05 Titan or 05 Tacoma, Convince me!

ylekiot1 · 12-04-2004, 05:54 PM

Hey all.

I have been looking at a Titan now for about a year (this site for a year too)and was ready to buy a month ago. I saw exactly what I wanted on an 04 with the rebates. However, I decided that after seeing many issues with the 04's, I have waited now until the 05's are out in numbers. While waiting, I happened to see the new Tacoma. The 04 Tacoma and Frontier were too small and weren't even in the equation. Not interested on any Ford, Chevy or Dodge. Now that I have seen the larger 05 Tacoma, I am unsure which to choose. How comforatble are you with the 05 Titans as far as reliabilty? I think the Tacoma would be closer to my needs as far as overall use, gas mileage and resale. Another thing, the Nissan dealers locally here in Kansas City are not interested in dealing. There are few Titans around here. I think over the year I have seen less than 10 Titans. The dealers won't even think of getting anywhere near 600 over invoice for the 05's. I refuse to pay more. Convince me on the Nissan over the Toyota with your stories/experiences. I am won over on the Titan interior room and storage for the whole family and the Tacoma for gas mileage, reliability and smaller overall ease of drivability (since my wife will drive it too). Decisions, Decisions....

KY TITAN · 12-04-2004, 06:37 PM

Titan. why you say? value. the Titan gives you WAY more bank for the buck. Tacomas are pushin 30+k when loaded. Titans can be had for the same money and it buys you a lot more truck. your wife can learn to drive it!!

wrenrj1 · 12-04-2004, 06:47 PM

Contact Woodhouse Nissan in Omaha. I purchased mine a few weeks ago. They're the biggest Ford dealer in the U.S. and want to be the same with Nissan. They found me an 04 in Ames, IA and delivered it to Lincoln, NE and still beat the local dealer.

They'll deal with you on the phone with no B.S. and shoot you a price, but be ready to deal, because the 04's are going quick. They'll want your business.

No, I don't work for them by the way....but feel I got a pretty good deal on my 04...

vw1972bugs · 12-04-2004, 06:50 PM

Well, let me start off and tell you that I think both the Tacoma and Titan are good trucks. Well, I have had experience with the older Tacomas for many years and they are solid...but dont forget that the new 05's are brand new and all redesigned. So the Tacomas will probably have some bugs just like the Titan did.

As for the Titan, I too was reading these forums for a long time before I purchased a Titan. And when I finally did buy my Titan I was sooooo scared and frightened of having all these problems that I read about here. I was sweating bullets because of TitanTalk.com!

Anyway, I came to realize that about 75% of all I read about the Titans on various forums was all blown way out of proportion. I've learned, and I'm sure many on here will agree, that the people that DO have problems come on these forums to find solutions and sometimes vent about their problems. Although there are always the ones that come here to exchange ideas, mods, photos etc. but more or less you see alot of people with PROBLEMS.

Anyways, to make long story short, dont always take everything you read online as gospel about ANY product because for the most part the ones that come on here are the ones with problems. Remember this.

Buy the truck that YOU like the most and the one that fits your wallet. Good luck and keep all of us updated.

P.S. If you didnt already know, the Titan is a great truck!

jdm · 12-04-2004, 07:01 PM

I believe a LOT of people hear "Toyota" and they think "No problems whatsoever". My mother in law is the worlds worst. "Toyotas never break down" etc, etc.
I bought the ole lady a brand new 4Runner in 2000 at my wife's and mother in laws urging and had great expectations.
Turned out to be the biggest lemon I have ever owned in my life. The dealer or Toyota corporate was no help in resolving the many issues it had. I ended up trading it in and losing my shirt on my 1st and last Toyota.
I know everyone makes lemons from time to time but just because it is a Toyota doesnt mean you are going to be trouble free.

*Squid* · 12-04-2004, 07:04 PM

Pick the dealer with the best service department.The service department will make or break your ownership experience. Talk to people who have bought from the dealerships.
Since you like both trucks that is where I would be doing my research.

ylekiot1 · 12-04-2004, 07:06 PM

Thanks for the reponse. I am leaning toward the 4x2 XE Crew Titan with the preferred package. 04 stickers with the preferred for around 26. With getting near invoice and the 2000 rebate, is my ideal number of $22,500 pushing my luck?

*Squid* · 12-04-2004, 07:10 PM

Quote:

is my ideal number of $22,500 pushing my luck?

Paid 23,900 for my4X4.

RockyMtnTitan · 12-04-2004, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ylekiot1

Thanks for the reponse. I am leaning toward the 4x2 XE Crew Titan with the preferred package. 04 stickers with the preferred for around 26. With getting near invoice and the 2000 rebate, is my ideal number of $22,500 pushing my luck?

Paid $24,900 for my '04 XE 4X4 CC w/ Pref package, liner, flaps, mats in Oct. $22,500 doesn't seem out of the question to me.

vw1972bugs · 12-04-2004, 08:13 PM

Paid $24,900 for my KC 4x4 LE fully loaded. I got it with 3100 miles on it...used.

PIZZACUTTERS · 12-04-2004, 08:23 PM

All I know is that I've never had any major issues with the Nissans in our family. However, there are two late model Toyotas that have been less than perfect. On one of them, the air bags deployed while parked, it turned out there was a TSB, but my dad was never notified.

Toyota then tries to say that they aren't responsible...what??!! Their corporate spin doctors tried to downplay the whole situation and put the blame on him.Toyota corp put him through so much grief over this that he is completely turned off their brand.

On the other car, the starter motor went out just after the car went out of warranty---so what they say. The were other issues that for the most part were minor, but still an incovenience. You can say that not every single person will always have a perfect experience with their car, regardless of who makes it. Are Toyotas more refined? Probably.
Are they perfect? Of course not. Neither are Nissans.

Bayou Titan · 12-04-2004, 08:25 PM

The Titan and Tacoma are two different class trucks. The Titan is full size, the Tacoma isn't. I think you will be happier with your purchase if you decide on what class truck you want first, then go from there. There is just no way to compare two different classes. The Titan will be able to tow, haul, and carry more passengers much better than the Tacoma but at the expense of fuel economy, maneuverability, and parking ease.

Why not compare the Tacoma to the Frontier which will be a all new design and available very soon or the Titan to the Tundra? True, the Titan is much better than the Tundra but the Tundra is better than the Tacoma in my opinion.

rawze · 12-04-2004, 08:44 PM

dang it bayou titan, i was going to say 2005 frontier

Bayou Titan · 12-04-2004, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawze

dang it bayou titan, i was going to say 2005 frontier

I can't wait to see the head to head reviews of the Frontier and Tacoma in the truck mags.

KY TITAN · 12-04-2004, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdm

I believe a LOT of people hear "Toyota" and they think "No problems whatsoever". My mother in law is the worlds worst. "Toyotas never break down" etc, etc.

Man if you think its bad to hear it from one person, you should live in a town built by Toyota. The town I live in is home to the Toyota plant that builds Camrys, Solaras and Avalons. I even work at the plant, but not for Toyota. everyone around this damn place is brainwashed to believe Toyotas are Gods gift to the automotive world. I hate that attitude. they dont care if there is a better veicle for the money out there, all most of them will buy is Toyota's.