Thinking about selling the FJ… Thoughts?

I am not sure if I posted this at the time, but I leased my FJ two years ago. I leased it with the intention of buying it at the end of the lease period. I knew I wanted that truck. It was a conscious decision to give myself a lower monthly payment for two years. Knowing I was planning to buy the truck at the end of the lease, I had no hesitation in modifying it. Well, I have just recently finalized the financing work on the truck. This has got me thinking...

As I have posted in the past, I love this truck. It is the best daily driver I have ever owned. However, I have been contemplating selling it lately for a few reasons.

1. I want to keep modifying it. There are so many things I want to do to this truck. I know I should hold back. It is my daily driver. It is meant to get me to and from work and out and about to do everyday things. I am not supposed to want to modify it like a toy. Right? Not only that, but every time I walk out of my building at work, which is located in a less-than-safe city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I find myself wondering if my spare tire (which happens to be mounted to a 18" Volk TE37) is still going to be mounted to the rear door. Not that working in an unsavory neighborhood should affect decisions such as this, but I just do not want to worry about things like this.
2. I feel like I have neglected the Z because of this project. Yes, I have a bevy of nice Japanese parts piled up and ready to make their way onto the Z, but I could also be much further along if every penny I spent on the FJ went into the Z. That is not to say that I have regrets with the FJ. At all. I love it and I love what I have done to it, but I also have a completely stock Z that is not getting the love it deserves.
3. When I leased the FJ, I got locked in to a buy-out price of what the truck was worth in 2014. As 2014 was the last year the FJ was produced, the demand for them is high. In short, looking at the book value of this truck with the current mileage, I could make a few dollars selling the FJ.

I am not sure what I should do. The extra money in my pocket would be nice. I could do a few responsible "adult" things with it and then I could put a few dollars aside for a down payment on a new daily that I would not be so tempted to modify. Then, of course, I could devote more of my attention to the Z. I am in no rush at this time, but I am very seriously considering what I should do with this truck. If I had millions of dollars, I know I would not even be considering selling this truck. Unfortunately, I am not a millionaire.

In case you may be interested (or know someone who may be), here are the details of the truck. I would be willing to sell as-is or possibly part it out. It all comes down to offers, money, and what a potential buyer is looking for in an FJ.

2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser

Mileage: ~28,000 miles

Pro-Comp 3" Lift Kit

18" Volk Racing TE37 Large PCD (5)

34" BF Goodrich T/A KO2

MBRP Cat-Back Exhaust System

Demello Offroad Single Hoop Aluminum Front Bumper

Bushwacker Extend-A-Fender Flares

N-Fab Nerf Bars

Trail Teams Edition Black-Out Grille

Trail Teams Edition Black-Out Door Handles

Schrockworks Washer Reservoir

Baja Designs 3.5" Squadron Sport Lights
Black Anodized Billet Fuel Door

LED Interior Lighting

LED Headlight Bulbs

Hella Sharptone Horns

Springtail Solutions Straddle Combo Packs

Tint

JDMphasis… Innovation over Imitation

Project FJ: Progress and Plight

I am quite happy with the FJ's new stance and aggressive demeanor. As I stated in my last update post, I would like to do a few more things to the truck, mainly a rear bumper as, in my mind, the truck looks "unbalanced," so to speak, with an aggressive aluminum front bumper and the factory plastic rear bumper. So, I believe that is my next modification to this vehicle. I will not even attempt to put a timeframe on that stage of the project, as it could end up being next week or six months from now. Who knows?

Anyway, I have done a couple things to the truck since my last update. Namely, the exhaust and an interior addition that required significantly more work than, I believe, the modification is worth.

I came home from work one day this week and found the package from Springtail Solutions. I had ordered their Straddle Combo package. It is basically a bracket that mounts over the center console. To this bracket, there are a couple small "saddle" bags that mount on each side to provide additional storage. I was pretty excited to install this, as it is a functional modification that is actually useful. I did not expect the headache that ensued as I did the install over the course of the next two days.

In progress…

Some finished shots…

Prior to this install, my iPod would rest in the 4WD shift boot. Now, I have it in the passenger side bag along with the phone charging cord. (I think I should try to track down some black cords.) As I mentioned above, this is a convenient storage solution for the FJ. However, I think if I were to do this again, I would not necessarily follow the provided instructions. I would develop my own mounting method, which would, no question, be easier and less infuriating. That said, I do really like this modification.

Now, another issue arose with the exhaust. I had ordered the stainless steel version of the MBRP system and the distributor shipped the aluminum version. Not the end of the world, I suppose. We decided to install it and I was refunded a few bucks for the cost difference of the stainless over the aluminum. I am not too concerned with the appearance of the aluminum system, as you can barely see the tip. The rest of the system is tucked up close to the chassis. I am also debating applying some high-temperature black paint to it now, as well. The note is perfect. It is not obnoxiously loud, but loud enough to know that it is not the OEM exhaust system. It growls nicely when that gas pedal is mashed. So, although I did not receive the exact product I ordered, I am happy with the exhaust.

OEM

Now, I need to force myself to focus some attention on Project Z33.

JDMphasis… Innovation over Imitation