Other than more affordable, why do you prefer the 1st Gen?

I prefer the looks, the size and just how they feel. I have an 03(210k miles) as my daily, and my 08 (26k miles) just sits in the garage and will probably just sit there for a bit longer before I decide to put it up for sale.

 

I fell in love with the Tacoma truck back in the 90's. My roommate owned a black access cab that had a substantial dent in the side of the bed behind he rear passenger side wheel well. It was beautiful, and I coveted that truck. I couldn't give you any details on the exact year, but it would have been early-mid 90's. At that time in my life i was travelling and going to school so all I could do was dream of the day I might buy one for myself. For me that day didn't come until 2007. It came after I bought a house and a small cottage on a lake. It came after the 1980 f-150 I bought for 1 grand and after the 2nd hand Ranger I scored a smoking deal on. When I finally scored my Tacoma it was fall of 2007 and I was throwing down for a brand new BSP 08 Tacoma. I plan to drive this one until it decays...and I continue to look at 1st Gen Tacoma's with lust filled eyes. Old habits die hard.

 

This is about the same way I feel about it, as well. Sure, I get that the newer tacos are nicer, more powerful, more refined, etc. That just doesn't appeal to ME. I love that the new taco and Tundra sell like hotcakes. Sure, I'd love a double cab first gen that was 4 cyl/5 spd, 4x4, rear locker like the hilux in other parts of the world. For the nicer and newer stuff, I stick with my Land Cruisers, still built in the Araco plant in Japan (I think Toyota doesn't trust building their flagship vehicle anywhere else, tightest quality controls as it's where they've built the cruiser since the 60's(i think)) . That's what appeals to me for a robust as hell and also highly refined 4x4. I'd love to get my hands on a 70 series Cruiser

 

The feel of a small toyota pickup. 79-04.

I wish Toyota would reintroduce the Pickup as a 1st gen taco sized truck.
Bring back:
The body lines of the 84-89/95-04
95-97 Grille / small headlights
95-04 interior styling
89-94 Tailgate
Manual hubs
J shift Tcase
Manual windows/locks
Offroad package with locker and small Factory lift option
Updated split 3 spoke wheels
OE BFGs
Reliable 4cly
5 speed, obvious

What else?

 

When I first started looking for a new Toyota I didn't even consider a Tacoma. I was looking for a 80 series Land Cruiser or a T 100 pickup at the time but was having difficulty finding someone who wanted to sell thiers. I only had my FJ40 back then and was tired of a 10 mpg daily driver. Out of desperation I went down to a Toyota dealership and looked over what they had. I eventually bought my '99 Taco as its size, engine and 4x4 capabilities impressed me. I liked the fact that I could do almost all the maitenance myself and that Tacomas had a very reliable reputation. Nearly 15 years later its still my daily driver and I wouldn't trade it for anything Toyota has produced this century.

 

Size.
Simplicity.
Reliability.

 

@because_minitruck

 

I was surprise to see another on the freeway since the rarity of the V6 single cabs. The 95.5 V6 will have the sticker on the bottom left of the tailgate.

 

- Looks and size-- it fits pretty much where a car fits
- Paid for
- Legendary reliability- just bullet proof and to the next point
- if it does manage to brake (CV axles, o2 sensors etc), easy to work on
- CARB legal boost

A friend and I are on the same page that the new Tacomas are not bad, and other trucks are pretty neat like the Ford EcoBoost line, RAM ecodiesel etc, but the only truck package that would get me to consider trading in/"upgrading" would be Toyota making a new model that is 1st gen sized and has a turbo 4cyl diesel. Basically a Hilux diesel but maybe slightly smaller, more rugged looking. Next best thing is a reliable turbo 4 gas. But I have no need for a big truck that then limits where I drive and park in the city. I guess a 1st gen's turbo Surf counterpart's engine swap would be awesome, I know someone has done it before.

 

Oh Chad, late to the party as usual... #2ndgenproblems

 

Unsubd

 

I like the size and how easy everything is to work on. I had a 96 Tacoma and loved it but it was totaled. Later bought a brand new 2012 and it was a great truck but I missed my first gen so I sold it and now I have my 98' Tacoma and I'm much happier.

 

That sounds good and all, but I drove a 4 cylinder Ranger with manual everything for 8 or 9 years until i got my 99 Taco. Now I'm not giving up my electric locks and windows/alarm and V6 EVER.

And why should our trucks name change back to pickup? TACOMA is a compact pickup. T100 is the midsize pickup. If anything the 2nd and 3rd gens are fucking T100's. Toyota called 2nd and 3rd gen T100's "Tacomas" for the name recognition for reliability and sales and resale, etc... cuz let's face it, the T100 was a total flop because they marketed it as a full size. But it was ahead of its time because it was more closely related to the (nonexistent at the time) midsize

 

I don't think bringing back mini truck will happen. I've driven all across many states and started noticing the majority of vehicle brands and types varies by state. Most of the midwest and farm stats are using domestic vehicle and large pick up trucks for the most parts while southern states are using more imports. I thought Honda civics was all over and hardly saw them in other states. Hardly saw any Tacoma's in ID, MT, WY, ND, SE, NE, etc...

 

you don't like us

 

I was actually looking for a 2nd gen but couldn't find one in my price range 12k max. So I lowered my standards (so I thought) and started looking at 1st gens. Now that I've had my 02 for almost a year I wouldn't trade it for a new one. I love the size, super easy to maneuver, looks, and easy to work on. Although it doesn't have the 8' bed like the 95 T-100 I had.

 

Like this?

 

Now that's exactly what a Toyota pickup should look like.

 

They get all the ladies, might of got mentioned, oh well.

 

I got it a couple of years ago from my dad for $5000 with 119,000 on it. It was garaged in Kalifornia just about it's entire life except when he went hunting and to the gun range. Just about all highway miles. I doubt it ever saw past 2500 rpm it's entire life until I got it. All the maintenance was done like clockwork.