Why Should I Get a Second Gen Instead of a First

I'd go 2nd gen. The 4.0L is better than the 3.4L and the 2nd gen's brakes are better. Also the 2nd gens are a little roomier inside

 

There's another thing, the ABS system is far better on my '15 than it was on my '04. Overall the brakes are superior, once you get used to them.

 

That all depends on your needs. I’m a 1st gen guy but I could see why the 2nd gen guys have just as much of a cult following as the 1st gen guys. I never really liked the 2nd gen look till my friend at work got one and I got to drive in it. My only real gripe is that as the 1st gens get older, after market parts are harder to find. I’d love to have a bedrug in my cab/camper shell but it’s not available for 1st gens anymore. I have to fabricate some stuff as I set up my dual battery set up vs just ordering it already fabricated for a 2nd gen. I’m still a 1st gen guy and most likely always will be but you can’t go wrong. They are both really great trucks..... Just stay away from the turd gens!

 

So, OP. You haven't said what you want. Most room, or lightest weight or best gas mileage, best safety features or easiest to mod, or most unique and hardest to find. What do you want first, second and third out of your future taco?

 

Because i have a 2nd gen for sale and you should buy it

 

I had a 1st gen and loved it. The 3.4 is freakin' eternal. It was starting to get a little glitchy at 240K miles - the engine was sludged, and a check engine light on long highway trips over 2 - 3 hours signaled a transmission problem that was going to be expensive...but when? Today? Next year? Never? Those saying get the newest truck you can afford aren't wrong - miles are miles. If you are willing to drop several thousand into ANYTHING needed to get your 20+ year old truck up to condition where you could jump in it and drive from Florida to Alaska, then get whatever you want. Otherwise, go for low miles.

 

I’m lookin for a DC 4x4 under 14k and 200k miles...

 

I guess I’m looking for something sturdy- I do a lot of highway driving but I’m looking to do some road trips as well- I’ve kind of been convinced to just go for a second gen!

 

Would it be unreasonable/too far out to post a WTB for a second gen with my price range under 14k and looking for DC 4WD

 

No - but you better have cash in hand when you find your truck. None of these vehicles last long unless they have flaws, or are over priced. And by "last long" I mean sold within 2 hours after the ad goes up. Forget "waiting for payday" or any of that.

 

You really want a 1st gen. And I've got just the one you need to buy.

2nd gen is larger, more comfortable, better tech and less mileage.

 

I’ll make it simple for you OP.

Do you drive highway often? For work? Go 2nd gen.

Do you rarely drive highway? 1st gen.

Ive driven two different first gens on the highway and it’s night and day between them and my 2nd gen.

 

I drive 750+ miles to work every once a month in a 1st gen. I also am ocd about maintenance and bought with 92k on the clock. It’s now at 185k. i.e. barely broken in for the 5vz

 

Get a first gen or a third gen. Just stay out of the 3rd gen forum. It’s gross in there.

 

One thing to say about the dependability of a 2nd gen is that the 4Runners today STILL have the 4.0 in them. Toyota figured if it ain’t broke don’t fix it!

 

For sure, first gens can reliably do that (probably more relaible than my 2nd gen), I wouldn’t hesitate to take a first gen on a long road trip. I just mean the drivability and comfortability of the second gens on the highway is night and day.

 

I got a 1st gen DC 4x4 with a frame and associated things replaced in 2017 with 128k miles on it for under 10k. I then put another 2.5 in to get everything the toyota dealer recommended done so I could have piece of mind. It seems like you are leaning 2nd gen, but I love the first gen after my first 2-300 miles. I come from a 2018 DCLB TRD with all the bells and whistles. It was too much with all the screens, beeps and boops. I just want a truck that looks good and is reliable.

When I was just shopping 1st gens, they didn't usually last long enough to get pictures up. You are 100% correct, anything real cherry in either gen goes FAST. Some second gens are selling for close to what used 3rd gens are basically these days.

 

Because timing chain. /thread

There is no quantifiable unit of measure for the word cool around here. If you got the juice then you got it.

You are just kidding about just kidding though.

Plot twist.

Advanced is a relative term. The majority of owners want meat and potatoes type of trucks over the over techie stuff because a lot of people understand that will cause more stuff to break down the line. Even 3rd gen owners want basics but ultimately get the shaft because the Tacoma has crossed over into the, "soccer mom, modern day creature comfort" type amenities. To me advanced in a vehicle means less stuff in it, but it still has a modern type of look to it.

Don't mind me. I'm just spewing crap that makes sense in my mind here.

 

Yep, when I first bought my truck it had 60/40 bench seats and after one long trip I was about to set it on fire then I found a guy on here that had Limited Tacoma seats, the same ones they put in the 3rd gen 4Runners. It was a game changer for sure.

 

Bottom line is the older of a model year vehicle that you are looking for, the much higher chance the vehicle having rust issues, very high mileage, badly done mods, owners/drivers abuse, and a longer list of repairs to get it ready for the road.

Not to say that it's not possible to find a great 1st gen. Just difficult.

Good luck