1996 Ford Thunderbird vs. 2009 Nissan Frontier

To start off, 2009 Nissan Frontier is newer by 13 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1996 Ford Thunderbird. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1996 Ford Thunderbird would be higher. At 3,953 cc (8 cylinders), 2009 Nissan Frontier is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 2009 Nissan Frontier (257 HP @ 5600 RPM) has 119 more horse power than 1996 Ford Thunderbird. (138 HP @ 3800 RPM) In normal driving conditions, 2009 Nissan Frontier should accelerate faster than 1996 Ford Thunderbird.

Both vehicles are rear wheel drive (RWD) - it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, both vehicles do the job better than front wheel drive vehicles. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. Let's talk about torque, 1996 Ford Thunderbird (291 Nm @ 2400 RPM) has 10 more torque (in Nm) than 2009 Nissan Frontier. (281 Nm @ 4000 RPM). This means 1996 Ford Thunderbird will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 2009 Nissan Frontier. 1996 Ford Thunderbird has automatic transmission and 2009 Nissan Frontier has manual transmission. 2009 Nissan Frontier will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 1996 Ford Thunderbird will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.

Compare all specifications: