Used Nissan Frontier 2005 Model Year Review

As I sit and write this, I am actually at the dealer getting the new tires they owe me on the used 2005 Nissan Frontier SE I just recently purchased from Fitzgerald Auto Mall in Frederick, Maryland. So far it has turned out to be one nice little truck with only a few minor annoyances. Let's start with the good stuff first.

The Good

The Engine

The SE has the 4.0L V6 which for the model I have with an automatic transmission and four-wheel drive is important. What that translates into is 265 horses under the hood and a great response time off the line. Whether on a city street or off-road, you can count on this engine to get you through whatever you are in.

The SE Crew Cab

With the crew cab there is plenty of room for internal carrying capacity whether that is tn the form of human or material cargo. Four people can sit comfortably in the cab which is great if you have a family or coworkers that will be riding in the truck regularly. The ride is a little more bumpy than some are used to but then again many people aren't used to riding in a truck which means they haven't felt that stiff of suspension before.

The Bed Liner

With the SE's integrated bed liner, your truck bed actually has a chance to survive if you are using the truck for any light work duties. I just got done hauling bark mulch in mine and when shoveling out the back, the bed liner means no damage to the paint job. In many full size trucks you would pay a few hundred dollars for this accessory so this is a definite plus to buying a truck with it standard.

The Not as Good

Squeaky Hood

The Nissan branding on the front of the truck and the hood seem to squeak bit when on uneven terrain. This could be anything from uneven pavement to off-road riding. On a standard well paved road, there is no noticeable noise but it is audible when on  anything rougher. This is not a deal breaker and some well placed padding can solve the issue. Nissan seems to have attempted to do this in the factory but over time the padding becomes damaged and needs to be fixed.

Rail Tie-Down System

Nissan has incorporated a nifty (in concept anyway) adjustable tie-down system in the bed of the truck which allows the owner to slide four cable stays to any position they would like in the truck. While this is great in theory, the cable stays are not equipped with eye hooks so traditional bungee cords and ratchet straps don't work with them very well at all. A person with some time could probably modify the cable stays so that they use eye bolts rather than just the clamps that come standard. This is my next project.

Overall Impression

At the end of the day, the Nissan frontier is a great mid-sized truck and very usable for all of the things I need it for. One thing it is not is a replacement for a full sized truck. If you are looking for the full 6 or 8 foot bed then this truck is probably not for you. You also not get a massive towing capability with the truck that you might with a full-size truck at the 1/2 ton and above level. If you are looking for a great four-wheel drive vehicle that can do some light duty work though, then this is really for you. It is on par with the Tacoma for reliability as well which means it can function as a primary vehicle for you like it does for me. If you have a chance, go out and test drive a 2005 Nissan Frontier or newer and see how it checks out, I bet you will like it.