1st gen. vs 3rd gen.

Did anyone here own a 1st gen prior to purchasing your 3rd gen and if so why did you switch? I have a post regarding my dilemma in the 1st. gen forum:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-vs-3rd-gen-dilemma.426525/

 

You're comparing apples to oranges here in all honesty. Buying a brand new vehicle from an economic standpoint is a horrible idea if you consider yourself frugal. But are the creature comforts and features in a new Tacoma going to outweigh the benefits of your hurt wallet? I have an 84' Toyota and 2016 Tacoma however they aren't even in the same ballpark.

 

If safety is an issue, there is no comparison. Newer vehicle will be much safer overall.

 

Some people need a car to get them to A to B. Some people need to have their butts massaged while doing it. You have to figure out which one is you.

 

Doesn't sound like you have a dilemma. Sounds like you have a decision making disorder. A first world problem, if you will.

 

I didn't have a 1st gen, but this seems like an odd question. I mean, a 1st gen at its newest would be 12-13 years old now. I'm sure most wanted a newer truck. lol

 

I havnt gone from 1st gen to 3rd. but I owned a 2000 Tacoma from 2000-2008 I also owned a 2005 Xrunner basically 2nd gen from 2005-2010 but just comparing them to my current 3rd gen. if it was a choice no way in hell i would take a 1st gen over a 3rd gen. I mean unless i was getting a 1st gen for cheap to use as a beater just to keep a toy i have in the garage safe and clean to just drive on nice days. but if its my only car between 1st and 3rd wouldnt even be a tough call. I wouldnt want a 1st gen again

 

I own a 2002 and am looking at 2016's. Most-likely a 2017 in hopes all the issues with the 2016's are figured out. My 2002 has been bullet proof. Leaves a lot to be desired in some areas but reliabilty has been a constant and if you ask me that is the most important thing. Just hoping the gen 3's can carry Toyota's reputation for reliable trucks.

 

The biggest single key is how you use the vehicle. Miles per year, type of miles, loads hauled, etc.

Other factors include how long you're likely to keep the vehicle, how much routine PM you DIY vs pay someone.

And how you'll manage (or enjoy) the money you don't spend.

 

Not planning to do a lot of heavy hauling just mostly home renovation projects. I will be putting a few high way miles on the truck as well. My plan is to also keep the vehicle for at least 5 maybe 10 years+. The money I don't spend would go straight into an investment account. And I can do all my maintenance myself on the old truck or pay the dealer on the new which of course will be pricier.

 

You can do the maintenance on the new as well. If you want to hold for 10 plus years then invest in a new truck and not a first gen.

 

Less maintenance on the newer trucks. Don't have to do 'tune ups' like you did on older engines. No spark plug wires, rotors, distributors, or fuel filters (assuming 3rd gen didn't go back to a fuel filter). Only spark plugs and air filters to change.

 

I sold my 2004 when I bought my 2016. On a side note, I love to get my butt massaged. Particularly after a long bike ride and the glutes are hurtin'.

 

I'll say this... I liked my 2003 when I first bought it brand new much more than I like my 3rd gen.

 

Still have the first gen in the family, sold it to my son but I enjoy driving the 3rd gen more. Larger, more powerful, more creature comforts, more tech, it's a very comfortable truck to drive for a long ride. It feels like a very upscale truck. It's quite a step up from the 2004 to the 2016.

I get better gas mileage in the 2016 despite the size and power. Insurance premiums in the 2016 are alot more so that's a wash.

What I miss about the 1st gen is the simplicity to work on, Simple to operate, less electronic nannies easy to park due to its smaller size, it feels like a capable little truck. Basic operation but everything in it still works. It's still very dependable. No car payment was nice.

Curious to see how dependable the nav computer and displays look after 12 years in the 2016.

No regrets in going from 1st gen to 3rd gen.

 

I had an 04. It was tiny in comparison. I needed a four door with kids now. And the newer ones, I got a 2016 sport, are waaaay smoother handling. The 04 couldn't corner worth a darn and was very rough riding.

 

Those who have owned both 1st and 3rd gen: I know power on the 2016 is way more than the gen 1, but the gen 3 always weighs A LOT more. Do you feel the power to weight ratio on the 2016 is significantly better than the gen 1? I think the weight diff is something like 500-600 pounds.

 

When you drop the throttle on the 3rd gen, it gets up and goes, much more lively than my quadcab 1st gen. If the first gen was loaded with 4 people it was much worse.

There is NO storage in a first gen quad cab.

Another thing to add, you only get a 5 foot bed and auto transmission in a 1st gen quad cab. You can get the manual or auto in the 3rd gen quad cab short 5 ft bed or auto only in the long 6 foot bed.

 

I've owned first gens and now a 3rd gen.

First off , if you can work on your own truck and do a lot of the work on your own then that makes a difference. A 100k truck will need some attention down the line , and a brand new truck is not a bad call if you plan on keeping it a long time. That changes if you can pull the motor yourself when it needs replacing.

In regards to the trucks themselves they are very different trucks - the 1st gens drove a lot smaller , and are also more off road capable because of their small size - I love my '16 but it is a more cushy and much bigger feeling rig, the 1st gens were more basic and really are great trucks , which frankly I would prefer if Toyota made a brand new version. One thing to watch out for on the first gens are the Dana produced frames which will rust through in areas that salt their roads. My 97 rusted clean through from road salt.

Hope this helps.

 

Okay, I know, old thread... *hopefully* you've made your decision by now... but if not, I'll add my two cents...

FWIW, I LOVE my 1st gen Doublecab. It's an 04, and I've had it since early '06. Just turned 120,000 miles, so it's just getting warmed up. It's still mostly stock with Bilstein 5100's and 265/75 all terrains.

When I bought it, I was specifically looking for a late model 1st gen. I *didn't want* the bigger taco, I really wish Toyota hadn't gone to the bigger 'Merican style trucks, but I lucked out and found a really nice 1 owner 2004 (newest possible, still the "old" size). I love that truck. Now that the 2nd gens have been around for more than a decade (damn I'm getting old...), they are starting to grow on me, but if given the choice, I'd go for a 2016 that's the SIZE of a 1st gen in a heart beat.

At the time I bought my 04, I didn't have kids so I was really looking for an Extracab, but I'm lucky I happened upon a DC. Now with a 5 and 7 year old the 4 doors have really played nicely into my lifestyle. As others have said, though, the lack of storage sucks, so *ANYTHING* you want to bring goes in the unprotected bed. I've got a nice large(ish) telescope, model planes, a dog (well, until recently...), etc... all goes in the bed. I've got dirtbikes too, but those don't need to go inside...

Fast forward to today.
>I'm getting tired of the lack of storage thing - my ratchet straps and cargo net are literally just sitting on the floor in the back seat.
>While the 3.4L does the job towing our trailer, I could use some more power on the hills.
>Looking for more seating for those (occasional) times we drive my kids' friends or my parents around, etc..

The solution:

A minivan??


Christ man, you nuts?

No silly, a 4Runner: 4.0L, fold-down 3rd row seat, plenty of inside storage space, and all the modern creature comforts that my wife's car has (blue tooth, etc...). And before you even think about it, I'm keeping my beloved DC Taco and going to build an overlander out of it. As others have said, the smaller size of the 1st gens make them better suited for off-roading (imo). I've always loved 4Runners since I had my '86 Turbo.

But back to your decision about a 1st gen or a 3rd gen. Why not meet in the middle with a 2nd gen. You could save a few bucks and get a ~2008-10. They're a bit cheaper than brand new (though they do hold their value really well...). You say you're frugal, but HOW frugal?? Do you mind having a car payment? Or do you want to pay cash and have the smaller body style? It's up to you...