1st gen or 2nd gen?

I prefer the gen 1, but wish it had the gen 2 tranny.

 

...1st gen

'cause ya don't bring a hen to the chicken fight

 

It's all about gen 1 tacos

 

I voted for 1st gen. Of course, I own a 1st gen, so that may have something to do with it.

Actually, I test drove a similar-spec'ed 2011 first, and there were advantages to both trucks. Ultimately I decided on the 1999 that is in my garage now. The gen 1 is 8" narrower which is a big deal for me. Living in the city and having a small 2 car garage can point out just how big of a deal vehicle size (especially width) can be. We went from a 2006 Jetta and 2008 Mazdaspeed3 to a 1999 Tacoma Xtracab and a 2012 Mazda 5. There is no question that we have more clearance between our cars now. Of course this makes it easier to park. The '99 is also about 565 lbs lighter than the newer models which is obvious driving too. The '99 feels more sprightly than the '11 did, even if it doesn't show in the performance numbers. I don't drive a truck to go fast anyway.

For better or for worse, the '99 drives like a truck, period. There is no mistaking it for anything else. Some people don't like that, but in some strange way, I actually do like it. It rides pretty rough, but that is expected with a truck, especially since this one is sprung with the TRD package.

I can't compare performance too accurately. I don't race it, ever, and I have no compulsion to do so. When I drove a turbo hot hatch, it was continuously a struggle against temptation to race it. No such temptation with the Taco. I can't imagine I would have been any more tempted in a Gen 2. The MPG is not so hot, even for an auto; I average just a hair under 20, but that has been with a cracked exhaust manifold, so I hope to see a little better MPG now that I installed the tubular replacement. I don't have any first hand knowledge of MPG in a Gen 2, but anecdotally I think it is about the same.

Looks... well, that is very subjective. Personally, with the possible exception of the grille area, I think the Gen 1 Tacos have a "classic" look - sort of timeless, the way a tough little truck should look, and no tack-on extra plastic stuff for styling. Not to say that the Gen 2s don't look cool, it's just that they are a little softer looking than the Gen 1, or more stylish than utilitarian.



The one thing that I wish my truck had is an access door or two for the back. The depth of the back seat is only 1 inch smaller than the gen 2, (but the front seat actually has 1 inch more leg room) so virtually no difference there, and I still have enough room to put my kids' seats in the back if I need to, but climbing back there is a bit of a challenge. It would be nice to be able to access the back through a back door.

All in all though, right now I'd still take the Gen 1 over the Gen 2.

We'll see what happens if I ever (heaven forbid) have to replace the '99.

 

1st gen has my vote!

I thought about trading it on a 2nd gen
but couldnt do it and Im happy I didnt.

 

first gens are sexier, and more mod able IMO. they are still a truly lt truck, new ones are too big and bubbly and plastic

 

^^Well said

 

Second gen.. But would LOVE to own an 03 TRD crewcab someday..

 

I have a first gen 96 and i love it but i loooove the front end of the 2nd gens with some foglights and blacked out headlights

 

1st gens! Theres a lot of nice 2nd gen builds but theres something more rugged about the older Tacos.

 

The first gen is a tougher truck. Period. Not taking anything away from the 2nd gen because 1) I'm sure I will eventually own one. 2) it's still better than 97% of things on the road and 3) it's still a Tacoma. Can't we all just get along?

 

100% agreed. Also smaller form factor. I will probably get a 2nd gen in future too.

 

My 2000 was a hoot, other than the holes in its 'bulletproof' frame.

I guess 'tougher', other than the swiss cheese frame.

...which has nothing to do with overall 'toughness'...

 

My opinion for what it's worth. I think Toyota started bulking up the body of the Tacoma to appeal to Ford/Dodge big truck crowd. The kind of trucks I detested anyway. My '04 Tacoma is styled just right. Sleek and spare.

The 2nd Gens look like they have a bad boob job.

 

Love my 2000, never even been on a 2nd gen, but I wish the 1st's had a true 'access' cab with the door and all. I just like the raw look of the 1st gen and the fact that the were obviously built for offroad moreso than the 2nd gens.

 

1st gen, no contest, this is my second one. I beat the help out of my 98 and she took every bit of abuse I could throw at her and ask for more. I don't like the styling or size of the 2nd gens and the one feature I find cool and useful is the bed power outlet and I can rig one up before I spray line the bed. Oh, composite bed? WTF was Toyota thinking?!! It's a TRUCK, not a Prius.

 

First gen all Day

 

1st Gen for offroad 2nd gen for DD. Thats what I did... But if I only had one it would be a 1st.

 

Zombie thread bump!! He probably got one already since this thread is three years old.