23rd Jan 2019, 18:29
I don't think either one of you are getting my point. Both of you seem absolutely unable to comprehend that something like an old Tacoma "could" in fact become a highly desirable, collectible, and valuable future classic. Perhaps it doesn't fit per-conceived notions of what a classic is... Many people just generically assume that all of the cookie-cutter Belairs at car shows are what must and always pass as a desired collectible.
As I had previously mentioned: go out and TRY and find either a vintage or restored 80s Toyota 4X4. Guess what? A good one these days is now going for $20-$30,000 and that number is rising rapidly.
People my age grew up with totally different eras of vehicles. We didn't grow up with Chevy Belairs, Corvette Stingrays, or any number of muscle cars. We grew up with the very kinds of vehicles that are now commanding larger and larger amounts.
So yes - in the future vintage Tacomas stand just as good of a chance as any other vehicle, especially given the legendary reliability and honest utility they were and still remain so well known for.
I think we can let this one go to rest....
18th Jan 2019, 23:32
So consider this. If you can buy a desirable Tacoma for cheap at only $3500 as a start off point and have very high expendable income, do a frame off Tacoma complete restoration. No stone unturned. Send matching numbers engine and transmission out for complete fresh restoration. Same with suspension, new interior, body and new paint. All rust eliminated. Make into a like new restoration. Then find willing cash buyers beating a path to your door. With all you have now into it. Our gut feeling is the restoration cost sticker shock would wind up simply being cheaper buying a brand new Tacoma. And that is exactly what people would likely do. It’s not like someone spending more to restore a car like an old Mini Cooper than buying a new one. I think the Tacoma is a very poor choice to do any sort of costly restoration. Drive it til it’s dead in the ground and find a new one. The only downside may be it’s not as well made as the older one once was when new. Baby boomers I know may have a vintage stereo system. But have a smart home set up and perhaps an Alexa Echo with screen playing music in their foyer by voice. Baby boomers like their modern electronics, cells etc as well. They haven’t all died, peaked or lost interest.