The thermosphere or exosphere, for example, are higher than the stratosphere and are where you can still find the old FJ Cruiser values today.
That Compact Cruiser EVand let’s be honest, that Tacoma EV is no slouch eithercan’t come soon enough for Toyota dealers and their already high profit margins.
In This Article...
How much was a brand-new 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser?
The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser begins just over $27,000 for the 2-wheel-drive model and rises to about $29,000 with 4-wheel drive and a manual transmission; the top-of-the-line FJ is around $36,000.
How much did the FJ Cruiser cost at launch?
The millennium turn was a peculiar period. While storing canned food for Y2K, people were fighting over Furbys. Even though we were moving into the future, automakers were still creating vehicles that paid homage to their colorful past. For whatever reason, they believed that “People want to drive vehicles that seem like they were made in the 1950s in the year 2000.
Some of these ideas were successful. (Who wants a VW New Beetle?) Others, such as the Plymouth Prowler, failed miserably. The hoopla surrounding the new Bronco shows that, even after two decades, the vintage trend is still popular. Some of those designs from the early 2000s are now old enough to be nostalgically looked back on and, yes, even collected. Take the Toyota FJ Cruiser as an example.
Despite the FJ40’s evident similarities (such as its boxy design, white roof, wraparound rear windows, and narrow body), “The FJ Cruiser is a real off-road vehicle, as evidenced by its TOYOTA grille and round headlamps. It uses the same 4.0-liter V-6 and many of the same suspension parts as the 4Runner because of its chassis. The optional six-speed manual transmission was paired with a sophisticated full-time 44 system with a Torsen center differential, while automatics were paired with a less complex part-time 44 system. (A rear-wheel-drive version was also available, but few were produced.) On-road comfort was provided by the independent front suspension, and off-road capability was provided by the solid rear axle and electronic locking differential. In standard form, it could cross a 27.5-inch-deep river thanks to its roughly 10-inch ground clearance, and its weather-resistant interior allowed for easy cleanup once it reached the other side. Three instruments are positioned prominently on the dash compass, temperature, and inclinometer in a nod to the 70-series Land Cruiser. The FJ Cruiser screams for a challenge.
Not many people responded to its call. The FJ had a successful career that lasted from 2007 to 2014, although sales in the US were never as high as Toyota’s blatant rival, the enduringly popular Jeep Wrangler. It’s probable that no truck would have overcome truck consumers’ allegiance to the Big Three (see: Toyota Tundra). But those amazing looks can also be to fault. The FJ Cruiser sacrifices functionality in favor of concept-car frills, like so many other throwback designs. Despite having a huge footprint, the truck seems confined, and its rear blind spots are much larger than those of a fifth-generation Camaro. And while everyone, even Mustang enthusiasts, usually agrees that the Camaro looks nice, opinions on the FJ are more divided. According to a straw poll conducted at the Hagerty office, 60% of respondents preferred loving the design to 40% disliking it.
But even as demand for brand-new FJ Cruisers declined, the worth of the trucks it honored soared. In fact, it was around this time when FJ40 values first began to soar. An original FJ40 in Excellent (#2) condition cost $17,500 when the FJ Cruiser was originally made available. That same FJ40 was worth $66,800 when the final FJ Cruisers arrived at dealer showrooms, nearly four times as much.
Later Land Cruisers began to draw attention between 2015 and 2019 as consumers looked for less expensive (and perhaps better) alternatives to the FJ40. All Land Cruisers have had a resurgence during the past two years. Most significantly, sales of the more recent FJ60 and FJ80 have climbed by 35% and 23%, respectively, just in the past year. The more recent Land Cruiser models are receiving more attention, which is good news for the really contemporary FJ Cruiser.
We predicted that the last FJ Cruiser will become a collectible back in 2017, when they were only three years old. It appeared to be an obvious choice at the time. Regardless of mileage, the FJ-C had resale prices that ranged from 70 to 90 percent. Even more audaciously, we asserted that “well-maintained instances may increase in value by 25% in the following five years.” How did we do then?
In 2020, something happened. From selling one or two FJ Cruisers annually to selling more than two each month, classic vehicle auctions. The base model’s median sales prices increased significantly, from roughly $14,000 in 2019 to $27,500 in 2020, and then increased again to $30,450 in 2021. We’re feeling the pressure on the insurance side of the company; since 2018, FJ Cruiser insurance plans have increased by a factor of two annually.
It is evident that the FJ Cruiser has gained popularity and is no longer just for off-road enthusiasts and Toyota aficionados (who would never allow them to sell for less than $13K). It seems as though this attention just appeared overnight. When we last looked at the FJ-C in 2017, no units were ever sold at classic car auctions.
Values may rise or fall over time, but given its broad appeal, it is extremely probable that they will stay high. Baby boomers make up 39 percent of FJ owners, according to a closer examination of all the people who get insurance from us, while Gen-Xers, who are passionate about classic trucks, make up 47 percent. Only 5% of FJ-Cs are now owned by millennials, while 20% of those who call us for quotes on new policies are millennials. Many vehicles from the 2000s are becoming more and more popular due to millennial enthusiasm. The difference is that boomers and members of Generation X who already own them adore them. As prospective purchasers are greeted with owners who are aware of their assets and do not need to sell, this simply serves to raise the prices.
Don’t buy the FJ Cruiser just yet if you’re browsing Craigslist because you adore it. There are a few things you need to watch out for:
The FJ Cruiser, like many other brand-new designs, initially had some problems that Toyota later fixed. Early versions for 2007 had small differentials. The manufacturer’s warranty was used to fix many. Another design error on 2007 and 2008 models resulted in structural problems by causing the inner fender aprons of the engine compartment to swell and crack. Midway through 2009, the FJ Cruiser’s engine was updated. The 4.0-liter “1GR-FE” V-6 engine that initially drove them had a single variable valve timing (VVT-i), and premium fuel was advised in order to maximize its 239 horsepower. Dual VVT-i was added to the V-6 for the 2010 model year, boosting output to 259 horsepower on standard 87 octane. It makes sense that 2010 and subsequent versions cost roughly $15,000 more to purchase than a 20072008 vehicle in comparable condition.
Watch out for a nice Trail Teams Edition if you want to make other FJ Cruiser owners envious. They have an improved Bilstein suspension and a unique, yearly-changing monochrome color scheme. Although many collectors don’t think this is worth the extra money, Toyota incorporated the CRAWL control system in 2013 and 2014. This technology uses a ton of computers and sensors to increase low-speed traction over uneven ground. Toyota produced 14,700 Trail Teams Editions from 2008 to 2014 (excluding 2009).
The standout model is the 2014 Trail Team Ultimate Edition, which was available for just one year and included Heritage Blue paint and a white grille that resembled a common hue on the original FJ40. With an external reservoir rear suspension system and aluminum TRD skid plates that increased the approach angle, off-road performance was further enhanced. Examples with low mileage sell for about $60,000.
One of the rare situations in Toyota’s history where having fun was essential to the design process was with the FJ Cruiser. This makes for a potent mix with Toyota’s famous dependability and off-road heritage. The FJ Cruiser has improved with time since it was not valued sufficiently when it was new, like many other classics.
What did a brand-new 2007 FJ Cruiser cost?
The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2007 FJ Cruiser starts at $22,555 and rises to more than $35,000 when fully outfitted. Since the beginning, our Fair Purchase Prices have reflected actual selling costs that are $1,000 to $4,000 higher than those sticker prices.
How much did a new Toyota FJ sell for?
You’ll note that this FJ Cruiser’s odometer only has two digits if you look at it. This Toyota SUV has only been driven 63 miles overall and just sold for $81,000. It’s an outrageous amount for a car whose basic price was around $30,000 in 2014. What it says is as follows.
In many ways, the FJ Cruiser is just an odd car. It has two regular doors, three windshield wipers, and four-wheel drive in this instance. Driving on the road is not good at all, and it is also not very useful. But when you take it off-road, everything is very different.
Up until recently, there wasn’t truly a Jeep Wrangler substitute better than the FJ. Of course, the Bronco is now available to fill that void, but Toyota has never really done so. The 4Runner can accomplish many of the same tasks, but it doesn’t have the same level of popularity as the FJ.
It is therefore not entirely surprising that this one on Bring a Trailer sold for an astounding $81,000. If you look around the new SUV market, you’ll see that numerous off-road vehicles with comparable equipment enter this region. It’s almost like buying a new FJ Cruiser because it has only traveled 63 miles in its lifetime.
It has all-terrain tires, a locking rear differential, 17-inch wheels, and a compass. Of course, it also has a 2014 Toyota dashboard, complete with buttons and knobs that resemble modern Fisher-Price toys.
All of this serves to highlight the fact that the public would go absolutely crazy if Toyota announced a new FJ next week. Even the next 4Runner might be produced in two body types with two and four doors. That would work as well. How do you feel? Is $81,000 excessive for this essentially brand-new FJ Cruiser?
Are FJ Cruisers still worth anything?
The Toyota FJ Cruiser takes the top spot on this list by a significant margin for the second year in a row since it is an off-road expert and a rarity in terms of resale value.
Why did Toyota cease production of the FJ?
The first stone in the FJ Cruiser’s coffin was the recession of 2008, which signaled the beginning of declining sales and the end of profit. To honor Toyota FJ Land Cruisers, the Toyota FJ Cruiser had its concept premiere in 2003. As 2006 year models, the first production models hit the market. They were designed as a vintage off-road vehicle and were first highly well-liked.
Unfortunately, Toyota was severely impacted by the 2008 recession, which had a negative impact on FJ Cruiser sales. Although it was performing well prior to then, it was ultimately canceled by 2014. That was partly due to the FJ Cruiser’s likeness to the original Jeep.
Toyota wanted to build an off-road vehicle that stood out from the rest of what they were producing at the time, and the FJ Cruiser was their attempt to do that. The FJ Cruiser was discontinued in 2014 as a result of Toyota’s decision that the sales were too poor to justify the manufacturing costs associated with developing a second generation after the recession officially began.
FJ stands for what?
How was the name FJ derived? We frequently get this inquiry! Clearly, the “J refers for “Jeep, and the “F denotes the type of engine. Because they used a Type B engine rather than an F, the early FJs were actually known as BJs.
Do FJ Cruisers frequently experience issues?
FJ Cruisers: Are They Reliable? The FJ Cruiser receives a 3.5 out of 5 reliability rating from RepairPal, placing it 12th out of 26 midsize SUVs. The model typically has an annual repair and maintenance expense of roughly $506. This is less than the $573 average for medium SUVs.
What does a FJ Cruiser have high mileage?
So you want to purchase a high mileage secondhand FJ? Few 4WD vehicles can possibly compare to the dependability and toughness of the Cruiser series. These SUVs are constructed strong by Toyota, and if you read the comments left by the many satisfied FJ cruiser owners in the hundreds of forum threads, you’ll be persuaded that it’s one of the safest used SUV 4WD purchases available. There are a few problems, though, and I’ll go into more detail about those a little later.
If the scheduled maintenance and services have been performed, FJ Cruisers can travel well over 250K miles without experiencing any mechanical issues. With only routine maintenance and a few minor cosmetic faults, many owners have driven their vehicles well past 300K miles.
Therefore, it is crucial to confirm that a used FJ Cruiser has a comprehensive service history, either at the Toyota agents or with a reliable private workshop, before making the purchase. For these FJs, mileage is less of an issue than how well they were maintained.
Many owners are really pleased with their purchases and speak highly of the build quality, dependability, and durability of them. The FJ is an extremely capable off-road vehicle, suited for long drives or whatever 44-track you’re willing to subject it to. It will effortlessly eat up the trails and transport you home in complete luxury.
The eccentric, retro styling is obviously not to everyone’s taste when it comes to design, proving that beauty is subjective. I adore it, for sure!
See what one owner had to say about it:
I recently purchased a 2011 FJ with 123,000 miles on it. I gave it my 3.6 Rubicon in exchange. I liked the Jeep and couldn’t be happier.
Therefore, these cars’ dependability and longevity are really what make them beautiful. Clearly, mileage is not a concern. You should be fine to go if you look hard and long for the one you prefer, test drive it, and make sure it has a complete service history. These 4WDs don’t have any shady plans in place to take advantage of you once you’ve spent your hard-earned money. They have a sturdy construction. It’s a rather secure purchase.
The fuel consumption of these JF Cruisers is, in my opinion, their main drawback. Definitely thirsty!
The 2010 models have seen minor fuel economy improvements since their 2007 debut. For variants with two or four wheels, the FJ will achieve city fuel economy ratings of 14 to 17 mpg and highway fuel economy ratings of 19 to 21 mpg.
Expect those numbers to fall considerably lower if you want to customize the FJ with larger tires, lifts, and roof racks. You’ve now been forewarned.
However, those who purchase these automobiles don’t necessarily do it in order to consume less fuel.