Dilemma: Trade for 01-04 or keep 09

Hey everybody!

I know I'm asking in the 1st Gen section so you all may be a bit biased, but I'm looking for opinions.

I have an 09 DCSB TRD off road tacoma. It has 96,xxx miles and I bought it brand new. Just put a brand new OME lift on and the truck is mechanically sound.

I've always wanted an 01-04 4x4 AC and I'm feeling more and more that this is the truck that I will be more happy with.

There is an 03 and 04 available in my area with 150ish thousand miles on the both.

Looking for some input on the pros of owning a 1st Gen over my current 2nd Gen.

Thanks!

 

I own a 4th get 4Runner (ostensibly a 2nd Gen Taco) and a 1st gens Tacoma, they both have their perks and downsides.

4Runner: Pros: rides nice, quiet, comfortable
Cons: Too many nanny features, more complicated to work on, expensive to mod

Tacoma: Pros: reliable, reliable, reliable (I have 220K on mine and never had an issue), cheap to mod (relative), easy to work on, a "true truck"
Cons: unrefined (a pro for some), smaller, sloooow

Personally if you have a mechanically sound already modded 2nd gen I'd just keep that and keep building. Save some money and buy a 95.5 or 96 Tacoma down the road to really mod and have fun with, 01-04 are ridiculously priced for how many miles most have currently.

 

Thank you for your input. All valid points. Hard to get rid of a paid off truck that has nothing wrong with it and has more comfort features.

I don't really have need for 2 vehicles at this point in my life right now unfortunately or I would have both.

 

Location? I'll trade you.

But in all seriousness, have you test driven one? They ride a bit different from yours. Theres significantly less room in them compared to your DCSB. It is also a bit slower. There's also more potential of having more problems down the road because (surprise!) they're older.

Some people have a hard time keeping their rides. They always want something different. I'm one of those people. In my opinion, do what makes more financial sense. If it makes sense to keep your truck (which it does) you should keep it. HOWEVER, on the flip side, if that's something you've always wanted, you should go for it. It's a small price to pay to be happier with your overall ride.

 

I'm up in northern Arkansas.

I've driven quite a few of them and also wrenched on a couple. They are what defines "tacoma" for me. My truck is nice, but lately, I've been seeing those 1st gens and getting more envious of those guys/girls.

Thanks for your input!

 

I sold my 11 to get an 04 DCSB, no regrets to this day. Love the truck the more I drive it! A true Tacoma in my opinion, the newer ones are more like bloated T100's, not true compact trucks deserving of the Tacoma nameplate imo. I wish Toyota still made a true compact truck, I'd buy one in a second if they did! Nobody makes compact trucks in the US now, the last being the Ford Ranger which departed in 2011.

 

when I had my first gen all I wanted was a second gen now that I have one I miss my first gen sooo much. I am currently looking to get a first gen and make the switch back or maybe keep both.

 

I am thinking of doing the exact opposite, selling my 04 XtraCab V6 4X4 (60K I bought it brand new) for a 2nd gen but every time I think about it I remember I bought this truck brand new and its paid off.

 

I prefer my 04 to my 14, i just need a double cab in some situations and refuse to own an auto...

That being said if you can sell your 09 for a good price, get a good first gen for a good price and put the spare money into your mortgage, investment, or high yeild savings id think its a win win win situation

 

This is along the lines of my thoughts. Thanks!

What do you miss about the 1st gen?

My current truck is paid off and was also bought brand new. Hard to part with it for sure.

This is pretty sound advice. I would make a little extra money with the switch but is not the reason for the trade. Any leftover money would surely be invested wisely. Thanks!

 

I have first gen fever too, traded my 2013 Scion tC in on one I found with only 25k miles on the odometer. Even though they have way less creature features than the newer gens, are smaller in size (which I prefer) and ride a bit rougher, something about a first gen Tacoma just feels...right. Don't know how else to explain it. I love mine and don't regret getting it at all, (minus this stupid lean fuel system code I can't seem to get rid of currently, but that's what extended warranties for right?)

If this is something you're sure of, as long as it won't cripple you financially, do what makes you happy. Sometimes the logical choice makes sense on paper, but if it leaves you wanting then what good is it? Life is too short.

 

Oh and I should add, personally I'd hold off for something with lower mileage. When I was first gen hunting a few months ago, most were in the 150k miles and up range, but I did come across several around 100k and a little less. They are out there, just have to be a little patient.

 

My advice mirrors what others have said:

Patiently wait for an 01-04 with the EXACT specs you are looking for, with a lot less miles and jump on it when you do. Don't settle for a high mileage gen 1. In the one month I was shopping for a gen 1, I would search forums and Craigslist in all areas within 250 miles of me obsessively. I found two 04's with all the specs I wanted (56K and 36K miles) for $13 and 13.9K, respectively. They sold within 48 hours of being posted.Then Sell your 1-owner 2nd gen and reinvest the savings. Because you are going Gen 2 to Gen 1, you will have a paid off truck either way, but at least you will own the gen you always wanted, with a little extra cash in your pocket. Plus, in the long run, the Gen 1 will save you even more if you take care of it.

 

I can't really say it's just one thing. I like the looks of the first gen's and it also felt more like a truck to me than the second gen which kind of feels like a camary at times with the seats and similar layout of the interior. I didn't mind treating my first gen like it was a truck where I feel that I have to be more careful with my current second gen. To me my 08 just does not feel like what a truck should feel like it feels more like a luxury suv.

 

Id never trade my 96 for a 2nd gen. I love how small and capable it is. Always puts a smile on my face.

 

totaled my 06 ext cab pre runner in 2013 bought a 2000 4x4 TRD with the claim money. absolutely love this truck!!! i always thought the 06 was wayyy to big for me. felt like i was driving a full size pickup. though my 6-3 buddy doesnt like how small it is when we off road with 4 peeps...... ill never regret this decision, ill only look back to salute the truck that got me to where i am now.... R.I.P.

 

I'll chime in. I've owned 4 different 1st gen 4wd Tacomas. I know the trucks pretty well.

Pros:
High resale, reliable, capable, compact, go down sketchier trails, tons of aftermarket support, they have more manual control options (j-shifter, manual hubs, etc.), look cooler, smaller interior (more like a shuttle) but everything is easily within reach., more simple and easy to work on. Easier to disable automatic stuff (like: traction control, abs, etc. - all those things that take control out of your hands when you need it the most). Available E-locker option.

Cons: Smaller. If you like to haul a lot of stuff, you play tetris packing it in. If you are over 5'9'', it's hard to stretch out in the truck bed. They are harder to find but worth the effort. Seats suck. Dash rattle. Salvage yard parts are priced ridiculously high since it's all in-demand stuff. And lastly, if you 'total' a really nice and cherried one (like me) that you wrenched on, tuned, dialed in and loved, with all the available options you wanted, and you get a decent buyout from insurance, you still have an aneurysm trying to replace it (which I just finally did).

 

I only have experience with a 1st gen Tacoma DCSB but wouldn't change to 2nd or 3rd gen.

Luckily I got it with these items with 75k:
Front plate bumper
No-name winch
Rear HC bumper with wrap-around corner protection
3" lift Billies
Dakars
Trans case skid
Deck Plate Mod
ARB compressor
ARB front locker

Missing skid plates ($450)
Missing spare tire ($400)
Missing Jack (Hi-lift $100)

What work I have done:
Replaced all Billies for $500 as 3 of 4 corners were leaking.
Replaced UCA with Camburgs for $500
Installed CB for $80
Installed new Center support Bearing for $100
Routine maint

1st gen width is 70"
2nd gen width is 75"
This can be a benefit and a detriment depending on the sitch.

1st gen is basic inside and not many creature comforts, but is that what you are purchasing a 1st gen for?

And for reference, I sold my 03 Audi RS6 with 68k miles for this 1st gen.

The downsides for 1st gens:
Rust
Rear Frame needs reinforcement and/or boxed frame.
3.4l V6 is a dog when rolling 33".
Seats kinda suck but it is a basic truck.
Not much choice in aftermarket items.
Headlights SUCK!

 

Damn, 25k miles? That's unheard of, lucky find! Mine had 74k when I got it and I thought that was unusual! It has 102k now, not one single problem except for the frame replacement it's getting next week.

 

There's a plethora of aftermarket support for 1st gens, where have you been all these years? Lol

Stock headlights suck but some LED's or upgraded halogens fix that in a heartbeat.