I have been thinking of selling my 3rd gen for a FJ cruiser. My 4runner is in excellent shape and will go forever 02 sr5 with 123XXX miles right now and im the 2nd owner. Previous owner took very good care of it and so have i.

Im just sick of the lack of power, poor millage 18-19mpg on the highway when my buddies with a v8 truck avg that AND HAVE POWER. I dont feel like supercharging it on a vehicle that this old so whats poeples openions of FJ's

Would basically use it for daily driving, camping and exploring.

I like the FJ but it has less cargo area for camping. You only have 123,000 so I'd Supercharge it & do a 5 speed swap.

Sorry to break it to you but mileage wont improve with the fj cruiser, in fact from my friends fj it will go down most likely.

Plus even if it was a little better on gas the money spent on the upgrade, you would prob never make up for the added cost in saving.

My problem with the FJ is the size, you cant fit much inside those compared to the 4runner. I say just realize down shifting really isnt a big deal and come to terms with it. Thats why ive ended up doing.

If we are talking last generation of FJ I would pass.

My buddy has a 2002 with ome 3" lift, 33" tires, winch and bumper with rear elocker.

I am open diff and I outwheel him everywhere. The thing flexes like crap, brakes parts all the time. The wide wheel base makes it hard for him to follow my lines. Bad blind spots, no rear windows that roll down so stuck with two windows that open, exterior paint flows inside cab and when say yellow can be very annoying. Also no space for loading stuff up. Rear seats make me feel claustrophobic. Also it doesnt have much more power. He doesnt have much more going up the pass and it doesnt get much better than 16-20mpg.

Ohh and to add when replacing front windshield wipers you have to spend money on THREE wipers. Damn window is so wide up front. Makes it easy to see left and right but his hood is so big he cant see where he is going.

Like the others have said, your gas mileage will not improve with a FJ Cruiser. From what I have seen you will pay more for the vehicle as well. There are very few around here that can be bought for less then 18K. I would agree with the less space comments as well. You definately will loose being able to see in your blind spots. One plus would be that you can fit 33's easier and in stock form does well offroading. I bet most of the after market parts will be more expensive.

the gas millage isnt a huge thing for me i was just adding it to the list. It mainly just the power or lack of.

Maybe ill look at a 4th gen they are in my price range and have the same engine as the FJ along with the v8 option.

I've never ridden in a 3rd gen, but I've had 2 FJs and they aren't the most powerful rigs around...especially with an auto. Based on what you saying, I think you'd be better off with the v8.

FJ is a more "utilitarian" no doubt about it. Less cargo space for what is perceived to be a larger vehicle.
Not the same level of sound deadening either so a bit louder in the cabin.
I compared it side by side with my friend's 2010 FJ.

What I didn't like was the lack of outward vision. Small windshield (thus the 3 wipers) and the c -pillar is a horrible blind spot.

It does have more power though and a common complaint is the how the ABS works.
Oh even though the mileage may be similar, the FJ drinks premium gas so the running cost is higher. Just a few thing s to ponder.

Another option could be the 4th gen with a V8

I prefer having a little less power and knowing that the engine and driveline will likely see half a million miles with nothing more than basic maintenance.

You gotta ask yourself.. what do you need more "power" for except to give you an edge in a pissing contest with your friends?

I think the 4Runner makes up for its lack of power in reliability and fun. There aren't a lot of vehicles out there that are more fun to take to the trails than a 4Runner IMO. But that's just me.

I drive like a grampa and I never tow anything. The "lack of" power doesn't bother me because the 4Runner will still be capable of whatever you throw at it... it'll just do it slower than those newer 4x4's, lol.

Truth be told though.. My 4Runner is the highest HP vehicle I've ever owned, lol. 190HP/220TQ. Do you really need more?

If getting more power is the main reason for upgrading, I'd go with a V8 4th gen personally. I like the idea of the FJ, but I don't really care for the execution. They seem really bulky and awkward to me. The 4th gen has really started to grow on me, and the reliability seems to be about as good as the 3rd gen, even if it's not quite as capable off road.

I wouldn't do it either. I looked extensively into the FJ before buying my 3rd gen. Came close to buying one a few times, but ended up finding a good 4Runner. I'm so glad I did. I've switched with my friend who has an FJ a few times and am always happy to get my 3rd gen back.

The pros to the FJ are indeed a bit more power and that you can find them in 5-speeds much easier. And they're newer.

Downsides were cargo space, rear passenger space, rear passenger access and visibility. Just to name a few.

The gas mileage isn't really any better and I found that my 3rd gen stock actually got better mileage over the FJ. If the lack of power is a biggy, I would just spend some of the money you would on switching to an FJ and supercharge it.

I was looking into the same thing, seeing as the last FJ's were available manual. Decided against it though after further research.

I have both: 2007 6MT FJ (4.0L V6) and 1997 5MT SR5 4Runner (3.4L V6). They both have their advantages and disadvantages on and off road - everything mentioned above. There are things one has I wish the other did. 4Runner is averaging 18MPG around town, 17MPG on the highway in the FJ (full-time 4WD w/6-speed). I'd say if you can, drive an FJ around a bit and see if it will work for you. I've grown to like its quirks.

Dan

I would look into a 4th or early 5th gen Runner.

I love FJs. One of the greatest trucks ever made. They have character to them too which I like. I daily a FJ whenever I work on the 4Runner, in some ways I much prefer the FJ over the 4Runner. They'll take you wherever you want to go, and then further, and they'll outlast anything out there even other Toyotas. And even stock they look sweet!







Oh I missed the part you meant a fake FJ My bad, yea I wouldn't get one of those