In this week’s Ask Nathan:
- Can Nissan compete with Toyota?
The first question comes from a fan who wants to know if Nissan can, or will be able to compete against Toyota.
Q: RE: Can Nissan compete with Toyota.
Hey buddy!
I know it’s been a long time since I’ve sent you a question but I was kind of curious about something. Just like everyone I noticed that Nissan is making a little bit of a turnaround and I like what I’m seeing. I know that you have been a bit of a Nissan fan as well. I’m not saying that you’re a shelf for their company or anything, it’s just that I see that when they do something right, you’re pretty excited about it. You and I both like their Frontier and their Pathfinder. So this is the question and I want you to be honest. Do you think that Nissan will ever be competitive with Toyota? Do you think that they were ever competitive in the past? You want said so on one of the live talks that I watched years ago. I’m not too sure about that. So I was curious about if you think they are going to become competitive or even if they have the capacity to be competitive.
I still love my 2022 Nissan frontier, I’ve got about 50,000 miles on it and it hasn’t gone wrong once. I wish I got the off-road package, I guess that’s not a big deal because it still goes off-road just fine. Anyway, thanks for reading my long email and responding!
— Stumpie299
A: Product to product, Toyota is a juggernaut – far larger than Nissan.
With that being said, there is a chance that Nissan can compete with individual products. The much anticipated return of the Nissan Xterra will realign their focus, bringing new energy to the brand. That vehicle will go up against the wildly popular (and capable) Toyota 4Runner and even their Land Cruiser. If Nissan can match their capability with a less expensive offering that’s compelling, it would be a good thing.
Other models will come along to challenge the status-quo as well: including the updated Rogue, beefier Pathfinder and more. Still, Toyota’s sheer might and mass is far too heavy to overcome. You might make a dent in their sales, but dominating most of the segments they command is daunting at best.
Yes, I do like the brand. I was a huge fan of their older Pathfinder range, love their trucks and remember back in the 80’s and 90’s when they had an answer for almost every vehicle Toyota built. In some cases, Nissan even out-gunned Toyota. Remember the first generation Nissan Titan? It was more than competitive with the first gen Tundra. Older Sentras and Maximas were very competitive with Corollas and Camrys. Additionally, they had the Nissan Z, GTR and other vehicles that were outstanding.
Will they regain their former glory? I’m not so sure about that, but it sure looks like they might get some of their mojo back.
— N
The last question comes from a reader who just inherited an old RV and is stuck.
Q: Via Facebook:
Nathan. Thank you for answering my last question about the Equinox EV. I was about to pull the trigger when I found out that my grandpa passed. What stopped me in my tracks was what was left by him. I never really knew the guy and only met him a few times. It was a messy divorce and stuff which is why we never talked I guess. Anyhow, he left me a little bit of money and his old RV.
It’s huge! A 1983 Southwind that is supposed to be in good condition. He kept it in a storage place that has a roof. The agent sent a few photos to the lawyer who told me it looked alright. It’s supposed to run.
I don’t know anything about old or any RVs and it’s not like I want to know. Some people like them I guess but I don’t. I also have nowhere to store it and I will have to make a decision about it by the end of the month! Maybe I could store it for another month or maybe I can just forget about it and let the county tow it away?
What do you think?
– J. Wilson
A: Greetings.
I’m sorry to hear about your loss.
You have a few options: sell it, keep it, donate it or give it away. Each option comes with its pros and cons, but much of this has to do with your mindset.
Old motorhomes, or recreational vehicles (RVs) are fairly easy to unload, if they run. Many people are looking for housing, and these older vehicles are often grabbed by those in need. If you live in California, inheriting an old RV in California requires transferring the title through the DMV using form REG 5 (Affidavit for Transfer Without Probate) if there is no court proceeding, or a REG 256 (Statement of Facts). You are exempt from use tax for inherited vehicles, but must pay transfer fees. If it’s over 3 months since the last smog check, you may need a new one.
Many other states require similar documentation, and I recommend you hop on that as soon as you can. That way, if you want to sell it, keep it or give it away, you can do so legally. If it’s at a storage facility, you may need your lawyer to set up the retrieval process with their management. Additionally, you’ll need to make sure the vehicle has no leans or shared ownership, before you take custody.
Once again, I’m sorry about your loss, and the precarious situation you’re placed in; however, you can turn a negative into a positive – depending on what you decide.
Hope that helps!
– N
