These were limited on the pegs in my area so I bought a couple. I figured they'd end up being worth $7 like similar cool off road truck models. Can't explain where the other $75 is coming from.

So far it's a one-and-done. Maybe that's contributing.

The first issue was hard enough to find here (light tan with green cover), but I never did see the other two issues. Were they very limited release?

I found one as well, and these weren't really pegwarmers in my area. But, I don't get the stupid high prices. It's not that well-done anyway. No interior, and blacked out windows to allow for the tent.

I don't think the other Tacomas (lifeguard, rescue) are the same casting. Only one with the tent. I think I have one loose and one on card.

I saw the Lifeguard/Beach Patrol models on the pegs. I thought they were OK, but I didn't feel an urge to buy any. My collection just isn't big on too many trucks.

I don't recall seeing the one with the "camping top" at retail, but did not think much of it's heavily plastic presentation with black windows and no interior anyway. Probably fun for kids, but not for me.

I think this is another case of Land Cruiser-itis. Toyota truck fanboys suddenly realize there is a small scale model they didn't know about when it first came out, so now they are bidding heavy to have one in their Toyota truck collections.

Years after their release the Matchbox and Johnny Lightning Land Cruisers were going for crazy money for a while there, and probably sparked all of the MiJo exclusive JL models that are available now. They saw a market, and moved to take advantage of it.

WOW.....when I found this one on the pegs there were like 10 of them....??? I bought 2, one to open and one to keep sealed.

Who knew they were worth this much or just an E-Bayer who prays on people that have compulsive shopping disorder..?

Same here, one to open, one to file. But I put the open one in my pile of "future" customs,regardless of what e-bay buyers are paying. It's really the only newer Tacoma body on the $1 pegs, so why hasn't MBX issued it again as a recolor??

I forgot about this one, I don't remember seeing many on the pegs, as it was a popular model in my area, but there were some, it wasn't impossible for me to find, It is a curious thing why Matchbox has not issued it again, unless they've been using their licensing budget for other Toyota models, or who knows maybe they had some sort of complaints about child safety from the removeable tent cover.

It appears it was actually a 2017 series issue that was introduced in late 2016, and I'm hoping it will be issued again in new colors in the future.

Are people actually paying those asking prices for the thing now?

People often click on eBay and see prices people are asking for them and think that is the going rate. Markets are actually based on the selling price, so you really need to click on the completed items to see what they are selling for.

That being said, you click on completed and it is still really weird. One had 5 bids and sold for less that $5. A few had bidding wars and went for a little over $20. I didn't see any selling for over $25, so I think that is the ceiling. Those who are asking over $80 are likely never going to sell.

The issue we had with it was that it was part of the 2017 basic range, and tan was the debut release. Then Toyota had a bit of a wobble and decided to be a little strict with what they were doing. It resulted in Mattel not getting anything for the 2018 and 2019 ranges, but relationships do get better and 2020 will start seeing more Toyotas around again. However, I don't think this one is currently on the 2020 list, but may appear for the 2021 list.

That's probably the reason. Tacomas are popular vehicles in general...combine that with the fact they Mattel had to unexpectedly stop making them, reducing the supply, and you get higher prices.