What is stronger the 1st or 2nd gen.Tacoma?

While I have owned almost every 4 wheel drive made including the International Scout, Hummer H3 and FJ40 and the lesser Pathfinder,CJ's,Cherokees, I am just learning about the Tacoma of which I will be buying as soon as I find one. I am looking for a 2001 to 2005 and would appreciate some info as to what the advantages and disadvantages are of both generations.
Does anyone know if the H3 6 lug wheels will fit the Tacoma as I have an extra set with 285-75-16 tires (33") and factory H3 wheels.
If anyone in Arizona knows of a 2001-2005 automatic Tacoma I would appreciate a heads up.

 

Both are very durable. I've owned a 1st and 2nd gen and to be honest i'd say the quailty is the same. As for the H3 wheels, They "may" fit if the lug pattern is 6 on 5.5


I like the 2nd gen because of the added room and power

 

My old 1st gen


And my current 2nd gen

 

ya thats true...i'll edit that post

 

I had been looking for a used 04 taco for a while, but the truck's value holds so well, that my 1st gen findings weren't a whole lot cheaper than what I could get a new 2nd gen for. I figured that since I plan to keep the truck for as long as possible, my money would be better spent on a new one.

 

Yeah I did the exact same thing.

 

+1

I looked for a good, clean 1st Gen model for over 6 months. Chased a lot of rats that looked pretty good in the ads and drove all over town. My budget was $ 8K to $ 14K and I could find NOTHING that wasn't beat down in that price range. Finally one day after looking at yet another rat that was an hour and a half drive from my home, i stopped in at the Toyota dealer and he had a brand new 2010 that was set up perfectly for what I wanted. So I bought it and was out the door in 30 minutes, and got my Sundays back!

Drove a lot of 1st Gens, the newer ones are much more roomier and have a lot bigger box in the back, better seats (Sport Models) and are much quieter on the road.

I plan to keep mine for a while and take care of it, so I'm sure it will hold its value well as there's not much else in the market to compete with the 'Taco.

 

same here and I love my 2nd gen

 

I've owned both.... a 96 and this 2007.

I will say... the 96 was awesome!!! I wheeled A LOT with that thing for 3 years and it took the abuse rather well. Granted, It took a damn hard hit on the front one time that I never found the problem although, the caster allignment could never be set properly (close). It was a great truck!! Never had a lick of problems with it the entire 5 years I owned it (99-2004 and 110K miles when I sold it).

It's unfortunate the 1st gen trucks have frame rust problems. If it wasn't for that.....I'd DEFINATELY recommend a 1st gen.

This 2007, I haven't done any offroading with it and probably never will. I bought this one new and I must admit, the Toyota quality isn't as good as it used to be. Don't get me wrong - I love my truck and I hope it lasts a very long time without issues. So far - my 96 truck has impresssed me more. This 07 is only 3.5 years old - and I hope it impresses me in the years to come like the 96 has.

 

A good testament of how well they hold their value.