Looking for some advice!

Hi all,

I'm brand new to the forum, still unsure of some etiquette but I was hoping to pick your brains about 2001-2004 Tacomas.

Currently, I drive a 2011 Ford Fusion that is slowly becoming a mechanical mishap and was looking at possibly finding a first gen. I'm a broke university student but I've set aside money for vehicle concerns, considering using that for something more reliable. I need something to get me home from university on highways (110-120km/h) and to the mountains and country with my rods and bikes.

Would a first gen be a fiscally wise decision seeing as I have to daily drive it? Are they still reliable in 2022?

Pardon any of my ignorance.

 

Sorry i cant help. But your one of the smartest college dudes to post a question. Thought out, good work! Ha!

I was going to suggest a Corolla, but sounds like you'd actually use the truck bed.

 

I love my 1st gen, but it would have been a poor choice for me in college. I was driving between Louisville and Atlanta, and for those six hour drives the Tacoma would have been pretty uncomfortable and a decent bit more expensive. I'd say it largely depends on how many miles a year you plan on putting on it. Estimate how many miles a year you'll be driving, compare the Taco mpgs with something like a Corolla, calculate how many extra gallons of gas you'll be burning a year and decide if the utility of the truck is worth the extra money.

They can absolutely be reliable once they are caught up on maintenance, but getting there can take an investment. Depending on who owned the truck previously you might have to drop some initial money on maintenance. If you're not able to do the work yourself things can get expensive.

 

Welcome aboard matey, you are most definitely at the right place! For the most part, Any first gen owner selling their vehicle and has extensive documented service history, either on their part or through a servicing center of some sort, combined with the frame being in good condition (this is key, if you buy a first gen, make sure the frame isn’t overwhelmed with rust, a bit of surface rust is fine, but you need to prioritize this within your search of one), you’re most likely getting a relatively reliable vehicle. I’m sure others will add to the list of checks and balances. Best of luck!


Will lead to, or worse.

 

All comes down to maintenance. I've put 50,000 miles on mine in the last 4 years, including lots of long cross country drives. No worries, but it has undergone plenty of maintenance in that time. All told, cheaper than a car payment - with the caveat that I do my own work.

If you want something you can mostly just change oil on and drive for a while, get something under 100k miles.

 

What're you looking to possibly spend on a 1st gen Tacoma?

What is your annual repair budget (they're 20 years old you'll need a budget.)

How mechanically inclined are you?

What is your estimation of miles traveled a year?

How many years can you handle keeping/driving the same vehicle?

If you're dragging around bikes and fishing rods then there are many vehicles/SUVs that'll work.

A vehicle's true cost is the initial acquisition price + maintenance/repair costs + fueling costs + taxes minus what you [eventually] sell it for.

My point is.. if you're fine with having a car payment you MAY be able to drive a much nicer** car for the same out of pocket expenses.


** The first gen Tacomas are awesome but I'm guessing you'd have to pay dearly for one in great shape [they're practically collectors/enthusiast cars at this point] and you won't have it insured for the actual market value in case something undesired happens (an auto accident.)

If you're a starving college student I'd recommend you make a low risk, long term financial decision on your transportation so you can get the degree, enter the working world and then buy that Rivian, Cybertruck and/or a swank 5th generation Tacoma.

 

*Disclaimer: I had a 2003 and it was the best Tacoma I've owned.

Keep in mind the last 1st gen rolled off the assembly line almost 20 years ago. It's hard to find one that isn't beat to shit. If you can find one that's been maintained expect to pay more than what it's worth.

Find a used Honda for a beater until your in a better place financially.

 

I hate to say this, but if I were in his shoes I'd be looking at a base Ford Maverick. Comfortable, versatile, warrantied truck for about $22K. The monthly payments might be better than paying a few hundred every eight weeks repairing the worn-out item of the day. Plus it's a ton safer, better MPGs and you could build your credit score with the payments.

 

I wasn't going to be the one to say it.. but you did! I agree here.. base Maverick upgraded to the turbo and 4x4 is ~25k.. order no other bells/whistles.

Drive it for 6 years and you're most likely going to be good on resale.

 

Exactly. And it's a reliable truck that will get him to school and then his job each day, it will be super-useful for all those 20s road-trips and apartment moves, etc. So much better than f-ing around and making excuses for a series of money-sucking old cars for the first 6 years of your adult life. Plus most girls would rather be driven around in something clean, quiet and comfy, not a 30 year old buckboard of a Toyota.

 

We're seeing it from the same angle!

OP might not be able to commit to a $380 a month payment or qualify for financing. Something that is not obvious is that the great majority of vehicles are going to average at least $180 a month on depreciation and repairs (even for a 20 year old relatively reliable car.)

If finances are TIGHT and/or OP cannot justify/afford insurance and taxes on a newer vehicle I would recommend finding the cleanest 1st gen Honda CRV or Toyota Rav4 on your side of the Mississippi and splurging on a plane ticket to buy it. I've seen some clean cherry examples with less than 100k miles sell ~$7k.. they'll probably run another 100k trouble free (and still have value when you're done with it!) Those don't have the same following as Tacomas so don't get bid up as painfully.

IF OP can find a clean 1st Gen Taco then go for it! I'm guessing "broke" plus reliable 1st generation Taco doesn't add up at this point.

 

It really depends. I know I have less money in my taco than I would a new vehicle, its never left me stranded, and my girlfriend loves riding in it.

All comes down to time. If you have time and interest to work on an older vehicle (and do it right), it can do extremely well for you.

EDIT: Or go middle ground - find something 10 years old. New car prices are stupid.

 

Has your girlfriend ACTUALLY said "i love riding in this truck!"??

 

Actually yes. Its a medium-sized miracle.

 

Hahahhahahhaha. Do NOT get that as a bumper sticker.

You win the best post for Friday! That was great.

 

• Pre-2010 vehicle (before vehicles has CVT's, overwhelming electronics, and the ability to work on your own vehicle if the OP doesn't mind turning a wrench)
• Ford Ranger had a couple years of really good generations.
• Civic/CRV - D17a2 engine or the 2006 year (forgot the engine, had them both, great)
• Tacoma
• New Maverick is a good idea, hopefully insurance won't be too bad.

 

At this point is a solid 5 lug 2nd gen Taco with <100k miles cheaper than a 1st gen in *really good* condition? Honestly curious and haven't been closely following early 2nd gen prices.

 

I'd be very surprised if a college student can afford a $22k vehicle. I think he is on the right track...but he has to find the right Taco which can be difficult...but a clean 1st gen w/ 150K miles on it is only at its 1/2 life considering the oils been changed and regularly scheduled maintenance has been done...(keeping in mind the frame was hopefully changed out and has been undercoated).....cripes, I'd like to sell mine to my son, but I love the damn thing and definitely don't want a $300 payment for the next 5 years to upgrade to a nice 4-runner (which would be my next vehicle since I really don't need the truck bed anymore)......Good luck man and I hope you get that college loan refund!!! That could be your Tacoma right there! Shine on!