What do 1st gen owners think of 2nd gen trucks?

I might be biased. Having a 2nd gen, and never owned a 1st gen. The 1st gen had a steal bed and a manual transfer case on 4x4 models. I would say the 1st gen is a better truck.

 

I like the 3rd gen. It's the only Tacoma Toyota currently produces, so it has its place in the market. The 3rd gen isn't an exercise in vehicle evolution, as it's mostly a 2nd gen that has lost some of the 2nd gen features.

There's no 5lug option, there's no regular cab option. There's the debate over the 4.0 vs the 3.5. I can't see a good argument for the 3.5 being better than the 4.0. Other than it may have been a necessary change for Toyota. The 4cyl 5spd option is gone. The addition of TSS.

There's nothing wrong with the 3rd gen, but the truck is an exercise is in automotive degeneration.

That does not make the 3rd gen a worse truck than a 2nd gen, as the 3rd gen has less tech than the competition. I also like the Pro trim, Trail Edition, the SR SX, and the addition of LED headlights.

 

I can only say when I bought my 2000 the only thing I liked was the engine .

The 3.4 compared to the 22RE.

The second Generation would just be learning Curve like any new to you vehicle.

It comes down to just how your going to use it.

In my case 50 miles of driving a month would not be much different.

 

I'm a toyota truck whore and owned a 22re 5 speed manual 4x4 pickup, that truck was a workhorse but slower than a snail

Owned several 1st gen access cab 3.4 4x4s in both auto and manual which I regret getting rid of all. There is something special about them and I love small trucks. The only first gen I owned which I didn't love was my single cab 2.7 5 speed. It was sexy as hell but man that thing was just as slow as the 22re

I owned a brand new 2018 trd off road put 60k trouble free miles, it was a great truck but not perfect

I currently own a 2nd gen single cab 2tre 5 speed 4x4 and that blows away the 2.7 I had in my 1st gen. Yes it's still a slug but you can easily tell there's a huge difference. My 2.7 just feels really taught, I'm suprised I have no rattles (my 3rd gen did) and it feels like it's built extremely well.

I think all 3 gens look really beautiful toyota did a great job building good looking trucks

 

Thats interesting you say your second gen single cab was quicker since it’s about 400 lbs heavier than the first gen single cab and has barely any more power. Maybe you had the 3.58 gears in your first gen. My 98 single cab actually felt pretty peppy to me, actually moreso than my 3.4 extracab.

 

Owned a 1st gen dc and a 2nd gen dclb. Lifted both drove both for years kept the 1st gen. Its better offroad looks better more fun to drive, got a lot of compliments on the 1st gen(even from 3rd gen owners).

Edit: plus I love the 3.4 engine, so much so that I bought a pos 4runner and did a 3.4 swap on it.

 

Had a 1st gen, built it and wheeled it.

Got a 2nd gen now and wish I had never sold my 1st gen.

I have to say though, I think my 2nd gen is a pretty nice truck.

One day I will sell the 2nd gen and will end up wishing I never got rid of it.

 

I just can’t get over the fact that the 3rd gens have the same engine as a mini van. Trucks should have more torque than hp.

I like the 1st and 2nd gen equally.

 

Agreed! Test drove one and didn’t like it at all. Regear and a SC instantly off the lot is the only way I’d drive a 3rd gen.

 

The 2GR-FE in my Lexus RX350 does a fine job. I've not spent enough time in Gen 3 Tacomas to judge the 2GR-FKS in that application, but I'm agnostic on it. Can't reject it out of hand. I'll admit it doesn't seem very truck-like on the face of it.

 

Bought a 1st gen because I love the size and looks. Cannot be beat. I like bigger trucks too but I wish someone would build em a little smaller again. The versatility is fantastic

 

Owned (2) 1st gens and knew it would be my next truck when my sister bought a year old 97 15k miles on it and over the next 15 years drove it into the ground at 400k miles and it would likely still be running if she’d caught the coolant bypass pipe leak between the heads- overheated, blown head gasket. Could’ve likely been fixed and gone another 100k.

I haven’t worked on second/third gens much- she had a 2012 off road which was totaled/rear ended, now owns 2018 sport, all 6 cylinders, but the beauty of the 1st gen is I know every bolt and the truck is highly serviceable in the field.

Correct me if I’m wrong but my understanding is with 2nd and 3rd gens you can’t service the automatic transmission yourself.

So funny we talk about power because when I first got to take her 97 for a drive I was like, damn, this thing has way more power than my 3.slow 92 4Runner.

I like the power on the second gens and the interior is definitely more spacious, but I hate the lines of the truck compared to a first gen on a trail. The hood is hard to see over and the truck feels sluggish and bulky vs my first gen which I guess after 18 years I know the dimensions of well. One important piece for me is even with the increased size of the second gen, the bed dimensions are really similar to the first gen.

Each gen has had its improvements where it counted in amenities.

1st gen feels like a 90’s truck, basic, not much differentiating if from other Toyotas of the day, interior feels like a Camry or a minivan

2nd gen feels like a mid 2000’s truck, better interior ergonomics, better power, updated looks/finishes

3rd gen feels like a 2020 truck- wireless charging, touchscreen infotainment, etc but still lacks in the high end trims

I’m betting 4th gen will have a large (10” plus) infotainment screen, increased safety features, dual climate zones, nicer finishes (leather, heated/cooled seats) and hopefully will try to keep pace with GM, Jeep and offer optional front and rear selectable lockers

 

I own an 04 Xtra cab. 4x4 3.4 auto. No trd locker. But it's a fun truck. I'm 6ft 2, 250 and everything is just about arms reach. It's convenient. Truck has 270k miles and has been basically trouble free but the maintenence list is growing by the mile.

I haven't DrIVEN any other gen, but I've ridden in a 2nd gen. Quieter. More power. Overall bigger and more plasticy and jeep like. Not stoked on that. I'll keep my 1st gen for life.

 

I owned a 2008 until this year and IMO it’s a better truck in almost every aspect. Far more comfortable, easier to work on, built-in bed rails, and the access cab is so much better than the extended cab. But it’s ugly compared to the first gens. Another thing I don’t like is the larger size. When my wife totaled it a couple months ago, we replaced it with a 2004 to get the smaller footprint. I do miss that access cab, though.

 

I have both ,2 - 1st gen one 2nd gen, i love the outside looks of the first gen the best......i get more thumbs up in my 1st gen. My 2nd gen is way more comfortable and rides very well so outta town excursions are always in it. I do love how narrow the 1st gen is in a parking spot especially at work dont really need to worry about door dings

 

1st gen. Anything later is too big. May as well get a full size cuz that's what it is. Only ford kept the little ranger around till 2011. New small trucks ain't what they used to be.

 

Bingo.

 

They're cool I guess, dunno what I'd do with one really, but I wouldn't say no to a DCLB for around the house stuff.

 

I don't like the bigger size or the style.

 

I don't own one so I don't care but as the owner of a '00 single cab I laugh my ass off when I see one of the long as hell 4 door ones with tiny wheels. Hilarious and extremely common. 4WD but with a mile of wheelbase....good luck!