The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a lovable, enjoyable SUV that was perhaps a little bit ahead of its time. But is it worth $81,000 today? It certainly was to one person who recently paid that much for a 2014 model with 63 miles on the clock.

The FJ essentially does the same job as the modern Bronco, if you think about it. Both are dedicated off-roaders with designs that hark back to older models. The FJ Cruiser should have been a massive success, but it was axed in 2014 due to poor sales.

Interestingly, you can still buy a brand-new FJ Cruiser in South Africa for the equivalent of roughly $47,000. It remains a firm favorite for people who want a rugged, reliable vehicle without the budget for a Land Cruiser 300. Locally, the FJ Cruiser's pricing never went above $30,000.

With only 63 miles on the clock, this 2014 model is essentially new. From the photos posted on Bring A Trailer, you can also see that it's in pristine condition. It looks showroom fresh.

As a reminder, the FJ Cruiser is quite a decent off-roader, as it came as standard with all-terrain tires, a full-time 4WD system with low range, and a locking rear differential. Not as capable as a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, but few things are.

Still, we can't help but wonder if this low-mileage car is worth $30,000 more than a 2022 Bronco Wildtrak 4-door. You can even get a brand-new Wrangler Rubicon 392 V8 for $6,000 less.

Part of the reason we're struggling to see the allure is the engine. It's Toyota's well-known 4.0-liter V6, which produces 260 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. It's mated to an old five-speed automatic transmission, but the upside is unrivaled reliability.

Surely the mileage on an FJ Cruiser doesn't matter? We found a 2014 model with 64,000 miles on the clock for $46,000 within two minutes. Earlier models with 100,000 miles on the clock are going for $30,000. In Toyota terms, that's just past the running-in phase. One thing is for sure. The FJ has held its value exceptionally well over the years. Even high-mileage cars are making their owners a neat little profit.

The used car market is a bit crazy at the moment, with people paying in cash way over sticker price to get their hands on a new Bronco. The demand for the C8 Corvette is even crazier, with crashed cars going for more than the MSRP.

Could this be a reaction to the news that the next FJ Cruiser will be much smaller and powered by electricity? We're not entirely sure whether this was a good buy or not. What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.