+Sir Mutton Chops Taco's have always been pretty pricey. I remember when my dad bought a brand new '98 w/ extended cab 6 cylinder with 4x4, and it was roughly 22,000
+Eric Shugart I just looked up what that price would be with inflation out of curiousity, and its 32,500 so they have stayed pretty consistant with inflation taken into account.
+Sir Mutton Chops There is no "small truck" on the US market anymore. The taco, colorado, etc of today are the size of 1990's full size trucks(silverado, f150).
+Craig Flanick soo true i just got a 3.4 liter manual 1st gen tacoma for the size cause i dont want big i want small nimble and capable (soon it will be once i turbo it )
Same here. I live in Northern Wi with a 2WD ranger! Had it 5 years and only put 1,000 miles or so on it because it's always on jackstands. damn ford. Just can't trust it now
The second Gen destroyed the 3rd Gen, not surprised. I liked my 06. The new one not so much. The fuel Eco on the new one didn't impress me, not worth the debt for the trade up imo.
+C Steele They had ten years to plan for the next generation. A 1.5 mpg increase is pretty pathetic. Many full size trucks get better fuel economy than the new Tacoma. I would rather get the Colorado or Canyon diesel and get 31 mpg and probably closer to 34-35 once it breaks in. Not to mention the additional 104 lb feet of torque.
+Randy Cupp Yeah it's pretty pathetic I agree. While I like the design and the offroad capability of the 3rd gen, the mediocre mpg isn't impressive. Most full size trucks will do 25mpg even with the v8's. They didn't even change the 4cyl it should have been a turbo or even better a diesel. I'm waiting for the Colorado duramax diesel or the Nissan Frontier diesel runner to come out
C Steele Before I settled for my 2015 I waited to see the numbers for the 2016s and was not impressed so I went with the 15 and I have not regretted my decision at all
I went to trade in my 2006, and test drove a 2018 and unfortunately I had to tell the sales guy I couldn't downgrade. He just smiled and said "I understand, have a great day"
Same here. I smoked a 2500HD today in the rain. A 99 GT stang I stayed with. I beat a few 3rd gens. People talk numbers, but in reality, pedal to the metal, 3rd gen just stays behind. 4.0 has the launch torque, acceleration and top speed, not to mention proper shifting. 2nd gen hits 122mph and most modern trucks only touch maybe 98
Kinda proves the 3rd gen was a step in the wrong direction lol, I worked at Toyota the time this truck just rolled out and my test drives on trucks with 0 miles I hated, I thought the transmission was a bad match despite it being a 6 speed. Funny to see the new truck can’t even beat out the first gen lol warms my heart!
AsianPersuation24x7 the should’ve used the 8 speed from the land cruiser so I’m hoping they add it when it’s refreshed and use the engine from the current camry
@@bikeislife8405do you have a 3rd gen with the manual? I have an 03 with a 2.7 liter 4 cylinder with the 5 speed manual and I'm looking for a newer Tacoma. I've heard the 16 and 17's have transmission issues s Zi would only get a 6 speed manual if Zi was looking at one of those. Just wondering what your experience is if you have one. Just researching it before buying.
This is basically my situation! Love these trucks! Mine is manual and at the time of typing this i've got something approaching 260,000~ miles or thereabouts. Fun to work and learn on and I am not a 'mechanic' by any means but I love how these are pretty straightforward.
Hey TFL Truck, I would check your figures. 2nd Gen @ 4.397 Gallons over a 100 mile trip = 22.742 MPG (My math) Your MPG 20.7 3rd Gen @ 4.406 Gallons over a 100 mile trip = 22.696 MPG (My math) Your MPG 22.2 Unless I am missing something or my math is off I believe you may have a little issue with your figures. I'm a big fan of the show and just want the facts to be reported truthfully! ~Regards Capt. Hall
+Taylor Hall 4.397 gallons was before they let the pressure in the tank equalize. They continue to fill it after. Usually another 1/8 gallon goes in. Bad editing on their part.
bayareasolarpower ‘01 3.4 here, still going on long trips with 260k miles. I have no fears with it whatsoever. I wouldn’t be able to say the same if I had an ‘01 Ford Ranger with that kinda miles!
@HAZOX Outside look yes. I do agree there but the inside no, the second is still better, it feels like a truck and the seats are hands down better then the 3rd gens.
I don't know who is selling the narrative that a smaller pickup won't sell, because all I hear no matter where I go is how much everyone misses smaller trucks. There's a reason 2004 Tacomas can still fetch prices in the mid-teens.
Som Guy i’ve been pondering this for quite some time. Think it’s a combination of classing up in vehicle weight in order to achieve mpg/cafe standards more easily. And. Since gas has been cheap and people like bigger Trucks on account of ego. I guess safety is also factor. Larger is safer But Toyota is absolutely missing out on a large segment of the market who prefer a smaller truck. Myself included
First gen was and will always be the best, it saves gas and was powerfull for a truck so small. Engines last longer than most cars out there. Tacomas will always be the truck i buy
I'm with Nathan when it comes to simplicity, especially in a pickup. The more gizmos it has the more likely it is to break. That is even more true if you are the type that keeps a truck for a long time.
Watch it again....on both races the 3gen driver does not do a good straight line run...looses easily 5 to 10 seconds on the take off alone ..looks like he swerves to his left to avoid the starter .....that being said I can see the 2nd gen winning based on the better tranny.
whoa whoa whoa, why didn't they say a WORD about why the 2nd gen (my truck's a 2nd gen) was so far ahead of the "more efficient and same power" 3rd gen? disliked the video.
Thanks guys for this mash up! As a first time taco owner (2013) I appreciate this. I love the trucks because they aren't your ordinary "car like bow tie midsized truck" They are super reliable and at least around these parts (Pacific Northwest) they seriously hold their value..Toyota=quality and solid trucks.
Throughout the video I was rooting for the 2nd gen, cause I have a 2015 almost exactly like the one shown, except in red. I like the 1st and 2nd gen the best. The 3rd is alright, it’s the one that I see EVERYWHERE around my state. I always smile whenever I see a 1st or 2nd gen, since they go more unnoticed. In 2023 it’s the last year of the 3rd gen, so I wonder what the 2024 model will bring. Not a fan of the upcoming styling and engine choice (plus the bump in starting price) however only time will tell- it might be good.
H. Got a 2000 4runner 2.7 and its been leaps and bounds more reliable than my previous american trucks and SUVs. Its even faster than my old 4.6 f150 and pretty close to my 5.0 explorer all while getting better mpg. Ill keep this one for a while, but my next truck is definitely gonna be a 1st gen 3.4 tacoma
@@DafuckyallLookingAt bro haha I actually did get rid of it a while ago. But I bought a 1993 4x4 4runner a few months ago, fully rebuilt the engine and got it painted the same metallic blue, will be picking up this weekend.
I was in my supercharged 1St gen when I saw this dude cutting in n out of traffic in his 3Rd Gen driving way faster than traffic with all the TRD gear with new tags on it. It was a nice truck for sure and it seemed he thought he was hot stuff. The next red light we both ended up at the front next to each other. The light turned green and we both nailed the throttle. I beat him by at least a car length. Made me feel good about the old Yota :)
Well that was mean now wasn't it ;) I don't like the powerband on the 3.5L. Peak tq at 4600. I test drove a 2017 6mt and it did not feel near as torquey as my 6mt FJ with the 4.0.
Nicely bought Nathan, I love your 1st gen Tacoma. I sure miss the days when you could find a small, simple, inexpensive pickup with a manual transmission pretty easily. I love the looks of the first gen, too-- it is not overstyled like the 2nd and 3rd in my opinion. If you haven't seen it yet, you should check out Toyota's modern Back to the Future Tacoma Concept. It has the styling of the earlier Toyota pickups incorporated into the new truck. What I wouldn't give for all Tacomas to be styled like that one.
What's better than 1 Tacoma!? 3 Tacomas!!! Excellent video guys!!! That 1st Gen Tacoma is beautiful. If I could travel back in time for a brand new one I'd get it over the other 2 any day.
I've owned both an 09 with the 4.0 and the newer 16 with the 3.5. I don't know how long the distance was (as in feet) in the "drag race" the 3.5 needs to spool up like a lot of newer engines. Once the 3.5 does it will walk away from the 4.0. Going down the freeway at 60-65 and hammer it and there is really no comparison.
The 1st gen was such a reliable vehicle. We use to tear up the sand dunes at Camp Lejuene's Onslow beach, good memories. Thanks guys, great review. Nathan were was Roman? You guys make quite the duo.
I have a 2nd gen (2011) and love it, but I think both 1st and 3rd gens are also great trucks for their own reasons. Besides Wranglers and 4Runners, there really isnt any other small/mid size trucks that are good daily drivers but also great off roaders. Everything these days is either a cross over or boat size truck you can't fit down most trails
I test drove 2nd and 3rd gen and 2nd gen Tacoma felt wider , just one more reason why I went for a 2nd gen although both are great , very reliable , personally I liked better the 2nd gen and it’s been great
Was watching the racing again. Seems like the 2nd gen made the 3rd gen its bitch when it comes to power. I understand the move by Toyota to focus more on fuel economy though.
The new atkinson cycle engine is freaking awesome... a 3.5 liter atkinson engine uses the fuel of a 3.0 liter while making the power of like a 3.3-3.4 liter engine. The 4.0 was beat by 7k lb 90s diesel pickups for mileage too haha
Great idea comparing older versions of the same truck to it's contemporary. It may be hard to do this regularly, but it sure does give folks good context of how much improvement (or not) the current version brings. I had a 2002 Tacoma Prerunner X-cab V6 automatic and, even with the slush box, was a sprightly truck. For a tall guy with long legs, the interior was cramped and uncomfortable. I traded that in on a 2006 Tacoma 2wd (5 lug) 4 cyl access cab automatic. The interior was much roomier, though the seats were still low to the floor. It doesn't look like they addressed that in the newest truck.
Awesome episode! You guys work very hard to review and test vehicles. You even include real MPG tests. Most guys just take a car out and look at the MPG the car came with on paper or look at on board computer. Also awesome real world car testing either off-road or hauling testing.
???????? Really enjoyed the video but.... are you sure you calculated the fuel mileage correctly ??? You indicated you were taking both trucks on a 98 mile loop ... the Gen 2 used 4.397 gallons of fuel and the Gen 3 used 4.406 gallons of fuel,.. sooo if both trucks used the same 98 mile loop how did you come up with 20.7 on the Gen2 and 22.2 on the Gen 3 ????????
do a fuel efficiency test of the 1st gen, i bet it will get etter mpg than the 2nd and 3rd gen despite less power, less efficient engine, older design and a higher mileage truck
I don't know about that. My 1st gen 5 speed with the 3.4 gets around 16 on average. Maybe if you short shift the shit out of it you can get it above 20.
+InYo Face first of all, those aren't Tacomas. The Tacoma started in '97. Also that fact is also just not accurate. My friend has a normal cab with the I4, I have the extra cab with the V6. He can barely climb hills with his, I have plenty of excess power. Again, I have the EXACT same truck that's in this video, except mine is a 2003, a year older. I guarantee you that if they tried testing the mpg of the 1st gen, it would fall short.
+InYo Face Tacomas started in 95 and anything before that is not the same truck as the 1st gen tacoma. All though the pickups were the predecessor for the tacoma name they are very different.
2016 and up was indeed a step in the wrong direction. The 3.5 is a gutless turd sack unless you are above 3.8k rpm where it finally wakes up. I rented one of these on a biz trip in AZ a few weeks back (2021) and it was really disappointing. Also what is w the auto trans constantly up and downshifting on slight grades on the highway. My 08 4Runner Limited w the 4.0 and 5 speed auto which weighs a lot more than the current gen Tacoma is superior in terns of power and especially where you actually need it. I towed a 4500 lb 14’ loaded trailer from Oregon to Colorado and the 4.0 didn’t really struggle to cope w the load. I can’t even imagine the 3.5 being able to safely get a loaded trailer move off the line considering its serious lack of low end grunt. This car engine has no place in a truck (my opinion) even w the 8% gain in fuel economy. Toyota really should have done a better job considering such an important vehicle segment. Also the head room and rear seat room is an absolute joke for anyone over 5’10”.
Ive got up to 19.5 MPG on the highway going 75 MPH in my ‘01 3.4 with 260k Miles; probably got better mileage back in it’s younger years. I believe stock they got 17 city and 20 Highway.
3.5 should theoretically be more efficient, but the figures seemed off in the video (see one of the comment threads above) - in real world testing, the 3.5L doesn't really edge the 4.0L, returning roughly the same economy in most normal conditions. If you're driving purely around town or on short hauls (like as a farm truck), the 3.5L will return a few MPGs more, but scarcely enough to justify the drop in low-end grunt from the 4.0L.
Sorry, but the second gen is not the "same" truck as the first gen. It has a 4.0 vs the 3.4 in the first gen. The race was a no brainer. I've smoked new trucks with my 04 double cab TRD. My buddies '15 with the 4.0 is even faster than my double cab. The new 3.5 is garbage.
With a load the 2nd gen gets better mpg from what I have discovered also you guys did not talk about how gutless the 3rd gen is with a load. The 2015 is faster, stronger and has more torque. I was going to buy a 3rd gen and the mechanics at Toyota talked me out of it (I do work for Toyota). A second gen come in the lot with 10k and I bought it a year and a half ago. So glad I did not buy the 3rd gen, so many friends are dissapointed with their 3rd gen.
So the second gen is faster, better on gas, looks better and are cheaper since they're used now. I thought trucks are supposed to get better with redesigns. I'm surprised people are buying the new Tacoma's. Looks like a used 2nd gen is a better deal.
I don't understand why he says the first and second gen tacomas are pretty much the same, and that the 2016 is way different... The jump from 1st to 2nd generation Tacoma's was way bigger then 2nd to 3rd
update I did an oil change today on my 2001 3.4L. 3500 miles between oil changes and I have 182000 miles. oil on the dipstick looked BRAND NEW. I was amazed. and it didn't even use a drop of oil. tell me a Tacoma isn't reliable...
What was Toyota thinking with the new truck? Oh, that's right...they weren't! Drum brakes? Is this 1948? Plastic cargo box? On a work vehicle? Low car-like seating position? In a truck?? Less torque than the 11 year old outgoing model?? A pricetag equal to full size trucks???? WHAT? And... less than intelligent people continue to buy them up like candy. Consumers are ignorant in this country. Toyota Salesman: "Hey, for more money I'll sell you less truck than you can get from other brands." Buyer: "Sure! Where do I sign?"
+Shawn Crowe So true. I could not have said it better! Toyota keeps playing the reliability card. Lets be real here. You can buy any brand now days and if you take care of the vehicle it will reliable for well beyond the amount of time that people actually keep them. Toyota could have done so much better considering that they had ten years to prepare. The sad part is that they barely even changed the body. Personally I think they could have done absolutely nothing to the truck other than change the headlight style and all of the Toyota fanboys would claim it is the most revolutionary truck on the road...
+Chris Taylor Yeah, I drove a 1995 Toyota T100 4x4 with the 3.4L for 9 years. It was a great truck but the 3.4 was grotesquely under powered. I love the new Colorado's! I can't see why someone would purchase a Tacoma when you could get the Colorado with the Duramax and get 31 mpg and probably closer to 34-35 once it breaks in and not to mention an extra 104 lb feet of torque.
+fusionstar916 In ten years the Tacoma will be worth roughly 2-3% more than the Tacoma assuming that they are both the gasoline version. However if the Colorado is the diesel version it will probably hold a 45% higher re-sale over the Tacoma assuming they are both high mileage vehicles by that point. However the Tacoma has a much higher resale in the short term, say 2 to 7 years. unfortunately after 10 years and several thousand miles re-sale value margins get extremely close regardless of brand. I like Toyota an GM about the same as I have owned both. They both have their problems. I do however think the GM twins with a Duramax is a better all around truck for 90% of the American public looking to buy in this segment. Unless you have to drive through a mountain range every day to get to work in which case the Toyota may be better. Or you could always put a lift on the diesel Colorado.
Because you will pay a ~3600 premium to get the diesel, making the total price close to that of the well equipped Tacoma. Plus, you have to remember, that Tacoma is build for a specific group, just like the Colorado. The Colorado sucks off road while the Tacoma rocks. Neither will do well in an environment they were not ultimate build for. Tacoma is a play truck while all other midsize are payment pounding mall crawlers.
Toyota is a much more reliable truck, don't try to sale your bullshit, I've had them all, I've never seen a tacoma dead on the road, but I've seen hundreds of chevy's and more ford's. Stop pretending you don't know that.
I don’t see how people like 2nd gen over 3rd gen. 3rd gen is the best looking mid size truck out there. No Chevy fans allowed here, bcox Colorado is uglier than me.
Don't care for the interior much. 1st generation had the right idea and stuck to a fabric and a plastic. 2nd gen used over three different materials on the dashboard alone and they used fabric on the door handles which I can't stand.
Hate to burst your bubble there Nathan, but unless I’m just completely wrong 1995.5-2004 (first gen) only offered a 4-speed auto or a 5-speed manual. They didn’t offer the 5-speed auto until the second gen. That being said, I have an ‘01 with 257k miles on her, and she still runs more or less like she did in 2001!
Watching this video again, and saw my old comment! I now have 293k miles, and she’s still going strong. The only issues I have are the factory leaf spring bushings are getting really squeaky and the front end is getting sketchy. Seems like it’s time for a new suspension on all four corners!
the one to get is the 1st gen 4 wheel drive with the 4 cylinder 3RZ motor. Most reliable, cheapest to maintain...easy to work on (although it most likely won't need much work if any). Besides that 4 cylinders are what started the toyota puckup craze.
I wish Toyota would make a smaller pickup with a fuel efficient 4 cylinder. I've got an 06 Prerunner and it's more truck than I need nowadays. I really wish I'd kept my 98 b2300.
second and third gen have weak structural tailgates Toyota did that to have weight off but their is nothing rugged about them only plastic on the top nothing on the inside.Mechanically all great trucks I have a 2013 no plans to trade it in for the new Tacoma.
Todays plastic is not like it was years ago. Composite materials have made plastic nearly as strong as metal with better weigh ratios and no rust. Not that that justifies using too much, but when it can be substituted in certain places, it makes sense. A composite truck bed is not going to be a deal breaker for nearly the entire Tacoma crowd. They had to save weight some where as well to get the 11% or 1 mpg better efficiency anyway right? ;)
thanks, since posting that last comment i got to test drive the 3rd gen tacoma. booooy was i ever disappointed when i tried to floor it on the highway, my 2010 i used to own felt like it picked up way quicker, even though it had like 40ish less horsepower. i honestly feel the 3rd gen isn't a big enough upgrade compared to the second gen. like when i went from my old 2001 to my 2010, MASSIVE difference, in both power and towing. the newest one was just "meh".
@@samwell707 I recently made a video of my '09. I race all the time in public and rip slides. The 4.0L pushes hard, but I push my truck really hard. I have a history with some other types of cars.
The 2nd and 3rd gens are almost exactly the same. They are about the same size internally and externally and they look very similar, not to mention that they have the same frame. The first gen is an absolutely different vehicle. Different frame, different technology, much lighter and much smaller.
+Chris Babb Different engine, different transmission, different front end, different bed, different interior, different electronics, wait, what were you saying again?
Different engine on the same frame, (except the four cylinder that's the same egine and same manual trans) different styling (who cares). Nearly identical dimensions, same bed construction, almost identical suspension, same infotainment technology (slightly refined in 3rd gen), similar weight. Of course they are different those basic things you listed cannot be exactly the same if they want to call it a new generation, but they are much closer to each other than the first and second gen are to each other which is what the video tried to claim.
Chris Babb Fair enough. 1 to 2 was definitely a much bigger change. I just hear a lot of claims that the 3rd is the same as the 2nd, when other vehicles have had even more subtle changes between generations without the same criticism.
No I agree they are definitely not exactly the same truck at all. They just have some similarities. I was just shocked when he said that one and two were more alike than 2 and 3.
Well done! You guys should make more episodes like this comparing previous gen trucks to their newer counterparts! I would be very interested to see something like the different Powerstrokes being compared against each other or the 5.4 F-150 compete against the 5.0 and the ecoboost.
wow only 1.5 mpg better well then I might buy the second gen then if its only off by 1 mpg.. I can get a better deal on 2nd gen plus the 2nd gen is better looking. yea the interior is a little dated but all I want is Sirius xm
+shawn benfield Or you could just get the Colorado/Canyon with a diesel. 31 mpg and probably closer to 34 -35 mpg once it breaks in. Not to mention an extra 104 lb feet of extra torque. But yeah They had ten years to plan for the next generation. A 1.5 mpg increase is pretty pathetic. Many full size trucks get better fuel economy than the new Tacoma.
+Randy Cupp Once you add 4 wheel drive and gearing for towing and off road the gas mileage ratings don't change much. They did increase power though so it will drive even better on the highway. I've never driven a gas powered truck that got much better than 21-22 mpg with 4x4. Even my 1991 Toyota pickup that only has 150hp gets about 21 on the highway. Most full size V8 powered trucks these days end up getting like 18 which does't sound like much but it matters. The smaller trucks fit places more easily and are generally better off road because of it. Fuel efficiency isn't the only factor. Yes the Chevy diesel gets significantly better gas mileage and diesel is awesome but it also costs way more money and it will take many years go make that up in saved fuel. It is also yet to be seen how fuel effecient that diesel is. Reliability really is the number one concern these days.
+Chris Babb I drove a Toyota T100 4x4 with the 3.4 for 9 years. It was a great truck but extremely under-powered. I got about 19 on the highway. If I towed 1500 pounds it would do it but it would struggle and sound like it was screaming because it would rev so high. My 1999 Jeep Cherokee with the inline 6 4.0L would take that same 1500 pounds and pull it like it was nothing. Sorry kind of went off on a tangent!!! Anyway you are correct about most of the full sized trucks getting about 18 or so. I will give credit to GM though the 5.3's will do low 20's on the highway. Anyway I think the Chevy Colorado with the Duramax diesel will prove to be very reliable. They have been using the 2.8 Duramax for years now in Asia so I think they should have all of the kinks worked out. As far as regaining the cost back for the upgrade price for the diesel, it always bothers me when people only think about the fuel saving making up for the upgrade in (X) amount of years. Most people are buying the diesel for its characteristics and then the fuel economy is a bonus. That upgrade price upon initial purchase will always be regained upon re-sell and a lot of times the resale price after ten years or so (with a diesel vehicle) will double the up grade price. For example I sold my 2001 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins with 200K miles for $12500 that same tuck with the same mileage in the gasoline version and in the same condition would have sold for around $4500 for a difference of 8 grand. If I can remember correctly the upgrade price for the diesel option in 2001 was probably around 4k.
+shawn benfield Yeah was hoping for at least 25mpg. I have an older Colorado 4x4 with the 3.5l inline 5cyl and it does 24mpg highway. Great little engine I didn't think it would be good but it surprises me. I only wish it had a turbo :) I'm waiting for the Colorado 2.8 duramax, or the Nissan Frontier with the 2.8 cummins to come out. those should do at least 25mpg or more.
+Chris Babb I'm not sure where you live, but where I live diesel is about $1.75 and regular gas is about $1.65 so there is hardly a difference at all. I'm not impressed at all with the new Tacoma. My EcoBoost F-150 is the largest F-150 you can buy (4 doors, 4x4, 6.5 foot bed, rear locker, etc.) and I'll easily get 20-22 MPG on the highway depending on the conditions. Why would I buy a Tacoma that has half the payload, half the towing, and would struggle to fit 5 full-size adults into it?
I have a 2003 4 door TRD with a 3.4L V6 engine with 109k miles. I love it. It's really fast to which I sometimes catch myself to have to slow down. I can really hear and feel the power in my truck for being small. It's not a 4x4 but here in the city I can't do much off roading which is ok but putting on some "meaty" all terrains gives it a tough look. I can't say how much I'm in awe with my truck for it's year and the well kept appearance.
dude what? 95-04 is first gen. they all share the same engines and compact pickup size. also, how can you completely leave out the 95 and 96 models. the 2nd and 3rd are bigger. there's only 3 gens of Tacoma's total.
