Help a noob. Gen 1 vs. Gen 2. Which to buy?

Yes, I know the Gen 2 Tacos are supposed to be much improved, but they're also much more expensive. Used ones (V6 Double Cab 4x4) under 75k miles are going for $24K in my area.

But I can find V6 Double Cab 4x4 Gen 1's for under $15k. Are Gen 2's worth the difference?

 

double post?

 

here ya go...http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/159497-gen-1-gen-2-noob-wants-know.html

 

if you are going to wheel it often, or a lot, i would buy a 1 gen, if you are gonna use it more for a driver or more of a truck then i would buy a 2nd gen.

i only say that because the 1 gens are smaller and easier to offroad with. this doesnt mean the 2nd gens are crap at wheeling, its just easier to navigate offroad with a smaller vehicle. I had a 94 6 cyl toyota pickup that was fantastic to wheel with, but it was a very small vehicle.

 

honestly i didnt like my 1st gen at first but ive really grown into it and now like them more than 2nd gens.

 

1st gen alll the way, i like the look of em more too, nothing wrong with the gen 2s though.

 

Just trying for a variance in opinions.

 

I love my first gen. I wanted a stick and heard horror stories about the new 6spd. That was mostly the deciding factor for me.

 

1st gens!

 

x2

 

Well, the market says yes. But that justification can be used gradually bit by bit to upgrade yourself from a $1K beater to a $200K Ferrari -- if you've got the money.

If you want a newer, bigger truck, get the 2nd gen. If you want to save a little coin by getting an older but proven reliable rig - get a 1st gen.

You don't tell us anything about how you plan to use it or how much money you really want to spend - so we're left to guess what's right for you. And without anything to go on, it's just a 1st gen vs. 2nd gen rant fest.

Knowing nothing about you - I say support the economy and buy a new truck off the lot.

 

Thanks BJMoose.

60 yrs old. Married. Will use it for commuting to work, going to Home Depot. Do a lot of home projects and will be carrying lumber and such.

Have to get a double cab because I recently "inherited" my mother living in my home and both my other cars are two seaters, so I need something where a short little elderly woman can sit with my wife and I in relative comfort for around town trips.

Probably (but not absolutely) won't take it off road. Want 4wd more for snow or rare fire road.

But, and this is a biggie, the area I have to park it in is very short. It's a small "pull-out" in my drive. If the truck is too long, I can't get my car out of the garage. I'm extremely concerned that a Gen 2 Double Cab, even with the short bed, will be too long.

 

Hey Jackalope! Im a neighbor in Alabama.

I just bought a Gen I. Cant offer you much advice because I dont know anything about the Gen II's, other than I dont like they body style, and I couldnt have afforded one even if I wanted it.
This is my 2nd Gen I and they are good trucks.

 

Thanks bicklebok. I'm just the opposite. I love the Gen 2 style and not wild about the Gen 1 style, but can't beat the difference in price.

 

I agree with you . I really like my second gen. I may consider selling it. I live in CO but I wouldn't be anywhere near 20k so even with shipping you'd pay about as much as a first gen.
My buddy might be selling his f150 at a good price and i'm going into college and might like money rather then a payment.

 

I had to consider the length of the truck when I made my decision, due to the rather shallow depth of my garage. Here are some figures I pulled from Edmunds.com that might help you out:

Overall Length
Gen 1 DCSB 202.9 inches (I don't think they offered a long bed version)
Gen 2 DCSB 208.1 inches (5 ft bed)
Gen 2 DCLB 221.3 inches (6 ft bed)

Interior Front Seat Shoulder/Hip Room
Gen 1 53.9 inches / 49.6 inches (Rear seat figures are slightly larger)
Gen 2 57.7 inches / 53.6 inches (Rear seat figures are slightly smaller)

I ended up buying a Gen 2 Access Cab (same length as DCSB) because the extra bed length was more important to me than the rear seats (that's more of gear carrying area for my purposes). I don't recommend the Access Cab if anyone other than a small child will be sitting back there on any sort of regular basis.

IMHO...you'd be best served by a Gen 2 Double Cab Short Bed if you can justify the additional cost. The extra cab space is more comfortable, but I'm a big guy (6.2/260 lbs)...you can make up your own mind. If you need more measurements...look them up on Edmunds.com...go to used cars...find the model...then the link for "features/specs".

Good luck!

 

Ok here is my take on the Gen 2 vs. Gen 1.
I had a 2007 Double Cab with the TRD Off Road package.
Got rid of it and now I have a 1996 regular cab 4X4.
My summary the Gen 2's are more "comfy" the Gen 1's are more "rugged".