Still prefer the 1st Gen!

I now have had what I consider enough experience in a 2nd Gen to decide my preference. I got a new 2014 Access Cab Tacoma 5 weeks ago as a work truck after driving my 2004 regular cab Tacoma for ten years.
The new truck is more comfortable as far as the seats go and has a much improved stereo system etc. but the first gen truck is lighter, more nimble, gets better gas mileage, fits in tight parking spaces easier and in my opinion has MUCH more attractive body lines. The 04 looks more along the lines of what I think a pickup truck should look like. I will of course continue to use the 2nd Gen at work but for personal use it's the 1st Gen all the way!

 

I got the same problem...kinda. I'm in a 2nd gen Tundra. I missed my first gen Tacoma so bad I bought a wrecked '04 TRD Tacoma to put back together on the cheap. I can't wait to get it finished.

Don't get me wrong, the Tundra is very nice, its just not as usefull for day to day shit as the gen 1's.

 

I owned a 2004 regular cab myself... it was a great little truck but I prefer my 2nd gen for sure.

 

From my viewpoint Toyota and all the truck manufacturers are making the same mistake that Ford made with the Thunderbird. "Bigger is better" until they ended up with basically a two door LTD with an ugly grill We are headed to the point where all "Midsize" trucks look like a monster cab Dodge Duelie.

 

Perfect taco, 1st gen size, access doors that open, manual lock out hubs, stick transfer case 4L V6 modern body work (lights, plastic bed etc.) and a 6 spd.

 

1st gen ftmfw.

 

Glad you came back to your senses OP

 

The newer they get, the weirder they're starting to look!

 

I agree. I think Toyota is losing sight of what a pickup is supposed to be. If something happens to my '99, I'll get another 1st gen, preferably a 2000 model, but no newer than that.

 

I feel the same way, was driving an 08...

 

This! ^^^^

 

100% agree. Would not trade my '99 for any of the 2014 Toyotas. To big, to boxy and getting uglier every year.


1999 SR5 V6 Automatic TRD - Daily driven since 2002.

 

If you told me I can't have another truck for 20 years, I'd be VERY happy.
The Gen2s are a little pudgy. Gen3s will be monster Dodge RAM duallys. The Gen4s will need a pole-barn for coverage. NO THANKS!!

No disrespect to guys who have the Gen2s. They look nice as a 4x4. But, the the Gen1 in my configuration is totally unbeatable for what I do.

 

OP I noticed your username. Is that the Sand Mountain in Northern Alabama? I have a TON of family from there

 

Yes indeed! Northeast Bama

 

I love it down there! I have family in Sylvania, Ider, Trenton and every where else

 

Bought my 4th first gen about 2 months ago. Love these trucks. Had a 2nd gen Tundra a while back and drove a few second gen tacos. Prefer this model over just about any truck.

 

Im near Rainsville Small world!

 

I'm with you on this...I am old fart who had Suburbans and Excursions to get me through the kid years. They were great for hauling kids, towing and camping and vacations, but too big and serious gas hawgs. Now it's just me and the wife and I could drive just about any truck I want and I choose an 04 Taco with 250k and some mods. Super fun little truck for skiing and hauling dirt bikes and daily driving and one of the last trucks that will fit on a "Jeep Trail." I'm gonna bore the motor and supercharge it soon and drive it till I get to 500k!