[karlconnell]

Hi guys...it's been about a 10 days since we purchased our Titan and we love it more and more every day.

Nissan's new truck is an amazing machine. Not only did they get the basics right like HP, Torque, boxed frame, size and interior space, etc., but I love the little things like the Radio data System and the auxillary input for our iPod and the manual shift selector on the column which will be great for towing.

I plan on taking our 23 ft travel trailer out this weekend for a test run to see how it pulls.

Can't wait to see this forum take off. I'm new to posting so hopefully I can provide some pic's that I've taken.

Let's see if this works...

http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=67b0de21b35ddc1305c4

 

[scorch]

What are you getting for MPG?

 

[tbeecher]

MPG

On the first tank I received 14 MPG. There was plenty of punching it and plenty of freeway driving so I figure that this will be close to what I will get.

Tony

Titan CC LE

 

[karlconnell]

MPG

I calc'ed my second tank at 13 mpg even with barely any highway driving. If it's anything like the V8 on our '03 4Runner it should gradually improve by 2-3 mpg as the engine breaks in. Remember, that's with the 4.10 equivalent rear end as well...

 

[Cleggy]

Is it true these trucks use premium gas only? I saw that in small print in the brochure they sent. What octane do they require?

 

[tbeecher]

You only need regular unleaded...

 

[scorch]

Congrats on the truck. 14mpg is not bad for a truck this size! My nissan hardbody truck never gets better than 17mpg.

Go out and get the titan dirty, then take some pics

 

[karlconnell]

Thanks Scorch...will do! I agree, anything above 14 is gravy in my book.

 

[ChuhBaca]

Congratulations on your new truck! Make sure you keep us posted on it. I agree that Nissan got so many things right with this vehicle. They basically combined all the things that I liked about the other trucks and added some power! My problem was, I liked the looks of the Dodge but, it wasn't as powerful as I thought it should be and I don't trust the reliability of a Dodge. I like the looks (especially the interior) of the F-150, but again, need more power! Plus, it only comes with 4 speed auto. Tundra double cab has the reliability record, but 4 spd auto, rather plain styling and engine power kinda sway me away from it. The Titan combines all of the good points!

 

[karlconnell]

Thanks ChuhBaca (I like the user name). I couldn't agree more with your comments. We test drove everything but a Chevy as they don't have a crew cab that would fit in our garage and we felt exactly the same way with all three types of trucks.

One thing that was interesting to see was how knowledgeable each manufacturer's sales reps were about their trucks. I don't know if anyone else has noticed or really cares but Nissan really did a good job in providing specialized training to the dealers sales reps (there is at least one or two on each team that has received thorough training). A couple of the sales rep's we spoke with at Ford and Dodge didn't even know the hp/torque ratings of their engines. However, perhaps we just hit the dealerships on a bad day.

 

[Cleggy]

I finally got to test drive the Titan yesterday. The "stealership" in the Twin Cities had 13 in stock in all configurations. They had one inside the showroom with a creeper so I could crawl around underneath it too. The bottom end was clean and looked strong enough. The interior IMHO was cheap and all plastic looking. (It doesn't compare to the Tundras). The seat material was more of a nylon looking than upholstery. Everything else was square and boxy (dash, console, door panels,etc) Then I went for a drive. The truck is solid and tight feeling (which I'd expect in a new vehicle). The acceleration was strong but not "exhilarating". Overall feel was good. It didn't feel like it's much bigger inside than my Tundra Access Cab(I drove the KC version). After the drive, we went inside to try and find a version with the options I wanted in the colors I wanted. Come to find out, if you want an SE 4x4 with just off road and popular pkg, you have to get the utility bed pkg ($900) and the Tow pkg ($800) and other options. I really don't like the chrome front end so I opted for the XE with the painted front end which IMHO looks more like a truck that a "pretty boy, stay on the pavement" truck. They had them in stock but not in the right colors. They were taking $2000 off MSRP for the XE's and $1500 off the SE and LE. Then the manager test drove my Tundra to evaluate it for trade value. They were $4000-$5000 under retail. (This on a one owner, under mileage, clean truck). As a business I know they have to make a profit, but not that much profit. They would be making $1500 on the Titan after holdback and floorplanning and another $2500 (conservatively) on my trade. Not to mention things on the back end of the deal and servicing/maintenance in the future. Needless to say, I drove my Tundra home and felt good about it. I guess I don't need the newest toy on the block as much as I thought.

 

[karlconnell]

I guess that goes to show how dramtically opinions can differ. But, I guess that's why they call them opinions and not facts. I'm a die hard Toyota fan and have always been. We're on our fourth Toy and second 4Runner (4th gen) along with our Titan.

Don't get me wrong, I liked the Tundra but the interior styling seemed like the 3rd gen 4Runner and outdated and the power of the iForce V8 doesn't compare (although we thoroughly enjoy it as well). The seat material in the SE is actually a neoprine material which along with the darker interior color makes it great for family use. As for the interior, it's no less plasticky than our 4Runner or the Tundra or any other truck out there but again, that's a subjective thing. I can't comment on the King Cab as we didn't look at it but I would rather have 4 doors that provide better entry access than three. Two of my friends at work that had access cab Tundra's traded theirs in for KC version Titan's this past week.

With regard to the packages you mention, someone was misinformed or they simply were not being truthful. You can get the KC SE with just the off-road package and the preferred package, although you may have to order one if they're difficult to find.

I suppose it's a matter of what fits best with your personality. Sorry to hear it didn't work out for you at the dealer.

Karl

 

[pyromedic]

I plan on taking our 23 ft travel trailer out this weekend for a test run to see how it pulls.

Hey Karrl, Let me know what you are finding about the towing capabilities. I am looking at buying a Titan and I want to get a travel trailer to tow (about 7,000lbs). How much does your trailer weigh?

 

[karlconnell]

Pyromedic, our trailer's gross vehicle weight is 7,500 pounds with a dry weight (unloaded) of 4,880. With it loaded the way we travel it weighs in at approximately 6,000 pounds.

I took it out today for a good run up north of Phx with 6-7% grades and I was really impressed. It handled great, had plenty of power, braking was terrific and the mirrors that come with the towing package are simply awesome (you can see straight down our 8 ft wide trailer on both sides and the lower mirrors completely eliminate all blind spots).

 

[ChuhBaca]

Cleggy, it sounds like your still happy with your current truck. I agree that the King Cab doesn't seem to offer any more leg room than an Access cab Tundra. That's the second time I've heard someone on this board not being completely impressed with the power. Maybe if I hadn't driven the other full-sized trucks first, I might not have been too impressed with the Titan (my other car is a Mustang GT). But, I drove the F-150, the Hemi Ram, and the Tundra Double cab first. The Titan definitely felt more powerful than the other 3. The Tundra did not feel weak compared to the rest, which is a credit to the IForce V-8, since they rate it at 60-100 less horsepower!

That brings me to my next point. I'm ready for a new truck. I bough a Dodge Dakota because it had a V-8, manual tranny, and small weight (comparatively speaking). Well, after many problems with it, I just feel like I need another truck before this one lets me down again. If I had bought a Tundra instead of a Dakota (which I really wish I had) then I probably would NOT be looking for a new truck right now. I was very impressed by the Tundra Double cab. Just not quite as impressed as I was by the Titan.

 

[ekool]

karl,

I sent you an email, did you get it?

 

[karlconnell]

The only email I received was the auto response notification when you posted to this thread...can you resend if you are referring to a separate email.

Karl

 

[Half Shovel]

I finally got to test drive the Titan yesterday. The "stealership" in the Twin Cities had 13 in stock in all configurations. They had one inside the showroom with a creeper so I could crawl around underneath it too. The bottom end was clean and looked strong enough. The interior IMHO was cheap and all plastic looking. (It doesn't compare to the Tundras). The seat material was more of a nylon looking than upholstery. Everything else was square and boxy (dash, console, door panels,etc) Then I went for a drive. The truck is solid and tight feeling (which I'd expect in a new vehicle). The acceleration was strong but not "exhilarating". Overall feel was good. It didn't feel like it's much bigger inside than my Tundra Access Cab(I drove the KC version). After the drive, we went inside to try and find a version with the options I wanted in the colors I wanted. Come to find out, if you want an SE 4x4 with just off road and popular pkg, you have to get the utility bed pkg ($900) and the Tow pkg ($800) and other options. I really don't like the chrome front end so I opted for the XE with the painted front end which IMHO looks more like a truck that a "pretty boy, stay on the pavement" truck. They had them in stock but not in the right colors. They were taking $2000 off MSRP for the XE's and $1500 off the SE and LE. Then the manager test drove my Tundra to evaluate it for trade value. They were $4000-$5000 under retail. (This on a one owner, under mileage, clean truck). As a business I know they have to make a profit, but not that much profit. They would be making $1500 on the Titan after holdback and floorplanning and another $2500 (conservatively) on my trade. Not to mention things on the back end of the deal and servicing/maintenance in the future. Needless to say, I drove my Tundra home and felt good about it. I guess I don't need the newest toy on the block as much as I thought.

I'm another Twin Cities Tundra owner. I went to the same dealership as you. Tundras don't do well in trade in. If you want to get cash out of your Tundra, sell it outright. There's a hot market in the cities. In defense of that dealership, be thankful you didn't go to another Nissan dealership in the cities. There's one off of 394 that won't even talk below MSRP on a Titan, and will feed you a BS line "Nissan says we can't sell them below MSRP". Apparently this dealership doesn't get that some of us do our homework!

Hope your Tundra has been better behaved than mine. Lots of little repairs in its 5 year life.

Half Shovel

 

[jd1973]

Hey guys watch out. If you look back far enough in the manual the engine needs a break in period of about 500 miles with nothing above 2500 rpm and absolutley no towing. I finally made the 500 miles and am averaging about 17.5 MPG(combined driving). Not too shabby. Bought the Titan to replace my 2001 Tundra Limited. Like the Titan but liked the interior materials much better in the Tundra. Nissan's excuse for floormats is something I could find for about $10 at Walmart.
Love the drivetrain. What a motor and how about that exhaust!!!

 

[karlconnell]

jd1973, that's correct on the 500 miles before towing but my manual says the breakin period is 1,200 miles (not 500) and not to rev higher than 4,000 RPM (pg. 5-19), not 2,500 RPM.