Million dollar question (for me ;) How many miles ya got???

This may sound absolutely absurd, but here goes it. I fell in love with the 1st gen Tacos back around 2000 when I was still in high school and ever since I have wanted one and even more so now. When I got my first Taco it was a 2008 and thought that it would make me happy. Fast forward, Hurricane Sandy hit and it made sense to trade up for a 2013 (Not normally the type to trade up often), which brings us to current day. I want a 2002-2004 Taco (around), but my wife says it makes NOOO sense to move from a new truck to an old one (she does have a point), however, I am determined to figure out if it really is a "dumb" idea. I know they last "forever" but everything eventually breaks and I'm wondering if it will cost me more in the long run and should just stop crying like a baby

So I bring questions to you looking for input to make a decision. If you could give me a bit of what you think about this and possibly address a few things such as:

1. How many miles do you currently have on you 1st Gen and what year?
2. Is there really a point in your trucks life that you felt it was "done" or do you plan on keeping it forever?
3. What, if any issues, do people run into around a certain part of the trucks life (engine, trans, or other problems) and are they expensive issues?
4. Would you recommend someone to "downgrade" given what you know?
5. Has anyone done this and are they happy?

I've been like to my wife and if I do something stupid without research it very well may be likeand then from the ol lady...Thanks guys

 

If you don't need the added space of the newer truck, or the added towing capacity, or all the creature comforts that come with it, OR whatever warranty you mat or may not have left, then why not? Just make sure whatever you're switching to has been well maintained and it's not a rust bucket. (specifically the frame)

I've thought about making the switch myself, but the interior and cargo space thing was a deal breaker.

 

I have 2 silver 2004 TRD 4x4's.

 

Thats pretty darn good mileage...it that pretty common that they go that long? Have you have any issues or do you foresee having issues in the future with either one??

 

I actually have a 5 foot bed and would rather a stick shift than my current automatic. Don't haul things like crazy, and wouldn't cry if i lost the warranty to be honest. I want to get a 1st gen from somewhere down south or well maintained like you said. Do you have a first gen?

 

Since you have a wife and possibly future kiddos, I'd say stick with the truck you have. Your wife and kids may like the creature comforts even though you might not need them. Maybe you can save up for a while and have a 1st gen as a secondary vehicle?

 

I don't, but my neighbor swears by his. He's had three 1st Gens and only ever had issues with one that had been rebuilt in a bad accident. His current one has over 400,000 kms on it (290k-ish miles) and runs like a top.

 

Yea she does like the comforts but also always complains its too big. Shes really small lol. My thoughts are the stereo is the only real downside however i could always upgrade that.

 

And the uncomfortable seats. But I suppose you can replace those too. Unless you and your wife have a backs and buns of steel and can handle brick seats. Seeing that you're in NY, it's going to be hard to find a 1st gen without a rusted frame. Keep that in mind too.

 

Well as it just so happens, I did exactly what you're talking about. Here's my story: I graduated college with an engineering degree and decided fuck it! I have a decent salary, I'll go buy a new truck, a 2013 TRD OR 4x4 MT, arguably the last truck I'll ever need, should last forever. Well there were two problems. The first is that I never got to wrench on it. I had free maintenance and a reliable truck, so all I got to do with it is write a check every month to pay the loan (that was the other problem, the car payment). Then my company got bought, I had enough cash to pay it off, but instead I went out and bought a 96 Tacoma, 4cyl 5spd 4x4, for $4200. I sold the 2013 with $10k in equity and put that towards the Beater, as I call it. I've gotten to build it as I wish, wrenching on it and fixing little shit stuff. I bought a Flippac for it, basically a camper shell that folds out to a tent (think roof top tent built into a camper shell). I've had a blast with the truck. I've done things with it that I couldn't justify with the 2013, either because of money or trying to keep the new truck looking new. My truck has about 240,000 miles and I figure worst case, will need a new engine at some point. But it's really not showing any signs of slowing down. I get 21mpg, it's never broken down on me, and I kind of like owning something that is such a piece of shit. There's a certain zen about it. The way I see it, happiness only depends on your expectations. My 2013 met my expectations, but could've really only gone down, like when my clutch pedal started to squeak. You get really mad at the little stuff when you paid for this brand new vehicle. With the Beater, my expectations were set pretty low, knowing I only spent $4200 on it. Everything squeaks or rattles in that truck, but that's fine with me. Ya little stuff breaks, like my reverse lights are currently not working...just another thing I get to learn and fix.

 

1. How many miles do you currently have on you 1st Gen and what year?
99,670 2003 XtraCab TRD

2. Is there really a point in your trucks life that you felt it was "done" or do you plan on keeping it forever?
I plan on keeping this one until I can't keep it running anymore

3. What, if any issues, do people run into around a certain part of the trucks life (engine, trans, or other problems) and are they expensive issues?
Really there isn't anything I can think of, I've seen them with 400,000 plus with original motor and trans

4. Would you recommend someone to "downgrade" given what you know?
If you want a first gen, absolutely

5. Has anyone done this and are they happy?
I had a 2004, 4cyl, 5 speed. Bought it with 137,000 miles on it and the frame had just been replaced. It was my daily driver and I drove it a lot for work. (many, many highway miles). Sold it with 220,000 on it and the ONLY thing I ever did to it was change the oil and put tires on it.

Sold it because the wife can't drive a stick and she'd been bugging me to get a new truck. So I bought a brand new 2015 tacoma last summer. Just couldn't get used to it. Didn't like the size of it, too big for me. It was a nice truck, just not what I wanted. I sold it before the first oil change and found the 2003 I have now. (My wife thought I was nuts too) It's a one owner, never wrecked, fully optioned out TRD. Had 91,000 miles on it when i bought it. I checked the VIN on it to make sure the frame had been recoated by Toyota to extend the frame warranty and as soon as I got it, took it to the dealer to have the frame inspected. Dealer found a hole and I'm waiting on them to get all the parts in to take it back and get the frame swap done.

Until some manufacturer starts making smaller trucks again, I'll fight tooth and nail to keep this one on the road. Personally I wouldn't trade it for 2 new ones.

 

I've got a 2002 double cab SR5 2wd pre runner and has way to many miles on it ..... 54k

 

Ive got a first gen that my dad handed down to me that he has owned since new. I don't find them to be uncomfortable at all and i like how small it is. Mines got 180k however i did put a motor in it at 175k with about 96k miles on it that was totally my fault though. Ill probably end up rebuilding the old motor one day since its just collecting dust in my garage. From what I've seen the 3rz specifically will run forever the only problems Ive had is the rust but even then i just clean it up and paint things every now and then my bumpers are both starting to rust and get holes though, and my dad didn't really maintain the thing all that well aside from tires and oil and living where I do I think they need more maintenance than that. I don't see anything wrong with downgrading I love the look of first gens and can't say id give mine up, so as long as my frame is in one piece ill probably keep driving it.

 

Other than little small things, everything is holding up well? This will be my primary mode of travel if i swap truck haha

 

So other than you messing up the engine and a couple rust spots it hasn't had any other issues that are from wear and tear??

 

25,000 on my 2004....and no that's not a typo

To answer your question though, sure it might not "make sense", at least not to some, but life is too short to always abide by that rule. Buy what makes you happy. Search around for a low miles, well-maintained first gen...just be patient. They're out there.

 

I'm with you on that one. I've had a 09 and a 13 and here I am still in love with the first gens. I'll be using this as my only truck and my wife doesn't drive (She travels to Manhattan for work on the train) so I want to make sure these things even after all these years are still reliable. I think as long as I buy something that has been taken care of then I will be fine. Problem is that all the trucks I'm looking at are hundreds of miles away so facilitating a deal would be tougher unless I fly out there first and tickets aren't cheap.

 

The first month I had it, I kept my 2013 while I was fixing the major stuff: new clutch, leaf springs, shocks, ball joints. After I sold my 2013, it hasn't had any issues, but I've really only had it since October. Even so, I've put about 8k miles on it. But ya, it depends on your situation. Now that we have Uber, how bad off are you if it breaks down? For me, if I need to tow it to a mechanic, or just drop it off, I can Uber home for $5 and take my motorcycle to work. But again, I haven't had to do that yet.

 

2000 tacoma 3.4 sr5.
Has 266k, drinking coolant and found metal shaving. Now I'm replacing it with a 70k motor. Going to keep it til the whole truck rust to the ground.

 

Living in the great Brine belt unless what your buying has a new frame (they have no clue how these will hold up) it will likely need attention sooner or later.

*** Make sure the ones your thinking of buying have been inspected and will qualify for the frame warranty although the older ones are running out of time.

Mechanical things fail and wear out sensors , exhaust systems Good to know when the Timing belt was done? I see trucks traded when it was time for a timing belt

If your doing your own wrenching things are not to bad Need to pay Labor older trucks do get expensive fast

Then a newer truck is most often more cost effective