After my car was totaled in a accident, I purchased a 2011 Chrysler 200 from a neighbor for $700 for a temporary ride. What pile of crud that thing is.
Anyways, the local Nissan dealership will sell me a new Frontier with the 4L V6 and four wheel drive for $28,995, the Tacoma of same specification is $9000 more.
Is the Nissan a false economy? Both trucks are brand new. I will be trading in the Chrysler
I visited both Nissan dealership and Toyota dealership today.
The Nissan dealership tried hide an additional $4800 in dealership fees over their advertised price, so told the Nissan dealership I would think about it.
Then went to Toyota dealership with my Costco membership car buying program and I got a $4000 off the list price of the Tacoma through Costco, then the Toyota dealership offered me $2500 trade in on the Chrysler 200.
In the end I paid $800 more for the Toyota, but it might be better deal in the end.
I do keep my cars well maintained, I owned same Plymouth Reliant between the years 1988 and 2020, before the Plymouth became a bit too rusty. However it made great Red Green Project.
I say, don’t muddle your deal with a trade-in. Get rid of your trade-in externally!
Next, Nissan Frontiers are not as shabby as you hear, … they are not Toyota, but, I venture to say, bit better than good enough!
In addition, … if you good at bargaining, you should be able to shave a serious amount off the asking price. While with Toyota probably zilch.
Anyway, … I would at least try this approach. You never know, … that nine grand more for Toyota may be something like ten to twelve grand range, … but you have to bargain hard! fwiw.
F.S.
When you say new are you taking about 2021 MY? There is a new MY 2022 Frontier coming out and I would avoid first years model of any new generation (even Toyota’s). Also, Nissan did introduce the new 3.8L V6 for 2020 MY (which is direct injected) - avoid that and stick to the true and tried 4.0L V6. The 4.0L V6 was only offered up to and including 2019 MY, so I would stick with 2019 MY or earlier with that engine.
How long do you plan on keeping the truck and with what mileage? If you tell me <150,000 or <200,000 miles then the Nissan Frontier should be OK and you will save quite a bit. Also, don’t get 4x4 unless you absolutely need it - keeping it ‘simple’ will help with overall reliability as well. But if you tell me >>> 200,000 miles and until the wheels fall off, then get the Tacoma.
The Frontier is a good truck and will last a long time. The Tacoma is a better truck and would last longer. It comes down to how long you plan to keep it for.
Frontiers are decent, but if you can get a Tacoma for only $800.00 more than that is the way to go. Good job on keeping a Reliant running all those years.
The Tacoma is always a great choice. Sometimes more expensive up front, but always worth it in the long run.
Tacoma but don’t get taco form Mexico
