How does the 1st gen handle high speed highway cruising?

If you want more than 20 MPG on the highway look elsewhere.

Age is just a number. Gonna be a lot more reliable than your BMW.

Its easy to go see the truck and tap around with a hammer. Sounds like the Coating is better than nothing but these frames collect water from the inside out. Look, you're buying a 15 year old truck, its gonna have corrosion.

 

Yea, that inside out part is what bothers me. And with the coating, the level of surface rust, which may be indicative of how bad things are on the inside, is hidden. I'm no stranger to rusty old cars, my daily right now is my 1991 BMW (fuel injector went out on the 335i lol). But I also know that at some point rust really makes a vehicle not worth repairing. A blown engine or transmission can be swapped for a few thousand bucks. A rusted out frame on an old truck? It's probably totaled. Which is making me wonder whether an older, higher milage truck with a new frame might be a better long term investment than a newer, lower mileage truck with a frame that's only get 5 more years left in it in these awful Ohio winters.

Getting a little off topic here, but I've actually had fewer issues with high mileage BMWs than Japanese cars in the past, just because of the rust issue. I can swap ignition coils or cooling system parts in the driveway. Meanwhile, we sent my girlfriend's Camry to the junk yard because the brake and fuel lines were both completely rusted through. And I gave up my Mazda after getting sick of dealing with things like the exhaust falling off in the middle of the road, or sway bar links completely rusting through, on an 8 year old car. Ohio winters are not kind. It's actually crossed my mind that in this climate, maybe an older Ford or GM would last longer. I've never heard of frame rot on a Silverado.

 

They do, really, at least the Tundra/Sequia. Those things come all done up in leather, etc... I was marveling at the $70,000 Tundra they had in the showroom when I was buying my 4Runner.

 

I got 29-30 mpg in my 4cyl 5 lug without even trying... 14-18 or so in my 2004 doublecab v6 4x4 with E-rated all terrains. I've squeezed and indicated 21 out of my 4.0L 4runner (but that's also loosing 2k feet of elevation over an 80-100 mile drive on a 2 lane highway, more like 19-20 going the other way). My dad gets ~20 in his Sequoia (unless he's towing, lol), but he drives like a grandpa (he is one, lol).

Since the EPA estimates the Tacoma MPGs at around 17 hwy for our trucks (under "ideal" circumstances), I'm honestly skeptical of those who claim significantly higher MPGs. There are certainly times where I've gotten 20+ like on parts of an all highway road trip (hell, I've gotten "99"mpg over short distances), but I can't claim I get 20mpg.

Best I ever got was actually towing a tiny little popup (weighed like 800 pounds) on a ~2000 mile road trip up to WA and back. Averaged 18 for the whole trip. That little trailer wasn't very stable so I stuck to 55 the entire trip. Truck didn't even notice the trailer at that speed.

 

There are several folks here who have swapped rusted out frames. A few grand (very likely less than an engine swap) will git 'er done. More if you buy a NEW frame, but you can find rust free ones from a wrecking yard in the "rust free" states like CA or AZ...

Remember, the 2nd gens also have frame rust issues. It's not quarantined to the 1st gens.

 

I bought one of the first Tundra's ever made (2000), new, and kept it 17 years. I left it stock and averaged 15-16 MPG (V8, auto, 4wd). This 1st gen Tacoma (V6, manual, 4wd, small lift, stock tire size) I have gets just barely better mileage, not enough to feel it in my wallet. I would not let fuel economy dictate your choice. I also suspect because you owned a 335 with twin turbo (always wanted one) a few MPG's isn't a big deal. The Tundra did everything better except off-road, where the lighter, more nimble Tacoma with locker, hands down beats the Tundra. But if you're only doing forest roads, I doubt it will make a difference.

I'll add, I think you can likely get more truck for your money with a Tundra as I think the Tacoma's are in higher demand.

 

Last time I checked fuel mileage I got 18.226mpg and that was over 253.5 mile interval . Out of that mileage was 40 miles of city driving and the rest was fwy driving and up / down the 4k ft Cajon Pass a couple of times

 

That makes me feel a little bit better

Helpful info on the fuel economy, thanks. You'd be surprised on the 335, I can get close to 30mpg with cruise set at 80mph. But, it takes premium. And that average quickly tanks if I get into the pedal enough to get the turbos spinning.

Tundra is definitely a better bang for the buck. I can find decent high mileage Tundra's under $6k all day long. Meanwhile, Tacomas at that price point all seem to have a blown head gasket or rotted frame.

 

I only buried the speedometer once in its life. Most of my cruising habits fall within 70-75MPH. But I will tell you that this truck's "comfort zone" where it'll take on any crosswinds, grades etc. with minimal effort on the throttle and without downshifting is 78MPH.

 

Mine sits at 2500 rpm@80mph

 

I'm perpetually in the right lane on the interstate haha, I rarely ever go more than 70mph in my '04. Partially because DC traffic prevents me from going any faster and partially because the RPMs start to get kinda high and you can tell its not super happy at 75 and above.

During routine driving I consistently get 18mpg. I baby the shit out of my truck though

 

yes at 40

so I'm not the only one. Just look at the many, many, many gas mileage threads on here. *and I'm truly sorry for getting this one on that path as most people can't seem to accept that most of us get shit mileage. It's not clear how a few get better.

every vehicle made has an example that made a Million miles, don't count on a free one if you make it, 1 guy evidently got one to my surprise, a second owner won't. You won't. If you or I get 1/2M we should be very happy. BTW I got 27 with a 5 lug hwy.

They do, look at the 1894(?) Edition Tundra. It looks like a Lexus inside. They didn't make them 12 yrs. ago because people weren't as obsessed about truck interiors.

And I got 27mpg max in my 5 lug. See why all the arguments?
Fact is I have always HATED driving a truck on the hwy. and tried to make do w/o one many times to only have 1 vehicle. I never have been successful at that as i need a truck often enough to warrant owning one as a second vehicle. The tacoma has horrible seats, sucks fuel and is too small BUT you're right, it's easy to maneuver in town, full size sucks. HOWEVER if I had to drive 1 vehicle......it would be full size.

 

As expensive as old Toyota trucks are there is no way I'd drive one up north unless someone gave me a great deal on one. Toyota has just became in the last 10 yrs. a "Holds it's value" truck. When I bought mine I had numerous under 100K mile examples to choose from for under 10K.

 

5th gear at 40?

captain short shift!

The Ford Pinto and the Dodge Aries? Yeah, probably not, lol, at least not with original motors. I believe there have been a few free trucks handed out to replace a million mile Toyota. They use them as marketing (the more the better, really), but more over they are handed over to the engineers who take them completely apart and inspect them.

I don't expect mine to make a million. Probably not even 300k but that's only because I don't drive it that much. I barely managed 10k a year when it was a daily driver. Now it sits in my yard more than it gets driven, and certainly doesn't do the long haul road trips like it used to. But let's say I did make a million and Toyota wanted to give me a new Tacoma. I wouldn't do it, unless I was allowed to keep the 1st gen. I might tell them if they wanted to give me a "new" truck, to take a restored 1st gen and throw a modern drive train in it.

I actually prefer a truck on the highway. Really, I prefer a truck/suv for just about anything. I really hate having my face at the same height as a tractor trailer tire when driving the wife's car...

My 15 year old Tacoma feels more planted than my wife's '14 Corolla, unless I'm trying a slalom course or something. I'm sure if we spent more than $18k on a brand new car it would feel nicer, lol, but I just generally don't care for cars. If I were a one vehicle person, I'd sell everything but the Tacoma. The 5th gen 4Runner is certainly nicer for road trips, towing the travel trailer, quieter, etc...

I've done some wheeling with the 4runner and it feels like I'm maneuvering a battleship around a swimming pool. I just generally prefer the smaller size. It'd be nice if the new Tacomas weren't the same size as the older Tundras.

 

Not sure if anyone has mentioned it yet- most uncomfortable seats ever in a 1st gen. Other than that, a good condition suspension will ride just fine for the highway. Off road tires and suspension mods will effect ride comfort greatly- both good and bad.

 

Buy a nice Accord or Camry in an upper end model. Put a hitch on it and get a light trailer for the HD stuff.

You'll enjoy high reliability, good highway manners and great MPG. Yet still be able to haul/tow dirty home owner stuff.

PM me for the address to send your thank you gift to.

 

I think Al Bundy's Dodge made 1M. j/k but I do know of 1 Pinto and 1 Fox Mustang with 1M+miles. Numerous engine rebuilds on both, new transmissions......new everything really except interior/some body panels. the 2.3 was a tough engine.

Really though I've only heard of that Sheppard guys Tundra being bought back for the cost of a 2016. Heard something about it being the first Tundra built in S.A. is why they wanted it.

 

Having owned my 1st gen for 13 yrs, and having experienced my brother's current 2nd gen and his previous 1st gen Tundra I'll say this; that Tundra was by far the best for road tripping.

His 2nd gen Taco takes second place easily.

I love my truck, and have taken multiple road trips with it, but I would rather take another vehicle if I can.

If you wind up in choosing a 1st gen, try and find one with cruise control, too. I'm still blown away that my dad's '93 Toyota pickup has cruise, but my '03 doesn't!

 

Exactly, and you have a roomier Crew Cab