Toyota is one of the rare automakers that seems to have iconic vehicles for every era of their history. While some of these rides may not be as world-famous as others, the Japanese carmaker understands what it takes to make quality cars, trucks, and various types of SUVs. One of their most well-regarded vehicles of all time is the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40.
This specific series of Toyota Land Cruisers were introduced in 1960 and remained in production until 2001. After this, Toyota released the FJ Cruiser as a tribute to the discontinued SUV. Both vehicles have a lot in common, so fans of the original might feel that the classic two-door ride still makes its mark on today's roads.
It should be noted, though, that there is a bit of confusing history regarding the model years of the Toyota Land Cruiser. The J40 series was discontinued in many parts of the world in 1984 but continued in others until 2001. The 1989 version of this car is actually known as the Toyota Bandeirante, and it was mostly sold in Brazil. To keep things simple, we'll just refer to this ride as the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40.
We'll look at what a buyer would likely pay for a 1989 Land Cruiser FJ40 and what makes it a standout ride. It's not an easy vehicle to find, but we'd imagine that wouldn't stop most prospectors from trying to get their hands on one if it's the SUV they truly desire.
The 1989 Land Cruiser FJ40 Is Difficult To Track Down
First, you need to understand that if you want this specific model of the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40, searching for it by that name will be hard. Your search would likely bring up the replacement models that were released around the world, but not the 1989 edition you’re looking for. In that case, you'd have to look for the 'Toyota Bandeirante'.
Still, there aren't many units on the used market. It seems that most people who get their hands on this rare SUV tend to hold on to it. On average, this ride fetches $29,275, according to Classic.com. It has been said before that these classic cruisers only go up in value, and this is a clear example of said appreciation. While it isn't as expensive as some Toyota Land Cruiser models, this car has still held its value pretty well.
Obviously, the 30K figure mentioned above is just an average. We found a few listings with prices near and above $50,000. Also, you may have to factor in the cost of shipping the car. As this model was not sold in many parts of the world, any you find are likely to be from outside of the US.
The Engine May Or May Not Be A Sticking Point
This rare beauty is powered by an in-line 4-liter manual engine that is capable of achieving a max power of 89 hp. It has a torque of 319 Nm at 235 lb-ft.
While it isn’t the most powerful vehicle on the market, it represents a specific time in car history that many enthusiasts fondly remember. After all, being a car enthusiast is about more than caring about how fast and powerful a vehicle can be. It’s also about appreciating the machine for what it was designed to be.
For people who are lucky enough to own this car, Toyota still sells many of the most important replacement parts. You can purchase these through their various parts departments worldwide. For this reason, despite its rarity, it shouldn't be too difficult to fix this SUV should an issue arise.
The FJ40 Has Unique Beauty That Makes It Worth The Price
All things considered, the 1989 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 is a pretty simple car. This is the case both because of the time in which it was produced but also since simplicity is what would-be-buyers more or less expected.
This car has a decent amount of storage space, but it’s not as big as many of the replacement models. It also comes with a pair of jump seats that are folded behind the front seats. This version is known for its extended cab, which makes it pretty similar to a pick-up truck.
As mentioned, this car remained in production in some parts of the world up to and including the turn of the century. Toyota’s more recent tribute to the Land Cruiser FJ40 was the FJ Cruiser. This ride was a favorite of many as it was a retro-styled vehicle designed to resemble the classic SUV from Toyota.
If you’re in the market for a car like this, it may take a while to find one, but they are worth the wait if you can get your hands on one. The units being sold are generally cars that have been very well looked after since the FJ40 is a prized vehicle for many in the car community at large. If the price tag isn’t a turn-off for a relatively slow car of this age, you're unlikely to be left disappointed.