Hi, Advice?

Hey I'm new here!
I live in Alaska. I have a second generation Tacoma (2013) that I bought recently, but I have mixed feelings about it. I originally wanted to purchase a first gen because of their simplicity and how much of a compact truck they are. I was in a rush to buy a Tacoma from a dealership and I learned the hard way. I should of just waited for the right one. The truck I have now is nice and all, but the monthly bills are no joke. I figure why not pay in cash for a first gen instead of paying monthly for a truck I don't completely love? I don't want to start buying all the goodies like aftermarket parts yet until I'm sure I'll keep the truck forever.
I don't know if I should buy an older Tacoma and if it'll be worth it, but that's what my heart is set on. Do you think I'm being selfish? Should I just enjoy what the second gen Tacoma offers? Should I keep my current Tacoma and buy a first gen to see if I like it then sell the other?
I guess I'm asking for advice from all of you Tacoma Gods on what the best option would be.
I apologize if this is the wrong thread or repetitive, I just would like some feedback.
Thanks

 

Never actually knew a person that liked the 1st gens over the 2nd. And if the payment is high. I wouldn't make that worse with also buying the 1st gen.

I'd say sell it and get the first gen.

 

Build your dream truck and sell it and move onto something else. Life is short. That's what I'm doing.

 

Do what makes most sense financially. 1st gens were great little trucks. Beware that now they’re pushing 20+ years old. There will always be something to work on an old vehicle, no matter how reliable it originally was.

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Don't know what your travel distances are, but the seats in the 1st gen aren't too comfortable. Which is fine for local use, not so much on the open road. So for me, at 5k-ish per year, it wasn't a real problem.

I too love the size and looks of the 1st gen. It's what my shopping goal was. But all the ones that were acceptable to me were way over priced when I was shopping in '15, and the last was already over 10 years old then.

Good luck with your analysis.

 

Hi guys. Thanks for the fast responses.
Yes, I prefer the 1st gen Tacoma more. 20+ years is also on the table. I'm also around 5" so comfortability isn't too high on the list. I feel I might be a little selfish because Red isn't really my color, and that's part of the reason I have regrets of my current Tacoma.
I also love to work on my own vehicles so that's not a big deal if I choose a 1st.
Do you guys think buying a 20 year old vehicle is downgrading from my current Taco?

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld!

 

Welcome to The Forum!

 

Welcome. What part you in? I’m in fairbanks. Seen a couple nice first gens here. Finding one still clean is tough tho

 

Welcome!

 

I'm in Anchorage! Yes I agree, it's tough finding a nice one. Decisions decisions...

 

I like the space my 2nd gen gives me I think the first gens where just a bit smaller in size. I love the body of the 2nd gens so much more as well. Paint is only cosmetic and a paint job is still cheaper than a completely different truck. Yes payments suck and I get that but you are still driving a newer vehicle that will last and be just as reliable for some time and you can still upgrade and make changes to it as you please. The thing with buying used is the fact that you don't have the ability to buy the color you want necessarily, you are buying the truck for what it is. Would I have preferred a different color when I bought mine a couple of months ago absolutely but I jumped on the deal at hand. Just my .02 good luck in your decision

 

I'd say if you're spending a lot of time on in a cramped city or on tight trails then the first gen is a good choice. If you've got wide open spaces and lots of highway time, then the second gen is probably a little better.

That said, I've put nearly 20k miles on my first gen in the last year, most of it highway, and don't have any real complaints. Its not as comfy, smooth or powerful as my larger 2007 frontier, but its certainly doable.

Being in AK, you might have an easier time getting 2nd gen parts and accessories, but thats mostly speculation on my part.

 

Welcome to TW

 

Thank you for your input. I might be selfish for not loving the color on my current Tacoma and it may be cosmetic so I probably will need to get over myself. I was just looking at all the things I want to do if I do keep my current truck and whether or not I'd be happy with the final product. If I'm spending a lot of money on aftermarket parts, then the thought of buying the first generation Tacoma comes in mind because it was originally what I planned on purchasing. Lesson learned! Patience helps in making a big decision.

 

I think you're correct. The second generation I have is probably more comfortable, but I've never tried the first gen seats. I guess I have to weigh out the pros/cons of each one. And it's a hard decision since both are great trucks. I guess I have a turn on for the first gens!

 

I don't know how tough it is finding one with a manual transmission too. The current Tacoma I have has one in it so I can't go without.

 

I don't have advice, but only a few thoughts on your comments.

When I read your first comment about not really liking it, and the high payments, my reaction was sell it and downsize to a 1st Gen. Keep in mind I don't consider this a down grade, BUT you will lose some functionaly you might already be not realizing as something that will be missed after the switch, so consider stewing on this for a bit. Things like power and handling will be 'different', a smaller payload overall. But these may not matter to you??? Still, as these older vehicles start dying off, I think you'll find aftermarket/used parts might not be so bad in price...

However, getting a good truck that old will be difficult at least since the people that hold them and take care of them are usually all in on ownership-and would die before selling it seems. Most on sale in good shape, are over priced IMHO, while many (not all) that are decent priced might have many issues you'll have to deal with...

Then the comments turned towards your dislike of the color. Someone commented earlier, it would be FAR cheaper to get the truck repainted, if that is the real reason for your distaste.

Either way, I think you'll have a very difficult time finding the elusive perfect 1st gen at a good price

In the end, it's up to you to decide whether you want to downsize (again, not downgrade), after all, the heart wants what the heart wants...

 

Welcome to TW! Sounds like you need to test drive a 1st Gen and compare the two.