Trading from 2001 to 2017 - Good idea?

Hello everyone, I am new to the forums here and wanted to introduce myself. My name is Dallas and currently have a 2001 ext cab TRD 5 speed manual. I love the truck but feel it is getting a bit dated for my purpose. Looking to get something newer with more room/options etc. I have an attractive offer for a 2017 TRD off road with the manual trans that seems very fair to me. I have no desire for the extra safety electronics of the 2018 so I feel the more attractive price on a 2017 is better.

I was about to push the button for the email to purchase the truck but decided I should do a little research first (figured it was a tacoma so why bother, it's going to be a tank!). I am not sure if I am reading the 1% of owners out there having problems or even people that don't have them and are hating but there seems to be quite a bit of negativity about the 3rd gen all around. From TW posts to reviews from the big guys online like Edmunds. Anything from terrible mpg, whistling noises, trans issues, under powered engines etc.

Reliability is a big concern for me and I plan to own the truck for 10 years or more. I have never had one issue with my 1st gen. Are Tacoma's getting cheaper and having more issues/lack of quality and reliability? Am I stupid for getting rid of what I consider to be a work horse of a truck with only 155K miles for this new 3rd gen?

Thank you guys for any advice.

 

If you don’t have to get rid of your truck, just keep it. Good first gens are hard to come by in good shape. You can always use it for a backup.

As far as a new truck, I would test drive it extensively to make sure you like it. Read all the threads especially like the howling differential situation. Keep in mind not everyone has problems, you may get one that is perfect. I got a problem child, and ended up trading it off. A lot of the problems are with the auto, but manual owners tend to be much more happy. If you know anyone with a 3rd gen, see if they will let you test theirs too. Test, and research, then decide. Good luck whatever you decide!

 

Thank you for your thoughts. You are right. My 2001 is in great shape, has a new frame from recall. I just did tbelt, water pump, all new trans/diff fluids, plugs etc so she's good for a while. I certainly do not like the thought of "hoping to get a good one." Not much of a risk taker when it comes to cars, I buy for the long haul.

 

^this. I love my 2016, but it’s my pavement princess. Would love to have a 1st gen to go wheeling in.

I recommend test driving a Colorado/Canyon and a Frontier, too, just to see how much better the Tacoma is.

 

Any new vehicle is really a rolling mass of computer controlled electric sensors and such . There are hundreds of extra things that can and will go wrong with any of them . I highly doubt any new vehicle will be trouble free for 16 years as they were in the past. This is the price we pay for progress ? If you want a new one test it , buy it, and keep the old one for a spare like said above if you can .

 

That extra money would go a long way keeping your 01 in tip top shape or even adding performance, wether it be power or suspension... if your looking to upgrade for family reasons and thats why you need a bigger truck then go for it they are still an amazing piece of machinery but the first gen is a legend as far as reliability. IMO the third gen is a great truck but far to many people are buying it expecting too much like power and fuel economy???? Ugh hello its a truck if you want to piwer it then its gonna drink.... or luxury car road manners because its a 40k truck keep in mind its more like 25k goes to the drive/road manners and 10-15k goes to truck features. Some people are just soft. The biggest splinter always causes the most noise. Personally I’d never sell my firsttyy gen but i may buy a third in a year or two

 

Once you get into the 3rd gen the 1st gen will feel like a little kids toy, still fun but nowhere near the truck the Taco has become. My son owns the little toy now so it stayed in the family. I get to drive it time to time and still have no regrets for bumping up in size and capabilities.

No reliability issues with the 3rd gen after 20 months but I did have a weeping diff, no significant fluid loss but took 2 months to correct due to parts. I still kept driving the truck until it was fixed under warranty.

Decide what's important to you and if you want another truck payment and the insurance bump that goes with it.

 

Good advice guys! I think I got a bit excited when I saw the offer for a 17. I currently have an 04 STI along with the taco which is why I was contemplating selling the taco, would need the cash for down payment. Maybe holding off a few years so I can get a new one in addition to my current cars may be a good idea.

 

jsinnard, Thank you for your experience. It's things like that that keeps me confused haha! I see so many people loving them but still others regretting. I wish I could test drive for a month lol.

 

Here's a pic of the two, like I said the 1st gen is still fun but it feels like a little buggy now instead of a truck.


I use the 3rd gen for hauling and it gets better gas mileage than the 1st gen, much more comfortable but if you still really like the 1st gen, keep it a little longer until fixing it to keep it running is more than a car paynent.

 

there is something to be said about the fact that people rarely go to the internet to rave about how wonderful their truck is. when people (like I have) experience issues and dealerships are clueless, we turn to the interwebs for help/tips/fixes and that's what you're seeing here. Yes, the first couple of years have had some problems, but the benefit of buying now is that most of the problems are known and have fixes or mods to address. The biggest complaints you hear are vibrations and the wonky power train/tranny in the trucks. They have plenty of power and are really fun to drive but it is very different than a 1st gen. Buy the 2017, and save your pennies to pay another $800 for the OVTune and you will NEVER regret your purchase

 

I too buy for the long haul, and they are correct, todays stuff are computers on wheels. Yes, the new ones have lots of safety features, but your 1st gen still has some like airbags. I traded my 3rd gen for a 4runner, bought a little pre-gen pickup for truck duties. Love this stupid little truck, it will probably outlive me,lol. Plus, I like simple stuff, easier and cheaper to fix. I dread the day when things go wrong on my 4runner......

 

Pretty trucks jsinnard! I have heard about the OVTune but it does annoy me that you need to tune a new truck to make it "proper." As far as the technology, I work for BMW and the tech coming in new cars is getting nuts (in a bad way in my opinion). I love the simplicity of the 2001 but certain things like the control arms and the bolts that hold it all together are becoming a rusty mess so I dread the day that I need to replace it all. My theory was that cars aren't getting better (as far as simplicity) so would buying now land me with a better over all taco then when the govt really screws up all our cars in 2-5 years. A hybrid taco will be next, guarantee it.

 

You don't.

My truck is not perfect, but I have never felt like I needed to buy a tune to make it "proper". Want one? Maybe some day. Need it? Not really. Toyota ships the Auto equipped trucks with ECT and S Mode, luckily for me, both those options are more than sufficient to make the truck work well for me. 95% of the time, I simply just use D.

 

Thanks!

Not interested in the OV tune, for me the truck drives just fine.

All depends on your priorities, my 04 has had the steering rack replaced, front brake calipers and discs replaced (frozen caliper), AC compressor, rear shock was blown so I replaced all four, drivers seat is losing some of its support and replaced the starter. It needs new leafs now, the originals are almost flat.

Bought it in my late 30s and loved it, now that I'm in my early 50s the older nickel and dime stuff started to annoy me. I am very happy with more room, more comfort and more power but it does come at a cost.

 

Wow.

Your 3rd gen looks like a Super Duty in comparison to the 1st gen

Amazing how much they've grown.

 

@dallasrey

Life is too short brother, you could spend a lot of time on this forum doing research, but in the grand scheme of things, you're just wasting your time and opportunity, the 3rd gens are awesome in every way, you'll see a lot of negativity and you'll also see a lot of positive vibes as well, Auto or Manual, you can't go wrong in this truck, I've driven all 3 generations and this is by far the best in my opinion, I have the 6 speed MT and I love it, if your even the slightest on the fence about pulling the trigger, I'd say DO IT! You won't regret it, make sure you post pics if you do and enjoy, welcome to the forum btw!
-Rich

 

offthewallsurfer
Thank you for your input. You're right hah, before a big purchase I usually read too deep into stuff and end up getting cold feet and wasting my time (or not!). All the rear diff stuff just concerns me quote a bit though so just trying to sort through that.

Right now I'm looking at the 4 door MT off road with a $35,600 MSRP. Should be able to get it for $31,000 before taxes and tags. Sounds good to me. What do you guys think?

 

Yep, I also had an 86, a 91 and a 99 before the 04, other than AC, ABS, throttle by wire and auto locking hubs the technology and driving experience of the 4 were all pretty much the same. When I compare the 04 to the 16 it's a completely different truck. Amazing how much they have changed in just the last 12 year.

Two favorite tech things I didn't think I'd like as much as I do, backup camera and push button start.

 

If thats brand new it sounds like a very good deal, I'd jump on it.

Warning you if you drive it, you'll take it home.