1st gen or 2nd gen?

The best Toyotas were 89-94 easy. Though I had an awesome '85 single cab 4 cylinder which would kick the pants off anything in its way - if it didn't corrod away probably still would. I had a '94 that was bulletproof as well - more power though it took along time to get used to the auto-hubs and carpet interior!

After '95 the metal was cheaper and things got too light. I will say this, the 2nd gens are great trucks - still way overbuilt for the average city driver.

 

get both then have the best of both worlds

 

jtcpa your right, I had the 89 4cyl, long bed. those trucks were assume, manual locking hubs, metal bumpers. Needed more cab room so sold it for $5,500 with 60,000 miles on it and bought my 03 Tacoma, double cab,

 

lol...

it's easier to reach on the first gen imo.

and the size of the trucks is not that different.

 

I have a 01 but would trade up for a 05 and up any day. The older trucks are getting a little long in the tooth so to speak. When the new Tacoma comes out say in a couple years it will look really dated.

 

I like both, they're tacomas! But when I bought my 03' a few years back I liked the rep of the drive train and great suspension(stock and aftermarket) sh*t the darn truck overall. Grey wire mod helped a lil bit haha. But I really like the front fender lines on the gen 1 tacos so much. Don't get me wrong the gen2 is a sick truck with a badass engine!

 

I vote for 1st generation, I have a 99 xcab with 3.4 automatic and love it, I've owned (1) chevy pickup (1965) & (6) F150's, this is my first Tacoma and bought it as the size is what I prefer for my needs right now, I like the looks of the 01-04 models a little better than my 99 but I plan on driving it for 75K before I sell it just as the (2) previous owners had done. The 2 generation are probably better in a lot of ways, but if I wanted a large truck I would go back to the F150.

 

They *are* a Tundra. The 2nd gen Tacoma platform is almost identical to the previous generation Tundra platform, sans the V8 option (grrrr....)

The frame was changed a bit (mainly to lighten the vehicle a bit), and of course the composite bed, but the transmission is the same as 4.7L Tundras and the 1GR was and is the Tundra six-cylinder engine.

Size measurements are almost identical as well (IIRC, all dimensions of the 2ndGen Taco are within an inch of the comparably equipped 1st gen Tundra).

Everyone talks about thinner metal and car companies cheaping out since the late 80s/early 90s, but I think the real reasons are:

1) Rosy colored glasses
2) CAFE standards

Got to get that mileage up somehow. Toyota has kept the emphasis where it matters though. Body panels are easily replaced, engines and transmissions are not...I'll deal with some easily dented body panels if I know the original motor and transmission are good for 300k.

 

`01-`04 =)

 

Pre Tacoma LOL

 

1st gen all the way love the styling simplicity and size sure it could use some upgrades but so can anything

 

1st gen for sure. perfect balance of size, usable space, headroom, looks, and visibility. i still like 2nd gens, but i really dislike how the interior seems a lot bigger, but really had no additional usable space compared to a 1st gen. plus worse visibility. 1st gens really are the "perfect" small truck. i love how easy it is to park. 2nd gens don't really fit the definition of small truck very well anymore. what i do like about the 2nd gens though are the access cab doors, and the engine. stock for stock i think 1st gens look much better, but with a 2-4" lift and some toyo MT's 2nd gens win in the looks department for sure.

 

It's incredible how evenly split the poll is

 

I voted 1st gen because I'm one of the ones that don't like the size. I think that if Toyota would have scaled down the 2nd gens and kept the same looks it would be an awesome truck.

 

if it was anywhere other than the first gen forums it wouldn't be like this.


although most of the 2nd gen guys cant seem to figure out that not everything seems to revolve around them, and they answer first gen questions based on what they know about their 2nd gens

 

Im gonna go ahead and say get a tacoma. best truck on the market

 

x2 and oh so true.....

 

Dang this poll is close

 

1st gen for offroad & 2nd for a DD, nuff said bitches

 

1st Gen FTW!!!