Yet Another "Should I Buy a Titan?" Post

[Machupo]

Hey all,

Just dropping in from 350Z land. I am seriously considering that it's time to buy a truck and having heard quite a few great things about the Titan I figured that I would mosey on over and see what the experts thought. I'm going to throw a couple ideas / thought processes out there and feel free to nip and tuck where necessary (or downright laugh at my unknowledgable ***). Thanks in advance!

I'm definitely looking for something full-sized. I need to tow my 350Z (weighs in at 3200lbs. + whatever the trailer weighs) as I'm in the military and am on my fourth move in four years (not counting a couple years in the sandbox )... the mileage is getting to me, as is the total inability to properly move the "important" stuff in the Z (I imagine some of you know how gov't movers are and also feel the need to move a select bit of stuff with you personally).

It's just me and the better half, no wee nuggets yet, so i'm focusing on something more akin to the king cab -- figure while i can get more bed for a cheaper price, why not, eh?

We'll mainly be using the truck as the mediocre/bad weather daily driver (i'll try to be out in the Z whenever i can, lol) -- or if we're going on long trips. It will make frequent excursions into mountainous terrain (mostly on-road, though) as my wife is a pro snowboarder/coach and we'll be obviously moving all the time. Still don't know where we're moving to after this little stop off, but options include the pacific northwest, upstate northeast, mid-atlantic, germany, or italy (preferrably the latter, of course!).

I'm not really a big fan of leather (though, that may just be a ingrown response from racing the Z) -- do you sweat much in the seats? do they hold together well? is the only way to get the seat heaters to get leather seats?

I'll def get the NAV system, i like the Nissan version much better than a number of aftermarket units that i've used.

How is the stability control with the 4x2? I don't know if i'd need the full 4x4 ability, but then, i'm always one of those "well, you never know" types... maybe i should just go ahead and get it... any thoughts? again, the truck will mostly see road driving, but i was going to put a winch and brush guard on the front (another one of those "just in case" things).

As for mods, i was going to keep it easy... maybe a free flowing exhaust and intake... just for sounds (not too droney, i hope though -- there will be a lot of miles put on this beast). A flat, locking bed lid (not roof height, just bed height) with a tool/storage compartment. Maybe a brake upgrade (brembos?) for the lot of mountain driving it will see, and since it's an auto...

New or Used? Of course, i prefer new, but if I can save a LOT, i'll go the used route.

Oh, and one other thing... i don't give a rats *** about fuel economy... if it fits the bill i'll pay for it (just the way I think about these things)

Sorry for the rambling post -- i've got quite a bit of brand loyalty to Nissan after the Z, and wouldn't mind having another one, besides, the Titan looks like a pretty nice truck.

Any help, pointers, slaps to the face would be greatly appreciated!
-nick

[HudsonValleyTitan]

First off, if you'll be getting a truck for bad weather and your wife is a snowboarder, I'd say to go for the 4X4 KC LE. You'll miss 4WD the first time you need it. You say you don't like leather but you'll have to choose the lesser of two evils....leather or NAV because you can only get NAV on the LE....and they only come with leather. The SE can't have NAV but you'll get cloth seats so...it all depends on what you want more. Titan is an excellent truck but I'd say go for new so you don't have any of the niggling first year quality issues. Good luck.

[sammyv]

Sounds like you've done your homework. Just do it. You won't regret it, if fuel costs aren't an issue for you. Get the 4x4. Get an 05 or 06, unless the deal on an 04 is too good to turn down. The typical early bugs found in 04's are largely gone in the late 05/06's.

Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.

[Machupo]

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyTitan

First off, if you'll be getting a truck for bad weather and your wife is a snowboarder, I'd say to go for the 4X4 KC LE. You'll miss 4WD the first time you need it. You say you don't like leather but you'll have to choose the lesser of two evils....leather or NAV because you can only get NAV on the LE....and they only come with leather. The SE can't have NAV but you'll get cloth seats so...it all depends on what you want more. Titan is an excellent truck but I'd say go for new so you don't have any of the niggling first year quality issues. Good luck.

good point on the NAV/leather -- guess i'll have to bite the bullet with the leather

hope they hold up well!

thanks for the response

[92TripleBlack]

Originally Posted by Machupo

good point on the NAV/leather -- guess i'll have to bite the bullet with the leather

hope they hold up well!

thanks for the response

Another vote for 4x4 KC LE with Tech Pkg. As for Leather, I wouldn't worry. Leather is almost always much tougher than cloth. Tear resistant, spill resistant, heated, its the way to go. Also, look at wet okole seat covers as an addition you could get if you want something more resistant. As for sweat, you won't sweat any more with leather than cloth as long as you aren't naked. I won't get anything but leather and I live in FL. Get big tow pkg, big tow mirrors, and you'll be styling.

[PHOEBISIS]

Since you want NAV you are probably limited to LE KC.Get an 05 or 06-better QC,headrests(much better),tailgate assist,better brakes,and you can get FFV (run on 85%alcohol).The FFV might be a selling point in the future(and they are the same costs as the non FFV).
The stock brakes have plenty of power,but some folks complain of the mushiness(doesn't bother me).For towing-in hills especially-your brake upgrade might be a good idea-most stock brakes can be made to fade when towing.
You will be stuck with leather-I like the fabric-it wears like iron,but LE's are all leather.I also have dogs(they would chew-lick-leather.Luck,Charlie
PS The Titan feels like a gigantic sports car-say a late 60's Vette(much less power,of course and you can get the back end to step out really easily-like a dirt track car-).For a truck it doesn't really sway much.I would forget about the aftermarket exhaust-they do drone.The stock truck is very,very quite at 70 mph(quieter than you 350Z in fact),but when you get on it it will growl.Aftermarket exhausts get really old when you are taking long trips-droning hr afer hr.Luck,Charlie PS If you need a little growl,just hit the gas from time to time(check it on test drive-plenty of growl when on the gas).

[Machupo]

so, i started thinking about the necessity of having the OEM Nav unit in there... and started looking around.

Then I go to lunch with a guy in the office (group luncheon type thing) that has a Pioneer in-dash nav unit that has this wild feature that tells you what the current local traffic is like! Not exact to the minute, but it's a pretty neat looking feature. It's a tiny bit cheaper, but it also has the benefit of being a decent head unit that can play mp3's as well... i think it's called the AVIC-N2 or something like that. At any rate -- i might have to look into getting one of these snazzy things.

There's an '05 4x4 King SE sitting on the lot of a local dealer w/ the big tow and SE preferred (w/ captain) pacakges... black on the outside and grey interior... pretty much what i'm looking for -- i'll just have to find a decent local place to do the Nav / XM radio / stereo install...

they're asking just over $30k, but i bet i can talk them down a bit (not that they'd want my other POS Volvo or the wife's Saturn in trade )

thanks for all your help, folks! hopefully i'll be seeing you soon in a fairly new truck

[rays05titanse]

machupo,

All the good things you heard about the Titan are true. I'm also in the military and I know what you mean about those frequent moves. It's only myself and my wife also, but I opted for the CC although I almost got the KC. Definitely cheaper with KC. If you can do without NAV, you can save yourself a bunch more money since you have to buy a very pricey package to get NAV. I didn't want leather anyway with a Galaxy Black Texas Titan in this Texas heat.

Since the "06s are out now, you should be able to get a great deal on an '05. Congratulations on your choice for a full-size pickup. Doesn't get much better than a Nissan Titan.

[Vyrus]

YES! YES! THE ANSWER IS YES! YOU SHOULD BUY A TITAN!

Seriously, the only downfall is the fuel economy. You openly stated that it is of no consequence to you. Other than that I absolutely love this truck. Everything about it is amazing, from the handling to the power to its utility, it is amazing. Yes they have problems, all cars do, that's why new cars come with a factory warranty. I'm a HUGE sports car fan, and I love driving my Titan... many other people on this board are the same way, that should say something.

-Cyrus

[SWTXTITAN]

Dude, if your in the market for a 1/2 ton, do yourself a favor and LOOK NO FURTHER

[grunge311]

You really have to get the 4x4. I am no pro snowboarder, hell I only go out about 6 times a year, and at least 3 of those times I need 4x4 (i only go out if its actually snowing).

Really, if it wasn't for texas I don't think trucks would come 4x2.

[Vector]

I like the easy questions, YES buy the Titan. You will love it.

[CJ3FLYR]

Get it Do a 4x4 with Big Tow and side airbags. Side airbags gets you VDC, Big Tow gets you the right rear axle ratio.

[acro]

Originally Posted by Vector

I like the easy questions, YES buy the Titan. You will love it.

HA.