FJ Cruiser????
- Thread starter my92t4r
- Start date
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Not sure about the grocery getter part, but the FJ was one of the best vehicles I've ever owned.....you will love it if you do pick one up. I would still have it if it wasn't for the door configuration when in a parking space (in a parking lot). I found it very difficult to get caught in the triangle when letting someone out of the back seat. You can only open the doors so far in a parking space....let along try and get an infant carrier out of there. Man....that sucked. LOL
CoMtn4Runner
New member
FJ's are great off-road toys but if you are looking for a dedicated grocery getter, you can find something a lot more practical for a cheaper price. FJ's are in high demand and sellers know it demanding a lot for ones in good shape.
BettysNephew
New member
I really like the look of them also but a pal had one and went back to 4Runner as the vision obstruction of the large "C" pillar was not to his liking. He said it made parallel parking a real pain.
CoMtn4Runner
New member
Are you planning on taking it off-road? If so, make sure you get a model that has the locking diff and if it is a newer model (2013-2014), lockers and crawl control.
my92t4r
New member
No, i have my 3rd gen for off road fun, this is more for groceries, taking the missed out without mud on seats and casual town vehicle.
my92t4r
New member
ToyTec Lifts
New member
You should look at the Toyota Camry
my92t4r
New member
don't feel right driving a camry...feel like a ricer
CoMtn4Runner
New member
Don't bother with an FJ if that is the case. FJs are built for offroad driving and that is about it.
my92t4r
New member
camping and hunting trip too
Ive owned 2 FJs. Love em. But if you are getting this as a Grocery getter... don't. It makes a better off roader than the 4runners. Better approach and departure angles.
I ran both of mine all over Moab. Ran Fins and Things, Hells Revenge, Poison Spider, and many other trails in it. Very capable off road, if not more capable than the 4Runner.
I ran both of mine all over Moab. Ran Fins and Things, Hells Revenge, Poison Spider, and many other trails in it. Very capable off road, if not more capable than the 4Runner.
I picked up a trail teams edition in 2008. I liked driving it... made me feel like I was driving a tank and could go anywhere I wanted... but the ex-wife hated it.
Here are my complaints about it.
1. Its surprisingly small inside. The back seat is totally useless, and for the most part I had the dog in the back, which means all your storage is on the rear seat.
2. Its lousy as a highway cruiser. I felt I was limited to 110km/hr. Anything above that and the gas mileage dropped off drastically. And the wind noise... gahd.
3. The C-Pillar design. If you get spotter mirrors it helps some, but any quick lane changes are near impossible. Get used to checking your blind spot over and over again. The C-pillar can and will hide anything smaller than a house.
4. The rear door... if you need to use the back seat, make sure there is no one near you. So you'll be parking at the back of any parking lot. You will get stuck in the door triangle a few times before learning your lesson.
5. If you enjoy the scenery while driving... the visibility out of the FJ will make you miss 90% of what road trips are all about. I drove the Oregon coast in 2011 with it... missed most of the scenery. Drove it again last year in the 4runner and what a difference.
6. The stock roof rack is almost useless... but that's with most factory roof racks. Upgrade to make it useful.
7. It needs a rear view camera. Mine didn't have one... minor point, but it would have been better if it came with one.
8. No sunroof... we only have 2 weeks of summer in Calgary... it would be nice to enjoy the sun while driving.
9. Cheap plastic material everywhere. I often had lumber poking out through rear window. The interior was scratched to hell.
10. You'll go through windshields often.... and they weren't cheap.
11. Soft paint... but that's like everything else on the market now that paint is water based.
What I did like...
1. It is a very capable vehicle. Right from the start, you'll want to drive over stuff.... well I did anyways. But it was also my first true
2. It looks awesome. I really like the all white with blacked out trim (2008+)and all black editions (2007 TRD).
3. It was small enough to discourage people from sitting in the back... no in-laws tagging along.
4. Excellent in the winter. First spring I had it, we had a freak snow storm around Easter. 12-15" of snow in a couple hours. The city shut down... I just plowed on through.
5. Really easy to work on. Lots of room in the engine bay for a compressor, battery, etc. And easiest oil changes I've done anything with 4 wheels.
6. The FJ forum was the first friendly forum I joined. Lots of helpful people there, and a great community. Learned lots of what to do and not do.
7. Lots of aftermarket support.
8. Based on Tacoma chassis and powertrain. The good ones, not the new crap that Toyota seems to be churning out.
Here are my complaints about it.
1. Its surprisingly small inside. The back seat is totally useless, and for the most part I had the dog in the back, which means all your storage is on the rear seat.
2. Its lousy as a highway cruiser. I felt I was limited to 110km/hr. Anything above that and the gas mileage dropped off drastically. And the wind noise... gahd.
3. The C-Pillar design. If you get spotter mirrors it helps some, but any quick lane changes are near impossible. Get used to checking your blind spot over and over again. The C-pillar can and will hide anything smaller than a house.
4. The rear door... if you need to use the back seat, make sure there is no one near you. So you'll be parking at the back of any parking lot. You will get stuck in the door triangle a few times before learning your lesson.
5. If you enjoy the scenery while driving... the visibility out of the FJ will make you miss 90% of what road trips are all about. I drove the Oregon coast in 2011 with it... missed most of the scenery. Drove it again last year in the 4runner and what a difference.
6. The stock roof rack is almost useless... but that's with most factory roof racks. Upgrade to make it useful.
7. It needs a rear view camera. Mine didn't have one... minor point, but it would have been better if it came with one.
8. No sunroof... we only have 2 weeks of summer in Calgary... it would be nice to enjoy the sun while driving.
9. Cheap plastic material everywhere. I often had lumber poking out through rear window. The interior was scratched to hell.
10. You'll go through windshields often.... and they weren't cheap.
11. Soft paint... but that's like everything else on the market now that paint is water based.
What I did like...
1. It is a very capable vehicle. Right from the start, you'll want to drive over stuff.... well I did anyways. But it was also my first true
2. It looks awesome. I really like the all white with blacked out trim (2008+)and all black editions (2007 TRD).
3. It was small enough to discourage people from sitting in the back... no in-laws tagging along.
4. Excellent in the winter. First spring I had it, we had a freak snow storm around Easter. 12-15" of snow in a couple hours. The city shut down... I just plowed on through.
5. Really easy to work on. Lots of room in the engine bay for a compressor, battery, etc. And easiest oil changes I've done anything with 4 wheels.
6. The FJ forum was the first friendly forum I joined. Lots of helpful people there, and a great community. Learned lots of what to do and not do.
7. Lots of aftermarket support.
8. Based on Tacoma chassis and powertrain. The good ones, not the new crap that Toyota seems to be churning out.
WanderlostOverland
New member
Volcom
New member
My 2007 had a rear locker (not lockers, Toyota hasn't put a front locker in anything but the LC's back in the day) but no ATRAC. I bought the $65 ATRAC button and just popped it in. Toyota wires the FJC for ATRAC but on some models, just doesn't give you the button. On the 07, you were limited to either the rear locker or ATRAC. I know on later years, Toyota finally allowed both to be engaged.
my92t4r
New member
Thanks, very informative from an owner POV. I will have to weigh out the pros/cons
