Titan Rated #1 by Truck Trend

2400 Views 15 Replies 8 Participants Last post by adjmcloon, Oct 16, 2005

92TripleBlack

Discussion Starter · Oct 14, 2005

Not an Armada, but I figure we can still point at it to Tahoe guys.

From the Titantalk forum:

I picked up (no pun intended) the Nov-December issue of TruckTrend Magazine with an article of "Half Ton Shootout" for the best pickup in America. They tested 4 door models and as tested prices:

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with 5.3 Liter V8, OHV-2 valves/cyl $31,965
Dodge Ram 1500 with 5.7 Hemi engine, OHV-2 valves/cyl $36,750
Ford F-150 with 5.4 Liter engine, SOHC-3 valves/cyl $37,935
Nissan Titan with the 5.6 Liter DOHC-4 valves/cyl $29,810
Toyota Tundra with the 4.7 Liter DOHC-4 valves/cyl VVT $32,464

TruckTrend tested these categories:
1. Engine and transmission
2. Brake/steer/chassis
3. Ride and handling (empty)
4. Ride and handling (loaded)
5. Visibility
6. Cab utility
7. Bed/tow utility
8. Cabin comfort
9. Fit and finish
10. Perceived value.

OVERALL SCORECARD: **1 = Best, **5 = Worse
Nissan............... 1.2
Toyota.............. 2.6
Ford.................. 3.2
Dodge................ 4.3
Chevrolet............ 4.4

Makes me feel good about about my Titan.
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greengoddess

· #2 · Oct 14, 2005

The biggest surprise there was that the Dodge actually ranked just above the Chevy. And finding a full size truck under $30K.

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wwjdwithca

· #3 · Oct 14, 2005

92TripleBlack said:
Not an Armada, but I figure we can still point at it to Tahoe guys.

From the Titantalk forum:

The problem with that is that the Tahoe/Yukon is clearly the next best option to an Armada....in fact, with all the issues I've already run into with my 'Mada I'm not certain the Armada is even better.

It's a great truck mind you, but the A/C is not as robust as the Yukon, the seats are not as comfortable, and interior isn't just as locked-down....it seems.

If a Yukon Denali could have been had for the same money as my LE Armada......I would have went with the Yukon. The Armada has too many teething pains it seems.

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92TripleBlack

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 14, 2005

wwjdwithca said:
The problem with that is that the Tahoe/Yukon is clearly the next best option to an Armada....in fact, with all the issues I've already run into with my 'Mada I'm not certain the Armada is even better.

It's a great truck mind you, but the A/C is not as robust as the Yukon, the seats are not as comfortable, and interior isn't just as locked-down....it seems.

If a Yukon Denali could have been had for the same money as my LE Armada......I would have went with the Yukon. The Armada has too many teething pains it seems.

Actually, the Chevy ranked last in the Truck test.
As for the Yukon Denali. I find the interior dated, lower grade and not nearly as nice. Even an Escalade I'd rather have the Armada interior over. Regardless, the drivetrain problems alone are one reason to avoid the GM. The AC had a TSB on it. I find it works very well here in FL. Are you having all 3 zones going at once?
Slower, no independent rear suspension, blowing head gaskets, etc. I wouldn't go for the Chevy.

However, next year GM comes out with the new Tahoe/Yukon. This one the interior does rate higher. Compare this interior (which you can see on many sites) to the current interior to see what I mean. If they fix the engine and drivetrain problems they would be worth a serious look. So too will be the new Sequoia. I don't know if that comes out next year or after, but the new tundra is due out for '07 and it is supposed to finally be full size. Do this to the sequoia, give it a real motor, and it also would be a top contender. Ford needs to get the F150 influence into their SUVs and get a 5 or 6speed trans and then they become competitive. Dodge just needs to grow and fix the hemi with better internals.

BTW, I own a Chevy and was going for a Denali XL prior to checking out the Armada.

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wwjdwithca

· #5 · Oct 15, 2005

92TripleBlack said:
Actually, the Chevy ranked last in the Truck test.
As for the Yukon Denali. I find the interior dated, lower grade and not nearly as nice. Even an Escalade I'd rather have the Armada interior over. Regardless, the drivetrain problems alone are one reason to avoid the GM. The AC had a TSB on it. I find it works very well here in FL. Are you having all 3 zones going at once?
Slower, no independent rear suspension, blowing head gaskets, etc. I wouldn't go for the Chevy.

However, next year GM comes out with the new Tahoe/Yukon. This one the interior does rate higher. Compare this interior (which you can see on many sites) to the current interior to see what I mean. If they fix the engine and drivetrain problems they would be worth a serious look. So too will be the new Sequoia. I don't know if that comes out next year or after, but the new tundra is due out for '07 and it is supposed to finally be full size. Do this to the sequoia, give it a real motor, and it also would be a top contender. Ford needs to get the F150 influence into their SUVs and get a 5 or 6speed trans and then they become competitive. Dodge just needs to grow and fix the hemi with better internals.

BTW, I own a Chevy and was going for a Denali XL prior to checking out the Armada.

Yea, you make good points, that every vehicle has it's issues, it's just a matter of how many I guess.

The interior is dated, but it's still decent. The seats are really large and comfy, and I'm not one with a large hind-quarters either. I could imagine how a lot of Armada owners are dissapointed with the width of the front seats if their body's are even remotely on the large side.

From what I've seen of the '07 Yukon I'm not impressed. Armada certainly is better looking....in fact I'm not sure it's even better than the current models.

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92TripleBlack

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 15, 2005

Here's the Tahoe. I have to admit I like it. I think it is a dramatic improvement but I still wouldn't trade.

http://www.edmunds.com/future/2007/...id=edmunds.f.review.leftsidenav..2.Chevrolet*

The Tahoe is one of a number of all-new trucks and SUVS built on the GM's new GMT-900 platform. The Tahoe's frame is much stiffer, with increased front and rear track widths that should improve overall ride quality. Chevy has also gone out of its way to ensure that the Tahoe will be an incredibly quiet vehicle thanks to the addition of noise reducing components such as spray-in foam. Even the 17-inch standard and 20-inch optional tires have been revised to minimize road noise. While the all-new sheet-metal, fascia, and more aerodynamic windshield angle will immediately set the 2007 Tahoe apart from its predecessors, the interior has also been revised through such luxury features as a touch-screen navigation system, rearview camera, a power-release fold-and-tumble second row seat, and a DVD-based entertainment system. Cargo space will also be increased. New safety features include roof-mounted head curtain side air bags with rollover protection for all seating rows, standard StabiliTrak, and a one-year subscription to OnStar Generation 6. The engines on this new Tahoe will feature cylinder-deactivation, which allows the vehicle to switch the number of cylinders that it uses for better fuel economy. 2WD versions of the 2007 will be powered by 4.8-liter Vortec V8 engines, while Chevy has reserved a 320-horsepower 5.3-liter V8 for the all-wheel drive variants. Hybrid versions will also be available, which will incorporate the Allison advanced hybrid bus technology. The hybrids are expected to economize the amount of fuel they use by as much as 30 percent. The 2007 Tahoe will be available in the spring of 2006.

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armoody

· #7 · Oct 15, 2005

The only problem with the Yukon/Denali is that its crappy. If you bought one after driving around in an Armada you'd be regretting it. IMHO

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adjmcloon

· #8 · Oct 15, 2005

I traded a 2000 Tahoe in for the Armada, and I would definitely own one again. It was a great vehicle and was very reliable. The only reason I traded it was that I was at 120k miles and was towing a lot. The Armada's power and up-to-date styling won me over.

The new version of the Chevy looks nice- might be on the contender list around '09 or so.

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wwjdwithca

· #9 · Oct 15, 2005

armoody said:
The only problem with the Yukon/Denali is that its crappy. If you bought one after driving around in an Armada you'd be regretting it. IMHO

I have spent signifcant time in a both a Tahoe and a Yukon, and it is certainly not a crappy vehicle. It's got a solid rear axle, and I'm still not sure if he Armada rides better. It did win JD Power and Assc. customer rating this year. Overall, the design and options of the LE Armada is superior, just so many small things that are better, and more thought-out.

But I must say, I have a friend who's owned both a Yukon and a Tahoe, and I'm still not convinced the overall quality of the Yukon/Tahoe is not better than the Armada.

Hey, I bought a 2005 Armada (3 weeks ago) with a sunroof, and the vehicle DID NOT have the DVD bracket installed from the 2004 TSB. Whatever you say, that is just pure RANK! There is just simply no excuse for that. That's not a mistake, that's someone making a ridiculous decision.

Then there's my buddy with his Yukon with a sunroof and his DVD is as stable as can be. Now what vehicle is crappy? This is just common sense. DVD's CANNOT shake driving down the freeway. What's the friggin point? Whatever you say, a 40k truck should not have such gross mistakes made by choice.

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andy

· #10 · Oct 15, 2005 (Edited)

Have you not been on and seen the Tahoe/Yukon/Suburban/Escalade/etc forums?
I know it's frustrating to have problems like my 04 Armada has, but I still think it is a class above the GM and Ford overall quality and powertrain-wise.

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ldb

· #11 · Oct 15, 2005

andy said:
Have you not been on and seen the Tahoe/Yukon/Suburban/Escalade/etc forums?
I know it's frustrating to have problems like my 04 Armada has, but I still is a class above the GM and Ford.

I had 03 Tahoe Z71. JUNK JUNK JUNK!!!

Lost the transmission 5 times. After the 3rd they installed a new/remanufactured transmission. I did not even get home from the shop and it broke. They promptly replaced a bad part and sent me on my way telling me everything was 100%. It broke again before I got home. Posi-trak in the rear went bad and broke some pieces it was completly replaced with a used one. Door panel broke. Dash made creaking noises all the time. Plastic pillar came off. Gauges replaced twice, gas guage still did'nt work. Motor had knocking noises at start-up. Gas mileage was never better than 12 even on the highway. 4WD quite working, from a bad switch 3 times. Overall it spent 38 days in the shop. I finally got rid of that POS.

NEVER will a GM be allowed in my driveway.

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adjmcloon

· #12 · Oct 15, 2005

It seems that when the domestics have troubles, they can tend to be more serious than the imports. My Armada has been in the shop WAY more than my Tahoe, but it's always minor things. The Tahoe was in once for a bad anti-theft module that disabled the ignition. I couldn't start it and therefore had to have it towed and missed a day of work. That's not to say that the rattles, brakes, roof boom, etc. etc. etc. haven't been annoying as hell in the Nissan.

At the risk of drawing fire, I will say that even my 2000 Tahoe's interior was better than my 2004 Armada with regards to the quality of the plastic, cloth, fit and finish. The Armada's interior design is better ergonomically but Nissan's execution (at least my my '04) sucked ass when they built my truck. I've said it before, and I'll say it again- NEVER buy a first year vehicle like I did.

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92TripleBlack

Discussion Starter · #13 · Oct 16, 2005

They upgraded the interior in '05, added a bunch of sound proofing, and you gottal love leather. I think the fit and finish is better on the Mada but the plastic material of the Tahoe in spots may be better. (EX soft plastics on side and rear panels.

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casinojames

· #14 · Oct 16, 2005

Go Nissan!!! :udaman:

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ldb

· #15 · Oct 16, 2005

92TripleBlack said:
but the plastic material of the Tahoe in spots may be better. (EX soft plastics on side and rear panels.

Maybe, Not sure its better, just different. The paint on the radio buttons and HVAC also wore off very quick on the Tahoe. The seats were more comfortable in the Tahoe for a few thousand miles then the padding went limp and its was like a park bench. I only weigh 160 lbs. My main complaint with the Tahoe was mechanical reliability/quality. I could have lived with the other problems. The accounts have to cut cost somewhere.

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adjmcloon

· #16 · Oct 16, 2005

Reliability is a huge factor. I put 130k on mine in 2 years and it ran like a top. I think I had the piston-slap issue but I wasn't aware of it so it never bothered me. It would go away after the truck warmed up anyway. It was in the shop one time. The 5.3 wasn't the strongest motor, but it got the job done.

I think the Armada LE's are where it at (leather). My cloth interior looks a little cheesy (enough for me to want to replace it with a leather kit).

And speaking of the Titan, I checked out some LE's a couple of days ago when I went to buy an in-cabin filter- the 06's colors are cool! I saw a tannish-colored with the grey and sand interior and it actually looked very nice! It almost looked like the leather colors were a different, more complimentary shade.

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