your Tax Return in Roman Numerals.
05 Toyota Tacoma X-Runner
90 Nissan Maxima SE
12 Nissan Xterra S
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EB_05_NISMO Groupie
Joined: Jan 31 2007
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Location: U.S. - Connecticut
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Posted: Jul 10 2007 at 7:34pm | IP Logged
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Test drive both and decide which one you would prefer.
__________________ 2005 Electric Blue Nismo King Cab 6spd 4x4
Bassani Aft-cat Exhaust, Injen Powerflow Intake, ScanGuage II w/ Blendmount
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shiftless Newbie
Joined: Jul 08 2007
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Posted: Jul 12 2007 at 8:52pm | IP Logged
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Thanks for the responses. I will definitely get some test drives in as soon as I can get some time to do it proper (maybe renting one for a day would be worth it if I can find someone local who rents them). Should be interesting to see how I handle a truck without having driven one before (sheltered life I guess ). Whether long bed or short, I'm liking the Frontier from all I hear about it. I'll let you know what happens.
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unvmyvw Newbie
Joined: Jul 19 2007
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Location: U.S. - Washington
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Posted: Jul 19 2007 at 1:25pm | IP Logged
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I just bought a new CC LB 4x2 and haven't had too many problems manuevering. It is really that bad? I had read it was, but during the test drive, it didn't seem that bad. I can imagine DT Seattle being a challenge to parallel, though!
__________________ UNVMYVW
Real dubs do it horizontally!
'07 Nissan Frontier CC LB 4x2
'02 Jetta Wagon GLS
'66 Beetle
'74 Super Beetle
'74 412 Variant
'74 412 Variant
'74 412 Variant
'74 412 4DR
'74 Bus
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shiftless Newbie
Joined: Jul 08 2007
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Posted: Jul 19 2007 at 9:17pm | IP Logged
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I took a test ride of a short bed LE and liked it very much. Comfortable, solid handling, easy to drive, nice interior. Drives a lot like an SUV. Did some full lock circles in a parking lot and it turned pretty tight. Didn't have a chance as yet to test out a long bed, that's next on the agenda. This had the 4.0 engine and it does have some get up and go but I did notice a bit of hesitation when getting a move on from a stop. Is this typical? Also this was a 4x2 whereas I'm leaning toward a 4x4. Wondering if a 4x4 would have in anyway different handling characteristics.
Also, just curious, it seems everyone tells me to buy a Ford F150, this seems to be a favorite, at least around here, but the edmunds and kelly blue book types don't rate it that high. Anybody do a real world comparison between the two?
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jhueffed Newbie
Joined: Apr 11 2007
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Posted: Aug 11 2007 at 11:17pm | IP Logged
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I have a crew cab short bed and was firt concerned that it wouldn't be large enough to haul stuff. However, I now have one of those bed extender tailgate add-ons and it works great. I've hauled lots of stuff with it. With the tailgate down and it flipped back, the truck bed is back to a normal length bed.
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