Posted: Mar 24 2007 at 5:37pm | IP Logged

Hello! I'm new here.

I just traded in my 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 for a 2007 Frontier SE King Cab 4x4, with a 6 speed manual.  I'm used to a full sized truck - but at 12 mpg, and a rather small garage, I wanted to downsize just a bit.  This truck was a nice compromise, size-wise.  Not too big, but not too small.  It's also the first new vehicle I've ever purchased.  I was going back and forth between the Tacoma and the Frontier, finally ended up settling on the Frontier.

I do have a few questions that I'm hoping some people here can answer.

1. The 2001 Frontier had quite a difference in towing capacity between manual and auto transmission.  (only 3500 with a manual, as compared with 6000+ with an auto).  However, the 2007 lists the towing capacity at ~6500 without differentiating between manual and auto.  Was the manual transmission beefed up?  I don't do a lot of towing, but I do some.. and would like to know whether the manual tranny in the 2007 is well built and up to the task.  I can't seem to find much (any) info on it at all.

2. What exactly is the difference between a nismo and standard 4x4?  I don't do any serious offroading (though I do live in minnesota, and have to navigate the occasional blizzard).  Should I regret not getting the nismo, for every day driving?  I was at the upper end of what I was willing to spend, and just couldn't justify it.

3. I'm being very nice to it, as it's still in its break-in period.  But for some reason the 4.0 just doesn't seem as snappy as I had thought it would be.  I had a 5.9L in my dodge, which was only rated at 241hp, and 260ish torque.  So in theory, this lighter, more powerful truck should leave it in the dust.  But that just doesn't seem the case as far as I've pushed it - however,  I'm not letting the RPM much over 3000, as part of the break-in.  Is there a big difference in power beyond that?

4.  I have the anti-slip 4wd feature.  What exactly does that do?

All in all, I love the truck.  I'm giddy to be driving a manual again, and I love how it handles.  Coming from that big ol' dodge, it's nice to easily slip in and out of parking spots.. and there's more room in my garage.  But I can still see over the cars in front of me, and still have no fear of getting stuck in whatever mother nature throws at me.  And I'm paying a lot less for gas, to boot!  All in all, I think I made the right decision between this and the tacoma.  I'll have this truck for quite a while.

~B

Posted: Mar 24 2007 at 7:24pm | IP Logged

I will try and answer some of your questions the best I can, and hopefully a others will help out if i leave any holes.

1. I know there is a difference b/w 2001-2004 models towing capacities in regards to the M/T and A/T however, it wasn't rated at 6000+ lbs, the max tow rating was 5000 lbs for the A/T and 3500 for the M/T

Below is the capacities for towing listed on www.nissanhelp.com for the 2007 Frontier, all models

Towing

King Cab

Crew Cab

4x2

4x4

4x2

4x4

XE

SE

LE

NISMO

SE

LE

NISMO

SE

LE

NISMO

SE

LE

NISMO

Maximum Capacity (lbs)

3,500

6,500

6,300

6,300

6,100

Tongue Load (lbs)

350

650

630

630

610

GCWR (lbs)

7,936

11,133

as you can see, there is a difference still in towing capacities b/w models but as you noted, it doesn't seem to list a distinction b/w trannys. The other thing to look at is the gear ratios which can also be found at www.nissanhelp.com

2. I think the nismo gets a little bit different suspension parts, such as shocks, but I could be way off, not very versed on the nismo edition other than I know it has 16-wheels, I believe the shocks are the Nismo Bilstein shocks

3. Continue being nice to it, so it is nice to you, however I would disagree with you about it's power, my brother had a 2005 Frontier (which had very slight power rating advantage over the 2007) and I found it to be a very peppy V6, definitely outguns the Tacoma in that regard, also. I believe it's the strongest V6 in it's class, and smacks the 4.7 Dodge V8 in the face which is why I laugh at Mitsubishi Raider commercial which shows an unbadged fronty "peeing" on it'self after facing off with a raider..and better gas milage to go with a stronger engine. but that's my two cents

4. the anti slip 4x4, don't the rear diffs lock on the new 4x4's? someone else will better answer that for you than I.

Sorry that isn't much help, but hope it is a little information that's useful

Posted: Jun 10 2007 at 12:47pm | IP Logged

BillH.

Congrats on your new ride.  I'm waiting for mine to arrive next week (I hope).  The dealer said that it finished assembly last Thursday and they are rushing the shipping.

I'm getting a 2007 Fontier SE CC 4WD 6sp manual.  I test drove a manual and an auto and simply fell in love with the manual.  I think the mileage will be a tad better, two.  It does feel like driving a little sports car again.

I'm driving a dealer loaner 2007 model now....very nice...can't wait for mine to arrive, though, as mine will be a bit roomier without the sunroof that the loaner has.

I'm hoping for better than 20 mpg on my daily interstate commutes.  I'm also looking forward to owning a reliable vehicle that will last for hundreds of thousands of miles.  None of my Chevy trucks or Tahoe have been up to this challane without major work and aggravating repairs.

The four wheel limited slip along with the 4WD should help me reach most of my hunting spots, that, before now, I was having to use a four wheeler to get to.

Good luck with your ride.  I, too, tested the Tacomas quite a bit, however they simply do not have the legroom and girth that the Fontier does.  At 6'5" tall, I really can attest to the roominess of the Frontier.