Would you trade?

[brainpause]

Here's the deal:

I have a 1998 Frontier 4x4 extended cab, black.
Loaded. 107K miles.
Power windows, locks
cruise, sunroof, AM/FM/Cass/CD
bedliner
toolbox
Class III Reese hitch
5 speed tranny
2.4L FOUR CYLINDER

My father-in-law has a 1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4, white. Loaded. 102K miles.
Power windows, locks
cruise, sunroof, AM/FM/Cass/CD
bedliner
toolbox
NO Class III Reese hitch
5 speed tranny
3.4L SIX CYLINDER

His truck is rated to pull 5000#, mine 3500#. He does no trailer pulling, I frequently pull a camper or a heavy ATV trailer with 2 atv's.

Basically, the trade would be even, no $$ involved. Mine is pretty clean on the inside, as it is my daily driver. His has been used as a work truck, and is pretty dirty, but with a little elbow grease, it would be a decent truck on the inside.

I really like that SIX! It would pull my equipment with so much more ease than the anemic 2.4L four banger (though it has been dependable).

I have been driving the Toyota for a couple of days now, and I feel like I'm cheating on my truck (in the shop for 90K mile check). Functionally the SAME truck with the SAME features, except for the engine.

The two biggest drawbacks I can see is that I'd have to rewire the Toy for my trailers, no biggie. Would also have to get a Class III hitch, no biggie, but not wanting to spend the $$$.

I just love my Nissan, and it has been a GREAT truck...just lacks a little in the HP/torque dept.

What do you guys think?

Larry

[SkipP]

Here's the deal:
 
I have a 1998 Frontier 4x4 extended cab, black.
Loaded. 107K miles.
Power windows, locks
cruise, sunroof, AM/FM/Cass/CD
bedliner
toolbox
Class III Reese hitch
5 speed tranny
2.4L FOUR CYLINDER
 
My father-in-law has a 1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4, white. Loaded. 102K miles.
Power windows, locks
cruise, sunroof, AM/FM/Cass/CD
bedliner
toolbox
NO Class III Reese hitch
5 speed tranny
3.4L SIX CYLINDER
 
His truck is rated to pull 5000#, mine 3500#. He does no trailer pulling, I frequently pull a camper or a heavy ATV trailer with 2 atv's.
 
Basically, the trade would be even, no $$ involved. Mine is pretty clean on the inside, as it is my daily driver. His has been used as a work truck, and is pretty dirty, but with a little elbow grease, it would be a decent truck on the inside.
 
I really like that SIX! It would pull my equipment with so much more ease than the anemic 2.4L four banger (though it has been dependable).
 
I have been driving the Toyota for a couple of days now, and I feel like I'm cheating on my truck (in the shop for 90K mile check). Functionally the SAME truck with the SAME features, except for the engine.
 
The two biggest drawbacks I can see is that I'd have to rewire the Toy for my trailers, no biggie. Would also have to get a Class III hitch, no biggie, but not wanting to spend the $$$.
 
I just love my Nissan, and it has been a GREAT truck...just lacks a little in the HP/torque dept.
 
What do you guys think?
 
Larry

In a heartbeat, I'd trade Larry! Bigger motor and a vehicle that has never seen the wear and tear of towing would do it for me.....everything else being equal. Nothing factual to back it up but it makes sense to me that a vehicle not purpose-built to tow would see more drivetrain wear from towing than the same vehicle used as an everyday driver. If the Toyota lacks the additional room of the exrended cab, that would be a pain to me but it might be okay with you.
 
Both vehicles offer good, reliable transportation. For towing, the six wins easily.

[brainpause]

Skip, you see it much the same way I do. The Toy even has the extended cab, like mine. It is essentially the SAME truck (both even have a sunroof!), except for the six cylinder.

The biggest drawback is that the inside of my truck is clean (other than opened mail envelopes). The Toy would take several hours, if not days, to get it decent on the inside. Very dirty.

Someone else on another forum brought up the dangers of this kind of transaction with family, in case of breakdown of one of the vehicles. Well, my FIL is kind and takes care of me and Holly anyway. If my Nissan broke down, no matter who was driving, he would help us pay for repairs anyway.  

Larry

[gsm x2]

Larry,
 
 Check on the value of your time, then consider taking the truck to a detailer, who can have the inside and outside of the truck looking very nice in a day.
 
 Scott

[Kelly]

I agree with Scott & Skip ... if that deal fell into my lap, I'd be all over it!  

A lot of elbow grease (or a check to the detailer) would certainly be worth a better tow vehicle for me.

Let us know what you decide .... [/FONT]

[brainpause]

I guess everyone should know, but the offer hasn't been officially made. But my MIL has said he has talked about it.

Like everything else, I research the heck out of everything.

Larry

[tlhdoc]

I would do it.

[Steve-o-bud]

Based on the two vehicles to be swapped, I would go for it. For tow vehicles, who cares if it is a little rough around the eges, as long as it is reliable, which for a Toyota shouldn't be a problem.
 
The only downside could be, if the Nissan broke, would your FIL get upset at you? Remeber what they say about family and friends and money and selling cars to them!
 
We recently bought a 1986 Suburban, from a freind of ours. It had about 120K miles on it, and the paint is really trashed. But, the interior is pretty good, and it is the 3/4 ton, 454 (7.4L) V-8, with all the tow package heavy duty stuff. I think the tow rating is something like 9,600 lbs. I had to reinstall a brake controller, and wiring harness. As a road test, I took my trailer up the notorious Cajon Pass. Was able to do 65 mph, no problem, all the way up. And it towed really stable, and far smoother, than with our SLX aka trooper.
 
Our main use for the vehicle will be for towing, or when we want to carry 8 persons, so I don't foresee that we'll put many miles on it. I'll invest some $$ in tires, and a cheap paint job, and hopefully, we'll be good to go.
 
Good luck!

[brainpause]

The only downside could be, if the Nissan broke, would your FIL get upset at you? Remeber what they say about family and friends and money and selling cars to them!
Good luck!

As I said, even if the Nissan broke down, my FIL is generous enough that he would probably help me pay for expensive repairs, no matter who was driving it. So, it is sort of a non-issue.

Larry

[NCSunshine]

If you really like the Toyota, I would go for it.  Otherwise, you may could talk to your FIL about equipping the Toyota with the towing equipment and using it occassionally to tow your RV's.  Seems like you may have some issues with the Toyota that you are not sure about.

Either way, trading or just borrowing it, you win.  

On another note, we have a 2000 Frontier with 4 doors that has 127,000 miles on it and it still drives like a dream.  They are built well.  We do not tow with the Nissan because of the back seat.  With two car seats, it is uncomfortable for our 11 yr daughter to squeeze in the middle (literally).