Someone Please Convince Me..........

Gman · 06-23-2004, 06:11 PM

I have been torturing myself over the prosepct of buying a new truck. I've come down to the Titan and the F150. If it were a car, no problem - buy the Nissan. I've had a bunch of Nissans before and they've all been good, but I've been reading these forums for the past week or two and now I have doubts. The only thing I would buy from Ford is a truck, and before the new F150 came out I wouldn't even buy one of those.

They both just seem so close. I'm a loyal Nissan guy, but the Ford seems more substantial especially inside. Of course, I'd have a hard time believing that that Ford driveline is better than the Nissan but I'm no expert.

Can any of the Titan loyalists make the case for the Titan over an F150?

wolf2050 · 06-23-2004, 06:28 PM

I just bought my Titan two weeks ago but have been a long-time Nissan loyalist like you. If you can forgive me not being brief, this would be my explanantion to you:

I purchased a new 1997 Ford F150 Supercab and suffered through the typical first year recalls but had no catastrophic problems. In January of 2004 I found a strong gas smell coming from my F150 - checking the internet I soon found a fuel pump return line recall issued two years earlier. Happy as a clam I took it to the dealer for the free repair and was soon presented with a $ 300.00 bill. Seems as if my "dealer" had signed off on inspecting the fuel line leak and Ford said they were no longer liable for the repair. I called every Ford rep from Alabama to Dearborn - they all parroted the company line: "We checked this two years ago and it was not leaking then - we are no longer liable" No one seemed to believe that a faulty part should be REPLACED - not inspected.

Fast forward to my recently purchased (and quite used) 1990 300ZX. I took it to the local Nissan dealer for a timing belt replacement and was told that there was a recall on a major electrical component. Expecting to hear the worst, I asked how much? The service manager said " No charge - I just wanted you to know that we took care of it"

Moral of the story? Nissan stands behind their products. Ford, on the other hand, expects you to pay for their mistakes.

PA Titan · 06-23-2004, 06:59 PM

Test drive comparable trucks (if their is such). On paper the Titan has many seemingly small advantages (305 horsepower,379 ft lbs of torgue, 5 spd trans. ,etc VS 300 hp 365 ft lbs of torgue 4 spd trans. , higher cost, heavier weight-700 lbs on the packages I compared online. In the real world Titan has the same safety rating as the f150 but costs less, with more power and better fuel economy. The only reason to get the f140 is if you need a striped work truck under $20k. Fords new truck is really only slightly better than their old one.

peanutbutter · 06-23-2004, 07:04 PM

Titan vs. F-150

This is not a direct comparison, but very good testimonials indeed. Go with the Titan. You will not regret it. As you can see in my testimonial, I have had problems and would still purchase this truck in a second. I was a Ford boy. However, I was converted with a test drive and good dealer service.

Gman · 06-23-2004, 07:06 PM

Thanks. Since I have never personally owned a Ford (family mambers have) I have more loyalty towards Nissan because they have been good to me in the past. I bought a first year Sentra (2000) and Altima (2002) and both have been good. A couple of recalls, but nothing has ever been really wrong with them. Had a 94 Altima and a 87 Sentra - same thing. I just get cold feet when I read all these problems. There are a lot of people that swear by Fords though. I don't know whether its blind loyalty or they really have a good track record.

Hopefully, if I do pull the trigger on a new Titan I won't have to test the patience of the Service Dept.. I just can't decide which I'd be better off with.

Gman · 06-23-2004, 07:07 PM

Thanks PB - I'll check it out.

37L1 · 06-23-2004, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gman

I just can't decide which I'd be better off with.

Test drive both?

Read the problems with the new Ford on their forums?

There should be no question.

Stop the needless torture. Buy the Titan and smile!

37L1

PA Titan · 06-23-2004, 07:10 PM

I have 7000 miles on my Titan with no problems other than the low differential fluid one. The Titan makes driving fun- much better than my old Ford ranger. I almost feel like driving to work everyday.

Gman · 06-23-2004, 07:18 PM

Actually I drove a Lariat. Good ride, nice interior, but I was a little disapointed with the 5.4 engine and it's probably about $5k more than a comparable Titan. The Titan had much more balls and reminded me of my altima - tight handling and lots of power. Can't say much about the Titan's interior though - but if you buy a truck for the interior, you should be buying something else IMHO.

Bayou Titan · 06-23-2004, 07:37 PM

I have the Utiltrack and the side cargo box. It is unbelievable how often I use these two things. You can tie down anything with the Utilitrack system and a couple of straps in minutes. I used to hate securing cargo in my truck, now it's fun! I like keeping the grimy stuff in my side box. I don't have to worry about messin' up the interior with oily gloves, ropes, tools, straps, and other stuff. The F150 interior looks nice but substance is what counts. I like the steering wheel audio controls, gated shifter, and other goodies.

Gearman1987 · 06-23-2004, 07:59 PM

I loved my 2002 f-150 4x4 super crew and it's 5.4 engine - well at least I thought I did. Then I drove the Titan and bought it the next day. That was March 17th. My f-150 is still on the lot (3 months later) at the dealership - go get it! It will leave one more Titan for someone who wants a truck with balls! I have over 8,000 miles on my Titan XE (which the XE has more standard features than my Ford XLT) without a single complaint or regret. My ford had more annoying crap wrong with it, even after years of model refinement, interioir door rattles, a mirror that never worked right, blown thermostat, annoying little non-sense. I too have been a long time Nissan guy, sentra, maxima, and still have a 2001 pathfinder - go with the Titan - you'll love it!

jimcav · 06-23-2004, 08:29 PM

the only thing the ford wont pass is a gas station

Bayou Titan · 06-23-2004, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimcav

the only thing the ford wont pass is a gas station

Or a Titan. Or a repair shop.

radiokid · 06-23-2004, 08:54 PM

Be brave....walk forward

TITAN UP !! · 06-23-2004, 10:04 PM

I have been test driving all of the big boys for the past three months. The Ford F-150 Lariat is a nice truck with a very nice intereior. I do compliment them on a nice job with comfort. Lacking power seriously,it says 300hp but I did not feel it. I looked at the engine and could have sworn it had a plastic intake.

The Chevrolet is a nice truck too but had little in the effect of making me want it. Good power though. I was torn between the GM product and the Titan. Price is what made my decision on that. Titan has much more power and room.

Toyota Tundra,well made truck,fit and finish is very nice,good rebates with the Toyota but still more than the Titan,not a true full size and has more of a car feel. Decent power but no tourque. It would make a nice family truck.

Never went near the Dodge,just too many bad memories of past Dodges.

The Titan over all was the best TRUCK, drives very well,lots of room and good options,Fun to drive with loads or power and tourque,It has given the others a serious contender and onece the others find out that htis is a truck to be reckoned with they will be sweating it. The fun factor and the price with the options available made my mind up. You can get the Titan at invoice as long as you are willing to stand your ground.BUY THE TITAN and you will not be sorry.

Hope you make the choice and join the club. You do what makes you happy and be happy with your purchase. I chose mine this week and will be in it next week. Good luck.