Why are there so many FJ40's still for sale? (10 Viewers)

[centerlineseal]

my collection of things I dont need, but may some day.

LOL! That's me all over!

 

[70fj40]

Prices and demand is definitely down for anything FJ40 that isn’t high end built/restored. Those of us that have good running rigs with lots of $$$ invested in the mechanics but not as much in the shiny stuff will realize less resale value than we did a few years ago.

 

[sogafarm]

Prices and demand is definitely down for anything FJ40 that isn’t high end built/restored. Those of us that have good running rigs with lots of $$$ invested in the mechanics but not as much in the shiny stuff will realize less resale value than we did a few years ago.

100%

 

[sogafarm]

Prices and demand is definitely down for anything FJ40 that isn’t high end built/restored. Those of us that have good running rigs with lots of $$$ invested in the mechanics but not as much in the shiny stuff will realize less resale value than we did a few years ago.

I would love to rotate one of mine to “reinvest” it into another project but now is definitely still not the time to sell and expect to recoup your money. I think we hit the market correction and prices will be slow to rise on anything other than nicely done resto mods. I don’t see anyone selling for what they paid to restore. But thats why its a passion and not necessarily an investment.

 

[EWheeler]

Its been a while since an update but it looks as though we might have hit bottom with the FJ40 market. There are still some bargains to be had but I’ve noticed asking prices are coming down to realistic prices and are selling. What have you noticed with sales and prices?

Seeing more & more more listed for sale locally, but everyone is still out to lunch on pricing for what they have. I've seen probably 5 40's locally in the last 3 years that were properly priced, and one that was underpriced (bought it!). Most of these things are absolutely molested basket cases from knucklehead PO's. I don't think we are anywhere near the bottom and more supply will drive prices lower. The supply will come from people liquidating projects and toys to put gas in the car, food on the table, and make that house payment. I don't think we've seen anywhere close to the pain that is coming due to the cost of EVERYTHING.

Good clean drivers will still bring $15-$20k+ because there are few of those out there and there ARE people with free spending cash, but they're educated buyers and know value when they see it so they're not buying the junk that most people are trying to peddle.

 

[EWheeler]

Those of us that have good running rigs with lots of $$$ invested in the mechanics but not as much in the shiny stuff will realize less resale value than we did a few years ago.

I disagree, educated buyers prefer the mechanically dialed in original 40 over the shiny South American turds or domestic restorations with zero documentation. The mostly original well sorted 40 will hold it's value while the turds will come down as the idiots aren't flush with cash like they were in the covid era. I just helped a guy find a 40 locally and he was looking at all kinds of junk. I finally found him a decent one and he bought it within 12 hrs of the listing going live for $15k. I wouldn't call it a great deal because the aesthetics didn't do anything for me (silver re-spray), but it had a solid drive train, complete body (hard top & doors) and was not a basket case or missing the doors & hard top like 90% of them on the market listed at $12-$15k.

 

[knuckle47]

@EWheeler … I agree. I watch almost every Land Cruiser auction and local sales on the US internet while attempting to control the costs of what I spend on mine.. I think mine is a cut above many in cosmetics and mechanical. Of course self-praise has little value but it’s based on what I have seen. Like real estate comps. I have seen 30% of the offerings not reach their reserve prices…the $5000-$6000 trucks I have seen would take $25,000 or more to come up to standards. We all buy parts here…what did you just pay for a quality engine part or machine shop work? The swaps or not free either and anyone wanting stock isn’t likely to pay the premium that the swapped engine deserves.

I have said here several times I do not want a $40,000.00 Land Cruiser but that is what it took to get me my great truck and now I have a Terrain Tamer spring and shock Kit on its way. This winter …air conditioning… I also saw some really nice tires on @Jdc1 FJ40…which will now actually fit on my slightly lifted truck…it’s stock looking too. Except for..this, this, this, that and that other thing. But man it runs great!

My only justification now is…if I don’t do it now while I can, I never will get get another chance. I could be gone in a few years or be eating cat food in 15. After 5 other FJ40’s over 5 decades I never thought I would see any of them over $7500.00. Ha!

 

[whitey45]

Cant imagine whats causing this down turn in the economy/ high cost of living?

 

[65swb45]

Cant imagine whats causing this down turn in the economy/ high cost of living?

Things the black hand says we’re not supposed to talk about.

 

[whitey45]

The Plane, The Plane!!!

 

[72 Fixerupper]

Many of the folks who appreciated these rigs and had the $$ to appreciate them are gone or going.

 

[sogafarm]

The Plane, The Plane!!!

Did you ever sell that last ‘80 fj40? Im still sitting on the ‘79 I bought from you a couple years ago. I’ve been distracted by other cruiser’s but hope to get it up and driving this winter.

 

[whitey45]

I did sell the tte 80, just a couple months ago!

 

[ryanwk628]

Cant imagine whats causing this down turn in the economy/ high cost of living?

As long as stock prices and equity investments rise with other prices the boomers I know are content.

I do think there is merit to people who collected classic cars aging out and then getting sold off. Young people today didn’t grow up coveting these antiques when they were new. I think of the 40s and 50s car market which is already slowing while the 80s cars are on the rise

 

[TXMeatball]

Economy sucks. I'd say at this point a 40 is strictly a toy which adds another layer of complications when going to sell them.
Funny enough I'm finally in the market for my 1st 40. Been watching marketplace loosely for about a year, there's several 40s I remember back when that are still posted today. A lot of the ads are several weeks old.

 

[CruiserTrash]

wage growth didnt keep up with inflation

...since the early 80s.

Here in Denver asking prices have come down a little bit, but 40s (and 55s and 60s) are still sitting and rotting on Marketplace and Craigslist. In other words the buyers are still below the asking prices. One 60 moved recently for $7500, but it was something that probably would have gone for $10-12k in today's market - it was pretty nice for the money. Everything else Land Cruiser from $5k up to $50k is still just sitting around here though. Even parts are like this here. There are some people charging lots of money for parts ($500 for a core 2F carb!) and then some people practically giving stuff away ($50 for an early 40 one-piece transfer case - that's cheap for a spare you can chuck in your garage). Both of them - and lots of other parts - are just sitting.

I don’t get what people want.
Or are looking for.

Me neither Jorge. Me neither. Best I can gather is half assed engine swap, seat swap, cheap respray, 17" wheels and send it out the door to BAT. More than anything else those things seem to attract folks ... but then again even that is consistent.

The death of LC hype would be good for affordability but bad for business. Double edged sword.

 

[RodrigzCrzr]

Economy sucks. I'd say at this point a 40 is strictly a toy which adds another layer of complications when going to sell them.
Funny enough I'm finally in the market for my 1st 40. Been watching marketplace loosely for about a year, there's several 40s I remember back when that are still posted today. A lot of the ads are several weeks old.

I have one if your looking LOL

 

[Ztrx]

I paid too much for mine in retrospect but had an insurance settlement and had the cash to spend (kind of a "life's too short" post accident purchase). I'll be sinking more money into it to make it how I want and probably will get less than I spent on it without all the upgrades...if I have to sell it. It'll never be a high end fancy rebuild worth 40k. But my intention was to have a functioning drivable ongoing project that I can tinker with - even if computers take over the world!

 

[knuckle47]

@Ztrx “ it’ll never be a high end fancy rebuild worth 40k”

Haha…I said that same thing.

Another way to think about it is…anyone who has a clue about what it takes to get the truck to this level of drive ability will know what you have in it and to get any other truck to that same level will be a higher cost. Parts are getting harder to come by and labor cost or personal free time is expensive regardless of which one it is. My truck is not for sale.. I am still updating and I shouldn’t be. I will be lucky to be driving X years from now , it’s not like someone 45-55 years old getting more longevity out of their efforts. I’m near 20 years over that time line but F me it is a thrill. I’ll sell it when I grow up and move onto something more rocking chair like

It’s just so damn much fun even to sit in the garage …look at it and day dream…

Enjoy that truck…got any pics?

 

[Coastline]

I built my truck to use it. Hunting rig, camping, back trail stuff. Hand crank a.c. but it is heavily insulated on the floor, tub walls and fire wall for temp control and noise. All the body work and pretty paint has been dinged, scraped and scratched. I'm glad the 8274 was there on two occasions.

I refuse to smog it again in Commiefornia. Every two years same old same old b.s. with maybe only 1500 miles of use since the last time.
Going to Arizona to "Ride in the rain".