early or late 1st gen ???

The Electronic Throttle Control System (ETCS-i) is not a pure 'throttle by wire' setup like later Toyotas. The ECM can tweak the throttle valve position in response to accelerator pedal position, but there's still a mechanical cable linkage.

ETCS-i only applies to 6-lug 5VZ V6's in 2003 and 2004.

 

x2

 

Here is my 2 cents....When I bought my 2004 new I had no idea that they where redesigning it for 2005. I just knew I loved the way the Tacoma looked. Then when I saw the 2nd gens... OMG that was the ugliest truck I had ever seen in my life and felt like I had dodged the bullet on that. The hood is flat, the lights are ugly, the bed and rear bumper do not flow together at all. The fender well shape on the 4 doors look like an after thought. I just did not like anything at all about them. We do have a few here on the board that look good but they had to modify them to do so.
back to the point I fell in love with the Tacoma when a buddy went overseas and left his 99 prerunner for me and my buddy to use since we didn't have a truck while in Guam. For me that year will always be my favorite. I didn't care much for the frontend my 2004 has at first, but has grown on my more and more. I vote that you get the newest 1st gen you can find for the money as they are all pretty much the same.

 

I felt the same about the 2005s (they looked like a beefed up chevy colorado) but the 2nd gens have grown on me and if i had the $$$ and a longer garage I would go buy a 4dr lb 4x4. My favorite is still later models. I have owned a 03 98 and 02 in that order. Interior is way better in the later models!

 

true statement

 

Im with brelandt, get the newest you can find. I got an '04 because I dont really like the 2nd gens (its too big to be a little truck, and too small to be a big truck. big or small?!? make up your mind tacoma!) I found that most of the first gens are priced around the same when they have the same milage so might as well get the newest you can find.

 

That sounds right... there's no wires going to my throttle I looked at it after I posted yesterday. Good old fashioned cable for my 4-banger.

 

All I know is my '98 has the worst cup holder design of all time

 

hahaha you should see the cup holders in my prelude, they clearly forgot about them and added it after. they dont "hold" anything and if you do put something there it's directly in your elbow space when you need to shift gears.

 

it took me almost a year to find mine and i got it from someone in zachary

 

Just a comment, but I think one of the great hidden forces that drives the price up on used Tacomas is this:
Guatemala historically sells and supports Toyota (Mexico didn't until recently) and they have many agencies that import used Toyota trucks by the thousands every week.

If you ever saw a caravan of Toyota trucks driven by latinos on the interstate, they were heading for South Texas, where they all filter into Mexico on the route to Guatemala. Driving as I do yearly on that preferred route in Mexico, I see toyota trucks by the hundreds going South.

I once asked a Customs guy how many trucks
(they also import school buses, heavy equipment etc) he saw going south daily and he said hundreds. Every day, every week for 20 years now, that I know of.

Do the math.

Older models at first, I didn't start seeing Tacomas until about 2000, and plenty are towed wrecked (cheap to repair there) but many are not.

Supply and demand. Take away the supply and keep the demand ? Price goes up.

Just a tidbit of info.


Steve

 

Great, that's where all the sfa yotas are disappearing too.

 

i have the very first year 1st gen. of tacomas. i'm satisfied with it. although there's some stuffs that i don't really like but overall, i still drive it to this very day.

 

98-00

 

So i heard a rumor that 98 is the best year
but it turned out its fact! haha jk there all good just not like 98

 

cup holders do suck major ass lol

 

my aka Monster holders aint that bad, i havent spilled no Monsters yet

 

they work good for 44oz in styrafoam

 

You know, you guys are right. I think I'll have to figure out something to change that hmmmm...

 

lemme know what you come up with the only solution ive found is having my girlfriend hold em haha
the flaw is she has opinions and talks lol