Would You Rather: Toyota FJ Edition
Let’s play a game of Would You Rather. You know the one: Would you rather eat 1000 cantaloupes or hang upside down from a tree for 10 days? Would you rather rake wet leaves for the rest of your life or commute every day on a tricycle? That sort of thing.
Except the twist to this game of Would You Rather is that it’s the FJ Edition, because right now, in one of those stars-aligned, sliding-doors, serendipitous, must-be-fate kind of internet things, Hagerty Marketplace has two Toyota FJs listed for sale: One is a 1975 FJ40 in factory green with a white top, and the other is a 2014 FJ Cruiser in Cement with a white top. The auction for the FJ40, currently at $7950 after 11 bids, ends this Friday, October 25, while the Cruiser, at $27,000 after 19 bids, ends on Tuesday the 29th.
The listing for the FJ40 states it was restored in 2002, though the driver-quality paint is bubbling and needs attention, with some rust and chips throughout, and the interior may need attention due to long-term storage. The 3.9-liter inline-six seems to run well and idle cleanly, and the truck is claimed to drive and shift well, but due to that extended storage, the mechanicals, too, may need some recommissioning.
Upgrades include a newer front seats, an aftermarket tuner and speakers, an auxiliary heater, a Weber carb, headers, electronic ignition, and an auxiliary fuel tank, while recent work done shows a new battery, new brakes and brake booster, new tires and wheels, and a new radiator. The odometer reads 15,252 miles, though actual mileage is unknown.
The rust claims in this listing are, if we’re being honest, not alarming in the slightest. Does “rust throughout” equate to see-through floorboards? Not even close. The rear leaf springs appear to be the orangest bits on the whole truck, but even that’s just on their surface. Sure, there’s some bubbling in a few places beneath paint, but nothing in the 201 photos accompanying the listing even hints at structural issues. This appears to be a solid #4 (fair) condition FJ40 with plenty of bumpy, slow, highly enjoyable life left in it.
The FJ Cruiser, meanwhile, comes from the final year of production. It’s an unmodified single-owner SUV with just 14,630 miles on its 260-hp 4.0-liter V-6, so it is hardly broken in. The listing states that the seller only drove the thing in summer weather, and that it is free from any substantial imperfections. Exterior goodies include a locking rear differential, rock sliders, a roof rack, and a tow hitch, while the inside features cloth upholstery, cruise control, a JBL stereo with 6-disc CD changer, rear parking assist, Bluetooth, power windows, locks, and mirrors, and on and on. All the modern conveniences, in other words.
The original FJ40 enjoyed a remarkably long production life, from 1960 to 1984 in most markets, with Brazilian production as the Bandeirante through 2001, and it did so relatively unchanged, even while the Land Cruiser lineup continued to evolve around it. They are hard to kill and almost universally loved, and for a few years there in the early 2010s, they were the utilitarian darlings of the collector car auction world. Accordingly, prices for the very best soared to six figures, and every so often we still see those results. Hagerty currently values them quite broadly, with #1 (concours) examples from 1975 hovering around $109,000 and #4 rigs like this one just north of $11,000.
As throwback vehicles go, the FJ Cruiser was a noble attempt by Toyota to capture some of that FJ40 love. Sales in the US only lasted seven years, though Toyota continued producing the Cruiser for overseas markets through 2022. Although it was by no means as barebones as its predecessor, right out of the showroom it was still a quite capable vehicle off pavement. Original MSRP hovered around $30,000, and they have held their value well in the secondary market, with Kelley Blue Book “Fair” pricing hovering around $25,000. A quick search of Edmunds.com shows 843 FJ Cruisers currently for sale nationwide, priced from $4150 for a 400,000-mile ’07 to $67,000 for three-owner 2012 with 4000 miles. Several with 150,000-plus miles on them that are priced around the mid-twenties. Which is all to say it will be interesting to see how astute Hagerty shoppers value this one in the coming days.
So, we ask you, astute Hagerty readers: Would you rather have a lumpy but loveable classic FJ40 for the low-low price of . . . at least $7950, or would you rather step into the cozy confines of a low-mileage, far more modern but perhaps less charming FJ Cruiser for a used-car price that could approach . . . $40,000? $50,000?
Oh, the ’75 FJ40, all-day, every day, hands down!
I own a 2010 FJC TT. It’s a great car, and bulletproof. But I’d love to have an old FJ40. They’re just cool.
Exactly!
Has a 74 FJ40 for five years and it was fun; strictly analog and bumpy. Mine drove well but topped out about 65 or so; no A/C so wife didn’t;t like it. Past few years the market has softened on these. I recently traded mine for a new Jeep Gladiator Mojave and love it. Miss the old school charm of the 40 but don’t think the market will come back for them as collectors. The FJ seems to be gaining strength in the collector market; probably a nice vehicle with Toyota build quality.
Really even a question?
The OG FJ40 is in a completely different class. Long after the plastic 2014 is relegated to the dustbin of history that 1975 will still be chugging along.
Not as refined, but the 1975 is an infinitely better vehicle, and one I’d happily clear space in the barn for.
I would pick the FJ40, just for the cool factor. I personally owned two FJ Cruisers from new, one in Army Green and one in Cavalry Blue. Both great rigs, if a bit underpowered. The rear doors got annoying dropping the kids off at school, and rear foot room sucked when they wore snow boots. Thing was a beast off-road, even unmodified. I drove both for a couple years and sold them for damn near what I paid for them, so they were practically free. Killer resale value.
Definitely the FJ!!!! No question about it.
I had an early 1980’s FJ (diesel) with Warn winch when I lived in the Philippines. Great vehicle! One thing that was never used was the “glow plug” to start the diesel – it was always pretty hot there – would have been nice to have AirCon though.
Once we drove it with 9 people in/on it, hanging on the sides and out the rear doors which were open – that kind of thing was pretty much SOP over there back in the day.
It took me everywhere, from the city streets of Makati, Manila to north Luzon, Cebu, etc – all over the country.
I would ask my driver to let me drive it, which he thought was hilarious with him sitting there while “the boss” drove.
Shout out to him – Hi Sonny!
Personally I liked my new 72 that I paid $3200 for including rear heater and undercoating. Sold it 1 1/2 years later for $3600. Then bought a used 74 ,was 6 months old, for$4400. Guess I should have kept them both
Owned a ’72 FJ40; have long wished I still did! FJ40 wins hands down!
I would want the ’75 for the classic looks but the ’14 would drive more like what I would want in a modern car.
Old FJ, no doubt about it!
Had 1984 diesel in the Philippines. Driver sometimes had someone help turn the steering wheel. Never had a desire to drive it.
I like the looks of the older ones. I much prefer the Land Cruiser Pickups instead.
I still miss my 1981 BJ40 (Canadian Diesel), she was an awesome truck. Hunting in the Canadian Rockies, she took me on many adventures..