Considering an FJ....who has left one?
- Thread starter hikenbike
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
ventura726
New member
I had a 2008 FJ and I liked it a lot. I was actually missing it and I started looking around, but after my research I ended up getting my 2015 4Runner. The FJ was a little punchier to drive, and the MPGs weren't TERRIBLE, but I do wish it had a larger tank. Blind spots weren't bad, but I also had a back up camera. I did like how easy it was to mod. All this should be taken with a grain of salt, as I am a Mall Ninja and my FJ was a total Mall Crawler. :roll:
Wookiemonster
New member
I had a 2008 FJ as well and loved it, there are somethings that take some getting used to but my wife and I had a blast with our FJ, the only reason we sold it was we started expanding our family and found the back seats, and rear doors to be a little cramped for a car seat.
Apex Overland
New member
exactly why we went with the 4runner over the FJ.
Had an '07 FJ and absolutely loved it! Best vehicle I have owned.
I found the heating and air conditioning to be more than adequate, and never had any touble keeping the windshield clear of snow.(and, I live in northern Ontario - we know what snow is up here!) Those three short windshield wipers are very efficient, more so than in my new 4 Runner.
Reasons for trading?
- better ventilation for my dog
- a bit more cargo room
- full size rear doors
- better creature comfort (I suddenly discovered I am getting old!)
I really miss my FJ! But then again, I am single, with no children .....
I found the heating and air conditioning to be more than adequate, and never had any touble keeping the windshield clear of snow.(and, I live in northern Ontario - we know what snow is up here!) Those three short windshield wipers are very efficient, more so than in my new 4 Runner.
Reasons for trading?
- better ventilation for my dog
- a bit more cargo room
- full size rear doors
- better creature comfort (I suddenly discovered I am getting old!)
I really miss my FJ! But then again, I am single, with no children .....
dwm2112
New member
I still have my 2012 FJ and my wife drives the 4Runner. For my daily driving I prefer the FJ but would say for any long road trips I prefer her 4Runner. I have never had any HVAC issues with my FJ nor do I have issues with the windshield clearing in snow. Rear visibility takes some getting accustomed to but once you learn to adjust the mirrors properly it is not bad. My FJ is reasonably modified as can be seen in my garage but still drives great and the MPG is actually about identical to our 4Runner, 16 to 17... I prefer having the best of both worlds but if I had to pick one for me it would be the FJ as it meets my needs very well and I appreciate the fact that it does not have all the bells and whistles the 4Runner has.
Orc
New member
i always wanted an FJ and tried to get myself to like them (the trail teams models). every time I/we would test drive one I hated the windshield, the 3 wiper system, the rear access etc. I also feel the quality control is lower, I know they are both made in japan but the T4R just seems a built better.
Some people like their cucumbers pickle, just a matter of preference IMO.
Some people like their cucumbers pickle, just a matter of preference IMO.
wfo9
New member
I have considered going to an FJ.
The main reason being the wheelbase and general nimble nature of the FJ off-road. Also, way more aftermarket parts to mod it. The 5th gen is a beast, lots of room inside, but not so great on tight technical trails...
5th gen better for overland. FJ better for local offroad park....
One nice thing is that many of the parts interchange. I could take several expensive parts off my 5th gen and put them on an FJ if I decided to go that direction.
The main reason being the wheelbase and general nimble nature of the FJ off-road. Also, way more aftermarket parts to mod it. The 5th gen is a beast, lots of room inside, but not so great on tight technical trails...
5th gen better for overland. FJ better for local offroad park....
One nice thing is that many of the parts interchange. I could take several expensive parts off my 5th gen and put them on an FJ if I decided to go that direction.
Kind if depends what you are looking for in a vehicle. ..
When I didn't have kids and I was going off road more, the FJ was a better choice, even withstanding the HORRIBLE blind spots and windshield that you could not keep clear in the winter.
Now, with two young kids, the 4Runner is a much better choice. Suicide doors and car seats do not mix! The 4Runner is also much better on long trips and is just more comfortable. I would not go back to the FJ for anything, it no longer suits my lifestyle.
When I didn't have kids and I was going off road more, the FJ was a better choice, even withstanding the HORRIBLE blind spots and windshield that you could not keep clear in the winter.
Now, with two young kids, the 4Runner is a much better choice. Suicide doors and car seats do not mix! The 4Runner is also much better on long trips and is just more comfortable. I would not go back to the FJ for anything, it no longer suits my lifestyle.
I had a 2008 FJ and traded it in for my 4Runner. I loved the FJ, but find the 4Runner MUCH nicer on the road. The FJ is a bit more capable off road, but the civilized parts of the 4Runner more than make up for the difference in my needs. The 4Runner is much quieter on the highway trips....and much nicer if you carry passengers. Both are well built. I don't think there's a "wrong" choice between the two. It's just a matter of which one suits you better. I drove over 400 miles this weekend working various shooting locations. I was glad to have the 4Runner versus the FJ for all that driving.
Had and '08 and a '12, now have a '14 4Runner
I loved both of my FJ's. I liked the 08 a little better than the '12 to be honest even though they were virtually identical. I now have a '14 Trail Edition 4 Runner. If you have kids or plan to have any rear passengers on even a semi regular basis, you will probably appreciate the 4Runner more.
Even though I wish I'd have kept my '08 much longer than I did, I really really like my 4runner. It is turning out to be just about my favorite vehicle of all time. It seems to be a bit more nimble than either FJ and is really fun to drive.
As for the FJ, I actually loved the windshield and triple wiper set up. I thought it was cool. Both FJ's were big sails in the wind though. The ONLY thing I don't like about the 4runner so far is the soft suspension. It nose dives pretty hard coming to a stop but I'll eventually take care of that with a suspension upgrade.
Honestly, you can't go wrong either way. Both vehicles will hold their value and both are built like tanks. Long term the FJ's will probably hold value more since they are now discontinued.
Best of luck!
I loved both of my FJ's. I liked the 08 a little better than the '12 to be honest even though they were virtually identical. I now have a '14 Trail Edition 4 Runner. If you have kids or plan to have any rear passengers on even a semi regular basis, you will probably appreciate the 4Runner more.
Even though I wish I'd have kept my '08 much longer than I did, I really really like my 4runner. It is turning out to be just about my favorite vehicle of all time. It seems to be a bit more nimble than either FJ and is really fun to drive.
As for the FJ, I actually loved the windshield and triple wiper set up. I thought it was cool. Both FJ's were big sails in the wind though. The ONLY thing I don't like about the 4runner so far is the soft suspension. It nose dives pretty hard coming to a stop but I'll eventually take care of that with a suspension upgrade.
Honestly, you can't go wrong either way. Both vehicles will hold their value and both are built like tanks. Long term the FJ's will probably hold value more since they are now discontinued.
Best of luck!
Do it. I miss mine from time to time, however I got in the 4runner since I have already been down the FJ road twice, (an 07 and 08TT). The aftermarket is great and the vehicle could go just about anywhere. The FJ's are great.
I really wish Toyota kept going with a refresh of the FJ. It would have put the JKU market on it's butt.
I really wish Toyota kept going with a refresh of the FJ. It would have put the JKU market on it's butt.
bishop4r
New member
I loved my 2010 FJ. The thing I miss most is that it felt so solid...like a tank. I parted with it for the same reasons others have outlined...mostly for the impractical rear doors. On the plus side, I got a great deal when I bought it in 2010 and when I sold it 2 years later I actually came out ahead. They hold their value like crazy, and the demand is only going to go up.
itsdchz
New member
Basically the same reasons stated above.
See my build thread, that has my FJ story in it.
Tengu
New member
My son went from 3rd gen to FJ. I have 5th gen, and previously 4rth gen. He's driven them all. He loves them all, but every time he gives me my keys back he tells me how much he misses 4runner. He loved windows down, sunroof open, and rear window open running. It apparently is a big thing for him.
Personally, I hate the lack of visibility in his FJ. Particularly where it pertains to having to lean forward to see the stop lights.
Yes I am more prone to high center, but I've made it out of the mud where he couldn't. Wider wheel base?
Personally, I hate the lack of visibility in his FJ. Particularly where it pertains to having to lean forward to see the stop lights.
Yes I am more prone to high center, but I've made it out of the mud where he couldn't. Wider wheel base?
