Toyota Tacoma Prerunner or Nissan Frontier Desert-Runner?

In 1996, I owned a 1993 Toyota 4 wheel drive pick-up ( what would later be called the Tacoma ). It was a tough truck with a V-6, 5 speed trans and plenty of power. In 2001, in an impulse buy, I traded that truck on a 2001 Tacoma and, while it had more power and a smoother ride than my 1993, it lacked in ruggedness. In my opinion, it was a CAR with a pick-up truck bed on it. The "velour" interior and aluminum-foil skin was too "sissyfied" to be a truck. The suspension was weak and the truck "rolled" on the suspension in the slightest of curves. I HATED the 2001 Tacoma after owning it for less than a week and learned to hate it even more until the day I sold it a little more than a year later.

In 2005, After owning a Jeep since selling my '01 Tacoma, I wanted a truck again. Toyota trucks were still too "stylish" ( obviously trying to market themselves to Yuppies or ladies, as "grocery getters" or to be used as "trash haulers" only ). I was never really impressed with the Ford Ranger, Chevy S-10, or Mazda mid-size pick-ups and, I didn't need or want a full-size pick-up. That's when I went to Nissan and saw the redesigned 2005 Nissan Frontier 4 wheel drive. The styling was remeniscent of the "hard body" styling and well equipped with a rugged interior and box. I test drove the truck and bought it the same day. The truck rides like a truck, with a comfortable but firm suspension. The 4.0 liter V-6 has plenty of power and the 6 speed trans ( unless you prefer an automatic ) is geared low enough to pull some heavy stuff from a dead stop and yet, cruise at 75 or 80 mph at roughly 2300 rpms.

I've had alot of people ask about my '05 Nissan and I tell them the same as I'll tell you. Since my 1993 Toyota, this is the best truck I've ever owned and, if I knew then what I know now, I'd buy it again .... just as fast.

*** Obviously, Rajan k only read what he wanted to read in my answer before making his interpretation of what I was explaining so, I will clairify for his ( and any other's, who may not understand ) benefit.

The 1993 Toyota pick-up truck that I owned WAS a rugged truck and stood up wonderfully to the every-day use and abuse that I subjected it to. It WAS a great truck but, that was the 1993 model, NOT the newer models currently available which dent if you lean against them and the suspension sags if you put more than 2 shovel-fulls of gravel in the bed. The 2005 Frontier that I now have is built like a TRUCK. It rides like a truck, and handles, hauls and tows like a truck.

If you want a plush car like ride and stylish, soft interior, get a Toyota. If you want a mid-size TRUCK to use for what a truck is designed to be used for, get the Nissan.

I would choose the Toyota becuase I know many people with Tacoma's and 4Runners (the SUV based on the Tacoma platform) and they were all excellent vehicles. My father has a 2000 4Runner SR5 and it has just over 200,000 miles on it. It still runs great, has an awesome 4X4 system and even looks new still. A freind of mine who is a Tacoma owner unfortunately rolled his car over into a ditch, but luckily he and the passenger were not injured, and the truck held up well with minimal damage! These are very sturdy vehicles. Also, im not too familiar with the brand new ones, but the late 90's and early 2000 models did very well on gas for a V6! I would not suggest a 4 cylinder model though, it just lacks too much power, it is great on gas though! In my opinion, Toyota makes the most reliable and durable trucks, but if the Tacoma was not a choice, I would have to pick the Frontier.

Nissan Desert Runner

If you are going to drive it everyday, go for the Toyota, it will be more reliable, and use less fuel. The Supercharger in the Nissan really eats the gas.

The suspension on the Tacoma is much better, plus the resale value on the Taco will be much higher when you get to 200,000 miles.

I own a 99 Prerunner and I love it! I am partial to Toyota's because I trust them and everything they make. I am going on 85 thousand miles, the maintenance is low and it hasn't caused me any grief. The only draw back is that it doesn't have a sunroof or leather but I prefer cloth seats anyway. I don't recommend leather in vehicles because unless your paying 80,000 dollars for it (truck), the quality of leather is not the greatest and will wear and tear more than cloth would. I deal with leather and the moderate stuff is too thin to last. Good Luck with your decision!

the Toyota is a truck that you can abuse but Nissan is a dependable truck it beats me!! i like the Tacoma my friends dad got a crew cab in dark blue it nice

Toyota Tacoma prerunner cause toyota is better then nissan that's my opinion. b/c how many toyota vehicles have you seen on the side of the road? not that many! good luck on your choice.

both have problems and are unsafe, go for a Hummer or Range Rover