Are first gen Toyotas actually worth the price?

And it's a step side too!

 

i don't get the Totota

 

I think it means 'buffalo'.

 

They know what they got

 

oh ok, i recognize this truck from a month or so ago from that line right there hahah

 

Still for sale too, get it before it sells. It's a steal

 

Here is why there is so much hype and a cult following for first generation Tacomas.

Here is an analogy about First Generation Camaros to start off this thread. First Generation Camaros were an attempt by General Motors to release a pony car in reaction to the Ford Mustang. First generation Camaros did not have a very long life span. They only lasted three model years. They went from 1967 to 1969, and were discontinued after the 1969 model year in favor of the Second Generation Camaros released in 1970. The Second Generation Camaros had a ton of more options than the previous generation, and they had way more comfortable and ergonomic friendlier interiors than their older generation sibling. After the second generation Camaros were released, the general public were completely done with the first generation Camaros, and this first generation of Camaros could basically be purchased for ridiculously low prices. This lasted about ten years. Around 1981, first generation Camaros started to receive a lot of attention, and kids were again attracted to the body lines of these first generation Camaros. This affinity toward first generation Camaros never left, and today they have an incredible cult following behind them. Second generation Camaros also receive a lot of attention today, but most Camaro fans prefer the first generation especially the 1969 model year. This is entirely because of the body lines of the first generation Camaros. First generation Camaros are way more expensive than second generation Camaros. The prices are not even close.

First generation Tacomas have had a similar fate of first generation Camaros except for the fact they were never sold for dirt cheap prices. This was because they were pickup trucks, and pickup trucks are useful tools so they, generally, sell for above market prices. Second generation Tacomas are a way more comfortable and ergonomically friendly than the first generation Tacomas. They also have a ton of more options, and are a bigger and better balanced truck. Due to the fact that there will be less first generation Tacomas on the road in the next ten years, the prices of desirable first generation Tacomas will probably over take the prices of second generation Tacomas. This will be entirely due to the body style of the first generation Tacomas. This is why they have such a cult following behind them. People love the little Tacomas especially when they are equipped with the 3.4.

Hope that helps,
Paul

 

but Paul, which body style is the best, better and bestest
although similar in certain ways, i see at least 3 distinct styles of the 1st gen tacoma that i can spot nearly a mile away!
how does one choose which one they really want?

 

2002 lunar mist regular cab stepside. The obvious one to want (but I might be slightly biased).

 

I'm on the other side of your question. I'm selling my 2002 and trying to determine a fair price. 5spd manual 4×4 extended cab. It has high miles (230k) but I know that isn't an issue mechanically. I recently had the transmission rebuilt and dropped $2k into timing belt, pulleys, valve cover gaskets, etc. I have no doubt in my mind that those repairs will get the truck to 300k miles before any major maintenance. The thing has been bullet proof. When I sit in it, I sometimes cant tell if the engine is running it's so smooth. And I have done some pretty aggressive off roading in it. So will I get $9500 for it? Probably if I'm patient. But is that fair or am I charging "taco tax?". Oh, I didnt mention that it was a stepside bed. (My name might give it away) Super rare to find that body style in a 4x4 manual V6. Some may hate the stepside but I love it. I'm not trying to plug an ad for myself here, just looking for opinions on price.

Now the real reason I'll ask a high price for it, I want to keep it, my wife wants me to sell it....

 

Hey Everybody,

The first generation body style is completely subjective. Some like the real early series. Some like the nose of the 1998-2000 series, and some like the classy look of the 2001 to 2004 series. It is all subjective.

Hope that clears it up,
Paul

P.S. As far as Camaros, the 1969 is the best looking in my opinion.

 

1st gen Tacomas were the last body style that was still compact. Each generation after that the body got bigger. Also 01-04 Double Cab (DC) were the first to be 4 door and again was still compact. This is why a lot of people want them for the trails or rock crawling, 1st gen Tacoma’s in general

Then you have people who converts their 1st gen double cab 4x4 to be manual and you have one rare truck.

This is one of the main reasons I went with a 1st gen DC 4x4, 4 doors and compact without all the fancy tech. This truck is almost the same width as my 02 Corolla

 

Haha, 593,317 miles 2 years later,
Running better than ever

 

Did you swap your standard bed for the stepside?

 

paint looks sharp still!
that rear window slider, did you have that special tinted?
I have the privacy Toyota glass in rear (not as dark as yours), but did get my door glass tinted (and now its aging)

 

Functionally, they're nearly identical. Most parts are interchangeable. For example, you could rebuild a 97 using the fenders/hood/grill from a 2003. But other things like the rear suspension changed in 97-98 (different length leafs).

I personally like the look of the 2001-2004 tacomas the best. I'm not biased or anything, I've owned mine for almost 15 years... I had a 97 5 lug, and the grill/headlights being all square and boring just didn't sing to me. It was also a 5 lug, and that was honestly the first, and last, 2wd truck I'll ever own.

The other thing I liked about the later models is they are the most "refined" of the 1st gens. Generally, any time you go thru a major re-design, there are hiccups along the way that are only noticed by the owner. Other thing about the new 1st gens is, well, they're newer, all things equal, they'll likely have fewer miles and have less wear and tear (i.e. rust) on them.

Which ever year you pick, rest assured you still have a better truck than what those 2nd/3rd gen guys have...

 

Yup had the slider and door windows tinted years ago

 

yes. Found a very nice step-side bed in the same color only 3 states away. My fleet-side bed was such mess, rust holes, bondo, broken tailgate. I like the step side much more than I expected to, aesthetically. Six bolts for the bed, 4 bolts for the bumper, 2 wire plugs & 1 ground wire. ...and 3 or 4 friends. So easy.

 

Nice upgrade, I love the stepsides, they look great

 

I have a 2001 Double Cab with the Off Road package with a little over 34,000 miles. It almost looks like the day it rolled off the lot. It hasn’t seen rain in almost 10 years, still smells new. 1 would not sell it if I was offered $30,000