1st Gen. vs. 3rd Gen Dilemma

Do you know what your monthly payment would be on the new truck with your down payment and interest rate? KBB has a payment calculator that's helpful for knowing what that would be.

I was in the same boat, I wanted a new Tacoma originally but I couldn't afford the one I wanted (TRD OR package, manual)...only 2016 I could get would be a base model 4x4.

So I started looking at first gens, found a rare one with everything I wanted, plus really low mileage for $17k. I couldn't put that all down at once so I am financing some of it, but it's much better than what I was looking at for a new Tacoma.

You really can't go wrong either way, it's going to have to come down to what you find...if you do go with the used first gen, make sure you're thorough when you inspect it. First gens are great trucks and can last forever, but 12+ years on any vehicle can take it's toll if it isn't maintained.

 

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Had 22Rs, Gen1s, Gen2s and now my first Gen3 and I am very impressed with the Gen3. With your nice down payment & 2.00-2.25% money, I would go for the Gen3 for sure. It's all about money with a good deposit and low APR and future interest rates.

After 2 1/2 days driving 150 miles around big city burbs traffic... I am amazed at the fuel economy with my low rpms around town driving.

At 1,100 rpms and at 45-47 mph, getting almost 19 mpg in town and I think I might get 20 in big city burbs traffic.

I dont have a 4x4 this time and I am happy with no vibrations in drive shafts and have much higher gas mileage too.

All my Tacomas have been V6s and ..... and Pre-Tacoma 22Rs were maybe best Toyota 4 cylinder engines ever.

Good luck and you can't go wrong with a 22R all the way to a Gen3 ... in either a 4x2 or 4x4.

PS ... To confuse you more ... Thinking back now ... One of my favorite Tacomas was a 2004 Gen1, 4x2, Dbl.-Cab, V-6, Auto, Silver .. IIRC ... only thing bad was very weak inside tailgate metal skin.
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If you can get a truck without payments, that's the way to go. Car payments suck, I've always bought all mine outright to avoid payments because they are the devil!

That said, because this is the 1st gen section you know we are all going to be a little biased! I like the 3rd gen, but would personally wait a couple more years before buying one so they get all the bugs worked out. Other pros to owning an older truck is they are much cheaper to insure, license, and maintain. New vehicles cost you big bucks just to own for about the first 7 years of ownership (at least that's the case in my state, may be different elsewhere). With an older truck, you have less to worry about as far as scratches, dents, hauling pets in the cab, etc.
A properly maintained truck will last many more miles, but the biggest thing to watch for on any used Toyota is rust, frame, body panels, all of them like to rot away quickly if they aren't taken care of. My truck is currently undergoing a frame replacement process and body work because of a small accident a few weeks ago that damaged the frame further. But, once all that's done, she'll (hopefully) last 300k more miles providing nobody hits me again! Mine has 102k on it now, from 74k when I bought her and hasn't given me any trouble at all that whole time, just regular timely maintenance.

 

you can't say that

and then say this

 

Radiant Red?

 

Yep!

 

My favorite color.

 

Go with a 1st Gen and turbo it

 

I do what I want

 

Ban

 

Wait wait

I do what you want me to.

 

I agree. I buy my trucks needing work and i get great satisfaction by fixing them myself and enjoying them. I just bought another 04 tacoma TRD 4x4 last Saturday for $600 with 475k miles. That lil 3.4 still purrs like a kitten! I've never had a car payment.

 

Holy effing eff. Is that on the original drivetrain? It can't be...

 

Sure is. It was a 1 owner truck and it came with all the maintenance records and no receipts for any motor or trans replacements. Just had the TB & WP done this past November. Original owner passed this pass Dec, i bought it from his parents last Saturday and they assured me it was the original drivetrain. I was shocked how great it drove during the 2 hour trip home after i bought it. A well maintained 3.4 is unstoppable imo!

 

What are you gonna do about the frame?

 

X2 what about the frame

 

If it was sprayed it's still covered.

 

It wasn't sprayed so its not covered. I plan to just cut out the rust and weld in new metal. The 2 areas are easily accessible. I put it on the lift at my work the other day and tapped almost every inch of the frame with a hammer and i'm glad to say the rest is solid.

 

I did locate a rust free & straight frame at a AZ salvage yard for $750+shipping but since it isn't too bad and the rest is solid i'm planning on repairing this one.

 

Check out Davis Auto Sport.