Toyota FJ owners - still happy?

[nostatic]

For a variety of reasons and activities I am pondering heading off the beaten path more. Right now my A3 is still under factory warranty so it has decent resale, and there are a lot of used FJs out there for sale. I've always like them, and they seem to be incredibly capable off-road (which is where it would spent much of its time). iirc there are a couple of FJ owners here - are you still happy with it? The ones I'm looking at will be off warranty soon, but my '96 4-runner was flawless through 140K miles until I sold it. FJs can now be had in the high teens to low 20s depending on the details.

[wcc]

If you are debating on the 'newer' FJ and the late '90s 4-runner I would do the 4-runner. Mine is a '98 and all I've had to do is tires. It has 115k miles on it now and towed my 930 around a few times, kids, etc. The bottom line is my 4-runner hasn't needed anything except tires since new. I'm still on the OEM brakes, exhaust, shocks, etc, except tires. The FJ is cool but I doubt it's as solid as the older 4-runner.

[Jims5543]

I made a huge mistake selling mine. I regret it very much. I put over 35K miles on it without a single problem.

Go read the other recent FJ thread at least one other owner chimed in besides me with positive feedback.

I just bought a used one private party yesterday. I pick it next weekend.




The Pelican equivalent of FJ Cruiser communities.

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/

[Nader]

Isn't the FJ just a less practical 4Runner with a smaller gas tank?

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Nader

Isn't the FJ just a less practical 4Runner with a smaller gas tank?

more off-road capable (as far as I can tell) and a very different aesthetic.

[porsche4life]

My dad had a V6 Tacoma. Similar drivetrain to the FJ and that was one of the best vehicles he has owned. Gobs of power, capable off-road, bullet proof motor, and you could change the oil without a jack in less than 15 mins.

[JavaBrewer]

As I mentioned in another post I didn't care for the deep sit-down-inside feel of the FJ. That and the very spartan interior - guess I'm used to the very lux Land Rover. Todd, you're not quite up to the Matt (onewippedpuppy) level of car swapping but I think the FJ is a very easy car to fall out of lust for. How much off-road action are you anticipating?

If I were you I'd pick up a bargain 4x truck...like Matt's Land Cruiser...and keep the road car. Or sell the Audi, get a LC and another 911...yeah that's the ticket. Course you'll have to pull back on the guns and ammo...

[gprsh924]

Jim great buy. The key to buying off road vehicles is getting them already modded as you are literally paying 25 cents on the dollar for the mods. I mean, that bumper plus winch is at least $1200 retail, and that is a conservative estimate.

[look 171]

I would get an older FJ 80 or 100 series LC. They are bomb proof and should have most of things you need like locking diffs and so on, stock. It should keep you out of most trouble. Unless you are crawing rocks. I am on my 2nd FJ 80. Because it has a solid front axle. 4Runner would be my next choice. Over the years, I have had 3 of their little 4 bannger 4wd little trucks. I used to beat it to death in the desert and they held up pretty well. two of them were solid front axles. The Ind front susp. rode much nicer in town but if you bang them up pretty hard, expect to see your alignment guy more often. I can't speak for the later or todays models.

[Seahawk]

We've had one for about three months...I have taken it off-road a bunch as well as on two extended trips, each over 1000 miles round trip.

I really like the thing...it accelerates well, rides nice for what it is and is well thought out interior-wise. Plus, I fit it better than my wife's 4Runner.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Todd, if you want something just for off-road, get an early 4Runner for $2-3K. Mine off-roads beautifully as is, but you could put $2K into it and it would be doubly capable. You have the added benefit of one of the most troublefree vehicles ever built and one that when it's scratched, you really don't care. keep the Audi for in-town use, use the 4Runner for recreation.

For many reasons, I gutted mine...no interior (really none) except for a pair of nice late model BMW sport seats and an Irmscher wheel making it's significantly more utilitarian and tossable, while super comfortable.

[Zef]

Should be good..it's a Toyota...not a GM crap...!

[VincentVega]

I recently drove a co workers and was impressed with the interior layout. My only gripe is rear viability. I hope you get used to it, I only drove for ~45 min, but changing lanes was a scary experience.

[porsche4life]

Todd-
You might look into one of the Tacoma 4drs as well. The backseat is fairly decent and I think the interior on ours was a little more plush than the FJ.

Get the shell like that and then you have a dry cargo area that if it gets too dirty you just take a garden hose to. That shell had a carpet liner in it so it didnt sweat and drip water on your stuff. That truck had basically every option but the JBL sound system. The Borla exhaust that is factory installed is sweet. My dad bought that with about 5k miles on it and basically didnt pay for any options. He sold it at about 40k and we had never had a problem with it.

[Danimal16]

I have a second generation 4runner, a 1991 5spd with the 22re and 4wd. It has 330,000 miles on it. With the exception of one engine at about 280,000 miles this truck has had no issues. It is truely bomb proof.

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by gprsh924

Jim great buy. The key to buying off road vehicles is getting them already modded as you are literally paying 25 cents on the dollar for the mods. I mean, that bumper plus winch is at least $1200 retail, and that is a conservative estimate.

Your not kidding brother. This guy has a lot invested in this truck, it has a 3" lift, suspension upgrades, new tires, nav./ stereo /dvd player, CB hard mounted, front bumper, driving lights, TRD intake, Cat Back and other small stuff that adds up.

Here is the kicker, he is in big financial trouble, from what I am gathering and sold the truck for less than he owes on it. He had to take a small loan to sell it to me.

Nostatic, go look on the FJ forum, there are tons of really nice trucks on there for really good prices.


To anyone else that knocks the interior. I love it, you will either love it or hate it, if you a Land Rover / Hummer luxury type, then this is nto the right truck for you. If you like to be off road a lot and do not want to worry about tracking up the interior, this is a great setup. I love that I can sweep it out and wipe it down with a damp cloth after a day at the beack ot on the trails with it.

Like I said, dumbest move I ever made selling mine. I am so happy I can get anther one.

Anyone want to buy a Regular cab Tacoma 4X4 for a good price?

[ERH]

Originally Posted by nostatic

I've always like them, and they seem to be incredibly capable off-road (which is where it would spent much of its time). iirc there are a couple of FJ owners here - are you still happy with it?

Yes, very happy with it.



I'll get my coat.

Ed

[jyl]

Sweeping is for sissies. Can you hose it out and let it drip dry?

My old Land Rover had bare aluminum floors and drain holes (or maybe something used to be mounted there until it fell off). Very convenient.

[porsche4life]

You can hose out the pickem up

Sweeping is for sissies. Can you hose it out and let it drip dry?



My old Land Rover had bare aluminum floors and drain holes (or maybe something used to be mounted there until it fell off). Very convenient.

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by jyl

Sweeping is for sissies. Can you hose it out and let it drip dry?

My old Land Rover had bare aluminum floors and drain holes (or maybe something used to be mounted there until it fell off). Very convenient.

They will tell you at the dealership you can hose it out but I wold not do that, water would get trapped in places and make a mess out of the truck gorwing mold, especially in Florida.

Ed, (ERH) that is beautiful. I love the old ones a lot.