2007 Nissan Frontier: The Beach Bum!

By Daniel Souza

The Nissan Frontier was all-new in 2005 when it was completely redesigned. For 2007 it would be safe to call it half all-new, taking into consideration that the model Nissan loaned me featured a new, optional long bed to the Frontier, with a bed that is 13 inches longer than the traditional Crew Cab.

Not much more made into debut for Nissan’s 07 midsize pickup truck. For a truck that shares a number of features with the Titan, the Frontier showed to be a comfortable and dependable ride. The Frontier’s sturdy foundation is based on Titan's F-Alpha platform. The ‘07 Frontier's wheelbase is 9.8 inches longer than the previous generation’s, which enhanced ride comfort and stability, though it remains a good "activity size" for buyers who don't need a true full-size pickup. Unfortunately the Frontier performed under its promised city 17 mpg and hovered around 14.6 mpg with its six-cylinder engine.

The Frontier houses the 4.0-liter DOHC V6 powerplant which is based on the award-winning Nissan VQ engine series used in the 350Z, Maxima, Altima, Murano and Quest. The 4.0-liter V6 design includes a continuously variable valve timing control system (CVTCS), Nissan variable induction control system (NICS), silent timing chain, microfinished camshaft and crankshaft surfaces, Teflon®-coated pistons, resin intake manifold, forged crankshaft, digital knock control system, high capacity muffler, lightweight aluminum block and cylinder heads and 105,000-mile spark plugs. The Frontier V6 is assembled at Nissan's engine production facility in Decherd, Tenn.

But it was more than 2,000 miles away from its manufacturing plant that the Frontier would be tested to its limits. I had remembered a fellow colleague telling me that the Frontier was the vehicle of choice in Huntington Beach’s lifeguard fleet. After some research on the web, I discovered that the city of Huntington Beach indeed used the 4x4 Nissan midsize truck on their fleet. So I called up a travel buddy, made arrangements to stay with another friend and set west to California.

My test drive came equipped with a six gear manual tranny, where the sixth gear had a ratio of 0.769, making it an overdrive gear rarely used for most in-city driving, but it proved practical as I cruised down I-15. The Frontier yielded a mere 19 mpg for highway driving.

As we arrived in Huntington Beach, marine safety lieutenant Michael Beuerlein comprised our welcoming committee. But before I could start firing the questions away, Beuerlein assigned us the driver of one of their Frontiers, marine safety officer John Elser. The 11-year veteran explained the trucks have proven to be both reliable and user-friendly:

Souza- What types of activities do you do with the Frontier?

Elser- We use it mostly to patrol the beach. We also use it to launch a personal watercraft (PWC) into the ocean.

Souza- How far into to the water do you usually go with the truck?

Elser- I back it up into the water until it’s about six or eight inches into the ocean. Then I slam on the breaks and the PWC launches in the water. It all takes less than a minute.

Souza- So in you put the truck through a grueling daily routine it sounds like.

Elser- Yes. Our driving breakdown is 85% sand, 5% asphalt and 10% normal highway use. We also keep our tire pressure at about 20 psi.

Souza-Why do you do that?

Elser- By reducing psi it gives more surface area and better grip.

Souza- Have you had any heroic moments with the Frontier?

Elser- Yes. We have pulled the police Tahoes out of the sand before.

But the trucks aren’t indestructible. Elser explains that the Huntington Beach Marine Safety Division requires the trucks to go through a daily fresh water rinse down ritual. Their fleet totals 11 vehicles with eight Frontiers, two Titans and one Armada.

As I gathered my notes to finish the story in California, I found one thing to be wrong: it went by too fast and before I knew it was time to return to real life.

Base price - $16,050

Price as tested - $27,200

Daniel Souza can be reached at sixth.gear.herald@gmail.com

2007 Nissan Armada

By Daniel Souza

Big, large, tank, jumbo, immense, spaceship; attempting to describe Nissan’s mammoth-like first full-size SUV can go on, but this week’s Spanish Armada-like test drive has proven to have more identity than solely its size.
With a hefty 5.6-liter 32-valve DOHC V8, the 2007 Armada’s powerplant has been retuned from last year and received an extra 12 ponies, amounting to 317 horsepower and 385-lb feet of torque.
Nissan’s biggest SUV still boasts a 9,100-pound maximum towing capacity. So even if you need that extra hmmph with the loaded vehicle and that Titanic-sized boat, the Armada should be able to pull it off just fine.

An electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul mode is standard on every Armada. The transmission utilizes a unique gear set chosen specifically for use in high torque situations, along with an advanced torque converter design for improved fuel economy and an advanced powertrain management program for improved shift quality. The tow/haul mode revises the shift pattern when towing and hauling.

As you take the captain’s seat on the Armada equipped with the tow package, the panel cluster will reveal a not-so-familiar, but convenient transmission temperature gauge. The tow-ready SUV also gets a higher axle ratio along with a receiver hitch, heavy-duty radiator, additional 7-pin wiring harness plug, trailer brake pre-wiring, heavy-duty battery and rear suspension air leveling system. The tow package is standard on the LE model and available for the SE model.

But like most good things in life, all this power will cost you. And soaring gas prices can quickly turn the smile into a frown. Expect a mere 13 mpg for in-city driving. On the highway things don’t get any more promising. Your economy will get shifted to the unpromising 18 mpg bracket.
Beyond the guzzling factor, the Armada—which was introduced to the US market back in 2004—receives an eco-friendly refinement for the 2007 model; the addition of Flexible Fuel Vehicle technology (FFV), allowing drivers to use traditional gasoline or an alternative fuel such as E85, a mix containing 85 percent renewable ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.

On the other hand, big dimensions can be a good thing for Utah’s normally super-sized families (or full paintball teams). The Armada features include standard fold-flat 2nd and 3rd row seats, the most 2nd row leg room in the full-size, choice of 8-passenger seating or 7-passenger, a moderate cargo space behind the 3rd row seat, and a full-length overhead console with six map lights, vents and available DVD entertainment system (which ours had it).

For 2007, the Armada features a rugged, F-Alpha fully boxed frame for enhanced crash performance and long-term durability and an independent double-wishbone rear suspension designed for improved roominess, comfort and responsive handling.
According to Nissan, drivers are aided in the navigation process with this bigger-than-most sized SUV through a standard rear proximity sensor system (back-up obstacle warning) in the rear bumper, offered in all models of the Armada. Certainly other assists—such as a side and front sensors—would ease the task of parking this Japanese tank. A tank that blended perfectly with the paintball field east of the Provo airport.

Many of the interior features get its cues from its smaller sister SUV, the Pathfinder. Key features on our tested SE model include a body color grille, P265/70R18 tires on 5-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels, 8-passenger seating and full-length overhead console, step rails, 6CD in-dash autochanger and rear sonar sensors to aid in parking.
Available equipment packages for SE models include a Bose Package, Leather Package, Sunroof Package and Journey Package, which features the contents of the three previous packages, plus available XM™ or Sirius® satellite radio service.


With the most ground clearance in its class, this SUV will allow you to take it off-roading if you so wish, but you will also need lots of monetary clearance to keep it running on the road due to its bad gas mileage—the number one complaint from its drivers according to Yahoo! Auto user reviews.

Base Price - $34,950
Price as tested - $45,125

Daniel Souza can be reached at sixth.gear.herald@gmail.com

Is this thing indestructible?

By Daniel Souza

Last November the local Toyota Media Office invited a handful of journalists to test drive their new Toyota Tundra truck.
Although the Tundra wasn't new to the American market, Toyota hoped to not only scratch the surface, but to scoop the competition's business by innovation in some areas (think six speed tranny and biggest disk brake in the market for its category).
As I discussed the outcome of the trip with some close friends, I was often told that Americans are the only ones that know how to make a true lasting truck. While I don't doubt that American manufacturers certainly can build good lasting trucks (my father has a 1957 Ford), I have a few things to say concerning that.
First of all, the new Tundra is manufactured in the U.S. Wouldn't that classify it as an American truck? Some still say no. Whatever.
Second, the numbers have proven that the public has been choosing Asian-descent vehicles versus American vehicles. Detroit and its manufacturers should be more worried about their reputations rather than trying to re-creat an American revolution.
Third, I'm not pro-American or pro-Asian. I'm all about pro-consumer. Let the best manufacturer win, not only in sales, but also the trust of the American consumer.
This past week I came accross three YouTube episodes of the BBC produced Top Gear. In the show, Top Gear's crew tries to kill a Toyota truck. Can they? Take a look for yourself.