How can we know that 2nd gens are of lower quality

Really? I would sure hope there's no issues at 17k. Might as well just say you drove your truck off the lot yesterday and haven't had any issues yet.

The more bells and whistles they add to these trucks, the more stuff there is to break. The 1st gen were fairly simple trucks and built very soundly, that's why they are better.

 

I don't know the fancy names of the Toyota motors, but I'm assuming the 1GR is the 6-cyl in the 2nd gen Tacoma's? And I highly doubt they are more reliable than the 3.4L V6 in the 1st Gen Tacoma's. BUT, I guarantee they are better than the 3.0L V6 that was in the Pre-Tacoma Toyota 4x4's, aka Toyota's worst motor ever.

 

Well that's the point, who can say that? Not I. One dealer concern (overspray or something on the windows, probably dealer) and 2 build quality concerns (leaky rear main and possible exhaust leak both probably day 1 issues on a 6 mile truck at time of purchase).

 

yea.. think that was a VZ engine the 3vz vs 5 vz. Toyota had a good run of I6s, I wish they would have stuck with them. I think the 3vz was their first v6 consumer truck engine. Don't know how related to the 5 it is. Same series, 2 generations taller.

 

I have an '11 and I havent noticed any squeaks, rattles, or anything of the sort.

 

IS there really a difference between build dependent on country?

I tend to think corporate QC is a documented process which is followed by all assembly plants. Surely the parts are the same. A bad blower motor is bad in japan as well as in Mexico or Canada if they are sources from the same vendor.

 

The only issue im having currently is my damn blower motor, i got it fixed via TSB but it came back recently. Im about to rip the blower motor out and drop kick it off a bridge.

 

yea.. AKA GM. With great heritage like the "new" nova and the geo prism then the "hilux" but 4runner stayed in japan at that point..

No its not necessarily country dependent. Its policy dependent. Well hell, maybe it is our culture.. especially recently. If I lay into one of my workers about the quality of their work, I'm sure to get excuses and/or crying, probably some time off work for doctors appointments because they have to see a counselor. Half my damn office is on anti depressants. Your tax dollars at work.

 

The internet

 

And let's not forget those awesome unions we have too

 

to the original question, we don't and/or they aren't

You can't bring back the 1st Gen. Tacoma of legend and sell it today. It's impossible for a few reasons, namely vehicle design requirements and consumer demands.

If you really want "perfection" you pay for it. My "perfect" daily driver is over here http://www.icon4x4.com/ and costs around 80K with a marine diesel engine. Will I buy one? No. Have I tried build my own? Yes, on another platform (XJ) and it didn't work out as well. So I got a new Tacoma.

If you don't like your ride, sell it and buy another. Otherwise it's just "grass is greener" syndrome.

And just to be clear, I too shed a tear watching the executives at Ford, GM and Chrysler throw away decades of world leading car production for profit while screwing over the consumer and the worker. I owned many domestic cars, trucks, SUVs and one bike. When they treat the worker with some respect, I may go back. Until then, no way. In fact Toyota moving assembly to union busting states like AL and TX may just lose my business too next time around. At least their exectives aren't strangling the working class quite as bad.

 

COnsumer demands are a myth.. And no one demanded cheaper seats, or whatever. But still..
yea.. currently you just can't get a great car in the US like you can in free countries.
Its old clapped out greatness or new dixie cup mobile.

The grass is greener 10-20 years ago. But I suppose i don't like smog either. Though all the safety stuff stupids up drivers. People think there's no consequences to crashing, and what use is it to learn how to drive if your car is just going to correct your oversteer.

 

I am in the market for a Tacoma and nothing posted on this board will discourage me from that.

Go buy a GM product like my buddy did when he bought is wife a Traverse only to have timing chain issues and wipe out the motor.

Or GM trucks we bought at work only to have window switches, radios, HVAC issues the first 6 months.

 

Hence the entire NUMMI plant in Fremont, Cali. experiment so they could learn how to train the US workforce from GM.

 

Wow, how courteous of you.

PMed.

 

first gens have their issues too.... a few years of hard offroading and they have a tendancy to have issues with the rear of the frame... ive seen the pictures. Thats why you see demello and other selling rear frame supports...

 

IS that thing dead now? Nummi went away in 2009.. did the plant stop making cars of any kind?

 

YEa, I remember putting off something for a long time on my 1st gen that was all over the internet. Can't remember what it was.

I do have to say though, whenever I get in my buddies GM, its got far too much plush for me. THey kept the tacoma fairly spartan. Just giant.

 

Two words. Plastic clips.