FJ Cruiser

[Vette73]

Get an H3 or Wrangler Unlimited instead.

FJ is prone to body tears if you plan on doing any serious off-roading.


http://forum.ih8mud.com/fj-cruiser/171443-engine-bay-body-rips.html

Yea I was gonna say check out the H3

 

[alfa147x]

I didn't realize people bought that piece of shit

 

[Throckmorton]

Wow, that it pretty nice. Too bad it's still a Chrysler (and now Fiat, those Italians sure know about reliability) product and will fall apart before reaching 100k.

As opposed to the FJ which literally does fall apart, just from being driven on trails.

 

[IronWing]

As opposed to the FJ which literally does fall apart, just from being driven on trails.

So far, mine has failed to do so, in fact it has been quite the trooper. However, yesterday I drove a Rubicon with 18k on it that failed to shift into 4WD. Back to the shop for repair number 6. Last time the auto sway bar disconnector failed to reconnect. Even in 2WD the Rubicon is still a great offroader but 6 trips to the dealer in 18k? That's just plain ridiculous.

 

[bigshot]

As opposed to the FJ which literally does fall apart, just from being driven on trails.

I am not too worried about this because 1) from what I have read this was a problem for the early 2007 models and have since been corrected and 2) I am not doing hardcore off-roading. From what I have read the FJ is built in the highest rated truck factory in the world Hino Motors. The people who do own FJs have you had any problems with them?

 

[MJinZ]

No real problems with FJ, clearly the best looking in this category. I would take one without a doubt over the others.

 

[Throckmorton]

If the cracking is fixed, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one!

 

[mizzou]

my mom has an FJ (2008?) sitting in her driveway, it broke down and was towed. Some day I will take it apart and fix the engine. I can't remember exactly what she said was wrong with it, maybe just a cracked head gasket or something.

but anyway, from glancing at it while it was accumulating rust.

I've heard these vehicles, now this is hearsay, can have MAJOR mechanical issues and design flaws.

 

[MJinZ]

my mom has an FJ (2008?) sitting in her driveway, it broke down and was towed. Some day I will take it apart and fix the engine. I can't remember exactly what she said was wrong with it, maybe just a cracked head gasket or something.

but anyway, from glancing at it while it was accumulating rust.

I've heard these vehicles, now this is hearsay, can have MAJOR mechanical issues and design flaws.

Yes, we all love to take apart brand new cars and fix their engines instead of using the warranties.

 

[CraigRT]

I like the FJ, but I still prefer the Xterra.

 

[guyver01]

I've heard these vehicles, now this is hearsay, can have MAJOR mechanical issues and design flaws.

i have a 2007 FJ Cruiser... bought in May 2007... it has over 65,000 miles on it... and has never ONCE had any mechanical issue.

It goes in every 6 months for an oil change.. and that's it...

 

[Chocu1a]

I looked at the FJ, The Jeep Wrangler & the X-Terra. I ended up going with the X-Terra due to the fact that the actual ride was a lot smoother.

 

[jlee]

So far, mine has failed to do so, in fact it has been quite the trooper. However, yesterday I drove a Rubicon with 18k on it that failed to shift into 4WD. Back to the shop for repair number 6. Last time the auto sway bar disconnector failed to reconnect. Even in 2WD the Rubicon is still a great offroader but 6 trips to the dealer in 18k? That's just plain ridiculous.

It's a Jeep thing...you wouldn't understand.


:hmm:

 

[dug777]

I looked at the FJ, The Jeep Wrangler & the X-Terra. I ended up going with the X-Terra due to the fact that the actual ride was a lot smoother.

A good enough reason, but if the FJ is built off what we get as Prado here, it's a way tougher and more capable off-roader.

Prados here have a top notch reputation, they seem to do an excellent job of straddling that 'bush/city' combination, not landcruiser vast and unwieldy around town but ladder-frame tough and capable off the beaten track

Awesome standard fuel tanks too We got 160litres of long-range tank goodness with the 90 series, 180 litres with the 120 series, and I think they have dropped back to 150 for the new ones, but that's some handy range without needing jerry-cans

Only down-side is IFS...

EDIT: My mistake, we don't get an Xterra here I don't think, I was confusing it with the Pathfinder.

I know nothing about the Xterra then, is it unibody? LSD at the back? AWD/4WD or 2WD/4WD? I presume it's got a low range transfer case of course

 

[bigshot]

You guys have any other info about the FJ cruiser? I'm looking to make the plunge soon and buy a 2011 when they come out

 

[/b/tard]

You guys have any other info about the FJ cruiser? I'm looking to make the plunge soon and buy a 2011 when they come out

why would you want to buy one? It makes for a pretty crappy grocery getter/city vehicle and we all know that's what you're going to do with it. Also the blindspots are absolutely horrible on this vehicle, like driving a semi-truck. Btw, do you have the price of gas factored into your purchase? Can you afford this vehicle if gasoline gets back to $4-$5 again? (Because it will)

 

[zoiks]

No real problems with FJ, clearly the best looking in this category. I would take one without a doubt over the others.

I remember you saying that the crosstour was good looking too. No wonder you like this monstrosity.

 

[bigshot]

why would you want to buy one? It makes for a pretty crappy grocery getter/city vehicle and we all know that's what you're going to do with it. Also the blindspots are absolutely horrible on this vehicle, like driving a semi-truck. Btw, do you have the price of gas factored into your purchase? Can you afford this vehicle if gasoline gets back to $4-$5 again? (Because it will)

Well I live up in Northern Ontario so a good 4 to 5 months we get pretty crappy winter weather so it'll be a good truck for that. Plus, I do some travelling and from the test drive, man the V6 engine is smooth. And I found the blind spots to be overstated, not bad at all, plus convex mirrors can fix that. Gas is already expensive here so i'm not worried about that, plus for the size of the truck, it gets pretty dam good mileage...11.4 l/km in the city and 9.6l/km on the highway.

 

[Throckmorton]

A good enough reason, but if the FJ is built off what we get as Prado here, it's a way tougher and more capable off-roader.

Prados here have a top notch reputation, they seem to do an excellent job of straddling that 'bush/city' combination, not landcruiser vast and unwieldy around town but ladder-frame tough and capable off the beaten track

Awesome standard fuel tanks too We got 160litres of long-range tank goodness with the 90 series, 180 litres with the 120 series, and I think they have dropped back to 150 for the new ones, but that's some handy range without needing jerry-cans

Only down-side is IFS...

EDIT: My mistake, we don't get an Xterra here I don't think, I was confusing it with the Pathfinder.

I know nothing about the Xterra then, is it unibody? LSD at the back? AWD/4WD or 2WD/4WD? I presume it's got a low range transfer case of course

The Xterra is body on frame, with leaf sprung solid axle rear. It's on the Frontier platform. I think a locker is available.

 

[SparkyJJO]

The Xterra is body on frame, with leaf sprung solid axle rear. It's on the Frontier platform. I think a locker is available.

Yes, a locker is available. If you get the off-road edition, it comes with an electronic locker standard. My brother has one.

 

[Tristicus]

I saw a Cruiser with the same colored top as the vehicle itself on the highway the other day. Looked actually decent.

 

[alkemyst]

I test drove a manual. Didn't like the blind spots and was a bit low on power IMHO.

 

[desy]

I believe the Crusier is Toyotas top ranked vehicle according to CR and built off the 4Runner platform so I'd look at those as well.
I've been in 4Runners Ice fishing and pretty impressed w them

 

[Throckmorton]

The new 4Runner looks awesome. I hope I can afford a used one in about 5 years

 

[SparkyJJO]

Is it like the new style to have the lights stick way out from the body of the car? When they stick out like that, it is almost like they have a "BREAK ME" sign on them.