vermontoyota

note: did a search, didn't turn up anything, don't get mad.


What do you guys think? Which iteration was better, 4th generation or 5th generation trucks? Please give opinion and justification. Lets say both have the 2.7 I4 to keep the powerplant as a constant. My reason for the poll is that I got a 3rd gen truck after my 4th gen bit the dust. I'll be in the market for an additional rig soon (definitely keeping my 94) and can't decide if I want another 4th gen (low mileage 2004) or a new one. Your opinions on the overall issue and the following categories would be appreciated. Thanks!

Reliability:
Use as DD:
Use as trail rig:
Suspension:
Gas mileage:
Fun-to-Drive:
Initial Quality:
Body Integrity (see rust):
Workability (DIY):
Overall:

I posted this in the 5th gen forum too so I gen some unbiased results. Thanks a lot.

vermontoyota

Wow no opinions?

Mtn Mike

iTrader: (1)

An unbiased opinion? What's that? I prefer the 4th gen Taco's because they're smaller and they seem more "truck like" to me. I'm not a big fan of the "bigger is better" mentality, started by the domestic junk manufacturers. I do like the 5th gen 4.0, but that's about it.

edit: I've only test driven the 5th gen, so my experience is limited as far as drivability

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

I had a 5th Gen, '05 Tacoma DC TRD OR, I loved it. It seated my family of 5 comfortably. I have also owned an '81, '84, '86 4Runner, '97 Tacoma,

My '97 X-Cab was a great truck with the 2.7. Good mileage, manueverable.

Reliability: it was typical toyota
Use as DD: with 285's I was getting about 14 around town, 17'ish on the road
Use as trail rig: great power and torque with the v-6, too tight on the trail, I bought an '81
Suspension: OK, typical toyota rear springs that sucked, front pretty much the same at from 95.5
Gas mileage: toyota 4x4 mileage always sucks 14-17'ish running 285's and weight of sliders/bumper
Fun-to-Drive: very fun. the 4.0 power was addicting
Initial Quality: '05 paint was soft, chipped when it saw a rock
Body Integrity (see rust): owned for 3 years no rust
Workability (DIY): practical truck even with the short bed double cab. Great Towing and brakes
Overall: I would still own it if I had not needed a vehicle that would seat 7-8 people, but I would not use it for double duty as a trail Rig





I would love to have an '01-04 3.4l supercharged Doublecab SAS'ed...

impreza

Well I bought a 2007 Tacoma TRD off-road v-6 auto access cab with 23 miles on it and owned it for about 16 months. I loved the powerful engine and the smooth tranny. I did some mild wheeling with it and it was amazing. This was my first truck ever and my first experience with wheeling. I even did some snow wheeling and loved having the locking rear diff. Gas mileage was great when I was good with the throttle. I had a topper and after selling it I did notice a slight drop in mileage per tank. I had the rear leafs replaced by Toyota per the TSB. After replacing them the truck rode much better, it made the truck feel more stable especially when loaded. The steering wheel mounted audio controls were nice and the stereo was great.
On the downside I had 3 speeding tickets, I know that was my fault and not the trucks, it was always hard judging the speed. I also had a really hard time with the size of the truck, I know it was not really that big but it seemed huge to me. Hard to park and squeeze into tight places.
As for compared to a 4th gen Tacoma, I have driven my dads 5 spd, and it is a great truck as well. I like the smaller feel of his truck and it still has enough power for most situations.
I have a baby coming any day now so the Tacoma had to go and we now have a 3rd gen 4runner.
Best purchase ever, my wife and I love the 4runner, the engine is not as strong as the 4.0, but that should keep me out of trouble. I have already taken the runner out wheeling and cannot believe how capable it is. So I am now solidly a 3rd gen 4runner fan. I know it's a long post but I hope this helps a little.
Aaron
edit: I forgot to add one thing that really bugged me. The new Tacoma is made here in the US. That was a big issue for me. I just can't trust that. My 4runner is made in Japan and that makes me much more happy. I try very hard to make sure all my vehicles come from Japan not just from Japanese companies.

cackalak han

I've driven 5th Gen trucks and they rode very well. For a DD, I'd go with a 5th Gen for comfort. But I DD my 4th Gen and no complaints. It does ride stiffer, but it's a truck.

Read up on the 5th Gen frame cracking issue. 4th Gen's do have the rust issue, but they all get taken care of. Just be sure to check before buying.

BTW, to impreza, all Tacoma's are assembled in the US. I've owned two 3rd Gen's and now this Tacoma. All had over 100k miles. They all had the same issues with rattles and such. I see no huge difference in initial quality now that I've had the Tacoma for a while. They're both very reliable vehicles.

scuba

Woah woah, Sorry but I've never heard of them called 4th and 5th gen. I've always called them First and Second gen Tacoma's. In all honesty the only time I've been in a 2nd gen Taco is on a lot. I do think that just by looking at them they are verrry wide, and depening on which cab size you get, (forget trying to find a single cabe 4x4 base) I think they are to long. I love my taco, Still small like the older trucks, yet with the 2.7 has great power, reliability, manuverability and trail rig toughness.

Mtn Mike

iTrader: (1)

Then maybe you need to pay more attention. Think I may have found me a new sig quote




95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners
44,176469,760
03+ 4Runner/GX470, & 05+ Tacomas
4th gen 4Runners & 5th gen trucks
1,18813,

scuba

I still think that BS, Toyota made the TACOMA, Not the Pickup anymore.

TexanTaco

First of all good decision on the 3rd gen 4runner, they are the perfect size, comfortable, and they look awesome. I've only test driven a Tacoma with the 4.0 V6 and it really is a beast, but it feels a lot bigger also. I would buy one in a heartbeat though, I was very impressed with the 5th gen.

I wouldn't put too much importance on the truck being made in Japan, a Toyota assembled in the U.S. is made to the same standards. It just doesn't have to travel as far.

impreza

I was/am not trying to upset anyone about the whole made in the US thing, however thanks for setting me straight on the Tacoma history. As you may notice from my username, I'm from the Subaru world. There has always been a big gap between the impreza and the legacy, the impreza is from Japan and the legacy is built here. I just feel that the quality control standards and expectations are different between the two countries even within a single company. This in purely my personal opinion so it's neither right or wrong, it's just my feeling on the subject. I'm not upset or trying to start anything, just laying some thoughts out there.

vermontoyota

Thanks for the info. great pics ocdropzone!!

I did test drive an 07' a few months ago and was impressed. Very nice truck. I guess time will tell which generations are the most reliable.

It looks like the 5th gens get better gas mileage too. I still miss my 4th gen and am honestly nervous about not getting my hands on a nice one while they are still in abundance. When I'm 50 I know I'll be missing my old truck and wishing I had snatched one up before they all went out to pasture. The way the 5th gens are selling (and none of them are getting bought back) I think there's at least 20 years before anyone needs to worry about missing THAT train.