Why are there so many FJ40's still for sale? (1 Viewer)

[Sky King]

I see both sides of it, a neighbor down the road has a perfect 40 and a perfect 55 if mine looked as good as those it would be highway only. While I won't be doing trails like the Rubicon or slick rock in Moab it will get it's share mud and branch scratches from the forest roads I travel but that's what I've built mine for.

 

[igotta40]

I see both sides of it, a neighbor down the road has a perfect 40 and a perfect 55 if mine looked as good as those it would be highway only. While I won't be doing trails like the Rubicon or slick rock in Moab it will get it's share mud and branch scratches from the forest roads I travel but that's what I've built mine for.

That’s why I had mine painted at MAACO but damn it’s turned out so nice I don’t want brush scratches on it……

 

[patches84]

Because those of us who were into 40s in the 80s and 90s can no longer afford them and the 'investors' who drove the prices up during covid have realised that 40s don't drive like Teslas or Danglers so now they want their investment back.

 

[diesellibrarian]

Guns, trains, cars.....all off their high.

Add vintage guitars and amps to the list. I have a buddy who was making a good living buying and selling old musical instruments, but lately the market has all but dried up, and he's looking for a [gasp!] job!

 

[middlecalf]

I think records and record players (aka “vinyl”) are making a comeback.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

The boomers are getting too old to wrench. The other generations for the most part aren't into restorations or maintaining them. Just my guess.

The world is going to need help when the middle/9th/10th graders I teach are graduated. they are the laziest I have ever seen. They would not even know the direction of the tires moving when they were driving forward. There are a few exceptions but in general I am scared for the future.

 

[405]

The swiss watch market (Rolex) has softened up too.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I'm an early-years Millennial (1986) and can confirm, nobody (or, really, a VERY small percentage) my age or younger gives a damn about classic cars. I think we'll see a continued cooling of the classics markets as boomers unload their fleets into an abyss of people who don't want them. I could wax poetic about how younger generations are just struggling to get by, and couldn't dream of dropping $20k on a project car - but the bottom line is I just don't see the interest, even where the finances are available. Everyone wants the latest iPhone and a throw-away EV.

It is what it is, I'll save as many clunkers as I can when the market drops - I never bought old cars as an investment, they're all sunk costs to me.

I think what everyone said was true - there was a big uptick in disposable income and time away from work during covid that drove the hobby market, and now everyone is "back to the grind" and realize they don't have time for their toys anymore. Most 20-something and 30-somethings can't even change their own oil, (and soon, they won't have to!), let alone take a classic car apart and put it back together.

Yeah I think one of the big detriments to my generation (born in 1990) is housing cost. My wife and I cant afford a home where I grew up because I have been priced out of the market because of richer people from Raleigh buying up the place to make short term rentals. there seems to be a huge disconnect in NC from citys and rural areas in the pricing of stuff too witch domino effects everything.

I lucked out with buying my fj40 and I can do all mechanical stuff myself. I enjoy it and I love the engineering and simplicity. I think the fact that I love mechanical things comes down my upbringing and having to fix my own beaters because my parents were never about to buy me a new car. and I had to make do with my 1500 dollar s*** box 4x4. It is lost on my generation unfortunately. Parents seem to buy their children new cars nowdays. I dont have many non land cruiser friends that could change a tire let alone own a classic car and change oil. Hell for that matter they dont even know how to take care of the cars they own now. Here at the beach I see 20 somthings driving 25 through the ocean at the beach. They dont understand in 5 years their 50,000$ jeep gladiator will be a rust stain in their driveway.
Sorry for the rant I just feel like I see it more as a teacher. but I am teaching an automotive club next semseter. Maybe I can get through to the knuckle heads.

I think records and record players (aka “vinyl”) are making a comeback.

Old film cameras too

 

[sogafarm]

Another factor to consider is that most of the younger generation don’t have the space to store and work on these dinasours. Hoa’s and apartment living aren’t conducive to owning a 40.
On a brighter note I just recently taught my 13 yo cousin to drive a manual in my ‘75 and he did well with a little coaching. I kept it in low range to make it safer for both of us. Hopefully we can keep the newer generations interested in preserving these tractors.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Another factor to consider is that most of the younger generation don’t have the space to store and work on these dinasours. Hoa’s and apartment living aren’t conducive to owning a 40.
On a brighter note I just recently taught my 13 yo cousin to drive a manual in my ‘75 and he did well with a little coaching. I kept it in low range to make it safer for both of us. Hopefully we can keep the newer generations interested in preserving these tractors.

Checks out. I swapped an engine in my front yard.

 

[onemanarmy]

My thoughts?

I'm ready for the sub $10k FJ40s to show back up!
Can't wait!

 

[sogafarm]

It seems the fj60’s are still going for crazy prices compared to when I used to buy them for under $3k and wheel the hell out of them 20 years ago.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

My thoughts?

I'm ready for the sub $10k FJ40s to show back up!
Can't wait!

yesss! I have already seen some good deals on FB market place.

 

[richmondbob]

Covid buying spike, Bring-A-Trailer, rising gas prices, inflation, shrinkflation, dwindling disposable income, working more than one job to get by ... it all plays a part. I know me and a few friends and family are doing our part to introduce our kids and their friends to how cool classic and pre-EV cars are. It's challenging given western society is doing its' best to convince kids buses are cool and freedom lies in their phone/computer - not behind the wheel of a car.

Some good news, though. Seems there's a growing trend amongst 20-30 year olds willing to pay more for quality goods and getting away from tech heavy products (cars, homes, etc). Looks like they're recognizing a new phone/car/etc every couple years is wasteful when better made products will last longer with care.

Bring-A-Trailer can still suck it --- Are Enthusiast Car Prices Falling Off a Cliff on Bring a Trailer?

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

The world is going to need help when the middle/9th/10th graders I teach are graduated. they are the laziest I have ever seen. They would not even know the direction of the tires moving when they were driving forward. There are a few exceptions but in general I am scared for the future.

It’s like there’s something in the water - or maybe generations of “gentle parenting” or kids being raised by daycares. My daughter is 5, kindergartener, with two working parents, and I will say she is a MONSTER challenge behaviorally - getting her to do anything you need her to do or try anything new is like pulling teeth. Manners and respect need work too, but we’re trying.

I see it at work as well - I’m in sales - it’s a demanding job that requires a lot of self-starting and follow through. It has always been high-turnover, I’m a veteran, in my 8th year, at this point, but there is NOBODY behind me - everyone we hire bails within in a year, or limps along on their base pay for as long as they can until they get fired for underperformance…

Yeah I think one of the big detriments to my generation (born in 1990) is housing cost. My wife and I cant afford a home where I grew up because I have been priced out of the market because of richer people from Raleigh buying up the place to make short term rentals. there seems to be a huge disconnect in NC from citys and rural areas in the pricing of stuff too witch domino effects everything.

I lucked out with buying my fj40 and I can do all mechanical stuff myself. I enjoy it and I love the engineering and simplicity. I think the fact that I love mechanical things comes down my upbringing and having to fix my own beaters because my parents were never about to buy me a new car. and I had to make do with my 1500 dollar s*** box 4x4. It is lost on my generation unfortunately. Parents seem to buy their children new cars nowdays. I dont have many non land cruiser friends that could change a tire let alone own a classic car and change oil. Hell for that matter they dont even know how to take care of the cars they own now. Here at the beach I see 20 somthings driving 25 through the ocean at the beach. They dont understand in 5 years their 50,000$ jeep gladiator will be a rust stain in their driveway.
Sorry for the rant I just feel like I see it more as a teacher. but I am teaching an automotive club next semseter. Maybe I can get through to the knuckle heads.

Old film cameras too

I hear this - we bought a house with some land in a rural (poor) area with crappy schools as a starter house because it’s what we could afford at 30. Now, even though it’s worth almost twice what we paid, and we are packed to the gills with 2 kids in it - we’re staying - the low interest rate and mortgage are game changers - we would literally have to pay double or triple to move anywhere else. Granted, we had to put the kids in private school with the difference so we’re not as flush as I wish we were!

I never got a new car growing up - I shared my dad’s 1989 Plymouth Colt Wagon (in 2004) and then “upgraded” to a hand-me-down 1994 Buick Century (in 2008). I always enjoyed fixing them and had a fascination with anything mechanical and the look and style of classic cars. I always knew I’d get one eventually. Both my younger brothers (1989, 1991) can barely change their own oil, and have no interest in old beaters. Bought brand new F150’s with tech packages, leather interiors, and the smallest possible engines to commute to their office jobs in .

Another factor to consider is that most of the younger generation don’t have the space to store and work on these dinasours. Hoa’s and apartment living aren’t conducive to owning a 40.
On a brighter note I just recently taught my 13 yo cousin to drive a manual in my ‘75 and he did well with a little coaching. I kept it in low range to make it safer for both of us. Hopefully we can keep the newer generations interested in preserving these tractors.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way! I bought my FJ40 when I still lived with my parents, and dragged it to my girlfriend’s townhouse and hid it in her garage (I couldn’t tell my parents, I was supposed to be saving for a house) . Then, when she and I moved in together at a house with no garage, the 40 got moved to a family friends unused garage, then, into another friend’s pole barn. When we got married and bought a house 5 years later it finally got a space in its own garage.

I got my daughter fixated (accidentally) on air-cooled beetles. I’m hoping that sticks around until she’s 13 or so and we can build her one as a first car.

My thoughts?

I'm ready for the sub $10k FJ40s to show back up!
Can't wait!

Same, I have the FJ40 but I’m waiting for a bargain basement Triumph GT6.

 

[onemanarmy]

I foolishly let a nice 40 go about a year before covid (at the low price) and have been waiting to recitfy that mistake

lets go!

 

[patches84]

I bought a 91 camaro 305 5 speed for my 13 year old son. He's helped me put new struts, springs, tie rods, ball joints, dakota dash, etc. In it. He can drive the 5 speed very well at 13.
I'm a Gen X born in '69, and I will NOT raise a useless kid, despite the uselessness of his private school classmates.

 

[Sethro60]

I wonder how many of these are back on the market from a different seller. In my small mountain community I have seen 3-4 40s come and go. Talking with the owners they didn't like the rattling, slowness and rugged ride. I would guess most vehicles now have at least 200+ horse power, power everything and a nice stereo. Gadgets and built in obsolescence are the name of the game.

 

[onemanarmy]

many are back on the market here and BaT from the covid frenzy.

it will take a while for all of the owners to realize that values are tanking and eventually sell for a loss.

we will get there.....everyone hold.......

 

[DeskJock]

I think that was inflation has taken its toll and folks are rethinking their purchases. And - I think that those that understand how to maintain and repair these beasts are fading away.

And - then on the other hand l, particularly here in California- 1975 and older - don’t have to get a smog test every two years.

I think these vehicles will continue to have supply and demand in the future.

I pray our venders out live me.