Used Car of the Day: 2007 Nissan Frontier

by Tim Healey

December 9th, 2022 4:03 PM

used car of the day 2007 nissan frontier

Nissan's Frontier didn't change much from 2005 until 2021. The D40 generation just quietly soldiered on forever until it was redone for 2022.

This owner has a 2007 Frontier with 171,000 miles on it and an automatic transmission. It's a 4x4 with a short bed, a sunroof, and heated seats.

There's a long list of off-road and towing-related aftermarket modifications.

Here's the interesting thing, and why I plucked this one (well, other than the fact that the old Frontier seems to be popular 'round our comment section): The seller will take an Xterra in trade.

Yeah, this person seems cool.

[Image: Seller]

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#NissanFrontier #Frontier #Nissan #UCOTD #UsedCaroftheDay

Comments

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9 of 20 comments

Oberkanone on Dec 10, 2022

Well maintained, yet value equation is broken. Worth $5K -$6,500.

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- Jeff S on Dec 10, 2022
  
  Worth more than 5k or 6k if you price some of the trucks that are selling at least 5k for a truck that is rusted and ready for the junkyard. This truck would be worth 8k to 10k with the shape its in and with the maintenance that has been done to it. If you click on the link for more information about this truck you will see the maintenance that has been done to this truck much of it will easily extend the life over 100k miles. I have seen 2010 to 2011 Ford Rangers with well over 100k miles advertised not as well equipped as this Frontier with prices starting at 20k and that's regular cab Rangers without 4 wheel drive and 4 cylinder engines. It is a crazy market.
  
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Pete Zaitcev on Dec 10, 2022

A friend of mine was a gigantic fan of Nissans. He's even ran a forum for enthusiasts. When it was time to get a truck, he's got one of those Frontiers. The transmission grenaded somewhere around 40k. He's also had a Murano, which was a problem child throughout.

Like Reply
- See 2 previous
- Jeff S on Dec 11, 2022
  
  Did the transmission grenade within 5 years? If so it would be under the 5 year power-train warranty.
  
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- Peter E. Puffington IV on Dec 11, 2022
  
  Not uncommon@Jeff. Pre 2012 models had a radiator issue that would allow coolant and transmission fluid to mix. If it wasn't caught quickly it would kill the transmission. They also had timing chain issues. 2012+ models fixed both issues. I'd pass on an earlier one.
  
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- Jeff S on Dec 11, 2022
  
  Art Vandelay--True but what caused the transmission to fail and if it is under warranty then the manufacturer should repair or replace it. I had a transmission fail on a truck after a 1 1/2 years with only about 20k miles and the transmission was replaced and the cost of towing was even covered. I didn't have any other problems with that truck over the 12 years I owned it. Likely all those issues were addressed with this truck but anyone buying a used vehicle should pay a mechanic of their choosing to thoroughly inspect a vehicle before buying it and any doubt don't buy. The listing on this truck of what has been done is as follows:
  OEM/Maintenance
  Both front door checks replaced with OE parts
  OE transmission pan, gasket, and fluid flush and refill with Nissan OE fluid
  Both Valve cover gaskets and passenger side valve cover replaced w/ new OE PCV
  OE belt tensioner and new serpentine belt
  Updated OE IPDM replay
  Exhaust gaskets on primary and secondary cats replaced
  New OE clock spring
  Dorman radiator mount bushings
  Transfer case output shaft seal and boot replaced with OE seal and boot
  OE spark plugs
  2 degree timing advance
  Dorman metal heater core inlet and outlet connections
  Front diff, transfer case, and rear diff fluid replaced
  Brand new OEM leather steering wheel
  New battery installed
  New OE battery fuse terminal
  
  Aftermarket/Mods
  Nisstec Mk.II Extended Travel coilovers
  All Dogs Offroad Upper Control Arms
  Sway bar delete
  Camber/Caster bolts
  RC N3 extended rear shocks
  RC 1.5” lift shackles
  P4X engine and transfer case skids, OE metal radiator skid
  Powerstop Z36 front brake kit with rotors and pads
  Rago Designs ditch light brackets
  RC spot lights, RC flood lights with fog light bracket kit, MTC rear amber lights
  AOB OE style/fit switches for lighting
  Pioneer double DIN radio with back up camera and streaming audio
  Pathfinder “shorty” leather rear headrests
  Double front tow hooks
  Tow package hitch with 7 and 4 pin plugs relocated to rear tag area
  17” Motegi Trailight wheels with Falken Wildpeaks 32x10.50
  Hayden transmission cooler with radiator bypass
  Swing out bed tool box
  Prinsu Roof Rack
  Smartliner molded front and rear floor liners
  Rear axle vent mod to passenger taillight
  Center console CCW magnet mount
  Black housing headlights w/ LED bulbs
  Satin black grill, front emblem, and rear emblem
  Stubby antenna
  Billet battery tie down for larger battery
  
  "I also have the OE 4 spoke wheel with tires, OE rear headrest, OE radio, OE roof rack, and a set of OE fitment LED fog lights to go with the sale. "
  I am not in the market for another truck but it appears from above that this Frontier was well maintained. If I were buying this truck I would negotiate the price down to about 10k but even at the ask price although high it appears to be a solid truck and its a 4x4 crew cab pickups which sell for more than a 4x2 extended cab. I would rather buy a new vehicle especially in this crazy market but even then they are in short supply. I have reached the point in life where I would rather buy new because I keep my vehicles for over 10 years.
  
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- Goatshadow on Dec 12, 2022
  
  There is PLENTY more to go wrong with this truck. Defend buying it all you want but be prepared to pay thousands more within a year. I have never had a vehicle in the shop more than my 2006. By the list of "Maintenance" I can tell they had most of the same problems and the truck failed on them multiple times, but there are more to come.
  
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Oberkanone on Dec 11, 2022

Re: JeffS
Used values are decreasing at rate of 15% a month that past couple of months.
Market search shows many, many trucks available at $6500 with half the miles or less. Primarily full size. Sure there are plenty of turds in the herd, and a few are exceptions with no rust and a good service history just like the Frontier that is being discussed.
We have different analysis of value, which is fine. My judgement is $6500 is upper range of private party on this specific Frontier and I'm sticking with it. This Frontier was certainly well loved and maintained which is rarity to find for sale.

Like Reply
- Jeff S on Dec 11, 2022
  
  I going to say this truck in the condition it is and equipped the way it is will sell close to what they are asking. Compact and midsize trucks are selling this truck being more midsize. This truck has, a 4.0 V-6, 4x4, and heated and dual power electric leather seats. Even though it is a Frontier it is a well optioned one that has been well maintained. Despite 171k miles this truck appears to be babied and the mileage is not that bad for a 16 year old truck. I would be curious to see what it sells.
  
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Sobhuza Trooper on Dec 11, 2022

Bought my 2005 Frontier with 78000 miles on it in 2011 for 12 Grand. 4WD Plus Cab with the 4-liter engine and a trailer hitch. It drives like a truck. This year I cracked 100,000 miles. I like the new Frontier. I like the new Ranger. I just can't figure out why I would want to drop 30 Grand on a truck that cannot do more than what's already sitting on my driveway.

1 Reply
- Jeff S on Dec 11, 2022
  
  You don't have to with 100k miles on your 2005 Frontier it has a lot of life left in it. Take care of it as it appears you are already doing and it will easily go for at least another decade with preventative maintenance and when you either get tired of it or it finally dies you will have enough money saved to buy anything you want.
  
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