[speeder]

The 4.5 twin cam motor gets significantly better fuel mileage and makes more power than its predecessor, but it's a relative thing. It's still no economy champ.

TLC ownership is rarely a practical matter. People simply love these rigs, (much like an old 911), and tolerate the gas mileage and other compromises. I have a couple of friends who have used FJ62s as DDs for ages. I never understood why until I briefly owned one last year. I simply fell in love with it. The way that it's built, the driving position, (unbelievably perfect), the tight turning circle, the cargo room, etc., etc. It would be an awesome DD.

I cannot even begin to imagine driving any domestic vehicle from the 1980s with 200k miles as a DD in SoCal. I'd drive a good FJ62 w/o hesitation. Apples/oranges.