Buy Used 1st Gen or New - Any Regrets?

I found myself in a similar position a few years back when I decided I wanted-but didn’t need-a
pickup truck. Didn’t want a behemoth F150 that wouldn’t fit in my driveway let alone my garage and I kept thinking back to the ‘86 Toyota pickup I had years ago that I positively loved. It was the perfect size and reliable as hell. That led me to Tacoma’s, style-wise and the fact that they are so over engineered it had to be a 1st gen extra-cab. Narrowing it down even further I knew I wanted an ‘01-‘04. Took about a year and a half of running all over and looking at what turned out to be junk or because nice 1st gens tend to sell in hours, just missing out on deals to find one. Persistence payed off and I found my garage kept well maintained ‘04 about a year and half ago. I have not regretted buying it a single day since.
So OP, I say go with your dream but go with your eyes open. It’s going to take a while to find a nice 1st gen and even then it’s a 17-20 year old truck that will probably need a few things maintainance-wise but if you are at all mechanically inclined and with the wealth of knowledge on this forum they shouldn’t be a big problem. Good luck!

 

I just have to figure out a way to raise the seat up from the back... there HAS to be a way!

 

I've considered adding spacers under the seat brackets but am too worried that it will compromise the integrity of the seat in an accident.

 

Shouldn't if you use a proper bolt.

 

I may try some washers and longer bolt. If it works then I'll get spacers made.

 

These may work for you and save you the cost of having something custom fab'd up: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fs-aluminum-seat-spacers-for-seat-mod.563843/

 

In my opinion buying a almost 20 year old truck for a daily driver is not a great move .
New is new . I would buy new if you can afford it. Then down the rode find a project truck as a toy.
First Gen Tacoma’s were great trucks. I owned a 2000 and a 2003. But no matter what things get old and wear out . Rubber dries up , gaskets dry rot , metal gets fatigued, and so on.
You pay a lot for new because it’s new . I have a 3 rd gen Off Road and I enjoy it just as much .
Everything is expensive these days. Some of the vehicles I drove growing up most people today would be appalled by. All the vehicles today are 500 percent better than 35 years ago in how they drive ,stop and perform . I can remember worrying if it rained too hard my car may not start for me.
My things have changed lol

 

Thats a tough call.
From the sound of it, you really value reliability. Everyone will preach the first gen is reliable, and it is. It's also cheap to maintain, but it's not true reliability you get from a new truck, especially under warranty.
I love my first gen, but I also love getting into my newer, issue free (knock on wood), more modern daily driver.
My first gen has been "reliable" but it's also been a shit ton of maintenance to get it to where I want it. Doesnt help I abuse it
As Truckguy said, everything just wears down. Seals, rubber, gaskets etc. Some people are OK driving their vehicles with noises,leaks, issues but it drives me insane.

One thing to note, if you buy a first gen, you can drive it around and probably sell it for the same or very close to what you bought it. So you can always try it out and jump ship to a 3rd gen in future. Just get hit with sales tax.

 

@justnicholas

Your dream truck will only get older and yet more expensive as time passes, as I am sure you have already seen..

So have you found any of this info useful and has it helped steer you towards your decision, or do you have any specific lingering questions?

 

I love my 1st Gen, and I'm also glad that it isn't my only vehicle. Keep in mind that they are getting old, and you might be dropping some real money into it. But if the frame is good, and you get everything back to where it should be you'll have a great little truck.

 

Can't go wrong with a 1st gen. There's nothing like having no car note.

 

if a museum had a 1st GEN with almost no miles..............

otherwise U will spend as much $$$$$$ getting it right ready to go

that doent beat out a 3gen