s.jordan.m
New member
What do you think, build a 10 year old tacoma prerunner for expedition travel or save up and wait for the new tacoma to come out and build it up?
10 year old tacoma vs brand new tacoma
- Thread starter s.jordan.m
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NitroRoo
New member
I'd say it totally depends on what you need it for. If it's going to be primary transportation and a family vehicle, it might make sense to look at newer ones. On the other hand if you are really going to take on some tough off road with it and build it up, it makes way more sense to buy an older one. Of course this all depends on budget. If you've got a thick wallet you can do both.
I recently bought a 2012 Frontier because I was tired of constantly fixing old vehicles. Don't regret the decision one bit but any off roading will be fairly tame for now. Don't want to scratch the shiny new paint!
I recently bought a 2012 Frontier because I was tired of constantly fixing old vehicles. Don't regret the decision one bit but any off roading will be fairly tame for now. Don't want to scratch the shiny new paint!
p nut
butter
I agree with Nitro. New ones will be more comfortable, old ones will be slightly more capable due to the smaller size.
Also, not sure what you consider to be "expedition travel", but I would go for a 4x4. Being out in the middle of nowhere in 2wd makes me nervous. Plenty have done some amazing travels in 2wd vehicles, but I'm not that talented or gutsy.
Also, not sure what you consider to be "expedition travel", but I would go for a 4x4. Being out in the middle of nowhere in 2wd makes me nervous. Plenty have done some amazing travels in 2wd vehicles, but I'm not that talented or gutsy.
AeroNautiCal
Explorer
Also, if it's a completely new model, you might want to wait to see if there's any bugs that need ironing out... Not something to discover in the middle of nowhere!
Saguache
Adventurer
If you can find the used taco, you're going to be better off in my opinion. In fact, I just did the same thing and bought a 2003 double cab. Drove both the G1 and G2 and I suppose I'm a G1 man for sure. Just so many advantages Toyota tossed when they built the new version.
Like what?? I have really been hoping to find a G2 4x4 2.7l. Just curious
dnorrell
Adventurer
As a bigger fella, my decision was a bit easier to make as I knew I would be more comfortable in the cabin of the 2nd gen, particularly because I wanted a regular cab. I looked around a bit at older trucks, but the dang things hold their value so well. I got a fantastic deal on a 2013 regular cab and have since fallen head-over-heels in love with this little truck.
tanglefoot
ExPoseur
I think a lot of people prefer the smaller size of the gen1 Tacoma and the simpler systems, such as the lever-operated transfer case and lack of traction control.
I always prefer used trucks to new ones. The used ones already have scratches on them and they're usually less of a financial burden, unless you get a really high-maintenance wreck. I also can't bring myself to change anything on a new one--used ones are much more conducive to tinkering.
I would have a hard time justifying the PreRunner as well. The price and MPG are just so close to the 4wd, and having two drive axles and low-range gearing opens up a lot of terrain opportunities.
I would be looking for a 2.7 as well...I wish it was available in the 1st gen 4wd double-cabs! At least one person has gotten around that, but I'm not one for engine swaps or 4wd grafts.
I always prefer used trucks to new ones. The used ones already have scratches on them and they're usually less of a financial burden, unless you get a really high-maintenance wreck. I also can't bring myself to change anything on a new one--used ones are much more conducive to tinkering.
I would have a hard time justifying the PreRunner as well. The price and MPG are just so close to the 4wd, and having two drive axles and low-range gearing opens up a lot of terrain opportunities.
I would be looking for a 2.7 as well...I wish it was available in the 1st gen 4wd double-cabs! At least one person has gotten around that, but I'm not one for engine swaps or 4wd grafts.
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Clutch
<---Pass
What cab configuration? There is a Magnetic Gray RC at Desert Toyota as of today, just swung by there.
Seems like the 2nd Gen is just the right size, not to big not to small. I find the 1st Gen, a little on the small side at times.
I could get over the no transfercase lever pretty quick.
tanglefoot said:
Yeah I saw that swap, I dunno seems rather pointless to me, no real gains for the amount of work involved, kinda going backwards IMO.
s.jordan.m
New member
Hey Everyone, Thank you for all the input so far. I appreciate the advice! As great a condition my truck is in, One thing I'm unsure of is sending the time and money building up my truck to the then have 10 year old problems with the vehicle to deal with. What do you think?
trump
Adventurist
What ten year old problems?
J
JWP58
Guest
For the premium that the 1st gens are going for, I'd get a 2nd gen. I got my Reg cab with 32k miles for 15k out the door. Thats what people are asking for 2003's...
Saguache
Adventurer
I'll caveat this by saying that this is largely my opinion so you're free to agree or not with me. Much of my preference comes from the fact that Toyota decided to "upgrade" the size of the Tacoma from a compact-truck of yesterday to a mid-sized truck in the next generation. The latest batch of trucks is roughly about the size of the older T-100 and this added width, length and weight translates into less stock trail agility. Yes, there are plenty of additions and modifications that anyone can make to a G2 taco to improve agility, but in the end if you're trying to turn a hair-pin switch back on Engineer Pass with traffic coming down the hill, at least for myself, I'd prefer the slighter, smaller vehicle.
I've lived for extended periods of time out of a variety of vehicles (4Runner, Vanagons, Subarus, bikes, etc). My experiences in doing this have lead me to be a strong believer in "less is more". Personally, I like to pear down my basic life support systems as much as possible thereby increasing resilience and simultaneously reducing complexity. I know that there are some really comfortable rides out there, but my experience with these has been one of disappointment. Complex/comfortable systems tend to break or breakdown given time (and mileage) which generally means you're doing without the comforts you thought you'd be taking with you or worse, you're doing without the vehicle entirely. With smaller, simpler things you tend to be able to weather these moments.
Skinny
Active member
I want to avoid coming off in a negative manner because I am trying to be helpful. You can't compare a new Tacoma to a 1st gen...PERIOD. The 05' and newer truck looks more like an S-10 underneath than a Japanese truck. Yes, they are good rigs and my family has owned two of them with the last one going more than 230,000 miles with nothing more than scheduled maintenance and an alternator at 90k. Pretty much perfect and more than anyone could ask for in any vehicle.
Having said that...
The only thing easier to repair and bulletproof than an 85' Hilux with a 22RE or a diesel is a 1st gen Taco with a 3RZ. If you can get past the pesky EGR system (which is easy to maintain once you know how it works) it is the most simple and reliable gas motor you will ever encounter. That rig is the best compromise in performance and reliability. It has a lot of classic Toyota engineering that you will see when you work on it. Designed to be fixed with basic hand tools in a 3rd world country. The current Taco...not so much.
That is all fact. My personal opinion...the new ones are obese, lethargic, floppy trucks with no driveline feel. The standard trans has no feel with the electronic throttle, steering is vague, and even though the cab is bigger you still have a hard time mounting up additional switches or a cb radio.
Having said that...
The only thing easier to repair and bulletproof than an 85' Hilux with a 22RE or a diesel is a 1st gen Taco with a 3RZ. If you can get past the pesky EGR system (which is easy to maintain once you know how it works) it is the most simple and reliable gas motor you will ever encounter. That rig is the best compromise in performance and reliability. It has a lot of classic Toyota engineering that you will see when you work on it. Designed to be fixed with basic hand tools in a 3rd world country. The current Taco...not so much.
That is all fact. My personal opinion...the new ones are obese, lethargic, floppy trucks with no driveline feel. The standard trans has no feel with the electronic throttle, steering is vague, and even though the cab is bigger you still have a hard time mounting up additional switches or a cb radio.