1st gen Taco vs previous gen pickup

My daughter is looking for her first car and is considering a 2wd Toyota pickup, XtraCab. If she was looking for a 4wd or V6, I'd recommend a Taco, to get a better power train, but for a 22RE 2wd is there a significant difference in comfort safety, reliability, parts availability etc, assuming condition, miles, maintenance records etc are comparable? We previously owned a T100 with torsion bar IFS, non-rack & pinion steering etc and I don't see those as reasons to get a Tacoma ... are any of the other spec differences important? Her friend has a 22RE 1st gen 4Runner that she's driven a lot but I thought a slightly newer truck would be better. FYI she wants a 5 speed ... they're hard to find.

Thanks in advance.

 

is there a reason she wants 2wd over 4? while the 22re is a well-thought-of engine it's still not as reliable as the 3.4 v6. the older trucks aren't quite as comfortable. there's a wealth of knowledge here on first gen tacomas. there isn't much she couldn't do on her own if she's into that kind of thing. I don't know as much about pre-tacos.

i looked at both when i was getting my truck, and went with the tacoma. my friend has a pre-taco, so i was able to compare. i don't regret the decision at all. 4wd was a must for wisconsin winters. i think it would be hard to justify 2wd over 4 pretty much anywhere. its nice to have when you need it.

good luck on your (daughter's) truck search!

 

I suppose cost plus fuel economy. Where she lives there's rarely snow in town (except this winter) but on the other hand she likes exploring in the mountains and desert, so I have been suggesting 4wd. She's in no hurry ... I think she should look for a 3rd gen T4R with either V6 or 2.7 four, but T4R's are even harder to find with stick. And before you say "what's wrong with an automatic?" she turned down my 3.4 4wd T100 which I offered her when I bought my 3rd gen Tacoma, because it wasn't a stick

 

If you're looking to adopt, I'll take your T100.

 

Sounds like she has her head on straight .

 

Too late, sold it last Spring.

 

I've never owned a T-100, but I would consider resell value in my calculation. Although I bought my tacoma with the intention of never selling, you just never know. Tacomas really do hold their value better than any other truck i've seen. Of course, since you are now a buyer, the tacoma is likely the more expensive option.

 

5 speeds are hard to find? I'd like to have me a spare pre-taco in auto but every one I see is a stick lol Rarely ever see autos.

We own first gen tacos and a 94 Pickup. The Pickup is actually a little roomier on the inside, not sure why haha.

The Tacomas are probably going to be a little more reliable but we still have the stock 3.0 in ours and it still goes. No idea how many miles are on it but it still chugs along even with 40's. I'd convince her to get a 4x4, because she could just leave it in 2wd and always have that option haha.

BTW they don't have airbags either if that's something that concerns you.

Here's ours.

 

Safety, power, ride quality, v6 reliability, available parts, power goes to tacoma. But those pre tacos definitely still got that cool classic factor.

 

i drive a stick...everything is wrong with an automatic...

sounds like a 4wd may make more sense, but everyone learns that lesson a different way. maybe her's is calling you to tow her butt out when she gets stuck

 

She's pretty independent ... plus I live 700 miles away Thanks for all the tips and suggestions, especially about the cam chain tensioner; having owned mostly belt-drive cars for the last 20 years I kind of assumed the cam drive of a 22RE was set-and-forget compared to a 5VZ-FE.

 

I used to own a 89 pickup with a 22re and now I have my 96 Tacoma 3.4. Got the tacoma for more power and comfort. The pickup was easier to work on but also required more attention as it is an older vehicle. Really cant go wrong with either. Both great trucks and I regret selling the pickup but my taco is getting there!