I don't think it's unique to toyotas. You'll never get your money back on a modified vehicle.
Also, don't forget this is a 1985 toyota. I doubt a modified 1985 Jeep would be worth much more. Compare 1996 and newer jeep to toyota prices and they'll be quite different. That being said, toyotas from these years are one of the cheapest rigs to build right and wheel hard. This is a fantastic rig that can tackle any of Utah's trails and still drive home to tell about it. It'd be tough to find many other rigs for $5000 that are as dialed, capable, and street legal as this one.