It's now 2020 and I am the 3rd owner on this '08 Frontier but I met with it in 2008. My brother bought it new, drove it for about 65k then passed to my dad, who done 70k, and now to me. I know the service record on this truck, and it has been maintained beyond the recommended. (brother and dad are both type A, perfectionists) Now that I have the truck, it went from high society living to regular guy use. But hey, I got it after 120k so the time to notice what lasts, and doesn't is on me.
It is a dependable truck. It drives pretty good. A little bouncy but not bad. The turning radius is poor, although I've heard it can be sharpened up. As is, I haven't parked straight more than a dozen times unless I back it in. The stereo buttons are less than stellar. (I have the deluxe setup with Fosgate, 6 CD changer and steering wheel controls) The buttons work on the deck, but many are loose in their position, like they should fall out, but they haven't. They all still work. The steering wheel controls are iffy. Probably just dirty but my "ups" dont work. That's volume up and station dial, or CD track up. The bluetooth phone calling feature is not useable. I realize it's made in 2008 so the technology wasn't sublime, but the fault of this model is something so stupid as the microphone. You have to yell to be heard and the voice menu is cluttered and slow, so it's just not worth it. I've heard it's the same with them all around 08, and maybe you can change out the microphone, but as is it is novelty but not practical. The gas milage is about 16mpg like everybody says. I've tried to impress myself and get 20, and I probably have, but it's a lot of effort and creeping starts and I'm not happy doing that so learned to expect 16 mpg's, city or highway, wind or calm and throttling like I'm going somewhere. This is the V6 which gives 261 hp. It's nothing to go racing with but when I get on the highway I have the option of the fastest lane if I want, everytime. Passengers are usually surprised when I use about 250 of the horses. The interior is too much plastic. The dash, which has always been conditioned and cared for is showing small cracks in one spot. I just think with leather seats and other nice interior options, there should be less plastic on door panels and middle console. I've given some thought to upgrading but I don't have good ideas on how it should be improved, so I think it could be nicer but I'm not a design engineer so I can't specify exactly how. Mechanically, it starts always. I've had minor issues. MAF sensor, coil packs, battery cables, vacuum leaks. All things that can cause engine misfires. And engine misfires can cause failure of catalytic converter. That's indeed an issue because it isn't "that" catalytic converter, it is "those". I think it has four. So there's an expense that I'm soon going to battle. The driving lights are great. I never use high beams and can see on the darkest of roads. Driver comfort is really good. Other than the bounce, this is a fine specimen for the inside lane. 85mph is like a comfort zone for this truck. It handles better than a pickup is expected. I could go on much longer about this truck, as it has been familiar to me, and in my family for almost 13 years now. If you have one that has been cared for, like I do, you are lucky to have a great truck. If you're thinking of getting one I suggest you do. I know I plan to get another 100,000 out of mine, at least. I'll write another review when I do. ( The survey asks if this truck was purchased new or used? All vehicles are purchased new. The first time. Haha)