Posted: May 12 2005 at 2:57pm | IP Logged

Hi Everybody,

I am about to purchase a new 05 Titan (black 4x2 crew), it has come down to a decision between an SE with the popular power package and big tow ($27,224 out the door) , or LE with big tow and no other options ($29,582) .  Is the leather, wheels and cargo package worth the $2200 difference?? Other options I should consider? Thanks for any recommendations.  Scott

Posted: May 12 2005 at 8:10pm | IP Logged

I guess it depends on if you like the leather, wheels and cargo package. I, for one, bought seat covers on my way home from the dealer, so I had no use for leather seats. I live on a dirt road that gets it's fair share of mud and snow so fancy wheels just mean I'd have to clean them often to show them off. My choice was the SE off road, big toe. I liked the spray in bed liner (and still do, no "white stuff") and the little utility box in the side of the bed comes in handy for chains, tie downs and tow straps. I also tow trailers now and then and I already mentioned the mud and snow. So rather than asking what others like, perhaps you should decide what it is you are going to use it for and what do you like. After all it's your truck.

Damn! There's that damn soapbox again!

Posted: May 12 2005 at 9:09pm | IP Logged

You're right, my choices, will probably get leather, since I'll have a couple of crumb crunchers in the back seats. 

After reading all nine pages in the tech forum about the front brakes, I'm "concerned" about getting one at all now. I talked to the service dept. rep at the dealer and he said the 05's after a certain date don't have the brake judder issue?  Will continue my research on that topic. 

Posted: May 13 2005 at 12:06am | IP Logged

Reading about all the problems being posted on this forum can get rather depressing. I have owned my Titan since January 15, 2004. It was built November 2003. I have towed a car carrier loaded with a T-Bird 25 miles, D50 pickup 130 miles, a bunch of furniture 50 miles. I live at 4000 feet above sea level and travel to 1500 feet over 15 miles and back daily. I regularly travel over the sierras 7000 feet and down to the bay area 0 feet. At 20000 miles I took my truck from CA to MO and back (4000 miles) across the rockies. At 25000 miles I had my rotors turned and pads replaced by the dealer because they would do it for free, due to the "brake judder" issue. In all honesty, I could barely detect any "brake judder" but my brake fluid was low so I figured my pads were probably a bit low and what the hell, free brake job. Other than that, the dealer replaced my window switches and ordered me a new radio. I have not experienced anything that I wouldn't call a minor annoyance and my dealer has been quite accomodating.

Please do your research a truck is a very expensive investment and you want to be happy with it. I post this because it seems people are quick to post their problems but not many people jump up and say how pleased they are with their truck. I, for one, am very pleased with this truck. I don't think I've ever owned a vehicle that can stand up to some of the incredibly lofty standards of the people who post their issues here. So do what you are comforable with and keep in mind that all trucks are going to have some problems.

Whatever truck you choose I hope it serves you well for many years.

STOP IT! GET THIS SOAPBOX AWAY! I CAN'T HANDLE IT ANY LONGER!

Posted: May 13 2005 at 7:27am | IP Logged

Great to hear that you are not having that problem. I've had an 01 Xterra since new and a 99.5 Pathfinder and they both have been great vehicles.  My 1984 Toyota 4x4 has been my daily driver for years, it's just too small now and I've always wanted a full size.  Hopefully the dealer is right about getting the judder fixed in the 05's . 

It seems like most of the other complaints are typical of new models in their first years.  I can handle those. 

Scott