Gen 2 or Gen 1?

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.

Now I know all of you feel the Gen 2 is a better truck and I'm sure that FOR YOU, it is. The question is, why should I get a Gen 2 instead of a Gen 1?

 

i had an 06 access cab offroad prerunner......traded it for an 04 double cab 4x4.................damn glad i did it too. to me.....the first gens are built a little better....yeah, we got less power,but power to weight is roughly the same....so we're good to go.

 

I have had both Gen1 and Gen2 and I really loved both trucks. I do however like the way my Gen2 TRD sport looks better than my old truck. As for what you should get.....i would say get what you want. Drive both, see what feels good, what looks appealing to you, creature comforts, etc. Then decide. Good luck!

 

and i think most of us are all about both!! lol

 

Doublecab long bed is not that big at all. It still is a mid size truck after all. I drive it everywhere and im 17. I havent put a scratch on it due to my driving anyway.

 

Don't get me wrong, I love the 2nd Generations. But to me, it was about the money. You could get a great 2001 with 80,000 miles for under $10K.

Can't beat a 2001 Tacoma Double Cab 78K for $7,800. That's mine.

 

I owned a Gen 1 before I got married. Sold it when the first kid came along because it was too small. Finally I was able to buy another Taco with my wife's permission but it needed enough room in the back to fit 2 car seats for both my kids. We looked at both Gen 1 and 2 four doors and picked the Gen 2 because it was bigger and more comfortable.

So buy whatever is more comfortable for you and your needs.

 

Well see, that's part of my problem. I don't really get what you're telling me. Are you saying that the Gen 1 you had was too small even for one child's seat? Was it a double cab? I've got to be able to carry three adults on occasion. Granted, two of them are only 5'1", but they're a lot bigger than a child's seat.

 

x2

 

I've got an '04 DC & have had 5 people in it before. 2 of them were my boys ages 11 & 13, so it's definately big enough for car seats.

 

I had an '03 Tacoma DC 4x4, '02 Dodge Ram Quad cab, now an '05 Tacoma 4x4 DC LB. The '05 DC LB is as long as the Dodge but not as wide. Definitely will give you more room than the 1st gen Tacomas but I would not hesitate to buy back the '03 if I was on lower budget. Should be fine for carseats or adults in the back.

 

I've owned a 96 and now have an 07.


First off - the 1st gen trucks have the frame rust issue. Personally, I don't care how good they are - that alone would prevent me from buying one currently, especially if you plan on keeping the truck for many many years. You just don't know how long that frame it gonna last for ya.

Second - You mentioned you wanted a double cab long bed. The 1st gen trucks don't come with a double cab long bed. So - if you get a double cab, you'll have to settle for a short bed.

The 2nd gen trucks are about the same size as the older Tundras. Once you have the extra room - you'll never want to go back. Don't like the extra length of the double cab long bed? GET a double cab short bed - you'll still have a little more room than the 1st gen in the same configuration.

I still think the 1st gens are bulleproof compared to these 2nd gens. It's a damn shame about the frame rust issue.

 

Didn't know about the lack of a long bed in a Gen 1. Thanks. That's not a show-stopper, but it is a concern.

But as for, "I still think the 1st gens are bulleproof compared to these 2nd gens. It's a damn shame about the frame rust issue", that's a bit like saying "I really love the sex I get from her if she just wasn't a psychotic axe-murderer who has killed her previous five lovers".

 

You shouldn't. Get a low mileage first gen and enjoy.

 

I had a 96 and now drive an 08, because the 96 frame rusted out. If not for that 'little' problem, I'd still be happily driving the 1996. While I like the 08 just fine, you are correct that the 1996 was a much better size. If I wanted a Tundra-sized truck, I'd buy a Tundra.

If you can find a Gen I with a good frame, go for it.

Toyota, what we really need is a Gen I sized truck in a hybrid that gets 40 mpg (my other vehicle is a Prius).

 

If you've never had a 1st gen, you'll LOVE a 2nd gen, but for the price of a new 2nd gen, I'd def be getting into an f-150, Ford is really doing well with their trucks these days, and Toyota is lacking unfortunately.

 

i still wouldn't buy an F150. the truck itself is solid, but the engines are all crap, esp. the 5.4 triton. have you ever tried to change a spark plug? not fun AT ALL. not too mention the ball joints on those things need to be changed almost as often as your brakes, idk if they fixed this problem with the new ones, but before this generation on fords, they were CRAP.

anyway. if you want a doublecab longbed, you have to go 2nd gen. if you can find a 1st gen, and its the right size, then go for it. they are pretty hard to come by though, and you do have to watch out for the frame rust issues

 

Go with the short bed gen 2, I personally do not like the LB's, you will be much more happy with it as far as manuevering. The gen 1's are great because theyre not as plastic like everywhere and everything is simple on them but when I switched to the 4.0 there was a huge difference and the added width is nice. I have both btw.

 

.....you have one bad ass truck!!. if i ever buy 2nd gen. i want my truck to look like that