Gen 1 vs Gen 2 - Buying a used tacoma

Hey All,

I am looking at getting a Tacoma and trying to decide between gen 1 vs gen 2. I am looking to get a 4cyl, 4x4, AC with a manual transmission (desired but not required).

I'm interested in Gen 2 because they typically have lower mileage, newer, and some get better mpg. However, Gen 1 can be a little cheaper and I have heard are built with more durable parts (metal bumper vs plastic)?

Another thing to note is I am on a budget. $9-15k is my range. Don't care too much about bells and whistles, more interested in vehicle performance.
Thanks for the input!

 

Vote is for second gen. Not too sure about 4 cyl too much but 2009-2012 are good years for the 6 cyl. I forget the year they introduced the air pump on the engine but the first couple of years has some issues.

 

2nd gen - bigger, faster, more comfortable, somewhat modern vehicle for a body on frame, overwhelming aftermarket product support, maintaining them isn't too bad, good community here.

1st gen - smaller, slower, poorly designed use of lower ball joints, archaic wiring and ecu system, dwindling aftermarket support, maintaining them is nice if you buy a good one, great community if your interested in communicating with over-educated (somewhat) and underpaid nerds.

I vote 2nd if you have a family. Love my 08 4cyl.

 

do you want a midsize truck? or do you want a compact truck?

 

first gens look good second gens look like they were designed by GM. Also first gens have the A340 transmission which is the best auto ever made.

 

The 3rz is an amazing engine, can get you up to 19 mpg on a full 4wd around town. Definitely go for a manual though if you get a 1st gen (auto is a little slow with the inline 4s). You can find clean 4cyl 4x4s for as low as $7k too. You can find them with rear lockers too if you are looking hard. They will also have manual hubs too, keeps cv's from wearing out if you lift them. Also has that little bit less electrical. They are definitely small trucks too though.

 

If you get a 2nd gen you get a 3rz block with hydraulic (read no valve issues) lifters.

 

I wish my 2002 had locking hubs it's disappointing that it dont i am going to convert it over eventually

 

My other truck that i sold to get the 3.4 and a locker had them, was really nice.

 

I own a 1st Gen and I would choose a 2nd Gen if I could mainly due to better performance and comfort.

 

"More interested in vehicle performance" - Either 1st or 2nd gen, stay away from the 4cyl.

 

What issues does the 4cyl have? I am interested in the 4cyl because of mpg. I am not going to need the extra power of the v6.

 

If youre set on the 4 cyl, ive heard on here that the 1st 4 banger is more peppy than the 2nd gen. 2nd gen trucks are just bigger and heavier

 

Well then dont talk about "Performance" being a big factor.

I vote 2nd gen or Tundra

 

2nd gen also has the a340, mine has the a340e. I gotta say, it is super slow. I get 23-24 mpg highway in the winter and 25-28 in the summer.
2nd gen vote for me. If 4x4 isn't a must, you can get a 2014-2015 used commercial vehicle, all or those are autos however.

 

I miss my 04 SR5 4x4 4cyl manual. A nice first gen is a real eye catcher and I just love them.

My current 14 OR (ish) 4x4 6cyl auto isn't as loveable or as good looking, but if I'm being honest, it's an exponentially better truck.

If you are buying a truck with longevity and ease of ownership in mind then buy the newest, lowest mileage 2nd gen you can afford.

Edit - also IMO the difference in fuel economy between 4cyl and 6cyl with part time 4wd is negligible. I remember always being annoyed that the 4cyl didn't get better numbers.

 

I like the looks and size of our 1st gens better, but the 2nd gen does have more comfortable seats and a cabin air filter. Blowing unfiltered air means I always have a thin layer of dust on my interior. From the specs I can find on Edmunds, the 2nd gen gained about 400lbs of weight in the same config.

 

No one can really claim that one generation is universally a better buy than the other, it depends on a lot of factors, mostly personal preference, but also what's actually available and in your budget.

I would say that a high mileage 1st gen with good maintenance records is better than a low mileage 2nd with no records. Some people don't like first gens because they are a tad smaller, but that's specifically why I like first gens. There are 1st gens that are worth more than 2nd gens because the 1st gens have that certain "not a 2nd gen" factor.

I've seen numerous threads of 1st gen owners selling their trucks and "upgrading" to a 2nd/3rd gen, only to regret it and come crawling back to a best gen. We'll take them back, but they sleep in the dog house for a few days ...

In the end, if you're not emotionally tied to one or the other, just cast a wide net and pick up the first truck that suits you best.

 

Damn, next time give me a trigger warning!

You forgot *superior off road capabilities due to its smaller size* and *all first gen owners are super cool and humble people*

But really, there isn't a first gen owner I met that I didn't like.

 

I've had 4 1st gens ('97,'00,'01 and '03) all 2.7l auto extracab 4x4s, and loved them all. But time marches on, and here in the Northeast, these trucks are having problems staying in step. My '03 is rusting out from under me, is out of warranty on the frame, and needs some heavy maintenance to stay road worthy. So, I've moved on to a 2nd gen, a low mileage 2007 4.0l extracab TRD OR. Way more room inside, way more power, nicer ride. Not immune to the rust issues though, and this one has a new frame. I will miss the compact 1st gen without a doubt. I think the styling was better then. But the utility of the 2nd gen better suits my business and personal uses.