Might buy a Toyota FJ, any insight?

[steve185]

I am thinking about a 2007 Toyota FJ, does anyone have any insight or own one?

[Seahawk]

I do, or at least my daughter does.

We bought it used, absolutely zero mechanical issues since.

[gtc]

Cons: Crappy mileage. Worst visibility ever. Windshields get chipped/cracked constantly (mega bucks to replace). Folding the rear seats forward restricts front seat reclining. Not much legroom in rear seats. Looks like a porta-potty (inside and out). Boring as hell to drive (feels like you're driving a giant sponge).

Pros: Good off-road ability. Reliable. Looks kinda cool.

Conclusion: 99% of the general public would be better off with a regular land cruiser.

[aigel]

I have been looking at these to replace my old bronco. Test driven several. I would like one because it is one of very few off road capable SUVs that come with a manual transmission option.

- Driving a tank probably allows you to see more
- Power is nothing to write home about - almost anemic on the auto
- The style sure will get old if it hasn't already. (Yellow and blue look like you got it from playmobile - I had a dealer really desperate trying to sell me a yellow one ...)
- They hold their value very very well - stilll over $20k to get into an 07
- Not all of them had side air bags in 07 (I'd insist on having those on anything that new).

I will have to wait until the new version comes out - another 3 years down the road when it hits 15k or less it may be an option.

Like it was said above already, unless you want this for the off road abilities, you are better served buying a 4 runner, Xterra etc.

G

[gprsh924]

Xterra is my choice for all of the cons listed above. And you can certainly of offroading in an X as well.

I love the look of the FJ cruiser but the minute I got a ride in from Toyota at the national TTORA gathering at superlift orv park in Arkansas in 2006, I knew I could never own one.

[RWebb]

Xterra = 9.5"

FJ = 9.6"

you can look up app./dep./ramp bkover....

The Evolution of Ground Clearance... - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

[aigel]

Originally Posted by gprsh924

Xterra is my choice for all of the cons listed above.

The Nissan product just has a cheapness about it that I can't tolerate. Maybe on a $5k truck but not for $15k. The Xterra is another candidate that can be had with a stick. (The 4runner which would be my overall preference can not be had with a stick in the newer years).

I had some of these discussions with Kaisen - let's see if he chimes in - he'll have some input too.

G

[steve185]

Thanks for the replies, the truck would be for my wife. I really don't care about looks or mileage. What I was looking for was any inherent problems with reliability.
Steve

[aigel]

Steve,

They are solid. Consumer reports show very good reliability as well. And they have a timing chain, so no effing around with replacing belts. I also remember reading that their crash test rating was good.

G

[aigel]

One more comment - if you can, get the backup sensor option. It will help with the 180 degree dead spot.

G

[gprsh924]

Originally Posted by aigel

The Nissan product just has a cheapness about it that I can't tolerate. Maybe on a $5k truck but not for $15k. The Xterra is another candidate that can be had with a stick. (The 4runner which would be my overall preference can not be had with a stick in the newer years).

I had some of these discussions with Kaisen - let's see if he chimes in - he'll have some input too.

G

There is some truth to the cheapness, but its actually one of the things I like about the car. And the cheapness in the FJ is tenfold thanks to all the plastic.

I agree with your choice of the 4runner, it is what my heart was set on 5 years ago when I ended up with the Xterra. Price made all the difference in the world though. We ended up with an 01' Xterra SE with 54,000 miles for just under $13k. Similarly optioned and miled 4runners were fetching $18-$20k. 5 years later we are still way ahead from a total outlay standpoint.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by steve185

Thanks for the replies, the truck would be for my wife. I really don't care about looks or mileage. What I was looking for was any inherent problems with reliability.
Steve

Reliability? Skip the 2007 and you'll be fine. Buy a 2008-up or a very late 2007, nothing built in 2006.

The engine (and auto trans) is from a Tacoma/4Runner, so you know they're reliable for a long time. Unless you go manual trans, then they have issues with throw out bearings and breaking pilot shafts. Auto trans can have problems with the torque converter. There's a well known issue with the early rear differentials grenading. There's also a very well known issue with the front upper frame rails 'tearing' under off road use in the early models (Toyota has since revised the stampings). Also common to have seat problems.

I take a risk even mentioning these things, as people usually defend their Toyotas til death. But you asked. Spend an hour at fjcruiserforums dot com and you'll learn on your own. Use their search function. Visit their 'problems' section.

People really do love them, and they are capable off road vehicles.

Aigel and I noted that a similar year/miles Xterra Off Road 6 speed is $4000-6000 less and argueably as capable. And it's a 4 door for better or worse.

[JTO]

I got rid of my '08 and don't miss it
The brakes are an issue and the throttle tuning sucks making it hard to make a smooth shift. Not to mention the hanging throttle, terrible rear seat access, and very poor mileage. I don't think Toyota engineers actually drove the car they designed
Troy

[Crowbob]

The FJ went from concept to full production like in 18 seconds. Toyota capitalized on the enormous interest the concept generated at the auto shows. They are definitely NOT a family car. Egress/entry in the back seat is one big PITA. I second the FJCruiserfourms.com advice. I love mine. The interior is 100% plastic except the headliner and seats. Easy to clean. Horrible visibility, 18-22 MPG.

[Granite]

I bought a 2010 FJ Auto fully loaded 7 months ago. Couldn't be happier. It is not a sports car. The blind spots are not that big of a deal. Hell my Diesel Silverado has more bind spots. Back seat access can be a pain and the gas milage isn't stellar. I do a lot of mountain driving in all kinds of weather and the FJ is the most sure footed vehicle I have owned and I have owned a lot of SUV's.

I drove the Xterra but did not like the cheap interior and and in general not a Nissan fan.

As for off road driving it is hard to beat.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I've ridden in one, the suicide doors make them practical for a two door SUV. Compared to the newer Xterras and Pathfinders that I've been in the Toyota looks like a Lexus, the Nissans look and feel ultra cheap inside.

[willtel]

We shopped for FJs when my wife was looking for a car as she wanted a manual SUV and it is one of three still offered in the US. We never really got around to driving one as neither of us liked the interior or visibility. I also remember an issue with the inner fender panels cracking but they may have fixed that.

We ended up with a 6 speed Xterra Off Road and I doubt it gives up much to the FJ off pavement. The only downside is we had to fly from Atlanta to Rhode Island to pick it up because they are rare as hell and we bought a used one.


Light Mist by willtel, on Flickr


Fluid Descent by willtel, on Flickr


Xterra Snow Trip by willtel, on Flickr


944 Turbo S Rescue by willtel, on Flickr

[JavaBrewer]

Drove a FJ at the San Diego auto show 2 years ago. Did not like the interior or ergonomics/visibility...direct contrast to the wife's LR Discovery.

This is the target market for the FJ

[kaisen]

Engine Bay Body Rips - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum
336 pages of thread about the well-known inner fender issues. They rip/crack from flex. Not just off road rigs but it shows up faster with aftermarket bumpers and/or wheels and/or trail use. Toyota is on their third generation of attempts to redesign. They will warrant and fix for free. They know there's an issue, and are standing behind it.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by willtel

We shopped for FJs when my wife was looking for a car as she wanted a manual SUV and it is one of three still offered in the US.

Please share which the third SUV with stick shift is! Thanks!

G