I purchased my 2004 Nissan Titan, (it's first year of production) in Sept. 2004. Being a first year model, I opted for the extended warranty, which is the second thing I don't typically do: buy a first production year model, and purchase extended warranties.

I was endeared to the truck for several reasons, including luxurious spaciousness inside the four door version, cargo capacity, the awesome Rockford Fosgate stereo, and of course it's fresh styling. I replaced a Toyota Tundra which I couldn't wait to get out from under.

Including the long-term, and well known issue regarding the front brakes, which required SEVERAL trips to dealerships for nearly all Titan owners, (for temporary remedies, till updated parts available), I have since had service issues with:

1) Passenger seat requiring the replacement of the ENTIRE seat, all electric adjuster motors, and this was a 3 trip experience. All due to a very annoying creaking sound when occupied.

2) Rear slider window gasket torn, and requiring the replacement of the ENTIRE rear window.

3) Factory mud-flap fell off. It's essentially held on with double sided foam tape....a sign of the times I fear.

4) Rear axle seals failed at 19,000 miles. Requiring extensive rear-end work to replace. Symptom? Oil spray on the inside of the rear tires.

5) Factory applied spray on bedliner bubbling, now in it's 4th month of attempted repairs, finger-pointing between involved parties.

6) A new clanging sound from the rear suspension (unloaded vehicle) when encountering roadway expansion joints, etc. This is a new development, but not uncommon from what I read on Titan owners forum recently.

Yet despite this spate of trips to my local dealership with more to go, the truck is still absolutely great on the open road, hauls my toys around painlessly, and is real easy on the eyes! A real "manly-man" type truck, with a ton of horsepower, and a real street presence, that cannot be missed. So, needless to say, I DO like the truck, however I'm wondering if it's gonna age* well, some vehicles (like people) age better than others.

So, YES I do like the Titan, would have probably been happier had I waited till 2005 or 2006, but I needed it in 2004. At that time, I chose to take a bit of a risk on a new model, which I consider still to be basically a great truck for the money.



*I often "notice" vehicles on the road when I'm considering one, to see how they age (again, I typically buy proven models with at least 2-3 years positive track-record)and certain vehicles, or makes of vehicles tend to stay bright and shiny, quiet, newer ("healthier"?) looking longer after hitting the road than others.

Things like wheel finishes (is the wheel bright and silver, or rusty and corroded?) is the molding and trim pieces still securely attached, or did the double-stick adhesive lose it's stick and the molding thousand of miles ago? How about the light lenses, clear and crisp, or yellow and hazy? Well, if you haven't noticed these qualities in vehicles you're attracted-to-possibly-considering-someday buying, try it as you drive. you might have youre mind changed. Well, for me Nissan vehicles in general (despite the first year Titan, who knew?) seemed to hold up and last hundreds of thousands of miles.