FJ Cruiser vs Cayenne S

epbrown · 09-01-2019, 08:47 PM

I sold my truck and bought a BMW 3-series a couple of years ago, and I've missed the ride height and utility ever since. I've been thinking of getting an old SUV and my top candidates are the 2008+ Cayenne or FJ Cruiser. I know people on here have owned these, and I'm curious what you think. I tell myself the Toyota is a better long-term pick, but the reality is I rarely keep a vehicle more than two or three years unless it's only got two wheels. Research says the Cayenne will costs about $1200/year to keep running, which isn't bad, though more than the FJ.

Embraer · Embraer's Garage

Fj cruiser has very little interior room. I compare it more to a Jeep Wrangler than a Cayenne

Jims5543 · 09-02-2019, 02:42 AM

I have an 07 FJ. It has 180k miles on it and gave me my first problem, all the wheel bearings are shot.

I cannot comment on the Porsche never owned one nor drove one.

Things to consider with the FJ. A pillar is huge and creates bad blind spots. Actually the car is a giant blind spot that takes some getting used to. Little fisheye mirrors on the side mirrors are almost mandatory.

The back clam doors are a PITA. If someone in the back needs to get out, you have to take your seatbelt off a d open your door before that happens.

Gas mileage is around 17-19 mph mo matter if you are in the city or highway.

Cruise control on the highway is mentally challenged. It will drop down two gears just to go over an overpass. I rarely used on road trips because it is so annoying.

Very spartan inside plastic floors doors everything. Not a luxury SUV by any stretch, I would never compare it to a Ceyanne.

Mine has a 3" lift and 285 tires, I get 16 mpg because of that. I do sit high and can see over everything. We call our FJ the battle wagon. We use it during hurricanes and when we have ready bad weather, it goes through anything.

As I said at the start 180k miles no issues until just now. I plan on keeping it for asong as I can, I love it but realize it is not for everyone.

I hope that helps.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Seahawk · 09-02-2019, 03:58 AM

We have two, a 2007 we bought ten years ago and a 2013 that we've had for two years that had 32k on it when we bought it.

I have ridden in a Cayenne

The 2007 has 200k on it, all trouble free except an alternator at 150k and the two front wheel bearings I just had replaced.

The 2013 has a better motor and some subtle upgrades but is essentially the same car. Neither of them are lifted.

All comments above are spot on. My adds:

I fit in the FJ extremely well, happily so - much better than my '96 Landcruiser that I just purchased a seat lowering kit for.

I like the spartan interior and the big control knobs for the essentials.

Performance is ok, handling is good to great in my mind in terms of road manners. Very stable. What I have come to appreciate is the compactness of the FJ and ability in city driving.

My daughter took it off road quite a bit when she lived in Arizona for 8 years and it did great on trails, nothing too severe, even without the life. I have towed small trailers behind both without complaint.

I love them, frankly, for what they are. They also hold their value extremely well, a trend that may not continue but they are not cheap these days.

Seahawk · 09-02-2019, 04:56 AM

Took this as I was departing on my morning WOG (walk/jog) an hour ago:

The 4Runner was bought from OneWhipped in 2005...it has over 300k on it and is my wife's DD.

LC I bought from a friend of mine and it had 113k when I bought it, 117k now two months later

2007 FJ is my daughters, she is home from NYC this weekend.

A few more thoughts:

The front windshield catches more flack than a B-17.

Surprising amount of room with the rear "seats" folded.

Amazing amount of mods and kits for them....good resource for pricing, tech info, etc. can be found here:

https://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/

Crowbob · 09-02-2019, 06:41 AM

Look underneath the Cruiser. Shiny side can look fabuloso but the frame could be rotted. Seems to be a burgeoning problem. Mine isn’t and I live in salt city. Undercarriage washing is an absolute MUST.

My 07’ is the best vehicle I’ve ever owned. It is NOT a family car.

jhynesrockmtn · 09-02-2019, 07:18 AM

Two vastly different vehicles to compare. If i were comparing an FJ to something it would be 4runner, xterra, jeep wrangler, etc.

MMiller · 09-02-2019, 08:00 AM

I can't speak to the Porsche but have owned 2 FJ's. I had an 08 and a 2011. Very cool vehicle for what they are but agree with others as far as their short comings. I liken then to driving a panel van, you need to be good with your mirrors and find one with a rear camera if possible. I hated the rear doors, between the doors and the relatively low power is why I no longer own one. I spend a lot of time in northern NM and Southern CO. At that altitude and the grades the truck just did not have enough get up and go. I will say they are very capable off road. They will hang with modded Wranglers in challenging terrain but make it more difficult to find the right line do to the limited visibility compared to the Jeep. Of course build quality and dependability are second to none.

Here is a pic of the 2011 going over Engineer Pass outside of Lake City CO. WAY too late in the season! The FJ was like a mountain goat, very sure footed in extremely challenging road conditions.

Roswell · 09-02-2019, 08:56 AM

The Cayenne S is a beast. I have a 2015 model and it is easily the best car I have ever owned. I have driven various Toyotas for the past 30 years, including a 2010 4Runner currently.

If you have any concerns on the Cayenne's off roading capabilities, come to ATL and do the Porsche driving experience with the Cayenne. You will be blown away.

onewhippedpuppy · 09-03-2019, 03:32 AM

They are apples and oranges. One is a luxury performance SUV and the other is all about rugged utility. All depends on what you are looking for.

Dan J · 09-03-2019, 03:59 PM

The Cayenne's a whole lot better when you need to pass slow poke mofo Joe who's in front
of you . Happens frequently in my neck o' the woods

Sooner or later · 09-03-2019, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMiller

I can't speak to the Porsche but have owned 2 FJ's. I had an 08 and a 2011. Very cool vehicle for what they are but agree with others as far as their short comings. I liken then to driving a panel van, you need to be good with your mirrors and find one with a rear camera if possible. I hated the rear doors, between the doors and the relatively low power is why I no longer own one. I spend a lot of time in northern NM and Southern CO. At that altitude and the grades the truck just did not have enough get up and go. I will say they are very capable off road. They will hang with modded Wranglers in challenging terrain but make it more difficult to find the right line do to the limited visibility compared to the Jeep. Of course build quality and dependability are second to none.

Here is a pic of the 2011 going over Engineer Pass outside of Lake City CO. WAY too late in the season! The FJ was like a mountain goat, very sure footed in extremely challenging road conditions.

I have been up Engineer/Cinnamon several times. First time in a mid 60's Nissan Patrol.. Spectacular area around Lake City.

UROParts · 09-03-2019, 04:13 PM

If you can live with a bit less approach/departure angle, consider the 4Runner of the same era. Basically the same truck as the FJ but with a different body, and many folks prefer the 4Runner.

tcar · 09-03-2019, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMiller

Here is a pic of the 2011 going over Engineer Pass outside of Lake City CO. WAY too late in the season! The FJ was like a mountain goat, very sure footed in extremely challenging road conditions.

I've done that exact road in a 69 VW Beetle, a 71 Volvo 145 Wagon and a CJ-5 (w/ a 327 V8).
Had my 150# Malamute in the back of the Volvo... traction...
Beautiful country.