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Titan tanking....

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Old Apr 13, 2004 | 12:06 PM
  #31  
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I actually like both the Titan and the Armada.

I think most of the issues have already been nailed.
Old Apr 13, 2004 | 12:10 PM
  #32  
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I was at the Nissan dealership the other day looking at 350Z Roadsters and happened upon the Titan. I like it and think it's a really nice truck. I'd rather have the F-150 because I think it looks even better plus I rode in one a couple of weeks ago and it is by far the best riding truck I've ever been in. And it wasn't even the Lariat edition!
Old Apr 13, 2004 | 02:14 PM
  #33  
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Originally posted by 94LightningGal

Nissan needs more variety (yes people do still work with their trucks), a lower dollar entry engine, a remake on that awful exterior (there is not a cohesive design theme in the entire truck), and heavily upgrade the quality of the interior. Then they need to sit back and wait. It will take years to begin to get a reputation for toughness (or not, depending on how the truck does in the long term).
1. Nobody drives long bed, regular cab models except farmers and "lawn service professionals." Nissan was right to make the Titan only in well equipped extended and crew cab models. They are making the same move with the Frontier, at least initially.

2. Why does Nissan need an "entry level" engine? Ford has ditched the V6-engined base F-150 - a fortunate move because the 4.6 liter model is guttless and the new 5.4 liter only borders on adequate. From experience, I can state that V6 powered full sized trucks are loathsome, and should be avoided by all private owners. Even the real world fuel economy gains of an inadequate engine are marginal. Similarly, who wants to shift with a gear lever that looks like a broomstick.

Kudos to Nissan for refusing to produce a truck without a serious drivetrain as standard equipment. Nobody else (Ford, GM, Dodge and Toyota included) has ever bothered to do it before.

3. If Audi TT-style air vents and fake wood are quality, then the Ford F-150 has plenty of interior "quality." Of course, due to long acceleration times, F-150 buyers have lots of time on their hands to stare at the dashboard.

4. A Toyota Landcruiser (especially in the GX-spec you can't get in the U.S.) is my idea of a tough vehicle. Gasoline engines aside, the Super Duty is the only Ford I might say the same about. The current F-150 is big, soft and doughy - much like alot of potential F-150 buyers.

It's pretty obvious that Nissan doesn't need to "sit back and wait" for a "reputation for toughness." The Titan is already ahead of the domestic competition if you bother to look at the product.

Originally posted by 94LightningGal
BTW, locally in AZ, the dealerships have been offering at least $4000 off of MSRP since January. I have seen 2 on the road.
Based on my own experience, I can agree. So far, I've only seen one stripped XE model on the road. The local dealer is pushing 20+ in inventory - a big pile up by Nissan standards. To put that in perspective, though, the local Chevy and GMC lots have a sum total of 250-300 full sized trucks in inventory.
Old Apr 13, 2004 | 02:43 PM
  #34  
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Originally posted by redzed
1. Nobody drives long bed, regular cab models except farmers and "lawn service professionals." Nissan was right to make the Titan only in well equipped extended and crew cab models. They are making the same move with the Frontier, at least initially.
People that use trucks for WORK do. Silverado 2500 in that cab/bed config in very popular for people plowing snow in the north east.

Originally posted by redzed
2. Why does Nissan need an "entry level" engine? Ford has ditched the V6-engined base F-150 - a fortunate move because the 4.6 liter model is guttless and the new 5.4 liter only borders on adequate. From experience, I can state that V6 powered full sized trucks are loathsome, and should be avoided by all private owners. Even the real world fuel economy gains of an inadequate engine are marginal. Similarly, who wants to shift with a gear lever that looks like a broomstick.

Kudos to Nissan for refusing to produce a truck without a serious drivetrain as standard equipment. Nobody else (Ford, GM, Dodge and Toyota included) has ever bothered to do it before.
Not everyone needs/wants the biggest most expensive V8 engine. My father has had a nubmer of fullsize trucks over the years all with either a V6 or 305 V8, he has been happy with their level of power. I know a lot of people that have had Chevys and Fords and didn't get the biggest V8 possible. There are more important things than 1/4mi. times to truck buyers.
Old Apr 13, 2004 | 03:31 PM
  #35  
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Ford has ditched the V6-engined base F-150 - a fortunate move because the 4.6 liter model is guttless and the new 5.4 liter only borders on adequate.
The latest buyers guide I've seen still says Ford offers a 4.2L Triton 6-cylinder / 202hp engine as "standard" in the 2004 F-150...it may depend on if you're looking at a standard cab 2wd, or a crew-cab(4-door)4x4...not sure...but they do have a 4.2L / 6-cylinder base F-150...
The way I see it is, I love Chevy cars, but I do have to give props to the Ford F-series Trucks, they ride well, turn well, and with an optional 7.3L Powerstroke Turbo V8 Diesel engine(American Made by International Truck & Engine Corp.) they have the Power advantage as well...
As of now, a Ford truck would be what I'd buy, if I really needed a good, solid, strong, "work" truck..an F-350 with a 7.3L PS/ turbo-diesel.
Old Apr 13, 2004 | 03:40 PM
  #36  
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Just for clairfication, in the heart of domestic-land, Ive seen one Titan on the road. Ive seen more SSR's actually.
Old Apr 13, 2004 | 03:44 PM
  #37  
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Originally posted by 90rocz
The latest buyers guide I've seen still says Ford offers a 4.2L Triton 6-cylinder / 202hp engine as "standard" in the 2004 F-150...it may depend on if you're looking at a standard cab 2wd, or a crew-cab(4-door)4x4...not sure...but they do have a 4.2L / 6-cylinder base F-150...
I believe that is only available for the "heritage" f-150, which is a 2004, but is the old body style.
Old Apr 13, 2004 | 03:47 PM
  #38  
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Originally posted by 90rocz
The latest buyers guide I've seen still says Ford offers a 4.2L Triton 6-cylinder / 202hp engine as "standard" in the 2004 F-150
The 4.2L Triton is only in the "Heritage" (read "old") F-150 - which they're still building alongside the new model. All the new design models have the 4.6 (XL, STX, XLT) or 5.4 (FX4, Lariat) as standard.
Old Apr 15, 2004 | 10:09 AM
  #39  
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Originally posted by redzed
1. Nobody drives long bed, regular cab models except farmers and "lawn service professionals." Nissan was right to make the Titan only in well equipped extended and crew cab models. They are making the same move with the Frontier, at least initially.

2. Why does Nissan need an "entry level" engine? Ford has ditched the V6-engined base F-150 - a fortunate move because the 4.6 liter model is guttless and the new 5.4 liter only borders on adequate. From experience, I can state that V6 powered full sized trucks are loathsome, and should be avoided by all private owners. Even the real world fuel economy gains of an inadequate engine are marginal. Similarly, who wants to shift with a gear lever that looks like a broomstick.

Kudos to Nissan for refusing to produce a truck without a serious drivetrain as standard equipment. Nobody else (Ford, GM, Dodge and Toyota included) has ever bothered to do it before.

3. If Audi TT-style air vents and fake wood are quality, then the Ford F-150 has plenty of interior "quality." Of course, due to long acceleration times, F-150 buyers have lots of time on their hands to stare at the dashboard.

4. A Toyota Landcruiser (especially in the GX-spec you can't get in the U.S.) is my idea of a tough vehicle. Gasoline engines aside, the Super Duty is the only Ford I might say the same about. The current F-150 is big, soft and doughy - much like alot of potential F-150 buyers.

It's pretty obvious that Nissan doesn't need to "sit back and wait" for a "reputation for toughness." The Titan is already ahead of the domestic competition if you bother to look at the product.



Based on my own experience, I can agree. So far, I've only seen one stripped XE model on the road. The local dealer is pushing 20+ in inventory - a big pile up by Nissan standards. To put that in perspective, though, the local Chevy and GMC lots have a sum total of 250-300 full sized trucks in inventory.
Redzed welcome to my ignore list you are number 2!

Now if you have nothing more than crap to say you will stay here but if you have anything remotely worth reading you may come off my list.
Old Apr 15, 2004 | 12:40 PM
  #40  
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Red, you need to read up, and look at the real world before you open your mouth and insert your foot.

There are 5 plants that build the F-series trucks. Currently, only 2 of those are making the new truck. Another should be on line in the next couple of months. As all the plants switch over (you stagger it so that there is no shortage of the worlds best selling vehicle................ well................ unless you are red, I guess), all of the varieties of F150 trucks will be built on the new platform. This will include all of the standard cab, longbed, V6, and manual transmission trucks.

Also, if you don't see that work trucks sell, you need to get out more.

The fastest truck has rarely been the sole criteria for the purchase of a full size truck (unless you are buying a Lightning or SRT-10 Ram).

BTW, the "slow" 5.4 F150 is still significantly faster than about any truck made 10-years.............. or even less, ago. A full size truck that would run in the 9's to 60 was considered "fast." That a 5500lb fully loaded F150 can do it in the 8-second range is pretty impressive in my book. It's a heavy truck, but I would take massive frame strength for the weight trade-off anyday.
Old Apr 15, 2004 | 08:48 PM
  #41  
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Can you get a manual transmission with any of these trucks? That would be a deciding factor for me on which one I would buy.
Old Apr 16, 2004 | 01:20 AM
  #42  
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Originally posted by Steal-Dragon
Can you get a manual transmission with any of these trucks? That would be a deciding factor for me on which one I would buy.

Silverado.

In the 2500's you can even get a Big Block 6 speed combo
Old Apr 16, 2004 | 12:04 PM
  #43  
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It really surprises me that the titan is doing so poorly. When I initially saw it, I thought it would sell quite well. As someone has already stated, I would have to agree that the primary cause would be owner loyalty. It will just take Nissan some time to earn customer loyalty. As far as looks go, I feel that there are a few members on this board who might need to run down to Walmart Vision Center and have their eyes checked. The titan is a very sharp looking truck. It doesn't even come close to matching the ugliness of a Silverado. The current Silverado is the most hideous and offensive truck i've ever set my eyes on.
Old Apr 16, 2004 | 12:39 PM
  #44  
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Originally posted by 94LightningGal
Also, if you don't see that work trucks sell, you need to get out more.[/B]
I've seen more Escalade ESVs than new stripped work trucks around where I live.

Originally posted by 94LightningGal
The fastest truck has rarely been the sole criteria for the purchase of a full size truck (unless you are buying a Lightning or SRT-10 Ram).[/B]
Having the slowest one isn't exactly a selling point?

Originally posted by 94LightningGal BTW, the "slow" 5.4 F150 is still significantly faster than about any truck made 10-years.............. or even less, ago. A full size truck that would run in the 9's to 60 was considered "fast." That a 5500lb fully loaded F150 can do it in the 8-second range is pretty impressive in my book. It's a heavy truck, but I would take massive frame strength for the weight trade-off anyday. [/B]
The average F-150 4X4, either extended cab or crew cab, isn't going to run 0-60 in 8 seconds - not with even the 5.4 liter. A time under 10 seconds is what 300 of Ford's "horsepower" gets you.
Old Apr 17, 2004 | 11:25 PM
  #45  
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Originally posted by Eric77TA
The 4.2L Triton is only in the "Heritage" (read "old") F-150 - which they're still building alongside the new model. All the new design models have the 4.6 (XL, STX, XLT) or 5.4 (FX4, Lariat) as standard.
What's the point of still building the old model?



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