Question for owners who have owned both 1st and 2nd gen

I’m in the middle of trying to get back into a Tacoma. I’ve had both a 2nd gen and 1st gen in the past, neither for very long. Regret getting rid of both..

Currently I’ve found 2 different trucks that I like and maybe this is a dumb question but thought i would get someone else’s advice. Sticking to a budget and both are within this budget.

Truck #1 - 2013 dc 4x4 with 211xxx miles (no known issues)
6 hours away Midwest truck

Truck #2 - 2001 dc 4x4 126xxx miles (rebuilt title - light front end damage from possibly a deer, no frame damage)
Local small dealer-purchased from insurance company and currently having the repairs done.
Southern truck

I worry about the rebuilt title even tho the truck did not have any major damage. Also worry about the miles being somewhat high on the 2013.

 

With a rebuilt, you don't know what you are getting into. If the 13 has good maintenance records, I'd have no issue pulling the trigger, but I'd see if I could find a lower mileage 2nd gen first.

 

Personally don’t like either. Rebuilt title id never buy, 211k on a 7yr old truck. Drove the crap out of it. I’d find something else.

 

Rebuilt titles are great if your going to drive it into the ground.
No different on road than a truck with a clean blue one. You just have to either know the story, can verify the story (frame machine) or paperwork explains the story. Talking about the repairs here. I mean even a bent frame would be ok if someone changed the frame, right?

Frames have been replaced on many now, personally I'm more worried when someone has been in crankcase doing things like rings or bearings.

 

X2..I wouldn't consider the front end damage on the 2001 " light" consider that it was excessive enough to be totaled by the insurance. Having owned both, I prefer the larger interior of the 2nd gen.

 

What’s your budget?

 

13k hard to find clean 4x4 double cabs in this area for this price range. All will generally have high miles. Found a few 1st gens with around 200k but couldn’t make the deals happen quick enough due to work schedule.

 

The 2nd Gen is the better truck , IMO
I had more fun in my 1st Gen, and still miss it.

I guess my answer didn’t help much, huh?

 

I doubt I could go that low on mine. I bought a new truck a month ago and going to sell my taco. Got screwed on my 1st gen trading it in so I’m selling the 2nd gen myself.

 

I would be reluctant on both. Even if you can verify the amount of damage your resale value on the rebuilt one will suffer considerably. I would be reluctant to purchase the high mileage one myself. I would not have a problem purchasing one with 150,000 miles but 211,000 miles is high for me. I had a gen 1 I bought at 150,000 and sold at 270,000 miles before I bought my Gen 2. at 140,000 miles. I kept up good maintenance and repairs on the Gen 1. The guy who bought it has had to do a fair amount of repairs on it the last 2 years. Both are solid trucks but at that mileage, you are going to have to start replacing things fairly regularly IMO. Alot of my vehicle purchases the last 15 years have been online. Buy from someone with an impeccable reputation. Fly across country if necessary and drive it home. You can inspect and take possession of it when you get there or walk away if it was misrepresented. check the carfax on it. Don't buy one from the rust belt. I have made several car purchases off ebay, Craigslist, and other online listing services. Be patient, the right deal will come along if you are patient and diligent. Best place I found for auto financing is Capital One or Lightstream. You can apply online and be funded with super low-interest rates with good credit.

 

I don't think I would drive 6 hours to look at a truck with 200k miles. I drove an hour to look at an SUV for a friend and it was junk. I was pissed.

The 2001 could be okay. You may get a good deal because of rebuilt title. At least they're local so you can look.

 

Keeping in mind your budget, the 2nd gen seems reasonable. A lower mileage rig would be more desirable, but will be hard to find in your price range. A rebuilt rig is only as good as the shop that fixed it. I purchased one rebuilt, and thought I did good due diligence, but will never do it again, as it had major issues due to a poor rebuild (poorly rebuilt tranny (tranny damaged in accident) broken engine mounts, and on and on).

My FIL has a 2nd gen he bought new with almost 400k miles with only regular maintenance.

A higher mile rig 8 year old truck could indicate a lot of highway miles. A 100k mile 2001 could have a lot more engine wear than a 2013 with 200k miles with more stop and go driving...a compression test will at least give some indication of engine health.

6 hours away is pretty far to look. I'd pay a mechanic of your choice to go over it, including a compression test (assuming seller will take it to a mechanic for you, and if they won't I'd pass). I'd also want to see all the maintenance records. If seller does not have them, pass.

I just bought an 88 FJ62. The PO had a spreadsheet and receipts in a giant folder for every service ever done, and he babied it. Runs excellent and has good compression.

Let us know what you decide. Just be patient, and do your diligence. Be ready to pass if something doesn't check out. Plenty of good Tacomas out there...

 

We own all 3 gens at the moment and would recommend a 2nd Gen. Preferably a different one from the one you're currently considering, with lower miles.

 

Thanks everybody for the great input! I think I will take the advice and continue to be patient and try to move quickly when I find the one. I will prbly go check out the 1st gen when they get it back. I’ve found a couple before these but I’ve missed them or moved too slow. Hopefully will find something soon.

 

I know its difficult and takes time especially now but be patient and try to make some boundaries.. whether it be price, model year, cab configuration, engine or transmission type. You know what I mean. I have a 1995 RWD that I have been driving for 7+ years then started looking at a 2nd gen 4x4. It took awhile and purchased last year about this time. Don't settle and eventually you will find what you want. If its at a dealership go ahead and throw a deposit down (refundable). When I found what I wanted I put a deposit down right away until a family member could drive 7 hours to check it out. Very luck and gracious I know but I was working in the middle of nowhere AK. They held it for just over a week for me luckily and it ended up working out.

Good luck, just keep up the searching. I was doing it everyday near the end because the good ones seem to go fast. May as well go check out the one close to you though, can easily walk away if its not right

 

I would not own a vz engine. get the 2013 if it the 4.0L if the 01 is 22r thts good too