Most desirable year?

Just wondering what the general consensus is, from reading the various comments over the years that seem to imply that first gen tacos are the most sought after and since 2004 is the last year of the first gen, does that make the 04 the most desirable year?

If not, what would be your personal fav?

 

Why are the 1st Gens the most sought after?

They are small and have no creature comforts.

I personally say 2013.
I love my rear view mirror with updated head unit.

 

1997 is the least desireable year according to #of 1st gen Tacomas sold, it is the lowest!
i did not factor the '95.5 since it was only a half year of sales

 

I don't know. Seems like posters always dogging the newer ones.

 

if you want compact truck 1st gens are compact

2nd gens flirt with the midsize! and no longer compact

 

I'm sure everyone will respond with that their favorite is the year they own.

 

I think you hit it right on the head. Complaints being Tacomas got bigger and away from what they were.

 

i responded with the least favorite lol i just happened to be the unlucky one that got stuck with it

 

imo they started getting away from what they were when those 4 door model started hitting the lots with the short beds!
those aren't necessarily pickup trucks IMHO that i can throw 6 ft ladder and lumber, drywall etc. into that rinky dinky bed! without it all hanging out

what year did that first 4dr DC come about

 

But that's the shitty 3rd gen. There is a whole Generation in between

 

2nd gen is midsize. The only ones that seem narrow (and they are by a couple inches) are the base 5-lug that they dumped for the 3rd gen. You take a 2015 TRDOR and 2016 TRDOR and they're like a quarter inch different in width. The difference in length is 100% due to pedestrian safety and it's not that drastic - they still drive the same. It's like the F150 in that it's all visual cues and the taller hood that make them look that much bigger.

IMO 1st gens are sought after because they're becoming increasingly rare in good shape (at least here in the salty east) and they're the last of the great compacts. The payload numbers are insane given the size, they have proven to run forever, and there's nothing to hold your hand unless you want it to.

 

No they don't. Full size trucks are substantially bigger in interior space and bed space.
I come from the full size world and do think my 2nd Gen is too small.

While 1st Gens are very compact and great if that's what you are looking for. 2nd Gens aren't really that big tho.

 

are you the guys with the badass fenders?
my fenders are plain as can be

 

that is why i said flirting with, unless you are above average height its difficult to reach over the rail to move cargo around in the back of the bed without a small stool,ladder etc
i rarely have difficulties shifting stuff around in mine reaching over the rail usually

 

I love the 1st generation Tacoma's and am seriously considering buying one to park beside my 17 Tacoma. My wife calls them Tonka toys with the big wheels I see on so many of them. My favorites are the late 90s short bed regular cabs but I also really like the later model with the flair side bed. Not sure the year but I think it is 2002? Can someone post some pictures of one? I have to sell one of my other toys before I do this though.

 

Maybe a Poll should have been included from 2004 & down.

I too am curious, but sure enough it will turn which Gen is better thread.

 

Lmao gtfo with those lies and deception

 

2004 of course

Latest, most refined year of the 1st gen
The 1st gen is sole reason why Tacoma’s have their popular heritage. Second gen was built to gain more market share and compete with ford and Chevy

Third gen is just a Hyundai with a marketing team

 

Scared my kids with my sudden burst into uncontrollable laughter!

To answer the OP's question I would say 01-04 would be the most desireable years of the 1st gens, they carried the updated front end. Mechanicaly they were pretty much all the same.

I think had they shoved the R150's into the double cabs they would have sold in pretty darn good numbers, that's the only reason I went with an Xtra cab...gotta have my third pedal!

 

I would think 2004 because it's got all the improvements from the other years. Though I really like the look of the 95.5 to the 97. They just look old school. There just isn't any truck like the first gen anymore. To some that's a bad thing but I prefer a simple truck.