Other than more affordable, why do you prefer the 1st Gen?

I should have stated "I would hope any original owner of a 1st Gen has it paid off"

 

Ya. Since the newest is what, 13 years old now that the 17s are out?

 

I have payments on my 2004 Tacoma, lol. I bought it in March from Toyota in San Diego with 24k miles on it, so naturally it wasn't cheap. They wanted $20k but I got it for $17k.

I wanted a first gen for nostalgia reasons, I had one 10 years ago and have missed it like hell ever since I sold it to go to school. Graduated a few years ago and waited until I landed a solid gig before I went looking for another one, because I knew that I needed to find one in mint condition with low mileage and that it would cost me.

I love the look of a truly compact 4x4 truck, they simply don't exist anymore and haven't since Ford discontinued the Ranger (I believe they continued making those after Toyota switched the Tacoma to mid-size in '05). I like not having a ton of bells and whistles, and I just love the utilitarian look and feel of a first gen Tacoma. They really are great trucks.

 

Not to mention a boatload of 2nd Gen owners have no payment as well...

 

Cuz a first gen is just cool. It says the owner is smart and secure.

 

I could have bought a second gen is I really wanted to, but I figure the 1st gen is going to hold it's value better in the long term.

Part of me still wants a stripper base second gen 5 speed 4WD single cab in white.

 

Second gen single cab 4x4's are beautiful looking trucks, one of my favorites of all. I like the single cab 1st gens too, especially those rare 3.4l v6 ones....mmmm...

 

BE(1)ST GEN

 

The main reason I wanted a first gen (95-2000 specifically) is the availability of manual locking hubs.

 

First gens are extremely capable off road and extremely reliable. Very simple and easy to work on. Best looking trucks too.

 

Aside from the rusty frames, I think 1st gens have better build quality overall plus I like the size.

 

You mean this?
1995.5 - They do exist!
Funny thing is when I bought it, I was bringing it home and there was another one on the freeway!

 

I believe these 1st gens are FAR more reliable than the 2nd gens.

Fairly cheap and easy to maintain.

I prefer the looks to the other 2 gens.

 

1st Gens = Fly by Wire - with 2nd and now 3rd gens seems like they have a computer for EVERYTHING

 

1. Love the aesthetics, functionality, and durability of the 1st Gen.
2. Affordable, no payments.
3. Watching ExpeditionOverland's 1st Gen Tacoma in the early episodes confirmed everything I wanted.

 

Simplicity, not a whole lot to go wrong especially with computers and electronics. Size is perfect too, if I ever need anyting bigger I'll just get a full size.

Not to mention she still turns heads, don't see them much around here anymore.

 

Other than the fact that it's cheap to own, I like that it's a smaller truck, but is still a truck. Better for parking, going through trees, etc.
I also like the look of a first gen better than second or third gens, though I still like the latter two.
They are easy to work on, and there isn't a whole lot of computerized B.S. to get in the way. I feel like newer vehicles have too many "safety features" that just make things harder to work on and don't really do anything.
The engine is bulletproof. Nuff said.
It does everything I need of it and never complains.
Aftermarket parts/upgrades are everywhere.

 

Yep, Ranger was made up until 2011 was their last year. It was the end of the compact truck in the US when the last Ranger rolled out of the Ford Michigan truck plant.

I hope one day Toyota brings back a cheap, basic model compact truck again. Something that won't cost as much as a full size to buy. That's what ultimately killed the compact truck was they came so close to full sizes in price that there was no longer a financial need for them. Top it off with modern full sizes matching or beating them in the MPG department, it was only a matter of time before they died off. I think the only reason the Tacoma is still around is the cult following and they still make Toyota a boatload of money. With Ford, everyone was ditching the Ranger and flocking to the F150 because it was a better choice for the money.

 

Because I grew up on this

 

My first Tacoma was a 2nd gen DCSB and initially I was happy with it but the longer I had it the more I disliked it. The paint scratched just from looking at it funny. So did the clear plastic over the gauges. The interior wear on the door panels, seats and carpet at 50,000 miles was very obvious and discouraging. Closing the doors made a hollow sound that just exuded cheapness. If the windows were rolled down you could hear them clattering loosely in their tracks. All the plastic on the front end rattled like a bastard on dirt roads. I didn't understand how this expensive truck could feel so poorly-assembled compared to the base model 1997 Ford Ranger it replaced. The automated transfer case engagement was finicky and slow. In high range 1st gear was too short but in low range 1st gear was too tall. It was difficult to see out of the cab and tell where the front right corner was going, so navigating even moderate terrain could be a pain in the ass sometimes. Also, someone didn't get the memo that mud flaps are supposed to flap, not shatter. Knowing that at least Tacomas have good resale, I waited for the 3rd gen to come out before I did anything drastic and when I watched the reveal on youtube I could tell I would be just as disappointed with that one.

Last summer I found a 1st gen configured exactly how I wanted it and I have never regretted going from a 2nd gen V6 DCSB to a 1st gen I4 regular cab. I find the size and maneuverability extremely enjoyable. I get excited to drive it even if I'm just running errands in town. The paint looks great and there is virtually no interior wear, despite the higher miles and the seller admitting he rarely cleaned it inside or out. The windows aren't loose when they're rolled down and the doors just quietly click when you shut them. On dirt roads nothing rattles unless there is change in the ashtray. I adore the crank windows and manual transfer case because there is so little that can go wrong. The gearing is designed very well. It feels natural on the street and tall enough to comfortably do 75 MPH on the freeway, but in 4-Lo the crawl speed is nice and low. The outward visibilty is superb, even with a camper shell on the back. Functional mud flaps, anti-theft tailgate, leaf spring shackles pointing in the correct direction and a one piece double-cardan rear driveline are standard equipment, not "mods." The front coilovers are uber-easy to swap and if you want manual hubs you can have them, goddammit! Seperate drive belts instead of a serpentine belt are yet another bonus that I appreciate, not to mention the wealth of DIY knowledge at your fingertips.

I'm lucky to have simple tastes and no desire to compete in the American middle-class rat race to finance the most and biggest material possessions so your neighbors won't think you're a loser. I'm just naturally more interested in simple, utilitarian vehicles instead of bloated stretch limos gilded in fake chrome and made-in-china electronics. It's a win-win scenario that the types of vehicles I enjoy the most are also at the low end of what I can afford. My friend just got a 1963 Ford Falcon beater 4 door sedan and I had a blast taking it for a spin because I had never driven a "3 on the tree" transmission before. But driving my brother's new Dodge diesel mega-truck that costs as much as a condo by the beach in Spain was like falling asleep in the dentist's chair. If I ever felt dumb enough to blow 40 grand in one shot I wouldn't buy a new car, I would take my wife on a long vacation to Europe or New Zealand, drink adult beverages at will, and come home with a solid axle Hilux or 70-series Land Cruiser. Whew! Rant complete!