How does the 2nd gen Tacoma compare to the 1st gen?

My 96 taco is getting up there in age and miles. I've been considering a 2nd gen tacoma: the small, regular cab, 4 banger, no frills version, which is what I have now. The 2005 prices are finally getting to where they're ideal for my price range. Anyhow, I can't complain about my current truck, which has lasted me close to 220,000 miles. But I'm wondering if the quality of the new version is just as good or better. They look bigger inside and out, which would be nice considering the old ones are tiny. Anyone had the pleasure of owning both? Opinion? thanks!

 

dont take me the wrong way but you can't beat old school (if you know what i mean) i love my 05 taco trd sport but to me it don't seem as tough as my 91 toyota pickup i had but the new ones have a lot more room then the older models. its all in what you want to buy, and every body has there own opions on what they perfer or not perfer on the 2nd generation tacos

 

Thanks for the input so far. My Wife liked the interior better. I'm kind of short and she's around 6 foot tall, so she has a hard time in my current truck since its so cramped. Good to hear that the interior is a bit quiter too. The first gen are very loud on freeways. I have to crank up the radio just to hear it.

I will say that I looked under the hood of the new one and the engine looks like its harder to work on. The engine in mine is very easy to service and work on. Not sure about the new one. Any of you all have experience working on these trucks?

Too bad to hear they got rid of the E-brake lever. That's a true Toyota classic!

Anyhow, I might be able to squeeze a few more years out of this truck. I was hoping to get to 250-300k. We'll see!

 

I owned a 96 for 5 years.... and now own an 07.

The newer trucks just seem 'dainty' compared to the older versions.
I love my 07 but it just doesn't feel like *a tank* (heavy duty) like the 96 did. Paint seems easier to chip. Weak leaf springs (TSB is good).
I absolutely LOVE the opening access cab doors. The larger interior size is a bonus. The roof sounds like a tin can when its raining (no sound deadening in there I gues). Plenty of power - for daily usage.

Personally, I wouldn't buy anything else.

 

I had a 2000 and now have a 2008. My 2000 had a solid truck feeling ride, you know rough. The new one rides like a car, and to me that is a good thing. The increased size of the cab is great for my family. I am 6’ 3” and 230 pounds and the 2000 Tacoma was a bit snug at times, in the 2008 I feel like I have room to move. The increased size also means that I don’t bump elbows with my passenger on the center console. I have the double cab and with the wife, a kid and his friend (who always seem to be with us) I can take us all at the same time. This winter it has been a real blessing due to the heavy snow (79” in less than 3 weeks) that my wife’s corolla cant gat around in. Oh and did I mention that the trucks look sweet? As for the overall quality between the two, well ask me in ten years and I will let you know.

Oh and +1 on this:

 

I've had a 97, a 99, an 01 and now an 05

Like the roomier cab of the 2nd gens, but I agree with the other posters who claim they don't have the same 'tuffness'

 

I started with an 04 tacoma v6 5 speed, i like my 06 and deff my 09 better, but i have never had an older tacoma before, always older chevy s-10's and silverados.

 

I have a 96 also so I can vouch that you have a lot of life left in that motor. I also have an 09 DC now. The older model is a tough vehicle but as times change so do our individual needs. A newer fresher model certainly makes you feel proud but I would never encourage anyone to step beyond their boundries just to drive a new vehicle. I would say go for it and keep the 96 around for those hauling "dirt "moments.

 

I'd agree that the 2nd gens dont feel as tank like as the older models. But I'm coming from 2 pretacos, an 87 runner and a 93 pickup. The interior is by far the nicest out of any of the trucks on the market now. I'm also a big guy at 6'4 220lb, and I feel that I have a lot more room in my 07 DC. Everything is just better laid out.

I can't speak much of the mechanical aspect, the truck only has 20k on it so far.

So if your 1st gen is still running solid and not costing too much in repairs, I'd say keep it.

 

I had an '89 Toyota pickup, 4cyl, pretty basic regular-cab, 4wd, and now have a base model regular-cab '08 4wd. I loved the '89, tough little truck. I love the '08 too, doesn't seem quite as compact and 'solid' as the old one did, but has a bit more zip, more room, gets about the same fuel economy, and you don't have to get out to lock or unlock the front hubs either. And it came with a CD player and AC, which the old one didn't have. It also seems to handle better on icy roads, possibly a slightly longer wheel-base and lower center-of-gravity relative to the length and width of the truck. The '89, on several occasions and almost inexplicably, would do a 360 on very slippery roads, even when in 4wd, and the '08 has never done that and seems to be a little more sure-footed in really nasty conditions.

 

wish i cld have a new tacoma with 1st gen looks. like the compact look. trademark toyota truck look.

 

My v6 4x4 definitely does not feel like the rock that my 86 4x4 was. I have to agree with the others who say they don't make them like they used to.

However, I will say that the 2009 5lug regular cab that I drive at work seems to be closer to what I remember the older trucks being like. It just feels more solid. Maybe because it's simpler? If that's the model you would buy, I say go for it. My boss has an 05 with around 100K on it. He is always loaded down and sometimes even tows a few thousand pounds with it. So far, the only thing that has let loose on it was the rear wheel bearings at around 80K. You will notice that the springs are much softer on the 2nd gens. My previous work truck was an 04 and had much higher spring capacity for sure.

As far as comfort, the 2nd gen wins, no contest at all. More room, better seats, don't have to have the seat all the way back to drive (I'm 5 foot 10)

 

The 1st gens loud on the highway? What are you smoking? Roll your damn windows up geesh

 

ok so besides the feel of the 2 gens are they as reliable?

 

Bob, I just sold my 1998 and bought a 2011. The 98 had almost 400,000 miles on it. 4 cyl, 5 speed manual. If mileage on your 96 is a worry, forget it. Keep driving.

 

I've driven 2nd gens before, as much as i like them. I wouldnt choose one over a 1st gen. I say the older you go, the better quality you get. May not be as luxurious and it may not attract tons of chicks, but you will have a truck for life! Im in the process of putting a engine in my 2003, I could of probably gotten a newer one if i wanted, but i didnt want it. I knew it was worth it to keep the 2003 with no payments and the solid truck feel. Love all toyotas though.

 

Nothing can kill an old toyota, not fire, bombs, or being dropped from a 30 story building, they were made well.