Wisconsin Tacomas and bad financial advice

The sequoia was basically the tundra in suv form. I mean it still is, just the new generation. Same power train and a lot of the interior.

 

Yes, I know.

But, I'm not sure if the Land Cruiser was so much nicer that it deserved to be priced so much higher even though it was smaller.

 

I think most of the price was for the Land Cruiser badge

@LarryDangerfield could buy one of each and report back. He’s about due for something new

 

That's what I said earlier.

Starting price on the Land Cruiser was $16,000 higher than a platinum Sequoia.

 

I must be old, I’ve bought a few new cars for less than $16k!

 

You couldn't get much of a new vehicle for $16k during my adult life. About the only thing that has been that cheap new in the last 20 years or so has been a compact car. I think even a Corolla is over 20 grand now starting.

 

Yeah, it blows my mind to see how expensive cars have gotten.

 

You pretty much need to take out a second mortgage if you want to buy a full-size SUV anymore.

 

Or win the lottery!

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CoNKp2BpU7O/?igshid=NmE0MzVhZDY=

 

Noice!!

 

My 87 Ranger sticker price was $13,500

 

The dock situations have been less than ideal down here too. Especially when you’re running straight trucks!

Yes. The LC is a whole different ballgame from an engineering and assembly standpoint. Built to a 25 year service life standard vs 10 on regular Toyota products. You really notice it when you get into a an older Landcruiser and see how they hold up to the test of time.

 

My ‘91 Cherokee Sport was $16k and change. It’s still on my top 3 list of favorite vehicles I’ve owned.

 

My Tacoma was 35
Tundra was 50
New tundra is 75

it’s kinda bananas

It seems like no one even tries for the <$40k market any more. I’d think if you made something even halfway decent you could have the volume to make up for the lower price

 

Finding anything used that’s not a shitbox for under $20k is difficult these days.

 

I paid $74k for my first house!

 

Keep in mind inflation is a thing.

For example, the value of $50,000 in 1995 equates to about $98,000 in 2023.

 

Sharing some fun comparisons since I don't feel like working right now (or usually ever, but whatever that's neither here nor there).

Monroney sticker for a brand new 1994 Ford F-150 reg cab long bed I6 RWD. Basically completely stripped down to basic essentials. Purchased brand new by my grandfather for a hair over $15k.



Approximately what it looks like now, or at least a couple years ago when I handed over ownership to my mom again. It has always been in the family but I had to take it for a while. Approx 56k original miles.



Dealer sticker for my shitbox Jeep/Heep/Joop/XJ. Sport model designation, also basically stripped down to essentials compared to what you get nowadays. $24k. (Edit: Forgot to mention...notice Engine = USA? Was made right in Kenosha before the plant closed down. Possibly someone in my family made it.)



I only paid $2k which is why it looks like this and has been broken more than I drove it. Going to start throwing money it's way this year.



'15 Taco cost me $25k with 80k miles. No dealer window sticker, boooo! I'd buy it again all day every day, especially with the crazy inflation. Once I get the Jeep or some other shitbox to commute the mileage should slow down. I expect I'll have it for many, many years.

The only point here is that if you want something cheap nowadays you better be ready to turn your own wrenches and do the dirty work. No other way unless you're loaded.

And if you want to wrench something worth surviving the apocalypse make sure it has 6 cylinders and somewhere north of 4 liters displacement. I may be biased though.

 

My second gen only cost $14k with 114k miles but it's definitely a shitbox. A shitbox with lots and lots of nice parts attached to it at least.