Titan or Armada?

1badz06 · 07-01-2004, 07:33 AM

Ok I own my own company and when the 05's come out (if I can wait) I plan on getting a titan, then last night my friend said why get a truck when you could get a SUV? The armada is really nice too. I just looked in the window and liked what I saw. So my question is... If you could get either one with one would it be and why. My dad has a truck I can use any time if I need to haul something big. I also dont go off roading that much, just on gravel roads...but having a truck is so nice sometimes. what do you think?

Mark

Quad T · 07-01-2004, 07:40 AM

It's all up to you and your needs. For me I rarely if ever carry passengers thus no big need for two extra rows of seats. In addition, when I need to move stuff or get stuff at home depot I like having the ability to toss it in the back without worrying about scratching the trim plastic or ripping a seat or getting something dirty.

GemInI · 07-01-2004, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quad T

In addition, when I need to move stuff or get stuff at home depot I like having the ability to toss it in the back without worrying about scratching the trim plastic or ripping a seat or getting something dirty.

Agreed. Its nice not having to worry about folding seats down etc. Im sure its a breeze with the armada tho.

adjmcloon · 07-01-2004, 09:34 AM

I wrestled with this for a while before I bought my Armada. At the time I was in a regional band and had to carry 5 guys plus a 12' cargo trailer. I have since left the band, but actually it's nice to have an SUV if you carry items that need protection from the weather. We still use the SUV for it's purpose. It sure is nice to have the room to carry 4-6 adults comfortably while going out to dinner, etc. On the other hand, if you don't carry people around much it is very nice to have that open bed to just throw stuff into.

The thing about the Titan that ultimately decided it for me was it's length. The Armada is no sports car, but it is a pretty good bit shorter than the Titan and I find it easier to park. Even though the Armada is a big vehicle, it doesn't really feel so big driving/parking. I can't say I felt that way about the Titan CC I drove. Of course, it could just be me.

Like others have said, it's really up to you and what your needs are. I would certainly go for a more recently-built Armada because the early ones had some quality issues (squeaks and the roof resonance issue). If you shop for one, open one of the back doors quickly while looking at the roof. If it jumps up and down when opening the door, it has the resonance issue. They can fix it under the TSB issued, but certainly it would be better to get one without it in the first place.

I really like mine overall. It certainly kicks the crap out of my 2000 Tahoe. The engine and drivetrain are amazing, so you're going to be in good shape regardless of which one you choose.

Good luck!

1badz06 · 07-01-2004, 09:58 AM

I had a 2001 tahoe, could you tell me the better stuff about the armada? How is it on performance? And what size wheels are those? how is the ride? I still like the way the truck looks. I do have lots of friends and I love to cruise around with the windows down full of people. Still havent decided between 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive?

thanks for your help, it really makes me think about what I need.

Mark

Bayou Titan · 07-01-2004, 11:06 AM

Why get a SUV when you can get a Titan? The Titan can seat six and carry tall and grimy stuff that you would never put in a SUV. You can carry motorcycles, four wheelers, refrigerators, washers and dryers, large pieces of furniture, landscape plants and trees, dirt and mulch by the bulk, garbage, fire wood, broke open bags of fertilizer, big pieces of lumber, gas cans full of gas, wet dogs, fish and game that you catch, deer stands, lawn mowers and lawn equipment, mountain bikes, banquet tables, patio furniture, sacks full of crawfish, muddy boots and shoes, and a whole lot of other stuff. I have hauled all of this stuff and none of it would go into a SUV. Unless you consistantly haul more than four people, I would get the Titan.

titanwild · 07-01-2004, 11:18 AM

Don't know about elsewhere, but when I bought my Titan, the Armada was running about 8-10K more expensive than Titan here in Dallas Ft. Worth. But If I were in the market for an SUV, I know what it would be.

1badz06 · 07-01-2004, 11:47 AM

Titan can seat six and carry tall and grimy stuff that you would never put in a SUV. You can carry motorcycles, four wheelers, refrigerators, washers and dryers, large pieces of furniture, landscape plants and trees, dirt and mulch by the bulk, garbage, fire wood, broke open bags of fertilizer, big pieces of lumber, gas cans full of gas, wet dogs, fish and game that you catch, lawn mowers and equipment, mountain bikes, banquet tables, patio furniture, sacks full of crawfish, and a whole lot of other stuff.

that is true and I do hunt and fish....

Mark

Drew · 07-01-2004, 12:27 PM

Mark,

If you fish, having a truck is niiiiice. Throw all the smelly, wet gear and bait in the back of the Titan and don't worry about the smell or getting things dirty.

StumpZ · 07-01-2004, 12:41 PM

I traded in my '01 GMC Yukon because carrying stuff was a pain. Plus, the Titan is huge inside. If you are active and do outdoor stuff go with the Titan. With the money you save you can buy accessories!

Xterra · 07-01-2004, 03:13 PM

Just my 2 cents, I'd get the Armada.

adjmcloon · 07-02-2004, 11:21 AM

If you hunt and fish then to me the Titan is a no-brainer. I'm a fisherman too, but it's easy enough to throw whatever in the boat. I also have a cargo trailer that I can haul whatever in. Of course it's up to your needs. If you haul people a lot, get the SUV. Otherwise I'd get a crew cab Titan and have the best of both worlds.

Regarding the difference between the Tahoe and Armada, 1st of all I'd say the powertrain is the biggest improvement. I found the Tahoe pretty underpowered when hauling people and a trailer. Even with a bunch of mods, it still was kind of anemic. Ok when driving alone, but the Armada is much smoother. That 5 speed auto is silky! It was quite an adjustment going from the Chevy trans (which was fine) to the ultra-silky Nissan. No doubt this vehicle will last.

The ride is better thanks to the independent rear suspension. And then of course, there's quite a bit more room and overall I'd say it's a bit quieter than the Tahoe. Don't get me wrong- I really liked my Chevy, but the Nissan is a more refined, updated vehicle.

The only thing I miss about my Tahoe that the Armada doesn't have is the way it handles power to the radio and accessories. In the Chevy I could take my key out and still sit and listen to the radio, etc. for as long as I wanted as long as the door stayed closed. With the Nissan it will shut off all power after 45 seconds or so, regardless of whether I opened the door or not. A minor complaint, but one nonetheless.

Towing with the Armada is super, super sweet. Pop on the trailer, and within a minute or so it levels out the rear end. (Mine has the tow-package and leveling suspension) Power is plentiful, and when pulling my 5000# 6x12 cargo trailer I literally almost forget it's back there. The Armada tows unlike any SUV I've driven. I like the trans temp guage and trans cooler included with the tow package that the Tahoe didn't have.

The window operation on the Armada takes some getting used to- as they auto roll up/roll down feature is pretty touchy, but after some practice it become 2nd nature. Boy those buttons are sensitive!

The radio sucks, but then don't all factory radios? I just got my bezel in from UPS so I can install my Premier 930 and satellite radio. Can't wait to get some 12's and my MB Quarts in the doors. As quiet as the cabin is, the new system should sound sweet. Also I will have all of the doors dynamatted to further decrease cabin noise. I'm also going to get some sound deadener applied to the wheel wells and select underbody sections.

And then of course, there's the look factor. I have never had so much attention drawn from a vehicle. I can't tell you how many times I've had people stop me wanting to know what the vehicle is and break their necks trying to look inside. All reponses have been positive. What's really funny is that I've had several people all say "What is that, a Cadillac?" hehe As a side note, I was planning on buying a GMC Denali before I saw the Nissan. The Escalade is cheezy...just a souped-up Tahoe and not worth the $$$ I liked the Nissan better by far even though it's not in the same "class".

Good luck with your choice. Since the Titans are cheaper and you seem to have need for an open bed, maybe that's the way to go. On the other hand, SUV's are nice too. I get about the same MPG as a lot of the Titan guys are reporting. One time I got 22 somehow (all highway) but that hasn't happened since. Usually hovering around 15-16 in a combo driving situation.

Let us know what you decide!

smoke_armada · 07-02-2004, 11:30 AM

My wife told me that if I was going to get a truck that was this much nicer than her (2002 Altima) it better haul ALL of our kids. So the pickup was out. I did want the Titan though, but marriage is full of compromises.

Plus, I don't have a comfortable enuf couch to have taken the hit for an unauthorized titan purchase.

This Armada is a great car.

Roll on.

Bayou Titan · 07-02-2004, 04:19 PM

I think the best of both worlds would be for one spouse get a SUV (Armada) and the other a truck (Titan), then you would have both a people hauler and an everything else hauler. I'm trying to get the cars in my family on that type of vehicle ownership cycle. I have a 8'X10' utility trailer that I use a lot and I would highly recommend Armada owners who still have the desire to have Titan-like hauling capability to get one. I like this size for several reasons: 1) It costs only $700.00 brand new. 2)The tongue weight is light and you can move it around easily by just picking the tongue up. 3) It "tracks" directly behind your tow vehicle-no wide turns needed etc. 4) It has a ramp gate so you can roll heavy stuff like refrigerators right up on it. 5) It is short, so to park it at a restaurant, Home Depot etc. all you have to do is find two parking spaces end to end and pull straight through. 6) Because it is short enough to fit in your garage, you can pre-load stuff the previous day and it is protected from rain and theft.

PA Titan · 07-02-2004, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoke_armada

My wife told me that if I was going to get a truck that was this much nicer than her (2002 Altima) it better haul ALL of our kids. So the pickup was out. I did want the Titan though, but marriage is full of compromises.

Plus, I don't have a comfortable enuf couch to have taken the hit for an unauthorized titan purchase.

This Armada is a great car.

Roll on.

You shoulda had more self self control and limited yourself to 4 kids.

I have a Titan so I could be prejudgiced. As a single guy I went with a KC Titan because it was the perfect compromise for me. I ignored the Armada because of the cost difference and I just don't generally like SUVs as a whole. However if you have a trailer and need to carry more than 6 passengers then you will need an Armada.