Would You Pay $14,500 for This 1989 Toyota Pickup?

Toyota has built its reputation on durability, but even among the brand’s lineup, the late-’80s Pickup stands out as nearly indestructible. Known as the Hilux in many markets, the fifth-generation Pickup has earned a cult following for its rugged simplicity. Most of them lived hard lives as work trucks, racking up miles on job sites, farms, or trails. That’s what makes this Craigslist find so unusual. It's a one-owner 1989 Toyota Pickup with just 117,000 miles, a recently rebuilt engine, and zero rust. Trucks like these rarely come up for sale.

An Easy Life

Unlike the usual story of 10+ owners, battered tailgates, and overworked suspensions, this truck has spent its entire life in Arizona, owned by the same person since new. Bought in Scottsdale, the Pickup left for Payson, and spent all of its life there. The seller says it’s been “elderly driven” and has never been driven on anything besides a paved road, which explains why the light blue, almost silver paint and body panels still look so clean today.

Properly Cared For

Under the hood sits a 22R-E, Toyota’s legendary 2.4-liter four-cylinder. This one has already had a complete rebuild just 3,000 miles ago, and the seller backs it up with receipts and service records. The five-speed manual, front lockers, and four-wheel drive are all still intact, giving it the capability these trucks are known for, even if this example hasn’t been asked to prove it. Inside, the blue interior looks remarkably tidy, with no visible cracks on the dash, and is complemented by a dash pad and seat covers. So, fingers crossed the pad and covers aren't hiding anything. Even the small details prove it's been looked after, like the surprisingly cold A/C and a push-to-start system.

Worth The Price?

At $14,500, the price might make some people do a double-take. That’s in the same ballpark as a solid early-2000s Tundra, and Toyota will be making a new compact pickup to rival the Ford Maverick. Still, the market for clean, original Toyota Pickups has been climbing, and untouched one-owner examples are nearly impossible to find. For someone chasing a classic Toyota that hasn’t been worked to death, this one might be worth every penny.

This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.