1998 Nissan Frontier 4x2 2.4 inline-4 from North America

Summary:

An outstanding truck for the money

Faults:

I have had no major problems with this truck as of yet. And I have driven this truck hard.

Only problems I had were the airbag light and the hood release cable snapped and I replaced that for $20 myself.

General Comments:

This truck is great. Unlike my last truck this one is extremely reliable. I've put 7000 miles on it since I bought it back in January of this year. I live in Fairbanks, Alaska and I have to say I was surprised that it fired up every time, granted I do have block, oil, and battery heaters. I'll keep this truck until the wheels fall off.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th July, 2004

9th Jul 2004, 13:04

I'm the guy who wrote the review on this truck and I did fail to mention one thing, the gas mileage is great considering the conditions I live in and how hard I drive it. I got from downtown Anchorage, AK to Fairbanks, AK on one tank of gas. And that is about 380 miles worth of traveling right there.

1998 Nissan Frontier XE 2.4L 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

A simple, yet reliable vehicle

Faults:

I have some sort of suspension problem with the left side. The truck leans to one side and I can tell that the wheel well is a lot higher off the right wheel than it is off the left wheel. I haven't gotten it checked out because I am broke right now so I don't know how much it will cost to fix.

The clutch feels like its about to go out. It is very stiff and sometimes it grinds the gears while I shift even when I have the clutch all the way down.

General Comments:

The truck feels like it struggles once it gets past 60. I don't think Nissan should have made this truck with only a 4 cylinder. It seems very underpowered.

Overall this truck is a good truck. It has served me well, other than a few minor problems. If I could do it all again i would get a Ford Ranger though!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th June, 2004

15th Mar 2008, 14:25

The problem with the lean to one side can easily be fixed in your driveway with a wrench and about 20 minutes. It likely is that a torsion bar is out of adjustment and needs more tension. I reset both of mine to factory specs in a matter of half an hour.

1998 Nissan Frontier XE 2.4 I4 from North America

Summary:

A dependable value in a 4X4

Faults:

When I first bought the car it would not shift into 4WD, either sitting in the lot or going down the highway / trail. This was before I signed the final paperwork. Nissan never told me what the problem was, but they fixed it in less than 10 minutes, and I signed for it and left the dealership. While I only put 29K on this truck, it's some of the hardest miles I've ever seen, lifetime. You see, it lived in Fairbanks Alaska.

General Comments:

-40, -50 - this truck never failed to turn right over and start. Granted I had a block heater and battery blanket (necessities in the far north) but this is still a good sign.

As for off road performance, I specifically remember driving past a STUCK military-issue Hummer. I kept going to the end of the trail (OK - so it was a swampy bog, not a trail... details) and managed to get back just fine. Nary a whimper from the truck. I actually managed to drive across part of a small river in it. Make no mistake, folks - this truck can get it done. I've taken this rig rock-hopping, snow-riding, out on lake ice, though thick mud and then some - and never got stuck. Pretty impressive for a compact 4cyl with no winch, no lift and stock tires.

Nissan's new braking system (standard on my truck) works very well. Driving 50mph in 4WD the truck did fantastic on rock / gravel roads, even in the sharper turns. Braking was coordinated and not too harsh - but still quite effective if you had to romp on the pedal.

Bottom line? I was a -fool- to sell this truck and I've been shopping for one ever since.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th June, 2003