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1999 nissan frontier purchase

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Wahayes, Jul 25, 2022.

  1. Jul 25, 2022 at 1:30 PM
    #1
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    Hi all , so thinking about buying a 1999 nissan frontier 4x4. It will be a commuter and tight trail vehicle for me , then serve as a first vehicle for my kid who is a year away from driving. After he's done with it back to commuting and light/tight trails for me. It's a v6 se 4x4 , 5 speed manual 205k on the clock , timingbelt was done 40k ago , 3100. 00 in receipts for recent tune up and maintenance. Brand new Michelin tires. Only issue is the factory paint is peeling down to primer in 4 or 5 spots. No rust.

    What's yall thoughts on buying this at that high of mileage? The 3.3 v6 is arguably one of the best engines nissan built, and since it's a stick don't have to worry about the tyranny just.the clutch. Interior is spotless it is apparent it was well cared for. If I buy I will be inspecting the fluids , the frame , the body for rust, checking the oil cap to see the head to see if it's sludge or clean and oily , looking for other clean fluids etc. My understanding is that other than bumping from 3.0 to 3.3 , and different body panels , it's essentially a nissan hardbody truck and should last well past 300k with proper care. What do you guys think?
     
  2. Jul 25, 2022 at 1:34 PM
    #2
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Staff Member Vendor

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    Buy it. I don't think a ton of people are going to be Nissan mechanics around here (myself included), but if the rig was maintained, and you know going into it that things could happen regardless of mileage you're good to go!
     
    Cpl_Punishment and Wahayes[OP] like this.
  3. Jul 25, 2022 at 1:35 PM
    #3
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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  4. Jul 25, 2022 at 1:38 PM
    #4
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    Screenshot_20220725-143430_KSL Classifieds.jpg Screenshot_20220725-143442_KSL Classifieds.jpg Screenshot_20220725-143436_KSL Classifieds.jpg Screenshot_20220725-143413_KSL Classifieds.jpg Screenshot_20220725-143425_KSL Classifieds.jpg
     
    Malinois38 likes this.
  5. Jul 25, 2022 at 1:40 PM
    #5
    jalam321

    jalam321 New Member

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    I had a 2001 Frontier V6 supercharged years ago. It was a good truck, without any major issues. That one looks to be pretty good clean condition besides the paint.
     
    Wahayes[OP] likes this.
  6. Jul 25, 2022 at 1:42 PM
    #6
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Staff Member Vendor

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    My first vehicle was a '02 with the S/C. Other than I recall it being terrible in the snow/ice it was a cool truck. I also was a young kid, and almost assuredly it did not have any sort of winter tire on it... :rofl:
     
    Wahayes[OP] likes this.
  7. Jul 25, 2022 at 1:44 PM
    #7
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    I found one other one that's cheaper and less miles 2002, however it's not near as clean. The seats on that one are messed up. I feel 157k and 205k differences are negl8gible based on the age at this point..... also the other is an automatic which with only 170 or 180hp I feel would suck lol
     
  8. Jul 25, 2022 at 3:01 PM
    #8
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    I would go with the slightly higher mileage one that's been better maintained.

    I'm not sure if the cost would be worth it but, if there's no rust, could you just get it repainted?
     
    Wahayes[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  9. Jul 25, 2022 at 3:10 PM
    #9
    Okiebug

    Okiebug New Member

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    Not sure if the 2002 falls into the SMOD (strawberry milkshake of death) issue or not but it was an enormous problem in frontiers, xterra ect. Only in automatics, I'd check that out before I even considered the 2002 at all.
     
    Wahayes[OP] likes this.
  10. Jul 25, 2022 at 5:01 PM
    #10
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    That's my thinking too. Interior parts are a bitch to source for ANY old vehicle. Repaints are easy.
     
  11. Jul 25, 2022 at 6:45 PM
    #11
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    Not the one everyone knows about, that was on the second gen BUT in my research I have found that some of the older ones are having that happen just due to time..... I think I'm convinced on the 5 speed. It's just too clean to pass on and 40k really isn't all that much a difference.
     
  12. Jul 25, 2022 at 6:58 PM
    #12
    DKray_SX

    DKray_SX East Bound and Down...

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    Dude, get the 5 speed. I had an '03 frontier crew cab. The auto tranny sucks. Same mpg as my '21 tundra. No fun to drive.

    My sister in law had an '02 Xterra 5 speed. It was great. You could use the power the engine makes. Downshift and go. It crawled well too.
     
  13. Jul 25, 2022 at 7:24 PM
    #13
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    This what I was thinking as well. Plus I feel every man should learn how to drive a stick lol not only from a right of passage standpoint but also because it limits distractions when driving by default. Texting and driving ? Not with a stick you're not lol
     
  14. Jul 25, 2022 at 7:31 PM
    #14
    BTBAKER

    BTBAKER DIFFERENT NAME. SAME JUNK.

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    Looks solid to me. I’d say go for it.
     
  15. Jul 26, 2022 at 9:41 AM
    #15
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    Planning on picking it up with the tundra on Friday
     
  16. Jul 26, 2022 at 9:45 AM
    #16
    Taco-Spike

    Taco-Spike Gateway from Tacoma World ~ ended up here

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    My dad bought a similar one a few years ago for a ranch truck. Been working great for him but it only gets a hundred or less miles a year on it and never see's pavement.
     
  17. Jul 26, 2022 at 10:00 AM
    #17
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    Nice. Yea I mainly am getting it for my son to learn on and for me to keep miles down on my tundra. I'm 39 and I have no plans to buy another truck again before I retire which is a long way off but the tundra can do it. just plan on replacing my wife's car as needed as that's the vehicle we use the most. Plus I just like old shit to tinker with. New cars have no appeal to me. I don't want my truck to drive itself, I don't want an iPad hanging off my dash, etc etc. Between this nissan and my tundra I'd have everything I need or want from a truck. My tundra will be my serious trail truck as it has sliders , lift, 36s and getting a locker, winch etc. The nissan I'm going to keep simple ,31s and maybe a rear locker, and keep it clean and simple. It will be able to handle the narrow trails I don't want to do with my tundra.
     
    Taco-Spike[QUOTED] likes this.
  18. Jul 26, 2022 at 10:19 AM
    #18
    Blueknights75

    Blueknights75 040 IS THE FASTEST

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    Definitely buy it….wish I would have never gotten rid of my 99 Frontier CM. Luckily still have a 99 Maxima which is bulletproof.
     
  19. Jul 30, 2022 at 6:38 PM
    #19
    Wahayes

    Wahayes [OP] Older I get the wiser I realize my dad was

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    325/60r20 falken at3w, 2.25 dobinsons ,20x9 +20 fuel torque wheels, leer xr100, bmc
    Got it ! Super happy with it

    20220729_135217.jpg
     

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