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Used 1998 Nissan Frontier Extended Cab Consumer Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
38 reviews
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Pros
Cons
5 out of 5 stars

Why no interment wipers?

bob, 05/15/2016
updated 11/15/2018
1998 Nissan Frontier XE 2dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (2.4L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
16 of 17 people found this review helpful

I bought this truck from a Nissan Service Tech. with 35,000 miles on it. Little did I know that he had put some Firestone recalled tires on it and I had a blowout at 60,00 miles. Tread was at 60%. Then clutch started acting up. I did the job myself after Nissan quoted $2200. When I dropped the tranny about 2 quarts of water poured out. Some genius on the assembly line completely sealed the bell housing. All the clutch components were rusted. Don't buy from Nissan, buy from Phoenix Friction. Replaced the flywheel, rear main seal, clutch etc. If you have a Nissan manual tranny crawl under with a 1/4 drill bit and poke a hole in the 6:00 position in the bell housing. It should be clear. Other than that, the truck is by far the best 4 wheel drive vehicle I have driven. I go where others fear to go. Great hunting and off road vehicle. Yes, the 4 cyl is underpowered but I am not in a hurry going up hills. The engineer at Nissan who positioned the PCV valve (requires taking off most of the front engine components to change it) should be horsewhipped. Seems all the headliners during those years failed. I re-upholstered mine for about $50.00 plus added some middle supports which cured the sagging. I reduced the road noise by adding sound deadner in the doors and behind the headlines. 50% reduction in road noise.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

300,000 Miles and Counting

jlundin, 04/05/2013
1998 Nissan Frontier SE 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.4L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

This has been a daily commuter for many, many years and there has never been any major issues. I have replaced the clutch 2x and done the normal maintenance over the years. Never once has it failed me. It gets great gas mileage for a truck. Just recently I passed the 300,000 miles mark and it still made a 2,000 mile trip to Arizona and back. The only complaint I have is that it is a gutless 4 cylinder. I have to put the pedal to the floor when turning onto a street and it still takes it time to accelerate.

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4.38 out of 5 stars

Great Truck

bryane, 04/08/2002
1998 Nissan Frontier XE 2dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (2.4L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Bought new 1n 11/98. 54,000 miles now. Not one single problem. Yes, I would have liked to have more power from the four, but it does OK. Truck rides better than my partners 98 Jeep Cherokee.Great in the snow and for hauling mulch, plants etc. I look forward to driving this truck for 10 years.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Exellent Truck!!

Cartier, 11/12/2008
1998 Nissan Frontier XE 2dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (2.4L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful

I bought this truck with 40k miles. 145k now. The only problem so far was the muffler. I replace it and the truck keeps performing like new. I am a snowboard instructor. In winter I take this truck to the mountains and is just the perfect truck for it. I replaced the stereo for a nice eclipse deck new speakers and a sub. This truck is comfortable. I haul a 20ft boat and it does not have any problem. Plenty of torque!!

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4.88 out of 5 stars

A Solid, Reliable Workhorse

Buster, 09/07/2009
1998 Nissan Frontier XE 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.4L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I bought this truck new. It now has 112,00 miles on it. The clutch, rear brakes, exhaust system and radiator hoses are all original, and based on the local dealer service department, are not in need of replacement. I have the 4cyl engine with 5 speed manual and get a consistent 25mpg; best mileage was 28mpg. This truck has never let me down, and with regular recommended service intervals, will probably outlast me!

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Nissan Frontier

Nayar, 06/21/2004
1998 Nissan Frontier XE 2dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (2.4L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Bought it new, now 80000 miles. Very reliable and reasonably comfortable for a truck. Handling not bad, winter driving excellent. I get about 21 miles to the gallon in mixed driving. Had trouble with the AC in the first year, got it fixed under warranty. One of the front wheel locking hubs has become hard to turn, but still works. Hope to keep it at least for another five years. It has the largest truck bed of any pick up - can haul a lot of stuff. Mine is four cylinder, five speed - not much power, but enough for most jobs.

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3.38 out of 5 stars

1998 Nissan Frontier King Cab SE

rainh2o, 06/26/2002
1998 Nissan Frontier SE 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.4L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Pros: Handsome looks. Famously reliable 4 cylinder engine. Nice ride for a truck, especially with good replacement tires. Cons: The automatic is low on horsepower and towing capacity. The fuel mileage is unimpressive. OEM tires create excessive road noise. Lots of irritating rattles at 40,000 miles.

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4.25 out of 5 stars

142000 miles what to look for

wfcoalrun, 03/10/2008
1998 Nissan Frontier XE 2dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (2.4L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I bought this truck new. No problems until about 130000 mi. Tachometer works when it wants now. Timing chain guides wore out @130K, bent all the intake valves, fixed myself. Still a daily driver to work, has 144K on it now. Cannot get it to quit coding P1706 (park nuetral position switch on 5-speed manual). Dealer says to replace wiring harness, might solve problem. Truck has been good, so I bought a 2007 and drive '98 to work daily.

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3.75 out of 5 stars

Frontier Review

stratamite, 04/26/2002
1998 Nissan Frontier XE 2dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (2.4L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I like this Truck alot. It is not the smoothest ride out there, but it does alright. Gas milage bites! A little over 200 miles on a 13 Gal. tank. It is very reliable and starts well in cold weather. It loves the winter driving! I'd recomend the Fontier.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Half the cost of aTacoma

bamagreg, 12/28/2008
1998 Nissan Frontier XE 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.4L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I moved to the country two years ago and had to have a small truck to drive on the 3 mile gravel road I live on and this is what I bought. I bought it at 100k mile and now it has 140k with no problems. I get 28 mpg going back and forth to work. What a great truck. I'm glad I saved money when I looked at the Toyota Tacoma.

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