Taco vs Frontier: Your Thoughts, Please

[ZERO THEORY]

Those of you who browse the Trading Post know that I'm in the process of getting rid of my 3/4 Ram for something a little more...nimble for camping and light/medium trail use. I'm debating between the Taco and the Frontier from '05-'11. For background, I spend my time running around the big four national forests in Colorado (Pike, Arapaho, Roosevelt, and White River). I'm not going to be trying to transform either truck into a SAS'd monster, but need to be able to navigate over/around mid-grade trails. I will be lifting either option mildly (~3"), so any insight on the best options there is also welcome.
Nissan and their faithful don't seem nearly as 'proud' of their resale values, which is a huge plus in the Frontier's favor. I've also heard a lot of positives about the 4.0L. I know the Nismo/Pro 4X come with a factory rear locker just like the Taco, so I can't seem to find anything either truck really has over the other. What can you guys tell me that makes the Frontier a more attractive option?
On the flipside, the Toyota is the more popular platform for a reason, and from what I can tell, there is a LOT more aftermarket support. So leaving the sales numbers behind, what can you guys tell me from a technical and usage standpoint that makes you feel like the Taco is the better option?

"Get a *insert vehicle here* instead" in 3...2...1...

[wyome]

Tacos respond well to salsa and pico de gallo mods....the frontier, not so much

[Zundfolge]

Anything made by Toyota is going to outlast most anything made by Nissan (and I say this as owner of an S13 240sx ... probably the best car they ever built).

[Martinjmpr]

I'm not aware of any specific problems for the Frontier that aren't related to abuse (I've heard of the "exploding front diff" but my understanding is that trucks that suffer this are being used pretty hard.)

I got tired of paying the "Toyota Tax" last year and sold my 4runner. Toyotas are nice, don't get me wrong, but I think the prices on the used market are outrageous, especially for the Tacoma.

Since you're looking at used, have you considered maybe one of the last of the Rangers? I owned a '99 Ranger (albeit a 2wd) for several years and liked it. In fact, my DD is a Ranger (it's a Mazda B2300 but that's actually a Ranger.) Again, a 2wd but solid and reliable even at 20 years old (its a 1996.)

If you can live without a true crew cab (the Ranger crew cab was offered in other markets but never in the US, sadly) then you might add the Ranger to your list. You can probably find one for half the price of a Tacoma. Otherwise I think a good condition Frontier would be fine for what you intend to do.

ALSO remember that the Tacoma's of that vintage are all plastic after the cab. Frontier, Ranger and Colorado all have metal beds.

[KS63]

I'm not aware of any specific problems for the Frontier that aren't related to abuse (I've heard of the "exploding front diff" but my understanding is that trucks that suffer this are being used pretty hard.)

I got tired of paying the "Toyota Tax" last year and sold my 4runner. Toyotas are nice, don't get me wrong, but I think the prices on the used market are outrageous, especially for the Tacoma.

Since you're looking at used, have you considered maybe one of the last of the Rangers? I owned a '99 Ranger (albeit a 2wd) for several years and liked it. In fact, my DD is a Ranger (it's a Mazda B2300 but that's actually a Ranger.) Again, a 2wd but solid and reliable even at 20 years old (its a 1996.)

If you can live without a true crew cab (the Ranger crew cab was offered in other markets but never in the US, sadly) then you might add the Ranger to your list. You can probably find one for half the price of a Tacoma. Otherwise I think a good condition Frontier would be fine for what you intend to do.

ALSO remember that the Tacoma's of that vintage are all plastic after the cab. Frontier, Ranger and Colorado all have metal beds.

My 2005 TRD Taco has a plastic bed, but steel fenders, bumpers and tow hitch. Somethings wrong with mine I guess.....

[Honey Badger282.8]

I own a 2012 Frontier SV Crew Cab 4x4 and I love it. My only complaint is that the turning radius sucks. I'd recommend driving both because they are fairly different aside from the Taco being grossly overpriced for what you get, new or used. I bought my Frontier new for less than I'd get a comparable used Tacoma for.

Frontier Pros
- Fully Boxed frame vs C-channel for the Taco.
- Metal bed vs plastic for the Taco.
- More powerful than Taco.
- Truck like seating position vs car like in Taco.
- More affordable

Taco Pros
- Better aftermarket
- Slightly better fuel economy

The Frontier has a decent aftermarket though, even if it is smaller than the Tacoma. Nisstec Lifts and Hefty Fabworks are both Colorado companies and two of the larger aftermarket vendors. Boulder Nissan is also one of the biggest proponents of the platform, to include the Xterra, in the off road community.

The only real issue with the X and Frontier was called the strawberry milkshake of death. It was radiator and transmission cross contamination but that issue was fixed for the 2009 model year.

[sniper7]

Go new!
How about a chevy Colorado. The new diesel model is a 2.8L duramax. 31 mpg.


here is a comparison:
http://www.chevrolet.com/colorado-sm...vs-tacoma.html

2016 comparison:
http://www.barkauautomotive.com/blog...toyota-tacoma/

or here is a 2015 comparison of the gas versions:
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...e-specs-page-4

[Martinjmpr]

Go new!
How about a chevy Colorado. The new diesel model is a 2.8L duramax. 31 mpg.


here is a comparison:
http://www.chevrolet.com/colorado-sm...vs-tacoma.html

2016 comparison:
http://www.barkauautomotive.com/blog...toyota-tacoma/

or here is a 2015 comparison of the gas versions:
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...e-specs-page-4

OP is looking to buy an 05-11 so I'm assuming a new vehicle is not an option.

[Irving]

I'd also recommend at least looking at the new diesel Colorado, if I thought you were irresponsible enough to buy something new.

[hurley842002]

Honestly, the current model of Frontier is pretty solid, and other than resale and aftermarket support, I don't think the Tacoma brings anything to the table over the Frontier. You will pay more for the Tacoma (which is why I own an Xterra instead of a 4runner). I loved my Tacoma, and planned to stay with Toyota, but when I started looking at newer 4runners, they were just more than I could dish out. Unless you are used to driving souped up diesels or sports cars, the Nissan 4.0 has more than enough power. At the end of the day you can't go wrong with either IMO.

As for the new Colorado, those things are huge, you may as well buy another 1/2 ton.