Thinking about buying a Nissan Frontier

[RATDAT3]

Anyone have/had one? 181k is a little much I think, but it seems to run well. Any issues I should look for?

 

 

2000 Nissan Fontier Crew Cab automatic 4x4 181k runs and drives great - $4999 (gresham)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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condition: like new

2000 nissan frontier odometer: 181254 title : clean

 

2000 Nissan Frontier Crew cab 4x4 automatic 181k clean title canopy to match truck show contact info

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5 days ago

updated:

8 hours ago

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[flatcat19]

5 grand is too much. Good trucks. 

[ggzilla]

$5 for a worn out truck? No thanks.

[ggzilla]

14 MPG. No thanks.

[datsunaholic]

Unfortunately, at that mileage I'd start worrying about transmission issues.  Nissan did not have great luck with the automatics from the 1990s and later, particularly with the ones behind V-6s.  Had a big issue with the trans cooler in the radiator cracking and causing an ATF/Coolant mix which destroys the transmission (by the time you notice it, it's too late). 

 

181K isn't actually particularly high for a 14+ year old vehicle.  National average is 12K a year, so it's about 10K over average. 

 

KBB says about $4760 (private party) for one with that mileage, so it's a little high, unless it's in really outstanding condition.  Pictures lie.

 

14MPG.  Holy s#!t,  That's the EPA rating for that.  My fullsize 1-ton Chevy 4X4 gets better than that.  

[nismo dr]

the radiator/trans cooler problems are pretty well limited to the later 4.0 litres, we sell aftermarket radiators at 60k as a precaution; 

 

as far as the 2000, has it ever had its timing belt done? are the exhaust manifolds cracked? does it have a knock sensor code (won't turn on light but will cost you when you have to fix to pass emissions),most likely  needs all 3

[hosestop@msn.com]

I had a 2002 Frontier extra cab ,was an ok truck ,scared me when I towed my 22.5 ft boat when I had to hit brakes once , anyway I sold it , have a 2004 4x4 Ranger xlt 4.0 forsale here ,as you said it blew trans at 100k has 112k and a new trans , Rangers are hot in So Cal I want like 7000 , they all have something that's weak usually trans at 80-100k , cost 2k to repair my buddy did it for 1k.

[RATDAT3]

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Thanks for the input guys!

I have always liked the looks of this. The 2001-4 look ok, but 05 and newer are just plain ugly. A friend has an 06 and---to me looks like a Transformer...anyway, I went to see this vehicle, seemed to run well, stank of dog--needs to be detailed. I didnt check for the knock sensor--its from California and they said they could just transfer plates with the remaining emissions left on old plates----BS--Ive been in the car biz for 20+ years.....well, I will keep looking. I had a 2001 GMC with a 4" lift, dual exhaust, chpped, K&M intake---it got better gas mpg too.

[Draker]

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Thanks for the input guys!

I have always liked the looks of this. The 2001-4 look ok, but 05 and newer are just plain ugly. A friend has an 06 and---to me looks like a Transformer...anyway, I went to see this vehicle, seemed to run well, stank of dog--needs to be detailed. I didnt check for the knock sensor--its from California and they said they could just transfer plates with the remaining emissions left on old plates----BS--Ive been in the car biz for 20+ years.....well, I will keep looking. I had a 2001 GMC with a 4" lift, dual exhaust, chpped, K&M intake---it got better gas mpg too.

 

I was looking into these trucks.. bad mileage and everything nismodr said. I like them.. but I dug much deeper into my wallet and bought a 02 Tacoma double cab. 4x4 and getting 20mpg mixed city/hwy driving.

[tr8er]

I own an 01. Love it. But the gas mileage makes it a terrible commuter. I use her to go fishing on off-road rock roads. She handles. Tacomas are great trucks too. These were the two I was looking at. I chose Nissan cause I found a great deal. And if I wrecked the frame, is still have a VG33 for a 510 swap. Tacoma loses on that one. Mine has 130K. Has stick 5 speed. 4X4. 3.3litre. Had an overheating issue due to a bad radiator cap (easy fix), AC leak (easy fix), tailgate handle cracked. mainly no real issues. My main gripe is the useless bed. It'll carry your trash to the dump, but it's far too small for half the shit you want a truck for.

[ggzilla]

4-door Frontier weighs as much as some full-size trucks which means poor fuel economy

 

Get a 2000 King Cab with KA 4-cyl and it gets good fuel economy.

[RATDAT3]

I've had 3 Toyota's....want a Nissan--need the full seat in back for my kid.If they made it in a 4cyl...that would be great! My friend checked out the rig--he's a certified mechanic...fuckin salvage trck pt together with a bandaid! Next....

[tr8er]

Mine was salvaged as well. 1 year off the lot. Totaled . Front end damage. It's been well over 100K since then, so I figured it was fixed well. I was right about mine. My mechanic told me I'm stupid. (Yes I have a mechanic). I only wrench my classics.

[JoeCool]

$5000 for that many miles... NOPE!

 

They are nice trucks though. I used to own a 2001 Frontier crew cab. Sold it in 2003 because the payments were too high_.

[RATDAT3]

Finally found a good truck!

[alabama_lowlife]

I had a 2002 2wd crew cab long bed. Ran it hot and blew a head gasket. It got crappy mileage. The running hot thing kinda snuck up on me. I thought I had fixed the issue I was having and it tricked me. I couldn't afford to fix it out of pocket at the time, so I traded it for a titan. I wish I had just fixed my frontier. I still want to get another one. I just love the looks of them. There's a 2wd crew cab long bed supercharged one on Craigslist. I need to stop talking about this before I sell my black truck and get another one.

[RATDAT3]

That's what I have in mind.....in reverse....get a Titan in a few years.....but yeah, I've read that mpg sucks......how do you tell if you're running hot and it sneaks up on you? I mean, other than obvious? 

[freekwonder]

I had a '04 KC v6 4x4, when I lived in Indianapolis I averaged about 17mpg driving around downtown, once I moved to Tacoma it dropped to 13-14.  Was a great truck. Only traded it in because my son was getting to tall to sit in the back, ended up with a '13 Pro4x crew cab. Nismo dr is right about the radiators, but supposedly that was fixed around 2010-2011, but don't think to many 11-14 models are high enough mileage to really be in the radiator problem zone.  http://www.clubfrontier.org/ has a lot of good info for frontiers. 

 

Was looking at tacomas also, love Tacomas and anybody that loved BTTF wanted a toyota truck at some point in their life, but when I was looking used. They were just out of my price range and they have their problems also.  Seems like they still have some frame rust issues.  Not like it was on the older pickups, but here and there.  And when we went new, they didn't have the options that we wanted since it is a vehicle for me and my wife. 

[kaoss]

I had a supercharged 2003 crew cab, loved the truck, but didn't love the 13mpg, the lack of power, and the tiny cab on the inside. I traded it for a 2003 Harley Davidson Edition F150 (these can be had for 8k-14k depending on miles) and never regretted it. I did drop from 13mpg to 11mpg, but I feel like I get rewarded for shitty mpg in the Ford unlike the Nissan. 

[alabama_lowlife]

That's what I have in mind.....in reverse....get a Titan in a few years.....but yeah, I've read that mpg sucks......how do you tell if you're running hot and it sneaks up on you? I mean, other than obvious?

I had experienced a cooling issue with it and replaced the fan clutch. I thought that had fixed it until a hose sprung a leak. I replaced that hose and thought for sure it was the end of my problems. Apparently there was a leak somewhere else. I was very careful to monitor the temp indication from that point forward, but I didn't check the coolant. Until I was on the way to work one night and the temp didn't warm up after a couple miles. Then it suddenly went full hot, check engine light, and shut off. Almost no coolant. I'm much more careful now.