Why do you own a first gen Tacoma?

My neighbor bought a new Ranger. I look at his truck and it seems to me that Ford attempted to re-answer the call for a more reasonably sized truck with the new Ranger. When I run my '01 Taco next to his Ranger it isn't that much smaller.
I really think Toyota should come out with a new version of the 1st-gen Tacoma. I bet it'd sell like crazy.

 

I own my 1st Gen Tacoma (2003 ACB PreRunner) because my 2005 2nd Gen had 438,000 miles and needed new Catalytic Converters and new tires. I didn't want to invest any more in it so I sold it (this year) to someone who doesn't need a Smog test. I bought my replacement 2003 Taco back in 2019 because
1) it was very low mileage (73K) and in excellent condition,
2) the price was right ($11K),
3) it showed up right next door to me so I had a good chance to check it out top to bottom, and
4) I knew I was eventually going to need a replacement since my '05 barely passed Smog in 2019.

I really liked the back seats in my 2nd Gen DC but that's the only thing I really preferred over the 1st Gen Access Cab. Prior to buying my 2nd Gen new in 2005 I had 20 years of driving Ford Rangers. Unlike a Tacoma 20 years of Rangers usually means more than one (I had an '85 and a '96.)

After driving this 1st Gen AC Pre-Runner I'm thinking it's probably the best small truck of all time. It's a perfect size, has a usable 6' bed, is fun to drive, and just looks like a compact truck should look. I'm not a rock crawler or a fan of raised trucks so I'm leaving mine stock. It's hard to improve on perfection (once I locate and correct that annoying dash rattle anyway).
The only visible flaw on mine is those damned TRD Sport stickers. Not sure why the previous owner put those on there since they never made a 1st Gen TRD Sport model.

 

Because I couldn't find another T100

 

Honest answer is I was given it as a first vehicle 10 years ago and I've kept it around as a 2nd vehicle since 2015. Its managed to move all my stuff across the country several times since I've had it without being too large while being reliable over the past 100k miles or so.

 

Because of the size and the reputation of being reliable.

 

Because it's a beautiful looking truck and reliable as nuts!

 

My first Toyota truck was a 1981 4x4, 5 spd. Sold it in '88 due to a growing family. Bought a Dodge Dakota in 1995 with the V8 (but not a 4x4) and got rid of it in 1997. Decided my 2001 Subaru Forester with 250K miles might be nearing its end, so bought the last year of the 1st Gen (2004 auto with only 9.5K miles) in 2007 (paid $20K) because I wanted another Toyota truck and liked the styling over the 2nd Gen. The Subie lasted another 10 years and 283K more miles, so I didn't use the 1st Gen all that much; mostly to move the kids to and from college multiple times. The 2004 currently has only 90K miles on it. Purchased a 6 spd manual 2020 TRD Sport last year because I like a lot of the modern features the 2004 doesn't have and wanted to drive a stick again. I initially was going to sell the 2004, but decided to keep it because I still like both its style and driving performance. It's also been completely reliable.

 

Honestly, I own mine because I know it’s a great truck, and it’s a Toyota. It’s been taken care of fairly well.

I also “ inherited” it when my brother passed away in November 2020... I wasn’t looking for a “new to me” truck, but my nephew already had a new truck, so he didn’t need it, plus he was not really into a manual trans... it needed some minor work and tires, but was otherwise in decent shape.

I like it because it reminds me of my brother and the fun times we shared (he also had an 81 HiLux that he bought new but totaled around 1987/1988)...

I had a 97 Chevy S10 (V6/auto, 2WD), that’s was pretty good as a second vehicle. When the Tacoma came up, I decided to keep it and sell the S10 (both needed tires and A/C work)...

I like the quality of Toyota brand, and currently own 5 Toyotas ( 2015 Sienna, 2009 Camry, 2005 Prius and 2004 Corolla). The Prius was $800 from my neighbor and had a recent Toyota brand hybrid battery installed (~$3500), the Corolla was $300 and is nearly mint with only 78,000 miles ( garaged, from my Father in Law)...

the 1st gen fits me well ( extended cab). It has power windows and a/c (parts arriving today to repair)... It’s still a second vehicle.

I also like the looks of the 4WD, especially with the factory alloys and. 31x10.5x15 tires

 

One reason it is paid for.

I have been saving for a newer Truck Every time I get $20,000.00 saved something more critical takes the money.

 

Because Nobody makes a truck like this anymore...

 

Where do you live? No reason, just need a topper is all...

Jk wish I had a topper. I like my cover but idk.

 

I own a first gen because this is all I need. Today’s trucks are too big. My next project is to find a clean extended cab manual.

 

Wanted something small, light, and reliable to pound around off-road. Factory skids and a plentiful aftermarket helped out as well.

Was stuck between my reg cab 4x4 and a 2nd gen Xterra Off-road and decided to go with the lighter option for once since all of my other vehicles have been heavyweights.

 

Needed a bulletproof daily and always wanted to own a small truck. Plus was putting too many miles on my S2000, and was getting annoyed with how limited space in it is for a daily. Im an old school JDM guy so it was down to Honda, Nissan or Toyota for a truck. The choice was pretty simple from there.

 

First Gen because..

3rd gen is to big, to much tech that I don’t want/need and their more than I want to spend.

2nd gen are great trucks from what I understand but still a bit big and honestly I just can’t stand the wheel well arch shape, smooth curve up over the wheel and then chop down. Kinda trivial but I gotta like how a truck looks.

3rd gen Toyota PU are the right size, price and look good but.... the 3.0 v/6 is/was just disappointing, low power, poor fuel economy and head gasket eating monster. And I’ve moved on from 4cyl trucks so the 22re trucks are out.

So the first Gen Tacoma ticks almost all the box’s for me.
Great running v6 that is as reliable as a hammer, handles great and fun to drive, just enough creature comforts, a/c, pwr windows. pretty good on fuel, carry’s and tows all that I need it to and, to me, it looks great.
I’ve owned many Toyota trucks over the years. 79 4x4. 82 2wd. Brand new 86 4x4. 91 4x4. And the first Gen is just a better version of those. Love this truck..

 

I ended up with mine because I'm a huge 3rd gen 4Runner guy and very familiar with the 5VZ/R150F combo so the parts familiarity was there, and the overall quality and fit of the parts in the 3rd gen 4runner was just superior (to me) compared to newer offerings. I was a little let down when the tacoma wasn't really as nice as the 4runner interior, but it was close enough... The new offerings just don't do it for me, as tempting as the Jeep gladiator Rubicon was when it came out the quality concerns are just through the roof and I don't trust it's longevity at all. I mean a second car battery in the dash just to satiate the auto start stop function for gaming the fuel economy loop? Really? Pass.

 

Why do own my second consecutively purchased first gen, you ask? I think we all know the answer...

But for me, it's the piece of mind that the first one gave me. Never broke down, never left me stranded, required very little in terms of care/maintenance, and there is wealth of information on well traveled forums for people like me who insist on maintaining their own vehicles

 

It’s weirdly the most fun vehicle to drive, and I remember fondly learning to drive in my dad’s 85 pu. Nothing newer is as small, light, and repairable

 

They're a right sized truck. They are durable. They are reliable. I happen to think that they look good too! The second gens are nice, as are the third gens, but it's hard to make one of those unique. Everyone has done the same mods over the years. The first gens seem more unique when modified.

 

I like the size. I have everything manual (except steering) on mine and I like that. It's a good yard work pickup. It's a good go camping and sleep in the bed pickup. It's a good off-roading pickup. I know every nut and bolt and it's super simple to work on. Plus - I think it's just a cool looking pickup. New ones - just ugly as all hell to me. MANUAL TRANSMISSION