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Gen 1 or Gen 2?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Jackalope, Jun 2, 2010.

  1. Jun 2, 2010 at 7:31 PM
    #1
    Jackalope

    Jackalope [OP] Well-Known Member

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    As I read more and more about the Tacoma, it strikes me that the Gen 2, particularly the way I'd get it (double cab, long bed) is a BIG damn truck. It's only 6 inches shorter than a Tundra. It's as big as the T100 (which was supposed to be a full sized truck). It's only slightly smaller than the previous generation Tundra.

    I don't know if I want something that big. I'll use mine to commute to work, haul some household stuff and put my wife in the back seat when I have to carry my mother around. It looks like the Gen 1 would do the job. But of course, the technology has improved quite a bit since 2004. On the other hand, I can get a Gen 1 a lot cheaper than a Gen 2.

    So which should I go for? Is the Gen 1 a better truck for my kind of driving?
     
  2. Jun 2, 2010 at 7:34 PM
    #2
    Yamaha Dave

    Yamaha Dave Well-Known Member

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    I'd say go with whatever you find the best deal on. I was in your same scenario I just picked up a 2003 Prerunner, Double Cab with the TRD package. I considered 05's and 06's that where near my price range. Both have their pros and cons. But I specifically was looking for a 03 or a 04 because I wanted the classic Toyota Tacoma look. I haven't met one person who doesn't love the 01-04 body style.
     
  3. Jun 2, 2010 at 7:36 PM
    #3
    ktmrider

    ktmrider Senior Member

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    coming from the biggest of the big, Its not that big. A non-toyota fullsize is a big truck
     
  4. Jun 2, 2010 at 7:43 PM
    #4
    Jackalope

    Jackalope [OP] Well-Known Member

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    You have now. I hate the grill in the 01-04. That's one of my biggest reasons I'm looking at a Gen 2.

    I'm just trying to figure out if a grill is worth 3 grand or so.
     
  5. Jun 3, 2010 at 4:46 AM
    #5
    strongwxnc

    strongwxnc Well-Known Member

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    Bushwacker bed rail caps
    Yep. I have a 02 and love the look of the truck. I could not afford a 2nd gen when I bought my 02 back in 2007. But I think I made the right choice. I like the smaller look of the trucks. But whatever floats your boat.
     
  6. Jun 3, 2010 at 4:52 AM
    #6
    jdcrowe75

    jdcrowe75 Well-Known Member

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    I don't know but can you even get a Gen 1 DC long bed? I thought there was only one bed size Gen 1 DC. I think the Gen 1's look better but I like the size of the Gen2's better. I love my Gen 2 DC short bed!!! I've used my bed extender a lot.
     
  7. Jun 3, 2010 at 5:01 AM
    #7
    Jimmyjohn

    Jimmyjohn Well-Known Member

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    Take the one that Fits your needs the best. Only you can tell that for sure. I got the 06 DLB Cab and love it Short box and it is plenty big.
     
  8. Jun 3, 2010 at 5:04 AM
    #8
    Incognito

    Incognito No better friend, no worse enemy

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  9. Jun 3, 2010 at 5:12 AM
    #9
    Barnone

    Barnone Guest

    Hate the grill????? Are you kidding?
    That's the silliest reason I've ever heard of to change trucks.
    You gotta be kidding.
     
  10. Jun 3, 2010 at 5:16 AM
    #10
    Jackalope

    Jackalope [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm CHANGING trucks because my 91 Dodge Dakota doesn't have a back seat at all and I have to have one. The question here is which one to buy.
     
  11. Jun 3, 2010 at 5:18 AM
    #11
    Jackalope

    Jackalope [OP] Well-Known Member

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    After writing the OP, I'm being told that Gen 1's don't have a long bed. That's a problem. It's not a show-stopper, but it is an issue.
     
  12. Jun 3, 2010 at 5:19 AM
    #12
    Jackalope

    Jackalope [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm also being told that Gen 1's have a frame rust problem. Is it common enough to really worry about it?
     
  13. Jun 3, 2010 at 5:33 AM
    #13
    brg88tx

    brg88tx Well-Known Member

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    only if you live in snow country. my 03 doublecab doesn't even have the slightest bit of surface rust...it was previously owned in florida.
     
  14. Jun 3, 2010 at 6:11 AM
    #14
    shift96

    shift96 Well-Known Member

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    I love the 1st gens and said I would not want a 2nd gen until my buddy rolled up Saturday with his 2010 double cab, long bed TRD Sport. It is friggin beautiful! I drove it and it's tits. It's a big truck but not that big to be annoying.
     
  15. Jun 3, 2010 at 6:43 AM
    #15
    My68ur8trd

    My68ur8trd Well-Known Member Vendor

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    personally, I think the gen 1 is a better built truck, I had a 99 before I bought the X-runner and now I have a Dcab.

    If it were not for the interior space, and the trouble of finding a lower miles 04 Dcab, I could have gone that route.

    but if you find a good deal, go for it

    Justin
     
  16. Jun 3, 2010 at 6:45 AM
    #16
    YellowDog01

    YellowDog01 Well-Known Member

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    Same here. The guy I bought my truck from had lived in Chalreston and the truck was bought about 20 minutes from my house.
     
  17. Jun 3, 2010 at 6:53 AM
    #17
    Fireguy67

    Fireguy67 Rebecca and Willow's Opa

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    No mods- running boards, vent visors all around ,Leer XQ Cap, hood deflector,bed extender, OEM roof rack, Toyota bed mat.Nothing fancy!
    I went with a 2nd gen. up here because of all the "supposed" snow we get- along with the salt that gets put down. I was worried about the rust issues in 1st gens. My 2nd. gen has absolutely no rust issues whatsoever after 4.5 years of ownership-- but we haven't had a ton of snow since I bought it. (Dec. 08-March09 was about it.) There is a fair bit of moisture up here( lots of rain) but as I stated before....no rust issues. I'm a happy camper!
     
  18. Jun 3, 2010 at 6:58 AM
    #18
    AeroCooper

    AeroCooper Half the strength of ten (microscopic men)

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    This is only my opinion and not trying to insult anyone, but I don't care for the look of the 1st generations 'out of the box'. That being said, some of them look pretty damn hot when fixed up properly.

    To me though, 2nd gens look great right off the lot, and its only uphill from there.

    As for size, when I first got my '10, I thought it was quite big....until a buddy came over with his full sized Chevy. I looked out the window at the two of them side by side and was surprised at how tiny the Taco looked in comparison. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade mine for anything, just sayin', size is relative and you get used to that little extra fast!
     
  19. Jun 3, 2010 at 7:25 AM
    #19
    StAndrew

    StAndrew Wait for it...

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    I would go with the Gen 2. I love my Gen 1 but the Gen 2 I thought was a nicer truck. I love the Gen 2's except the manual transmission (IMO) sucked (first gear was way to big for a truck). Better engine, nicer ride, nicer looking, better features, etc... I only went with a Gen 1 because it was ~$6000 cheaper.

    However, I will say, I LOVE my gen 1. Its def more than I wanted/needed.
     
  20. Jun 3, 2010 at 11:45 AM
    #20
    Jackalope

    Jackalope [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I understand. How something looks is purely a personal preference. One man's art is another man's trash.

    That said, I agree, I love the way the Gen 2's look and I'm not all that fond of the way the Gen 1's look. But I just wish the Gen 2's weren't so damn big. It's almost a full size truck.
     

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