Nissan vs Toyota build quality

[fabienX]

Hey folks. I have read quite a few times now that Toyota's build quality is slightly superior to Nissan. I have owned two Hondas before the X so I really can't compare. So I ask. Myth or reality? Specific examples would help. Are we saying the engines last longer, do they rust less (I have certainly seen many rustly old 4Runners on the road for the record), better parts, better finish? Are there studies done or is this a matter of opinion and personal experiences?

[ChiaX]

Wise man once say. IN america Toyota number One and Nissan Number Two, However in the rest of the world Nissan number one and Toyota number 2.

[SnoDog]

From personal experience with the truck line of the last century I would call it a tie:

I've owned several Nissans, never a Toyata.
My brother has had several Toyotas, never a Nissan.

We both had 1986 4x4 pickups. Both have hundreds of thousands of miles on them. He still drives his to work every day, mine is happily serving on a farm in Forest Hills, Ca.

My father drove a 1984 2wd longbed Toy with the 22R engine for decades. The original motor was replaced at 300,000 miles not because of failure, but because my father simply tired of adding a quart of oil to get to work and a quart of oil to get home. The body miraculously survived dozens of Tahoe Winters will mininmal rust. Some body work and another motor extended its life an additional several years until it was bought by a group of individuals of hispanic decent.

I suppose ove rthe broad spectrum you could find the 'lemons' in both designs.
All over my Nissans have travelled over 250,000 miles.
I continue to purchase them.
I have no 'fit-and-finish' issues with my current Nissan.

[Xcanuk]

All my previous cars & trucks were Toyota, this is my first Nissan. After 2 1/2 years with the X, I'd say its right on par with my Toyota at the same age. Nothing but oil changes, parts are being swapped out at the same rate as the Toyota (shocks, tires etc) which really has nothing to do with the brand.
The only slight difference I've found is the interior plastic finish.. not in fit, but in toughness... the X seems to pick up scrapes easier.

[ozxterra]

I think Toyota paint finish and the interior to be a little more robust. My X seems to get scratched very easily, both inside and out. You pay the extra when you buy a Toyota though....

Toyota did have one bad mark over the last seven years or so in that their engines were designed to be more efficient and caused more heat buildup. If oil changes were not kept up regularly the oil turned to sludge and seized the engine. They have the service bulletin posted at Jiffy Lubes and such...

[Speed]

Just experience talking. My first Nissan was an '89 pickup, shortbox, 4x4, 4cyl, 5 spd. Used it on a construction site for about 3 years. HEAVY duty, pulling skid-steer loaders around, loading with parts, tools etc. Never had a problem. Used more shocks and tires than normal, but this was extreme duty.

Around here (Nebraska) I see lots of older Toys with more rust than the Nissans. But then again, there seem to be more Toys. Bought my X in July 1999, and it has 67K on it now. The door dings that I have not touched up are not rusting -- a first for any of my vehicles.

[ozxterra]

Have you joined the "Cracked Exhaust Manifold Club" yet??

[Speed]

Fortunately no -- I saw that thread about 2 months ago, and have been keeping an eye on it. I have no idea why mine is not cracked -- on the other hand when it goes, I have a great excuse to find an alternative. I think I saw that SLR is making or is going to make headers!?!?!? If so, that might be the way to go.

[ozxterra]

I think practically everyone with a 2000 X in PNWX has found a bad manifold lately.
A lot of them dont seem to go out until about 50,000 or so although some (like mine) have been bad since purchase - the dealer just didnt do anything about it.

[1320B4U]

until it was bought by a group of individuals of hispanic decent.

Why don't you just say beaners

[ozxterra]

ummm, what? I dont get it...

[1320B4U]

SnoDog's post, he vents a little of his bottled up racism, probably hoping someone would join in with him.

[ozxterra]

Ummm, Ok.... I didnt read it like that but thats just me...

[Toy4x4Guy]

So far my experience has been that Toyota is slightly better.

I have driven nothing but Toyota, this is my First Nissan. I had a 91 Toyota 4x4, rear drive shaft seal leak, and a pin hole in the radiator, and a new clutch were all the problems it had. That's with 600 mile a week driving, and frequent off road use. I had two Toyota Tacomas, both V6, both Xtracab, both 4x4. Neither ever had a single problem. HEAVY off road use including trips through Tellico.

I've had my Nissan Xterra for 5,000 miles. Already had it to the dealer for an alignment problem, and a rear axle seal leak. Hopefully that'll be it. The alignment wasn't a big issue, but the axle seal leak has made me nervous since it's got so few miles on it.

You do pay a LOT more for a Toyota SUV though. I figured it up recently and the $Runner is very similar in specs, and costs $6,050 more on the sticker than my SE V6 4x4 Xterra.

[migojoe]

I dumped a '98 tacoma 4x4 x-cab 4 banger/5speed off with 67k miles when I bought the '02 X which now has 13k miles.

Although I like them both, my opinion is that although toyota quality is somewhat better the primium you pay may or may not offset the quality you are getting. It's a matter of opinion... i.e. How much do you want to pay to get something a "little bit" better.

-Earl