2004 to 2020

I have a 2004 Double Cab with 221,XXX miles. This truck has been awesome, many, many desert trips. I'm thinking (seriously) about getting a 2020 Taco. My question to the prior first Gen owners, do you regret getting rid of your first Gen? And for 2020 owners, any issues? Manual or Auto? (I will be occasionally towing a 16' trailer)

 

While I don’t have a 3rd Gen, I recently sold my 2001 Tacoma for a 2013 double cab long bed and couldn’t be happier with my choice! Amenities, ride quality, more space, same reliability; all around upgrade.

 

221k? That's just getting started if you have properly maintained the truck... My last fill-up last week, I was at 218,361 miles.

 

My first gen has 326k runs like a top. Zero issues. Been taken care of it’s whole life, but I’ll be jumping ship to a 3rd gen in the next few months as well. Might keep it around but I’m undecided.

 

I regret selling mine

 

I loved my 2003 DC. I’ve had two Tundras (‘07 and ‘16), an ‘18 Raptor, a 2nd gen Taco, and now a 2020 3rd gen Taco among other various non-4wd vehicles and my 1st gen is still my most favorite truck I’ve had. Sure the other trucks have all been nicer, more power, better tech, better everything, there’s something about that 1st gen that I loved.

 

Don't do it! Yes one of the biggest regrets of my life! Had to go out and buy another gen 1 last month and it's not nearly in the same condition. Yes I like my gen 2, but it's a whole different taco. Clean gen 1's are getting harder and harder to find, hold on to it!

 

I went from a 2001 DBL Cab 4x4 to an '18 TRD OR. I kept both for a while, it was neat driving the older truck around now and then but it definitely made me appreciate just how nice the new trucks are. After dragging my feet on selling it when I finally did I didn't miss it at all, no remorse. I loved that truck but I don't miss it.

I do have an '84 that has more nostalgia though as my first truck so maybe that is why it was easy to let it go.

 

I still have my 00 Taco XC SR5 V6 5 speed sitting next to the garage 164000 trouble free miles. Not sure if I want to sell it.

Bought a 19 Taco DCSB Off Road with 6 speed auto on Halloween. Looks great, handles good, way safer than the 00 (more airbags, blind spot monitoring/lane departure/adaptive cruise control) I tow with it and am definitely disappointed with the Auto transmission, it hunts and jumps between gears towing. Didn't notice it during test drive because I wasn't towing. Doing it again I would NOT buy the auto, buy a stick.

 

Well I went from 1st Gen to 3rd Gen.

My midget girlfriend misses the 1st Gen, but not me!

 

Picked up a 2020 TRD OR tonight, no more first Gen.

 

I still have my 1st Gen with 219,000 miles. It's a nice little truck that keeps on going and going and going. I mostly use for dirty jobs and to keep my parking spot by my house. What I really regret is selling my 1989 Toyota pickup single cab, 4x4, manual with a brand new 22RE, in nearly mint condition. That one was a keeper, 1st Gen, not so much.

 

Drove my 04 standard cab 4x4 MT for 15 years (340k) and it was a great truck for me. That said, very, very happy with my new 19.

 

RIDE AND DIEEE!!

 

I'm in the process of moving from a 1st Gen Extra Cab with 41K miles to a 2020 Pro. I've owned the 2004 for over 7 years - the 3rd owner - and love it. But, it's also just a casual utility vehicle for us - use it to haul mulch or recycling materials and when we crew for a hot air balloon company. I'm about to retire and the new Tacoma will become my daily driver - I need to extra seats and will enjoy the amenities of the newer vehicle - I have a 1996 Z3 that I can drive if I want to go back to the days of the cassette tapes.

New isn't always better. I think the "why" of what makes you think about going to the newer truck is what should drive your decision.

 

I had an '04 SR5 and loved it...bulletproof and zero issues (4cyl., Manual). I sold it to pay off the house because retirement was approaching.

Now have an '18 DCLB and if I was going to make a change away from 3rd Gen (for a daily driver) I would likely be more interested in a 2nd Gen than in a 1st Gen.

My 1st Gen was an awesome truck but the 3rd gen (and 2nd Gen too?) is the better daily driver IMO. More comfortable, roomier, better ride, and better equipped.

I think a lot of it boils down to your intended use though.

 

Loved my '04 but was time to sell her. My 2nd Gen is shaping up to be a better vehicle...drives better especially on the highway and in snow.
Sorry can't speak for the 2020 though.

 

I'm also looking at moving to a 2020 and am curious to know if there's a list of any known issues already created.

 

Definitely Manual Transmission. The autos have been known to be a pit of problems... although I have read from some 2020 owners that the auto trans has been improved upon. ultimately though the best thing you can do is go test drive as many models as you can, auto, manual, sport, off road.