You never know what's left over, the Titan(ic) could have a bunch of leftovers in it, Frontier or Hardbody.

 

Dude, the Hardbody hasn't been around for 7 years. The only leftovers are the ones at the junk yard.

 

I heard the last year for it was 2000, but still seeing past body quality doesn't really encourage much for the Titan(ic).

 

Gosh - time will tell folks and will also tell for all of the new products. The "hardbodies" that no one much cared for were gone by when 1996? Although I see them around still, paint flaking and rusting just like the Rangers.

I just get tired of this constant Jap/U.S. bashing that really doesn't matter any more. When was the last time you bought a non-Jap TV? We almost don't even make them here any more! It's a global manufacturing environment and that is probably good for the U.S. as we have a hard time manufacturing anything anymore in this country that is competitive in cost. At least we maintain an edge on technology, export a great deal of it only to import it back to the American consumer.

Anyway, the Nissan is sure stacking up well in every test that is publicized. Guess most folks on this forum will argue with the test findings too. I am an old-core Ford fan, but I recognize progress and I sure want reliability - something I used to take for granted with Ford and don't anymore. That is the key. Ford is losing customers due to their lack of support with the kind of problems that all manufacturers have. Somehow to Ford the customer has become the enemy. I just don't think this kind of problem will resolve well for either party. I remember when I have had dealer-maintained vehicles that Ford would step in and offer assistance immediately if there was any kind of major problem. Back then - not that long ago, maybe 10 years ago - a major problem was considered $100 or so in terms of expense. Things have sure changed and those loyal customers may change too.

Good luck Ford convincing me that I want to spend a small fortune for your new products. Maybe I will, but it sure is taking a lot of consideration lately.

 

how bout the fact that the titan is one but ugly cheesy lookin truck?
i take built ford tough and good lookin anyday

 

I have a hard time with Ford built-tough engines spitting out spark-plugs - factory installed plugs at that - and Ford ignoring the problem. Then there are all different kinds of gasket leaks too. Good luck with that happening under 3/36. All of the above might result in Ford buying in with "good will" at 50% if you are the original owner. These are known problems, Ford knows it - the customer is the one that gets taken. Makes it hard for even long-time customers to remain loyal.

So, I digress into this Titan subject again. I rather doubt the new Nissan will have these kinds of engineering and/or assembly problems as there has not been a blimp on the radar screen in the last five years for Nissan's new industry-leading engines and transmissions too.

Good-lookin? Reliable looks good to me. Something that promises to hold up well to hard truck usage over at least 10 years. The kind of thing Ford used to hang their hat on so to speak. Not any more. Reliability and customer support are simply not there.

So guess what? I look around. The new Titan looks pretty good on the open road - see more and more of them cruising around the Southwest. Call it ugly if you want - lots of folks called the new 1997 models of F-150 very ugly. I think the Titan has that sort of styling - contraversial, but the kind of styling that doesn't take too long to start to like. Yes, it is different - Toyota could stand to be different too.

Time will tell. I'm not ready to buy either the new Ford or the new Nissan right away. But, I'm sure keeping a close eye on both.

 

ck1404,
Just go buy the Titan. Put up and Shut up. Somebody needs to boost the Japanese economy (Jap is not the preferred nomenclature by the way). Its a great truck, reliable, beefy, beautiful, etc., just stop already.

Ford and GM are majority American companies (Dodge is German) that make flawed products, but they are our products. If Ford or GM is somewhat close to the Nissan in quality and performance many, like myself, prefer to by an American icon. Its the brass American in many of us that the rest of the world hates. By the way, I by French TV's RCA. Everything else I own is Chinese, because they don't manufacture much here anymore. Prison labor and peasant labor in China makes a better product for much less. Maybe we should just close down the Amercian auto factories until they get it right.

 

There aren't many people reporting Nissan problems because there aren't many people buying Nissan trucks.

Let's see, how are those percentages adding up...
#1...Ford
#2...Chevy
#3...Dodge
#4...Toyota
#5...Nissan or someone, I mean when you get this low in the food chain does it matter who number 5 is.

So let's see...if Ford sells 900,000 trucks every year and Nissan sells 100,000 and they both had the same percentage of problems guess which one you would hear about more often. Basic math.

Ford is number one. That makes them the target of everyone else, nobody want's to be number five! That's why so many Nissan fans (or salesmen) come to FTE and talk about Nissans, you don't see Ford fans wasting their time at the Nissan enthusiast site.

 

LOL, I've never heard of a Nissan product puking up sparkplugs!

I guess the Triton drinks to much!

Diehard Ford fans are just that, diehard. But die none the less. I hope Ford corporate gets off their a$$'s and realizes that the competition has begun. It's time to put up or shut up.

The main reason the F150 is #1 in sales, is because of fleet sales. Government and municipality sales are what push's the F150 over the top. Do you really think the pencil pushers that sign the purchase orders give a flyin f#!k that they're Fords? Ummm, no, they don't.

 

They know better than to buy a fleet of Nissans!

You proved my point for me, even people that have no brand loyalty buy Ford trucks because they look at all of the facts and pick the best without caring about what brand it is.

Thanks

 

Good point Foney. I work for the Feds and all we have are big three rigs. I think the big reason they have fleet contracts with them is because the foreign folks have not been making real trucks for very long in this country. The Feds may also be only allowed to buy American, but I don't really know.

Foney, you should also stop complaining and go buy your new rice rig. Stop hanging around this forum. You must still have some insecurities about buying that fine rice rig just like ck1404. You guys are cups half empty types. I like to think Ford is improving and I rewarded them by purchasing. The Japanese want your money so give it to them.

 

Maybe it's because they never had a chance to buy a fleet of Nissan's before. I'm not saying that the Titan is going to knock off the F150's #1 sales finger. But in a few years, it's going to be moving up in sales.
You have got to admit, Nissan makes a great drivetrain. I've Never heard of a Nissan puking a sparkplug, unless it was runnin really high boost. 30PSI++

They build some of the best engines in the world. Their I6's are some of the best racing engines ever built. I've been inside a few of their V6's and the quality is astounding. Internally balancing, much tighter tolerances, 4-6 bolt mains, crank girdles, ect. All the little things they do stock, you will never see in a domestic.


Hmm, me wonders if I could cram the VK56DE under the hood of my Z. It only weighs 500 lbs! 305 hp/ 379 lbft would be a blast!!


Oh yea, BigPie, I 'm holding out till they offer up a 3/4 ton diesel rice rig, with an 8'box.

 

the more you talk the dumber you sound. take a look around! you'll see that most fleet sales go to dodge and then Chevy. they lease them short term and turn them in before they start falling apart. usually the only fleet fords you'll see are operations where they really abuse the trucks every day and are willing to pay the higher initial cost,like mining, oil exploration,and so on. why do you have such a deep seated hatred for a car manufacturer and the people who buy them? it's kind of sad and pathetic.

 

Dood, your the one who needs to take a look aound. Just because that's all YOU see is Dodges, dont take it as such. Most ( federal prison, DOT,Airports) Government, municipality vehicles around here, are Fords
It's a regional thing.

 

Almost all the state trucks and vans here are Fords, (5 state institutions in town), most of the Federal trucks are Fords or old squarebody Dodges (4 Federal prisons in town). The National Guard uses the old 6.2L diesel Chevy 1 ton 4x4's and 6.2L diesel Blazers from the mid-80's.