New Nissan Frontier Navara Pickup

[FoundationEngineer]

The Navara has pipick up has been in the UK for a while now and is becoming very popular. It is bigger and more powerful than the Toyota, Isuzu and Mitsu. I see it has just been relaesed in Thailand and Im thinking of replacing my Toyota Tiger double cab with the new Nissan.

Does anyone have any opinions on the Navara?

[dvk1951]

Have not seen one in Thailand yet but it is supposed to be available with a 5 sp. tranny like Ford is offering. That could make for an easy-to-drive and smooth ride.

From the writeup below, it sounds like a nice set of wheels.

On the inside, Frontier Navara combines the comfort and command seating of an SUV with technology more associated with a luxury sedan. The Frontier Navara is the first pickup truck in Thailand to feature a six-speed manual transmission in addition to the available five-speed automatic gearbox. Both can be mated to the powerful common-rail diesel engine. The YD25DDTi Common-rail Turbo Intercooler delivers an industry-leading 174 hp and maximum torque of 403 Nm. The pickup features electronic-controlled 4WD system with Limited Slip Differential (LSD) providing “Shift-on-the-Fly” 4WD function. It enables to shift between 2WD and 4WD with the use of a dial without stopping. And LSD automatically applies brakes and the best traction. Also it features an appealing comfortable interior with exceptional quietness, ride feel and handling. It uses the same durable concept frame as the US’s Nissan Titan, full-size truck. And it is equipped with hinged double door for easy “Open cab utility” operation.

The Nissan Frontier Navara is manufactured at the Bangna Trad plant located about 20 kilometers east of Bangkok. The all-new Nissan Frontier Navara will be available from Friday, January 26 at all Nissan dealerships across the country.

Source:

http://www.masini.ro/en/news-details,2236,...ra-Frontier.htm

Edited February 21, 2007 by dvk1951

[sometime]

Have not seen one in Thailand yet but it is supposed to be available with a 5 sp. tranny like Ford is offering. That could make for an easy-to-drive and smooth ride.

From the writeup below, it sounds like a nice set of wheels.

On the inside, Frontier Navara combines the comfort and command seating of an SUV with technology more associated with a luxury sedan. The Frontier Navara is the first pickup truck in Thailand to feature a six-speed manual transmission in addition to the available five-speed automatic gearbox. Both can be mated to the powerful common-rail diesel engine. The YD25DDTi Common-rail Turbo Intercooler delivers an industry-leading 174 hp and maximum torque of 403 Nm. The pickup features electronic-controlled 4WD system with Limited Slip Differential (LSD) providing “Shift-on-the-Fly” 4WD function. It enables to shift between 2WD and 4WD with the use of a dial without stopping. And LSD automatically applies brakes and the best traction. Also it features an appealing comfortable interior with exceptional quietness, ride feel and handling. It uses the same durable concept frame as the US’s Nissan Titan, full-size truck. And it is equipped with hinged double door for easy “Open cab utility” operation.

The Nissan Frontier Navara is manufactured at the Bangna Trad plant located about 20 kilometers east of Bangkok. The all-new Nissan Frontier Navara will be available from Friday, January 26 at all Nissan dealerships across the country.

Source:

http://www.masini.ro/en/news-details,2236,...ra-Frontier.htm

I am also hoping to upgrade from my old Tiger sometime this year, and I fancied the Nissan Navara . But after reading the owners reviews of this pickup from the UK I am slowly changing my mind.

See link for reviews.

http://www.whatcar.co.uk/car-review-readers.aspx?RT=745

[chanchao]

> Im thinking of replacing my Toyota Tiger double cab with the new Nissan.

Why?

I mean, why replace it with any other truck? Is there anything at all that any current pick-up has that you need?

I dutifully check out every new pick-up when it's launched, but then realize there's nothing there that I don't already have. (And sometimes less, like no dual airbags or something)

[katom]

A REAL TRUCK!

[nikster]

See link for reviews.

http://www.whatcar.co.uk/car-review-readers.aspx?RT=745

wow, looks like some serious quality issues going on there. I don't know what it is with Nissan and transmissions one would think they have that kind of thing under control now. My dad had a Nissan Maxima (passenger car) and after the auto tranny failed and was repaired a few times, the dealer gave him a Maxima with manual tranny - they just couldn't fix it!

too bad, the review in BKK post was rather positive, smaller engine (2.5) yet more power/torque than toyota and mitsu. 6 speed transmission is good also.

I wonder if it has a diff lock on that LSD - kind of a must-have for off road.

But with quality issues like this, i wouldn't consider it for one second. It's the reason I got a toyota - well apart from the fact that the Fortuner is an awesome car. After 14km, the only issue was a loose passenger airbag and that was fixed at the 10k service.

[Gary A]

Since the Navara is a BRAND new model, how can there be so many UK reports from long ago?

[chanchao]

I think the Navarra name was used in other markets also for the old model. And it's possible that the new model was released on the UK market before Thailand.

(And surely they'd want to iron out the bugs in a less important place where you can afford to get it wrong a couple times, before getting the confidence for a proper launch in a vital country like Thailand where pick-ups are a way of life. )

[tuktukmike]

I have a nissan frontier and to be honest in the two and a half years we have had the vehicle there have been no problems.

The Navara has been on sale in the UK for many years now and was very simular to the frontier out here.

Only difference was on the road price at a nissan dealer in the UK, a 2.5 king cab on the road £19995. OUCH.

Mike.

[Gary A]

I have a nissan frontier and to be honest in the two and a half years we have had the vehicle there have been no problems.

The Navara has been on sale in the UK for many years now and was very simular to the frontier out here.

Only difference was on the road price at a nissan dealer in the UK, a 2.5 king cab on the road £19995. OUCH.

Mike.

My 2004 Frontier has also been perfect. Only back to the dealer for regular service. It may be the best vehicle I have ever owned. I also had a Toyota 4X4 and it ALWAYS had problems. I no longer have it.

[Plus]

> Im thinking of replacing my Toyota Tiger double cab with the new Nissan.

Why?

I mean, why replace it with any other truck? Is there anything at all that any current pick-up has that you need?

If it's an old Tiger, not the current Vigo, than it's perfectly due for replacement. It also must be at least four years old already.

I've seen only one Navara so far and I think they got the styling right comparing to all other "rugged look" trucks.

Does anyone know a website with Thai specs? The official site still hasn't got its shit together. I wonder if there are other, less visible (and expensive for customers) problems with Nissan.

400 NM torque is very impressive, however it comes at 2000 rpm. What happens later on? Does it drop and eventually level out with Vigos, Tritons and the rest of the pack?

Does it have MP3 player or built in DVD like Triton Plus? I never listen to regular CDs anymore.

[mikethevigoman]

Since the Navara is a BRAND new model, how can there be so many UK reports from long ago?

the D40 ( almost unchanged model as thailand have now ) has been around in the uk for 3 years, i was a wheel dealer and dealt with quite a lot of owners, a toyota it is not, it has a keen following but these forums and chat rooms dont lie, compare it to the toyota and there is none ( comparison ) ,no im afraid the vigo still rules ! and if you need wheels for that nissan you are really restricted as in their wisdom nissan have gone from a 6-139.7 fitment ( nearly all 4x4s and very easy to get ) to a totally obscure 6-114.3 that is almost a totally nissan only fitment and almost immposible to get ,.

[chanchao]

> Does anyone know a website with Thai specs? The official site still hasn't got its shit together.

The usual. 2.5 Turbo Diesel engine, which is smaller than usual, so interesting if they really get the power out of it (my worry is the torque). 6 speed gear box, which is a first. However I wonder if the 6th gear is actually longer, or that it's just a matter of 1st gear being lower, with the gears closer together in size. I'd be especially interested in a longer 6th for highway driving. other than that it's the same as all other pick-ups.

> 400 NM torque is very impressive, however it comes at 2000 rpm. What happens later on?

Later on!? I want to know what happens BEFORE 2000 rpm, which its completely VITAL when you do any kind of off-roading, or hauling large loads. My pick-up has excellent torque at 2000 as well, but drops completely DEAD, deceased, [insert parrot sketch], under 1800 or so.

Cheers,

Chanchao