I was drinking my coffee this morning, scrolling through the weekend auction results on Bring a Trailer, and I nearly spit it out on my keyboard.
We talk about “inflation” and “market adjustments,” but what happened yesterday is just insanity.
A 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser—a vehicle that cost about $30,000 when it was new—just hammered sold for $92,000.
Read that again. Someone just paid nearly six figures for a Toyota with a plastic dashboard and the aerodynamics of a brick. For that money, you could buy a brand new Porsche Cayman, a Corvette C8, or two Ford Broncos.
Here is why the “Toyota Tax” is officially out of control, and what it means for your garage.
The “Unkillable” Premium
Why is this happening? Because modern cars are getting too complicated.
The FJ Cruiser (and the older Land Cruisers) represent the last era of “Analog Reliability.” They have naturally aspirated engines. They don’t have mild-hybrid systems, 10-speed transmissions, or giant touchscreens that control the air conditioning.
Collectors are terrified of modern repair bills. They are willing to pay a premium for a car they know will start every time, even if the technology is 15 years old. They aren’t buying a car; they are buying peace of mind.
The “Last of its Kind” Factor
Toyota stopped making the FJ in 2014. They replaced it with… nothing.
The new 2026 Land Cruiser is great, but it’s a hybrid 4-cylinder. The purists hate it. They want the V6. They want the quirky styling. When you can’t buy it new anymore, the used prices skyrocket. It’s the same reason air-cooled Porsches are expensive—scarcity creates value.
Should You Sell Yours?
If you have a clean, low-mileage Toyota truck (Tacoma, 4Runner, or FJ) sitting in your driveway, you are driving a winning lottery ticket.
Check the odometer. If it’s under 60,000 miles, park it. Detail it. List it. You might be sitting on enough equity to pay off your mortgage (or at least buy a very nice watch).
I’m Working on a 4Runner Today.
Speaking of Toyotas, I’ve got a 2002 4Runner on the lift right now. It has 250,000 miles on it and it’s still running strong, but the suspension is shot.
I’m installing a new Bilstein lift kit this afternoon. If you want to see how to swap out struts without knocking your teeth out with a spring compressor, I’m streaming the install.
