Hello, I am trying to decide if a Titan is the right vehicle for me

Orion · 10-25-2007, 09:50 AM

Hello. I am considering buying a pickup truck to replace my car when I give it to my daughter when she gets her drivers license. We have been a two minivan or 1 car/1minivan family since our 2nd daughter was born (we have 3). Currently we have a 2007 Nissan Quest SE and a 2000 Mazda Protégé ES. I was driving a 2007 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab as a loaner vehicle when my car was in for repairs and was very impressed with it. I have since checked out the 2008 Nissan Titan while the Quest was in for an oil change. While I can occasionally have use for the open bed I prefer to keep my cargo secure; I do not want to use a cap as then I might as well get a SUV. Please help me decide if the Nissan Titan is right for me. How do you secure your pickup bed? Thanks!

cneary812 · 10-25-2007, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orion

Hello. I am considering buying a pickup truck to replace my car when I give it to my daughter when she gets her drivers license. We have been a two minivan or 1 car/1minivan family since our 2nd daughter was born (we have 3). Currently we have a 2007 Nissan Quest SE and a 2000 Mazda Protégé ES. I was driving a 2007 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab as a loaner vehicle when my car was in for repairs and was very impressed with it. I have since checked out the 2008 Nissan Titan while the Quest was in for an oil change. While I can occasionally have use for the open bed I prefer to keep my cargo secure; I do not want to use a cap as then I might as well get a SUV. Please help me decide if the Nissan Titan is right for me. How do you secure your pickup bed? Thanks!

other than a cap you can do a hard folding tanneau cover. I myself went with a soft tanneau cover because it is the easiest to get out of the way fast. It does lock from inside the bed but its heavy canvess so it can be cut easily, but keeps cargo dry and out of site. To be honest with you sometimes just not being able to see what is in there keeps thiefs out. The tailgate also locks.

The Titan is a GREAT truck but WILL eat more gas than your vans so just consider that before you make your decision. good luck

NewTitanonDblock · 10-25-2007, 10:04 AM

The titan 08 are a very good buy, the bed is great! Get the factory spray-liner as it's easier to clean, and less likely to rust and corrode the belly of the truck.

4250 rebate plus 1500 or more under invoice and 1000k extra rebate on selected vin numbered trucks, call your local dealer to find that other 1k off. Good luck and I'd say best truck I've ever had. 2008 is the way to go!

DBlock

BigA · 10-25-2007, 10:06 AM

If you really want to secure your cargo you probally want a hard fiberglass tonnaeu cover, or you can get the lockable folding or rolling type covers that allow you to open up the bed to carry large objects, but also lock. A crew cab pickup can make a great family vehicle, just remember that you gas mileage is going to fall quite a bit.

BayStateSuks · 10-25-2007, 10:07 AM

As stated, the MPG on the Titan (or any truck) is much worse than a minivan. If you don't need a big truck, then you may be better off with a frontier or tacoma crew.

A hard fiberglass tonneau cover that locks provides great security with the tailgate locked. It does limit what you can put in the bed - you would have to remove the cover to get a load of dirt or mulch in the bed.

I feel much safer driving the Titan than our minivan or clown car (Scion xA). People tend to not pull out in front of you in the Titan and they move out of your way when you are barrelling down the interstate behind them. I don't care that the gas mileage sucks (that is why I bought the clown car). In a collision, nothing beats weight and size.

cneary812 · 10-25-2007, 10:11 AM

i also forgot to add that if you get a crew cab the back seats can fold up and that leaves you with a TON of interior cargo room.

**Blackbeauty** · 10-25-2007, 10:14 AM

The Titan is a GREAT truck. With the Crew Cab (CC), you have plenty of room for a growing family. The standard (short bed) would probably suit you if you don't haul much. You can put a cover on it, other than the solid fiberglass type:

http://shopping.msn.com/specs/shp/?itemId=823131362

It slides rather than tilts up. It's a bit more secure than the canvas type covers. You can even get them with remote activation. And you don't hae to remove it to haul tall things, or loads of dirt or mulch..... Just FYI... tilt ups aren't the only hard covers....

Good luck in your hunt. Drive one, and you'll be hooked!

Orion · 10-25-2007, 04:37 PM

Thanks to everyone for the quick responses. I will keep checking back for updates and to ask additional questions. This forum appears to be a gold mine of information. I have some time to decide (possibly until late spring 2008) so i do not have to rush. I am glad that I found a group of people willing to share their experience with a pickup truck novice.

beermunk · 10-25-2007, 05:04 PM

I'm ordered a topper for mine. The full size of the topper gives me lockable room for hunting or fishing gear while keeping it out of the cab. Also, the yellow lab and beagle hair will stay in the bed and not on my seats!

Orion · 10-25-2007, 05:14 PM

Thanks. I'll check out the topper. Although our two Goldens will always read in the cab. Maybe I should get a tan interior to hide the shedding fur.

2007 TITAN LE · 10-25-2007, 05:31 PM

Go test drive a Titan and you will see that it is the right vehicle for everyone!!!!

**helomech** · 10-25-2007, 05:37 PM

The titan is awesome, and I have the pace edwards electric bed cover. It is a little pricey, but a very nice cover. Just push the button on the key fob and it opens and closes. There is also a light on it that turns on with the key fob. There is no external lock it is locked until you push the button to open it with the tail gate locked it is about as secure as you can get. It does leak a tiny bit in a hard rain, but it isn't the covers fault it leaks at the tailgate upper side. Nothing gets wet inside unless it is right next to the sides and the rear near the tailgate, and that is only in the worse rains.

2007 TITAN LE · 10-25-2007, 05:56 PM

Got extang.com and look at the Trifecta. That is the tonneau I am considering for my Titan. I will probably go with the soft version in the Signature fabric. I am interested in their hard version, and will wait a few more weeks to see if it comes out for the Titan.

12glocks · 10-25-2007, 06:06 PM

I have a Leer cap on my Titan with a light and 3 extra power ports. It has duel locks in addition to the locking tailgate. My dog does well on a piece of carpet or a dog bed back there.

But to get more to your point: A SUV may be more your flavor. I personally find the utility of an actual bed more handy since you can carry garbage, wood, large gas powered tools and the fuel for it, large appliances or what have you in a bed.

Here is what I would consider: What is the cost of a PU with a Topper (figure $1500) vs the cost of an SUV. You could buy a satisfactory trailer for a SUV as well. In general, SUV's are significantly more pricey though.

And the Frontier is an excellent vehicle with another one of Nissan's killer VQ engines. Only 1 mpg more though.

Johnny08 · 10-25-2007, 06:17 PM

I have the Trifecta on my Crew Cab, and I love it, keeps the bed completely dry during the rain, if I get to close with a power hose during washing there will be a little trickle of water around the tailgate area in the bed, but you could get a tailgate sealing kit to prevent this....

pictures are in my photo gallery or use the link below