FJ cruiser worth looking into?

[Davecr-v]

Hey guys I am pretty much set with my CR-V I drive 250 miles a week and with gas at 4+ bucks a gallon for regular I am happy with 24 MPG. My dad doesnt drive that much he takes the train to work on uses his car for camping and occasional work related stuff. Anyway my dad is driving the old van he wants a replacement and is looking into several options I suggested the FJ cruiser because its a tough truck with good storage space and can handle his automotive abuse (he does tend to beat up cars) furthermore it gets 20 mpg Highway, can seat five, looks cool, has that Toyota quality and most importantly He can get one with low miles fully loaded for 21 K. He is also looking into a Highlander, and for fun he is heading to an auction this weekend with a friend where if he finds something interesting for a low price i.e. Jeep Wrangler for 3 grand or maybe an Alfa:D

SO basically tell me is the FJ cruiser worth it I like its truck like tough appearance, low price, and Toyota badge but it is a bit retro and the interior is loud. I haven't driven and seen it in person too much.

[davos]

I was looking into buying one 2 years but after test driving it I have to say it's not worth what the are asking for it. I loved exterior but once behind the wheel it drove OK but was very spartan inside and motor seemed a bit whimsy (it might different for your dad - I was trading Grand Cherokee Ltd with all the toys).
Of course that personal preference but I could not see spending 30k on it.
Always best idea to find friend or rental agency with one and drive it for a while without dealer yapping next to you. On plus side I just heard that Toyota now says it's OK to use regular gas (before they recommended premium).

[tsmithvt]

FJs have always struck me as a bit of overkill (Hummer like) unless you intend to spend a fair amount of time off-road. I understand they are quite good as a recreational off-roader. I have seen them in action and they do seem to do well. Again though, they seem to be a waste when used the way most of them are.

I also heard recently that they were experiencing frame weld issues (like weld failure) when used off-road. I admit, however, to not having researched this. Just not that interested.:rolleyes:

[davos]

I'm not quite sure if it really could be used off-road without some serious mods.
It seems that it has everything it needs but it has INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION.:eek:
That, in my opinion, puts it in the same class with all wanna-be Jeeps.

[tsmithvt]

I'm not quite sure if it really could be used off-road without some serious mods.
It seems that it has everything it needs but it has INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION.:eek:
That, in my opinion, puts it in the same class with all wanna-be Jeeps.

Are we talking about the Toyota FJ Cruiser?:confused:

2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser (http://www.toyota.com/fj/)

[davos]

Yep

Front Suspension
High-mounted, double-wishbone suspension and stabilizer bar
Rear Suspension
4-link suspension with lateral rod with coil springs and stabilizer bar

that's from specs
in my book for off-roading one needs two solid axles, so when truck bounces you will not finish with nice hole in transfer case or gas tank.
It has though all other goodies - high located air intake, sealed electrical wires, diff lock etc.
I guess it was not really built for rock crawling.

[Davecr-v]

Yup my main issue is the 2 door arrangement I never got 2 door SUV's I figure its going to be heavy and big anyways why not have the extra convenience. I do like some Xterra's not the smoothest on-road but they are tough and because they have that gas guzzler image you can get them pretty cheap plus rear seating is alright. I think he wants more of a 6 or 4 cylinder that can get 20 MPG gas is way to expensive he was thinking of a CR-V but they are quite expensive on the resale market and I already have one the V is good for long trips this is going to again be used for round town stuff so less fuel economy isn't the worst thing in the world because this thing will max at 10,000 miles a year I guess thats why I am so interested because if he gets a new car than when I lend him mine for long trips I can still have something to drive around that isn't a minivan.

[jeprox]

it's a nice 4x4 but too much plastic on the inside and outside. :(
it still takes premium (recommended). with gas prices these days, you gotta make sure you have a deep pocket if you want the FJ.

personally, i would get a tacoma over the FJ or pathfinder or xterra.

[denzCRV]

The FJ Cruiser recommends premium fuel but doesnt require it. It may have an independent suspension but it will surpass all other off-road vehicles on the market...

[davos]

Right
It might have pretty good built quality and flashy design but there is no way to overcome design flaws, intentional or not. I liked "sealed" electric system and air intake, but still independent suspension effectively puts your oil pan and differential to puncture test - it's simple - your effective ground clearance is your static clearance minus suspension travel. For solid axles it never changes.
And there is really nothing you can do about it (short of changing chassis).
I was surprised that Toyota decided to do that -sure they get better ride quality - but that's not what this car should be about.

[michigan_driver]

The FJ Cruiser recommends premium fuel but doesnt require it. It may have an independent suspension but it will surpass all other off-road vehicles on the market...

It does not require it. I had a 2005 Tacoma DC and it ran fine with 87 octane.

[sleeksilver]

It may have an independent suspension but it will surpass all other off-road vehicles on the market...

Definitely not "all other" off-road vehicles, sorry.

[michigan_driver]

Definitely not "all other" off-road vehicles, sorry.

Stock from the factory, yes it will.

[X-Brawn]

My problem with the FJ cruiser is its design and form over function. The vertical windshield, and the overall height, can make it hard to see some lights when you stop at them. Also, it has HORRID blind spots on it when driving and can make it hard to park it.

I do like the FJ cruiser, though, I just don't like certain things they did with it for design or form over function and safety. It is rated well, and most people who own it complain most about cracked windshields (I belong to an FJ crusier forum, Dad was looking awhile back), and highway wind noise. Those are the two biggest issues I've ever heard about it that I can recall.

[michigan_driver]

My problem with the FJ cruiser is its design and form over function. The vertical windshield, and the overall height, can make it hard to see some lights when you stop at them. Also, it has HORRID blind spots on it when driving and can make it hard to park it.

I do like the FJ cruiser, though, I just don't like certain things they did with it for design or form over function and safety. It is rated well, and most people who own it complain most about cracked windshields (I belong to an FJ crusier forum, Dad was looking awhile back), and highway wind noise. Those are the two biggest issues I've ever heard about it that I can recall.

Any windshield that is vertical will have a higher risk for cracks. Also, the FJ has that rack which more than likely makes the highway noise.

[sleeksilver]

Stock from the factory, yes it will.

H1, Landcruiser, G Wagon, Wrangler Rubicon.

No, it won't. Frequent an actual off-road forum and prove yourself wrong...

[X-Brawn]

Any windshield that is vertical will have a higher risk for cracks. Also, the FJ has that rack which more than likely makes the highway noise.

Not all models have the rack, and Dumbo sized mirrors wont help. There were images at one time for a soft-top FJ Cruiser that was supposed to be scheduled for production.

[michigan_driver]

H1, Landcruiser, G Wagon, Wrangler Rubicon.

No, it won't. Frequent an actual off-road forum and prove yourself wrong...

I am a member of Pirate and Yotatech. :p Should I mention price of the FJ compared to the others you mentioned besides maybe the Rubicon.... :rolleyes:

[electric V]

I think that the 4Runner and The FJ have the same basic platform and the 4Runner is definatly a more practical truck. But I think that I would take the more expensive route and Get a Pilot or a Ridgeline:D.

[denzCRV]

I think that the 4Runner and The FJ have the same basic platform and the 4Runner is definatly a more practical truck. But I think that I would take the more expensive route and Get a Pilot or a Ridgeline:D.

4Runner, FJ, Tacoma, GX470, Land Cruiser, LX470, all inter-related.. It's like a family tree :p

[michigan_driver]

4Runner, FJ, Tacoma, GX470, Land Cruiser, LX470, all inter-related.. It's like a family tree :p

Agreed, they all sit on different version of the same frame. Now, as for the engine, trans, and differentials...