Would you sell your 1st Gen?

The following is entirely my own opinion with a few facts thrown in. Don't sell it. I want to pause you to realize just what you have here. You have a truck that was manufactured here in America, during a time when Toyota's ultra-high standards and expectations straight from Japan, were still fresh, still largely intact and adhered to more closely. It's common knowledge here that beginning with the 2nd-gens, some compromises in those standards and best practices occurred mostly due to the higher demand for these trucks over the years. Yes, they still were and are fantastic trucks, those 2nd-gens, by any regular standard and they have more power and are larger, but they did have many quirks and faults that developed that the 1st-gens just did not-you can find mucho evidence on that all over this forum.
I like to put the 1st-gen trucks on the same plateau of endearing 'Yotaphile collectibles as the likes of the old 60s-70s FJ40s/FJ43s, the older I6 Land Cruisers, etc.
In short, you have something pretty special in that Tacoma and you won't get much argument on that.
Mine looks like yours-it's stock and I like it that way. To me, these trucks are at their best when they aren't too far-modded from stock as they have a unique, tough style to begin with. People love them-even those who don't own them. Your truck is in the sort of final generation of Toyota trucks that have gained a lot of respect among people when they think of Toyota vehicles-that type of respect has been diluted since. Hell, in my Hemmings book, a '90 Toyota Deluxe Pickup sold at Bonhams, Amelia Island auction for $16,500 when the avg. selling price for a truck like this is around $3700. The desirability for our truck is only going UP.
Sorry for the book but you gotta think about what you're giving up here based upon what it can tow.

 

I sold my first gen to get a second gen and a few months passed and I was disappointed that I had gotten rid of my first gen. Shortly afterwards I ended up buying another first gen and could not be happier but I do not have any towing needs so that did not play into my situation.

 

After seeing this thread, I called URD and ordered the SuperCharger with 7th injector kit. I talked to Steve "Gadget" and he took care of me. I recommend calling URD when you order and see what sort of "deal" they can work out. They are great guys and willing to work with you

Can't wait to install it!

 

Bought my Tacoma to be my last. Currently looking for tiny trailer( T@b, Scamp, Castia). Am intertaining a larger trailer thoughts. Or should say wife is. Since I know Tacoma towing, worked a company with approx 30+ Tacomas everyday tow rigs, I'd get a v8. Tundra, LC v8, 4Runner v8, and shhhhh don't tell, Ford F series. But will keep Tacoma for when trailer bug goes away.

 

You all pretty much just reminded me what I already knew.... I cant get rid of it.

 

I love your truck. I have a 2001 that I can't part with. I'm currently looking to upgrade my tires. What are you running? I like the look. How are they on the dry road with noise, MPG?

 

You know, I used to think I'd never sell my 86 4Runner. It was a piece of me. Then, I blew the motor and was working on getting a new motor (was thinking a 3.4L at the time) and wife started calling it "Christine".

She said if I got rid of it I could get a dirt bike. Well, like that "spare" kidney you don't really need, it was on criagslist that day and was driving home with a shiny (used) dirtbike in the bed of my other truck by the end of the weekend. I still miss it sometimes, but then I remember it smelled like cat pee when it got hot.

However, my 04 dblcab is running just fine (wife doesn't even call it Christine!), and I've owned it longer than any other vehicle I've ever owned, and doesn't even smell like cat pee! I have no plans to get rid of it. It's now my weekend warrior/off-roader, and I prefer the smaller chassis for wheelin'. I bought a '17 4Runner as my DD, it's much bigger, quieter, more powerful for towing my camper, etc... But I've never wanted to wheel with my daily driver, as the suckage would exponentially increase if/when I break something while off roading, then can't get to work on Monday, either.

 

The only thing I get clingy about is a good woman that will pop a random zit on my back. My Tacoma I'd kick it down the road if the money was right. I don't get attached to material things.

 

A week ago The Classic (1999 Tacoma TRD with 240,000+ miles) sputtered, made some God awful noises, and barely made it home from the store a mile way. The mobile mechanic was telling us the cylinder head would need to be taken out and thousands of dollars spent. I know nothing about engines but when the guy is googling as he's trying to tell me what the fix is going to be and asking his partner what the google feedback was, I was a little less than confident. So we got a second opinion, were patient (what a concept) and just got The Classic back after having some sparkplug and ignition coil work done. Truck's running as good as new and my husband's already planning on putting a few more $$$ in The Classic and seeing how far it goes.

FYI - people love this first generation truck. The tow truck guy wanted to buy it and I was half tempted to make sure it made it's way to the shop the way he was eyeing it. A guy at the gas station after he left the shop asked how much.

Although we have considered a newer Tacoma Double Cab for Pete the English Mastiff.

 

im gonna try and drive it till the wheels fall off literally!

 

Love the poll... love the results.
93.3% voted to 'keep the first gen'...


...in the first gen section.



Duh.


Look at all the problems the 3rd gen people are having. They are either extremely picky about the smallest problem, or they are crappy trucks. The second gens are good I guess. But if you want to be financially smart, keep the first gen and drive the piss out of it. Save bank. Retire early.

...Upgrade to Tundra brakes so you don't die when towing stuff.

 

I just got it
Just start hardcore maintenance and still not done
I'm not giving up
I've never sold a ride unless I had to minimize, like moving out of state. Which only happens once.
Once oem parts start to get discontinued it will be a tough decision. But my babies stay.

 

Keep it as an extra vehicle and get what you want.
I kept my 1st gen reg cab since it was worth more to me than what anybody would pay for it. I bought a 3rd gen since I needed a back seat.

3rd gen is my daily driver and is quieter and smoother, but something about the '98 makes it awesome to drive.

 

I vote to keep the first gen, but if you are looking to tow, you might consider a GX470. They are a real bargain right now. Not uncommon to find them under $10k and they tow much, much better than a 2nd gen for half the price. My GX tows ~4k lbs a few times a week and the 4.7 never even breathes hard. My 2nd gen Tacoma is constantly downshifting and isn't nearly as stable at highway speeds.

 

I've had a few examples of both 1st and second gens. I will say with experience that a second gen tows WAY better than a first gen. I think the second gens are without question better on the road and more comfortable. They are definitely bigger and definitely aren't built as well. I do have to say I really like my current 1st gen because it's just SO basic. power nothing. And it's pre-scratched.

 

I don't know that I'd say the 2nd gens aren't built as well, but they do certainly have more plasticy crap on them (like the bumpers, bed storage, etc...). The 2nd/3rd gens look better (at first, back in '05/'06 I thought they were fugly, but the look grew on me). The plasticy crap makes them look more modern and they certainly have some convenient storage options that just don't exist for the 1st gens. Those convenient storage options (bed compartments) also tend to get trashed when throwing rocks/gravel, etc... in the bed, which I tent to do a lot of.

I recently got a '17 4Runner, and while I wasn't too "into" the bigger size, it is nice to have the extra space with kids 'n gear 'n stuff. It's WAY quieter, nicer hwy ride, tows the trailer way better, etc...

All around a better truck? Depends on what you use it for:

For a daily driver, road trips? Yeah, I definitely prefer my 4Runner. But, IMO, these bigger Tacos/4Runners suck for off-roading because, well, they're bigger and heavier and have more plasticy crap to snap off (like the bumpers). The sides of my 1st gen have enough trail pinstripes, I can't imagine anything wider...

I like to have my cake and eat it too, so that's why I kept my '04 when I bought the 4Runner... Now I have the best of both worlds.

Did I mention that I think plastic bumpers on a 4x4 truck are stupid?

 

I agree the plastic bumpers are stupid and I really miss the bed storage compartments the 05-up trucks have. After putting 200k miles or so on each 1st and second gens I can say with certainty the first gens are more durable. Honestly if I could have found one I would have preferred a 89-95 truck over my first gen. I was actually looking into buying one out west but either shipping or travel cost made it impractical. I don't DD mine and honestly if all I was going to have was one vehicle a newer 4Runner would likely be my choice. But my bare bones first gen and a GTI make for a nice combo. And a CBR500R for stress relief and insane gas mileage fits well in there too.

 

Use the money to swap a V8 or a diesel

 

Hmmm... how much more commitment do you need to see: I own my truck since August 1998 (bought it used with 70k miles on it). I moved to Poland last year (yes, it is in Europe, a big chunk of land behind the Atlantic Ocean) and took this truck with me (with 316k miles on the clock). I brought it here knowing that even if I wanted to sell it here, there is no way I can sell it for more than a scrap metal price - nobody here would buy it (different market). So I am stuck with this truck till I die or truck dies (I'm not sure who will go first). And I am happy about it. This is my DD here however we don't need to drive that much like I had to do it in California, maybe 2-3k miles a year. So unless some moron runs me over totaling my Tacoma I see a long and happy future together.

Yes it is old technology and not much modern comfort. To compensate for it I brought also 2012 4Runner with me - this is my "long trips" car - comfortable but still can go into places.

 

No way in a million years would I sell it for a newer model. I essentially have the same truck as you with 150k miles on it. To quote you, mine runs like butter too. It's such a dependable vehicle. Sure it lacks the modern features of the newer models, but it makes up for it in pretty much all other categories (especially in the best looking and most badass categories).