Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives 2004 Nissan Titan

No offense, Hunter01, but Consumer Reports is the same outfit that that called the Chevette a good buy & the Acura Integra a car to stay away from due to reliability issues. Just because they don't take ad money doesn't mean tthey know what they're talking about all the time.
I guess I live in a different world regarding trucks & what I want them to do. My choice is a 3/4 ton diesel. Unless you've spent some seat time in one of these, towing a heavy load (one that would leave the gassers gasping) & seen the returns at the fuel pump, you won't be able to appreciate it. Oh, BTW, bring your Toy or Nissan running light. I'll put it up against my Cummins/Dodge pulling 5000lb & still blow your doors off <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
(Cheaha should be able to tell you about it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)
badger

hunter01,



1. I agree with badger on consumer reports. They are sometimes way off the mark. The Titan is 4-Wheeler magazine's Truck of the Year for what that is worth (not much to me because it is a MAGAZINE)

2. Read Edmunds unbiased test - Titan first running away. Toyota & Chevy at bottom, Dodge in middle, Ford second. IIRC

3. I have been doing my homework for several months.

4. By all accounts the Toyota is low on torque, low on power, low on comfort, interior has lots of cheap stuff, etc. It is reliable.

5. Having owned many trucks at 65 years of age I have learned to look beyond hype.



I'm glad your Toyota works good for you. Were my requirements different it might work for me.



To others: I like Diesels too but have decided my next truck will be a 1/2 ton gas engined vehicle.



Thanks for all the replies. Looks like not many have real experience with the Titan. New model, so I guess that is to be expected.



ps Forgot to mention, I have driven the Tundra & earlier model Toyos.

Guys, the ONLY thing the Titan is beating the Ford at is speed. When you say blows the door off Ford - it's only speed and WHO cares about truck speed. Just to put things into perspective, a V6 Honda Accord (hardly known as a sports car), blows the doors off A Hemi Dodge and the Nissan Titan on the drag strip. The frame on the Nissan isn't as strong, the axles are way undersized compared to the big 3, the brakes look tiny for a vehicle that size, and the interior plastic quality is abysmal.



I looked at the Titan last December when I needed a truck. I almost bought a Titan, now I am glad I didn't. The Titan has rated dead last in JD Powers�s initial 90 day survey. Quite a few people had already dropped transmissions in them and had problems with the 4WD system.



Longbob is also correct on the Tundra brakes. They are a joke. The Tundra has been plagued with brake problems since its introduction in 2000. Just Google Tundra brake problems and you'll be shocked how many matches you find. Another problem with the Tundra is the paint job. It is way to thin for a truck that is used off road, one season driven off road in Georgia with all the briars will play havoc on a Toyota paint job. Now, in smaller trucks - the Tacoma kicks butt.



FWIW - Someone said the Ford was using a pushrod motor. The Ford doesn't have a pushrod engine and they haven't used a pushrod V8 since 1996.

Buzz,

I guess it is what each and every individual wants, needs, and likes. I do my homework on everything I buy, trucks guns, you name it. I buy what I think will serve me and my needs the best. I'm a 54 year old, school teachin, Viet Nam vet. Been there, done that! I've driven and owned lots of cars and trucks in my day too. In my opinion, if there was a better truck out there to serve my needs, I'd own it. I don't pull horse trailers up over the mountains, nor do I go around the barn yard pulling stumps. My Tundra is my transportion to and from work and used to take me everywhere I go. It has plenty of power, ( and then some) to get me where I need to go and do what I need to do. The little 4.7 l, 32 valve, 245 hp V8 has all I need. It is the smoothest, quietest riding truck I've ever owned. It is a 2001, and I haven't had an oz. of trouble with it. Brakes are great and so is the paint, opposed to what others may say about that aspect of the truck. I love it. As far a different magazines testing vehicles-- I read them all. I look at the reports objectively and with an open mind. But I've subscribed to Consumer for over 15 years and I'll put what they say about the products the test against anything all the others put together say. I'm sure you can nit pick and find sources that say this and that about all the different vehicles, but I've found Consumer Report to be spot on in more cases than not. Motor Trend picked Dodge trucks as no. 1 3 years ago. There is a recall or two every month on Dodge trucks. Mopar 300 M was picked no. 1 too and Dodge Caravan too. But they aren't rated good in reliability. Terrible transmission problems they haven't been able to fix YET!

As far as rating on cars and trucks from Consumer, you need to remember one thing that is very important. The ratings (excluding the actual road tests) are turned in by the owner's surveys. 612,000 owners filling out questionairs on their vehicles. Toyota Tundra and all its other vehicles are always rated best in reliability and owner satisfaction. No accident. Like it or not, they know how to build them. Look and see Consumer's top 20 vehicles others would buy again. All Honda, NIssan, Toyota, Madza, then bottom 20 they'd never buy again-- Ford, Dodge, Chevy, Can't agrue with the facts. Facts from the car owners, not the magazine writers. This is what the people that own them and drive them say. I'm sure parts and things go wrong with other vehicles too, but check and see what the owners have said on an overall look dealing with paint and brakes. My Tundra has a great paint job, and it is 3 years old. The brakes have been problem free, with tons of pedal and braking power. Not trying to open a can of worms here, as I know everyone has their own opinion. The only thing that matters is that you like and enjoy the rig you're driving. Not here to knock other's vehicles. I have owned Nissan trucks and like them, chevy trucks and had problems, and I'm on my second Toyota. Had a 97 T100, and loved it too. Wife is on second Camry XLE and loved both of them. Before that she's had 3 nissans, and had good luck with them. Inlaws have Toyota Van and Avalon, and have good luck with them. I guess that's all that counts when it comes right down to it. I hear Tundra will come out with a 5.7 l V8 next year, so any question of power from the 245 hp/ 4.7 l will be laid to rest. But really, who needs all that power? 95% of truck owners, like me, use their trucks for daily transportation. I drive my Tundra 365 days a year in snow, mud, water and salt. It has held up great, and is still going strong. I love my Tundra. Hope you love your trucks as much as I do mine. Thanks for listening to my view and opinion. Keep on truckin, whatever kind of rid you drive.

Hunter01

AFP according to Car and driver this month Dodge not only still makes trucks but it's the third best selling vehicle Behind the ford and Chevy. And since those two sell more trucks than anybody Third aint so bad.

I agree with anyone who has the Toyota on the bottom of the list. I looks the worst, hauls the worst, and is just trying to survive on a nebulous reputaion and stealing Fords styling cues and doing it poorly. You'd at least think they'd steal from the most stylish auto maker out there...Chrysler. I don't think even GM's revo-cycled styles are as nice given the totallity of the entire line. Top to bottom Chrycos style is tops. And the trucks are tough and strong.

There's another factor to making a decision re: trucks that hasn't been mentioned yet, and that is your location. If you live in a rural area where there are only a few dealerships/parts sources, you may want to go with a truck where parts/service is handy. In northern B.C. (north of Prince George), as you drive from town to town, it's hard to find any other kind of truck on the road besides a Ford, and many times there is only a Ford dealership in town. Chevy and Dodge dealerships are around, too, but you sure don't see much else. I wouldn't want to be driving a Toyota or a Nissan up there - regardless of quality.

Ahem! To get back to my original post:

"Anybody have one of these? What are your impressions/experiences? The specs. look pretty good."

Honest Y'all I wasn't trying to start a brand loyalty debate. Just checking out the options. I have time, might wait for the 2005 models. The Nissan Titan is only one of several I've been checking out.

Anywho, Thanks for the interesting replies.

Awww, C'mon.....................

Do you think we'll miss an opportunity to yank Blaines chain? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Anyhoo, can't help on the Titan, except what I've read in the rags.
badger

Yeah, a chain that flies out of the bed of my truck (due to hard acceleration) is the only thing your "truck" would be able to catch up to and yank <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Of course, even further behind my truck than your "truck" and the Ford diesels will be the 1/2 ton "ladies" trucks.......... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Seriously, you guys who have never driven a modern turbo diesel truck (any brand)--especially one with a power module--just cannot fathom how much power is available so easily. On top of all that, you can expect 13-15 mpg in town and 18-22 mpg+ on the freeway, and that is with the added HP..............

The only area where a smaller truck beats the new turbo diesels is when you heavily modify them, the 1/2 tons make better hard core offroad rigs.

I guess I just don't get it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

But when it's time for me to haul a serious load, or launch the boat at low tide (and darn near submerge the rear wheels up to the tranny) I choose this gem...



Trucks are for work, not for trips to the local Safeway, or drag racing. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Now thats a truck BW <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

BW,

I agree--you don't get it.............. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

If you get a new turbo diesel, then you have a truck that will work--harder than the pickups made in the past, run at the dragstrip, get decent fuel mileage, last a very long time, haul the family around, AND make it to the grocery store.....................

Well I will say one thing - it has been my expirence that it isn't a good idea to buy any NEW model truck - give nissan some time to build a few 100k then you can talk bout reliability- Ruger makes a great rifle but (to some) their shotgun leaves a bit to be desired. Same with trucks - nissan builds good little trucks - you can not work a little one like a big one- and to say that the little ones are good makes the big ones good is not really fair.

My father looked long and hard at a Titan- (he can pinch a penny like anyone) and decided to got Ford F250 diesel. His last 3 trucks have been ford f150 with every option available. So he is not scared to spend the cash if he like is - uses them to go to work, hunting all over the midwest and pulls various gear, atvs, wood for decks and stuff- not driveway queens.

He did not like the ride or the fit and finish of the Titan and Nissan's penchant for electrical recalls on their SUV's kind of drove him away. (he had a MG for a while - hates any electrical problem now!!)

Chevy's are nice but in a 1/2 ton 4x4 they are a bit lower to the ground tha the Ford. Fords new 3 valve v-8 is a good step up and I think you will see more improvements in the future.

He stayed away from Dodge due to the problems my mother has had in hers - coupla trannies, a transfer case and rear end- all in a driveway queen. Not all dodges are bad but I have seen too many with problems all up and down the line.

Toyotas are good - I have owned 3 of them 2 trucks and a car. But to compare on a poit to point basis the Tundra really is a 7/8 truck. Good truck and ok in the power dept but as they start hanging the extra doors you get weight and that means you really need more power- there is a reason they sell a supercharger for that truck. My best friend has one - loaded down with 5 guys and hunting gear - towing a couple of atvs and well don't plan on passing a lot nless you want to watch the gas gauge move like the tach on a race car.

checkout these sites www.pickuptruck.com click on nissan.
also www.titantalk.com or maybe .org.

I agree 100% with buying a first model year, especially a first model year of a new engine, tranny, whatever. Granted, most will be okay, but there is usually a higher percentage of problems with the first year stuff. First year buyers are "Beta Testers".

The '01 GM Duramax had more fuel system problems than following years and the '03 PSD had such huge problems Ford bought back several trucks. The '03 HO CTD went to common rail (same system ans the GM), and had some growing pains as well.

AFP,

You must of overlooked the missing tailgate. Just that one modification alone got me all the advantages you listed above. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My next off-road rig is going to have this diesel engine. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />



(note: that's a man's leg barely visable on the left side of the picture)

I like the pic of that huge Japanese diesel boat motor--most impressive........

That is exactly what I was thinking of, also.

How many drums per mile do ya reckon that thang drinks.

This is from the website.


The Wartsila-Sulzer RTA96-C turbocharged two-stroke diesel engine is the most powerful and most efficient prime-mover in the world today. The Aioi Works of Japan's Diesel United, Ltd built the first engines and is where some of these pictures were taken.
It is available in 6 through 14 cylinder versions, all are inline engines. These engines were designed primarily for very large container ships. Ship owners like a single engine/single propeller design and the new generation of larger container ships needed a bigger engine to propel them.

The cylinder bore is just under 38" and the stroke is just over 98". Each cylinder displaces 111,143 cubic inches (1820 liters) and produces 7780 horsepower. Total displacement comes out to 1,556,002 cubic inches (25,480 liters) for the fourteen cylinder version.

Some facts on the 14 cylinder version:
Total engine weight: 2300 tons (The crankshaft alone weighs 300 tons.)
Length: 89 feet
Height: 44 feet
Maximum power: 108,920 hp at 102 rpm
Maximum torque: 5,608,312 lb/ft at 102rpm

Fuel consumption at maximum power is 0.278 lbs per hp per hour (Brake Specific Fuel Consumption). Fuel consumption at maximum economy is 0.260 lbs/hp/hour. At maximum economy the engine exceeds 50% thermal efficiency. That is, more than 50% of the energy in the fuel in converted to motion.
For comparison, most automotive and small aircraft engines have BSFC figures in the 0.40-0.60 lbs/hp/hr range and 25-30% thermal efficiency range.

Even at it's most efficient power setting, the big 14 consumes 1,660 gallons of heavy fuel oil per hour.