going from 2nd gen tacoma to 1st gen.....thoughts???

im thinking of going ahead and breaking my lease on my 06 prerunner...... and finding/buying a nice first gen, maybe a 2003 or 2004 tacoma 4x4. i was gonna buy the truck at the end of my lease, but the continuous problems i keep having with the truck going out of alignment so fast and often and the tires not holding a balance after 2 sets of new tires....with no answers from toyota or the dealership, im almost to the point of being too damned aggravated to keep dealing with it with my truck. i love my prerunner and all, but i have dropped too much money and still have the same results everytime.

im thinking of a first gen. with 4x4, as i have always liked the looks and performance of them, but to be honest.....dont know much about them, other than what i have seen/read on here.

thoughts?? advice?? pros/cons of the first gen tacomas??

appreciate any info fellas...and ladies too!!!

 

personally I think the first gen trucks are better built ( I had a 99 before the X).

a 3.4L with the TRD S/C and mods (readily available and at good prices) make a very nice performing truck.

Justin

 

Hey, sorry to hear about the ongoing issues. But atleast you plan on still driving a Taco, I love the 1st Gens. Old friends driving those, is what influenced me to own one myself. And also, you do remember how good Greenbean's truck did up in Uwharrie.

Good luck, wish I could be of more help.

 

A Double Cab, 4WD, Auto, 2001-2004 Tacoma is a wicked machine - no matter what. I wanted one, but I needed the larger interior space.

 

Get a 2004 4x4 TRD if your not staying with us second gens. I keep hearing on TTORA how the '04 was the best year blah blah blah.

Consumer Reports (yes, I have the magazine yo) gives the '04 pretty high marks.

 

yeah bro........gotta stay with the family man!!! cant go back dumb-mestic!!

i really love my prerunner, but i cant keep it with the crap that keeps happening. yeah....greenbean's truck did awesomely. on the plus side man.......4x4 this time around. and i have only heard good things about the 3.4 motor, so i think i'll be doing myself a favor. now....gotta talk with the wife about it. she's actually getting tired of the problems too, so she's kinda understanding why im wanting to do it. if i read the lease paper correctly....i can break the lease for $395, which is a tad less than my payment, which is $420 a month. i could probably find a used first gen at a good price.....just gotta find one now. the dealer where i live doesnt have any on the lot that i saw, so im gonna do some looking.

 

thats actually what im thinking about........4x4 with a double cab. they are very nice indeed.

 

i really like the 2nd gens, but i know realistically....i cant afford a new one, plus on a good used tacoma......maybe i can get my payments a bit cheaper than what im paying now. plus....it would definitely be a 4x4, which is what i wanted with my 2nd gen., but couldnt afford it, so i got the prerunner.

 

since its a lease i would say dump it and buy a 1st gen.

 

yeah dude.....my mind is definitely headed that way. gotta do some looking and see what i can find now.

 

Hey T-come on over Pal the water's perfect SCREW that lease crap man! Pride of ownership I say!!!!! Get you a GOOD 1. Do your homework and shop wise. Then we can bust a move on modds You already know how I feel about my '01...DONT RULE THEM OUT!! '01 was a damm good year too! I have had absolute ZERO issues with this truck even I'm still amazed at that record! You are a smart cat WillEdit: small interior-yeah my legs are a lil bent but I'm 6'1" and 252lbs-I find it accommodating fine

 

Hey Will, sorry to hear about your issues. I personally love my first gen. I dig the 2nd gen trucks, but I would never trade my 02 in for one. The first gen trucks have some nice features. You'll have to adjust to the smaller interior. Don't be afraid to broaden your search. Finding my truck was like looking for a house. It took months with lot's calls and driving to find the one I wanted.

 

I had an 03 Tacoma. Great truck! Only cons: Small interior, and brakes. I was towing an 18' Ranger bass boat. The truck V6 had the power to tow it. I just had a hard time stopping. I do like my 05 much better.

Does hold its value. I had the truck a year & a half. I traded it for my 05 & was given $2500 more than I owed.

Sorry to here you are having so much trouble with your Tacoma.

 

hey man........your truck is badass!!! now.....hopefully, i'll be smart enuff to make the wifey realize that it will be a good move.

 

Go-4-It!
I don't blame you... with consistant problems and a lease - find yourself a nice low mileage first gen. Shop smartly and be patient. I would look into private sales first (dealers will rape you on used trucks).

I bought my 96 in 99 when it had 60K miles on it. I had it for 5 years until it had 110K miles. I sold it only because I bought a bigger truck for towing. Great truck and it was perfectly reliable the entire time I had it. I maintained it religiously, put lots of mods on it, drove it daily to work, and it was offroaded regularly for 3 of those 5 years. Never missed a beat....

Just make sure you find a good one. Afterall - used vehicles can be headaches if your buying a history of abuse and lack of maintenance.

 

One thing i ABSOULUTELY recommend = Get a vehicle history report

 

Thank you T-listen-tell your Honee that the 1st-gens are in the top group of vehicles that hold their resale value...that's #1, #2-the lease thing is like throwin money away on rent. Owning is ALWAYS the wise move and that's why you came up with this idea

 

X2, good call.

 

Will,
I was happy with my '99, just wanted some more ponies and another gear for pulling a trailer occasionally. Never had any issues with the 1st gen. other than those. As others have states I feel that the quality may have even been better as far as paint on the 1st. I do like the size of this '08 better and the access cab over the Xtra cab I had. I just perfer the access cab to the DC.

I'm just glad I haven't had any of your issues with mine. Other than what Toyota has taken care of under warranty to date such as leaf springs, ect..

 

Sorry to hear about your taco troubles man. That realy sucks to have to give up such a nice track you have there.

I would give CARMAX a try, I know I saw a few good 1'st gens there when I was searching for my truck