1st Gen Tacoma v. 1st Gen Tundra

Hey y’all its been a while since I posted, but I have a serious question and decision I need help making.

I’m getting ready to go to college next year in Utah (CA -> UT) and I have a well built 2004 Toyota Tacoma that I love. However, hearing from friends and just personal opinion, I’m not sure if it’s the truck I want to have for college, nor do I know it it’ll make it to Utah, it’s a long drive and she has 207k miles on her.

I was browsing through Craigslist and stumbled upon a 2000 Toyota Tundra access cab 4x4 with 149k miles. It’s got more room which living with the Tacoma seems pretty nice. I don’t know a lot about the tundras so my question to y’all is:

What do I do? Sell my current Tacoma to get the tundra? Or keep my Tacoma? I’m very split because I love my Tacoma but the tundra seems to have a lot more room and has the v8 that sounds like it’s very popular

Need your help guys, what do I do?

 

Not sure why you think it is far from Ca to Utah unless you don`t drive that much

My 2000 Tacoma has 250,000 miles If I had reason I would go to Alaska for a ride.

Do you really want to have a new to you truck and need to sort through all the neglected Maintenance .

Maybe your better off without a vehicle .

Only you know can make your decision .

 

if your first gen Tacoma is actually as you say built, then I certainly wouldn't sell it as you will not in the slightest get any kind of return on your investment.

also, if it's built you shouldn't be concerned about it not making the trip, if you are actually concerned, then I'd say you've got some more building to do.

As for the general question of a first-gen Tacoma versus the first gen Tundra, both are very well built reliable vehicles, I like the appearance of the Tacoma's interior significantly more than the weird ford-esk interior of the first gen Tundra (especially when the door handles and radio trim and such start falling apart), but the first gen Tundra and the second gen Tacoma are very very similar trucks, a good handful of parts are interchangeable.

Yes the V8 is nice but it's not really a necessary thing, and as a college student more power should be the least of your concerns. Plus the 4.7 2UR while not an extreme gas guzzler it won't be getting any better milage than your Tacoma I doubt. Expect a stock Tundra to realistically get about 15mpg.

If I were you I would keep the "built" Tacoma at home and get the Tundra to beat on at college, but keep in mind it's still going to need it's fair share of maintenance especially if it's at 150,000 mi. and given its age alone.

As for mileage, my uncle has a 2000 Tundra pushing 500k with just regular maintenance.

 

Agreed. I wouldn't get rid of the Tacoma. You can go more places and get better mileage. Don't sell it, unless of course it's to one of us northerners who would love a California truck!

 

Definitely keep the Taco!

 

I vote keep the taco as well. However I do miss my first GEN tundra some days. The 2004 to 2006 4.7 L VVT was a great match with the upgraded five speed automatic transmission.

if you do buy the tundra make sure you thoroughly check the frame.

Mine was a 2006 Canadian special edition model. I chose to downsize to a RAV4 but I kept my tiny taco!

The first picture is 2010 when I got her. The last two pictures are 2019 when I sold her.

 

207,000 miles is no big deal for a 1st gen Tacoma. Unless yours has issues that should be resolved before you go.

Mine has almost 260,000 on it. I’m going from San Jose CA to Utah next Wednesday and retuning whenever work calls me back.
I did a 3500 mile trip to New Mexico last October. And I’ve driven to Baja and back several times.

The miles on my truck don’t concern me at all.

However, I usually go with a buddy and his truck. I carry an inreach satellite communicator, tools and the knowledge to figure out most repairs.

 

I don't understand the logic of selling a vehicle you already know, for a used one with an unknown history that's not that much younger/lower mileage all in the name of reliability??

I have been driving the same built, laid on its side twice, tacoma for 16years now and it's consistently the most reliable vehicle I own despite having 150k+ more miles and is older than my other 2 vehicles (2003 avalon and 2015 camry).

 

I vote to keep the Taco

 

For me I would absolutely keep the Taco. Especially since you know the truck and it's service records. Jumping on the Tundra may well bring unforseen repairs to bring it up to snuff.
I have a 1996 with 290k and don't think twice about putting her on the highway. I can't see selling her, ever.
Had a new 2007 Tundra I put 50k on and never have any trouble. Also had a new 2013 Tundra and put 100k on it with no trouble either. They were booth great trucks but the Taco is a beast. If you keep it, you will realize over time you'll go from loving it to liking it and then back to loving it. Back and forth as you think about other trucks. Maybe you can keep the Taco and buy a beater? I just wouldn't sell it. I think you'll regret it. But only you can make the call...

 

I owned a 2005 tundra i regret selling, it was the smoothest driving vehicle I ever owned even on 33 inch 10 ply ko2s, that being said I love my 1st gen taco as well

 

Absolutely the Taco. I'll go ahead and mimic everyone else and say that if you've kept up with it, you'll be good to go. My truck has 270k on it and I drove it from New York to Seattle this summer, then to Moab and back, then from Seattle to SF and back all this summer. Miles don't mean anything at all to these trucks if they've been taken care of.