Buying a First Gen Tacoma, is this a good deal?

I did, I found a really clean 1st gen with a good frame and bought it and drove it for 2 years before trading it for the current Tacoma.

 

Awesome. My point was, that to find of an issue with the Nissan then to completely disregard them though as much as people on this forum do not want to admit it per most reports the Frontier is in fact a more reliable truck than the Tacoma. And the Nissan is offered at a much better value typically than the Tacoma. Then to disregard the Tacoma frame issues and still purchase one is not really a logical approach. Though it is your money it is a bias and for what it seems the OP is looking for is less of a Tacoma per say but a small reliable truck. Then for his money the Frontier might be a more suitable option. Glad you found what you were looking for and thank you for bringing to light the problem in the Frontier that a buyer needs to be aware of. In this instance I still think it would be an avenue worth consideration for the OP.
This coming from a guy who grew up with pre Tacoma Toyota pickups and has owned three Tacoma's myself. Also a guy who kept his frame clean and treated on a 97 only to see it rot from the inside out until I could take a handful of it and tear it away like it was paper. The Tacoma is a decent value only because of the value they hold typically. Overall they exist and live on the reputation of the trucks that existed before the Tacoma badge was put on them.

 

I understand what you are saying. Every manufacture has problems of some sort, pick your poison. The only reason I brought up the coolant in trans issue with the Nissan is some people don't know. I've had many Toyota's before the Tacoma as well. I've never owned a Nissan pickup and stuck with what brand I know even with knowing about the frame issues.

 

I get it. I have a complete bias in favor of Toyota and Tacoma's. Have a good one.