Saw a FJ Cruiser Today

[mochoajr]

I had a chance to sit in one on Saturday. If I had my previous car, before the 4Runner purchase, I would consider it. But, I wouldn't trade in my 4Runner for it.

I've gotten used to the nice and roomier interior. There is alot less space in the backseat of the FJ v 4Runner. It would not be comfortable on a long distance trip. The front seats did not seem as comfortable as the 4Runner's. Also, the interior fits nicely but the quality seems to be a notch below the 4Runner. The blind spot is definitely a minus compared to the 4Runner. I like the rear door of the 4Runner vs the FJ, especially the sliding rear window.

Lastly, the price. I paid $27K for an '04 in Jan '05, with leather, sunroof, turn signal mirrors, compass rear view mirror, rear wind visor, double deck, roof rack. Even after the hype dies down, it looks like you'd have to spend 25k-27k for a 4x4 FJ with rear locker and automatic.

It's aimed at the Jeep Wrangler/Xterra crowd. Still a cool vehicle with Toyota reliability.

my 2 cents, mochoajr

 

[RonMAIDEN]

It is not very useful to a real 4x4 user. Its impossibly hard to get the crap off the roof, how you going to even put skis and snowboards up there?

I think you still would be better off with a 4runner.

I don't know too many people that go on off road trips with skis and snowboards.

It'll easily take trails better than a stock 4Runner due to it's rear locker being a big advantage plus it has longer travel shocks which are great off road but will compromise a little handling on the paved roads and no running boards to remove and no leather seats or carpet for the city boys whining that it got dirty.

Definetly agree on the quirky window setup which creates that blind spot but look at the pics of the tests and I don't think a new 4Runner will hang with an FJ stock for stock since they both have different purposes and aren't manufactured to compete with each other.

Yes it does compete with the Wrangler and the Xterra so why are we comparing it so much to a new 4Runner? This wasn't the intent of this thread since it seems some of you 4Runner owners feel like your toes are getting stepped on.

 

[Kmvreter]

Haven't seen one around here but I'll test drive one out of curiousity when it arrives.
If it is built on the same drivetrain as the T4R then why can't we get the rear locker (or order the parts and swap it in as a mod?)
Also, I'm thinking of fabricating something so can someone here take a good quality, high resolution pic, straight on, of just the TOYOTA front grille emblem on the FJC.
Thanks.

 

[bcripe]

I don't know too many people that go on off road trips with skis and snowboards.

It'll easily take trails better than a stock 4Runner due to it's rear locker being a big advantage plus it has longer travel shocks which are great off road but will compromise a little handling on the paved roads and no running boards to remove and no leather seats or carpet for the city boys whining that it got dirty.

Definetly agree on the quirky window setup which creates that blind spot but look at the pics of the tests and I don't think a new 4Runner will hang with an FJ stock for stock since they both have different purposes and aren't manufactured to compete with each other.

Yes it does compete with the Wrangler and the Xterra so why are we comparing it so much to a new 4Runner? This wasn't the intent of this thread since it seems some of you 4Runner owners feel like your toes are getting stepped on.

Actually I am not a 4runner owner but am a Landcruiser owner. 100 series which isnt a great off road rig either. Good in certain cases but not great.

Have you looked at a FJ yet? There isnt anymore ground clearance than a 4runner I looked at right next to it. Not from the lowest part to the ground anyway. Of course it will go over bigger things by virtue of its shorter wheelbase. They do have running boards to by the way. Long travel shocks? The shocks looked the same as a sr5 4runner. I highly doubt it has any more travel stock than a 4runner? It definately doesnt turn as sharp.

I carry skis and snowboards all the time in instances where I need 4x4. Not rock climbing ability but if you ever get stuck in a Tahoe blizzard 4x4 is necessary. Rear locker? I guess that could be an advantage in an extremely few instances. ATRAC is pretty darn nice though.

I still dont think the FJ, Exterra or H3 compete with a wrangler. Liberty yes, wrangler no.

Its cool, dont get me wrong but I decided a 4runner may be a better second rig for us.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Go read last month's Car&Driver where they pitted a H3,FJ,JGC and a new Xterra and the FJ came in 3rd right in front of the H3 since it road going manners were subpar due to the long travel shocks. Off road it shined just as as well as the front and rear locked H3 and was equipped with a very 4lo gear but lost out to the JGC and the Xterra due to it darty manners on the highway and less power.

The 4Runner still can't compete stock for stock off road and it's already been proven in recent tests. The FJ has much shorter approach and departure angles and did I mention the rear locker?

I can't believe you compared it with a Liberty which has a unibody frame and no ground clearence.
I guess next you'll compare it to a Honda Pilot;guess what,the Honda Pilot competes more directly with the 4Runner.

The 4Runner is a much better vehicle to live with on a daily basis and a plus when you need 4wd but my take on the FJ is when I say off roading crowd I mean they take it where the road ends and the trails get a little scary.
You're comparing having to use 4wd getting up to the ski resort and those people aren't the market Toyota is selling the FJ to since those people don't count as off-road people just because they turn on the 4wd button.

 

[biglatka]

Bottom line....I likes it. And a full full load 6-speed up here stickers for like $35K and change....and a base base SR5 V6 4R starts at just over $40K.....SCREAMING deal. No one believes it's that cheap!

That's Canadian$ I presume? The stealers will probably get top dollar for them initially but the price should come down when the novelty wears off and gas goes to $3.00+/gal this summer. I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't at least a $2500 rebate on the 4Runner by June. It's $1250 now.

 

[bcripe]

Go read last month's Car&Driver where they pitted a H3,FJ,JGC and a new Xterra and the FJ came in 3rd right in front of the H3 since it road going manners were subpar due to the long travel shocks. Off road it shined just as as well as the front and rear locked H3 and was equipped with a very 4lo gear but lost out to the JGC and the Xterra due to it darty manners on the highway and less power.

The 4Runner still can't compete stock for stock off road and it's already been proven in recent tests. The FJ has much shorter approach and departure angles and did I mention the rear locker?

I can't believe you compared it with a Liberty which has a unibody frame and no ground clearence.
I guess next you'll compare it to a Honda Pilot;guess what,the Honda Pilot competes more directly with the 4Runner.

Liberty 4x4 has pretty close to the same ground clearance as FJC. From the looks anyway. Unibody doesnt mean anything. Look at the old Cherokees. Crappy cars but pretty good 4x4s. But lets get one thing straight, I USED to be a big Jeep fan. I have had Cjs, wranglers, cherokees and Grand cherokees and while I liked most of them they were not exactly reliable. Well except for the CJ anyway. Now its Toyota all the way! I had a Taco in 99, a SE 4Runner in 02 and a LC in 04. I plan to keep my LC forever!

So Car & Driver pitted an FJ against a Jeep Grand Cherokee? Do you think thats the same? Which car came in first?

I just read the article. I have done all of those trails in a Cherokee, 99 taco and my old 02 4runner. They actually think a Jeep Grand Cherokee is better overall than an FJ? Is a 4runner better than a Jeep Grand Cherokee? Mine was by a LONG way.

I would love to see a 4runner - FJ comparo. Where has that been done?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I'll dig up some stuff but I still am in disbelief you even brought the Libery into this discussion.

I'm sure we'll get real life comparos of the Runner vs the FJ soon but it'll be hard since it seems most current Runners have become street queens which is ok if that's your style. Rear diff lock is the big separation of the two since traction control doesn't compare.

 

[bcripe]

I'll dig up some stuff but I still am in disbelief you even brought the Libery into this discussion.

I'm sure we'll get real life comparos of the Runner vs the FJ soon but it'll be hard since it seems most current Runners have become street queens which is ok if that's your style. Rear diff lock is the big separation of the two since traction control doesn't compare.

Toyotas own literature states its competition is Liberty, H3 and xterra. Check out the FJ forum over at ih8mud.com

 

[bcripe]

I'll dig up some stuff but I still am in disbelief you even brought the Libery into this discussion.

I'm sure we'll get real life comparos of the Runner vs the FJ soon but it'll be hard since it seems most current Runners have become street queens which is ok if that's your style. Rear diff lock is the big separation of the two since traction control doesn't compare.

Have you ever 4x4'd a ATRAC? I couldnt believe it until I did. My 99 Taco was the TRD with rear locker. My 02 4runner with bigger tires could go better.

 

[Northof49]

Liberty? Get atta here.....

That's Canadian$ I presume? The stealers will probably get top dollar for them initially but the price should come down when the novelty wears off and gas goes to $3.00+/gal this summer. I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't at least a $2500 rebate on the 4Runner by June. It's $1250 now.

Canadian prices yes......in BC no less, so sticker price usually = selling price.

No such thing as rebates here until the 07's start to come out and they try to clear out the 06's....even then you'll be lucky to get $1000 or 2 off full sticker.

 

[JB.]

I'm sure we'll get real life comparos of the Runner vs the FJ soon...Rear diff lock is the big separation of the two since traction control doesn't compare.

I think you need to get some good seat time with the 4th gen traction control off-road. Not the equal of a locker but I'm betting it's much closer than you think.

Put 32" tires and sliders on a 4th gen V8 and you'd have to look pretty hard for a trail that would admit the FJ and stop the 4runner.

 

[Thai]

For me, i would get the 4runner over FJ anyday...add in 32" tires and ARB rear locker. Remember, it is possible to get 97% of FJC's capability in a 4runner, but it is impossible for FJC to get anywhere close to 4runner's practicality. I have looked under FJC underbody...not much different than 4runner. No more clearance. 4runner also has significantly better visibility.

Now, add in FJC's "market value adjustment" pricing bullshit and lack of incentives, there is no comparison between 4runner and FJC. In addition, you can get V8 power in 4runner for a bit more $$. FJC has no such option.

As it stands now, the FJC has too many on-road/off-road compromises. I don't see where the intensive off-road research went in the FJC...it's frame, suspension, and powertrains are nearly identical to 4runner/Taco. Basically, Toyota use the Prado's short-wheelbase frame (overseas GX470/4runner) and then add in 4runner's powertrain and a rear locker. They made the ATRAC system a bit more aggressive. That's it. And this is Toyota's dedicated off-road answer to the Jeep Rubicon and Hummers?!

When i crawled underneath FJC, i noticed that the underbody behind rear axle is completely empty...a waste of space. BTW, this space is where the spare tire on the 4runner goes. FJC carries the spare tire on the rear cargo door. I wish that they could move the fuel tank to that space and clear up the underbody b/w the axles...thereby increasing breakover angle and underbody clearance. I know...this may create problems with rear crash testing. However, if you reinforce the area right, then it will do well. Or, at the very least, Toyota could have made a deep waterproof storage well to throw in your stinky muddy stuff. It should be deep enough without affecting departure angle.

For me, i would get the 4runner over FJ anyday...add in 32" tires and ARB rear locker. Remember, it is possible to get 97% of FJC's capability in a 4runner by adding bigger tires and rear locker, but it is impossible for FJC to get anywhere close to 4runner's practicality. 4runner also has significantly better visibility, which is very important in both daily driving and off-roading.

And of course, a solid B-pillar is always better than suicide doors in a side crash and over the long haul. I wonder if the body's integrity will be affected down the road (e.g. after many miles of off-roading) due to lack of solid B-pillar.

My opinion.

 

[Northof49]

I'm sure Toyota is hoping that people like us would still prefer the 4Runner to the FJ......it wasn't made to steal 4Runner buyers away guys :bash:

 

[JB.]

IMHO, for a rig dedicated to the off-roading crowd, the FJC has way too many on-road/off-road compromises.

Marketing and sales issues aside, from an off-road buyer's standpoint, I was a little surprised, too. Why not better angles and ground clearance? I haven't seen any mention of a long-travel gas pedal when in low range. This is a feature I lust over and it seems conspicous by its absence. Judging by the early reactions, they'll probably sell a boatload of 'em, though.

 

[Thai]

Marketing and sales issues aside, from an off-road buyer's standpoint, I was a little surprised, too. Why not better angles and ground clearance? I haven't seen any mention of a long-travel gas pedal when in low range. This is a feature I lust over and it seems conspicous by its absence. Judging by the early reactions, they'll probably sell a boatload of 'em, though.

I agree. I would also have liked: 4:1 Low range, KDSS (from GX470), and more clearance underneath.

4:1 Low range: this is standard on Jeep Rubicon and on Adventure Hummer H3. This is a great off-roading tool to have for any off-roader. 4:1 crawling also prevents damage.

KDSS: well, i know...this is exclusive to Lexus. However, since the new '07 Rubicon will have optional sway-bar disconnects, i think that Toyota should step up and offer KDSS for FJC. IMHO, FJC is where KDSS belongs. This will help out the relative lack of wheel travel on the FJC (as compared to Rubicon or even the Hummer H3). According to MotorTrend, H3 has a better RTI rating (521 vs. 491). If you were to add in KDSS, then FJC should easily match (or beat) H3. Of course, the new Rubicon has RTI of 832 with the disconnects!

When i crawled underneath FJC, i noticed that the underbody behind rear axle is completely empty...a waste of space. BTW, this space is where the spare tire on the 4runner goes. FJC carries the spare tire on the rear cargo door. I wish that they could move the fuel tank to that space and clear up the underbody b/w the axles...thereby increasing breakover angle and underbody clearance. I know...this may create problems with rear crash testing. However, if you reinforce the area right, then it will do well. Or, at the very least, Toyota could have made a deep waterproof storage well to throw in your stinky muddy stuff. It should be deep enough without affecting departure angle.

 

[Uneek]

(Toyota also positioned the FJ to be between the 4runner and the Rav, making us one up on the FJ )

I wonder if there will be another Highlander then? I personally would have the 4R over the FJ any day.

But the FJ should be a great off roader... I was browsing through the Toyota website and for accessories, they offer sliders. Toyota calls them something else though, side rails or something to that tune.

 

[Northof49]

I wonder if there will be another Highlander then? I personally would have the 4R over the FJ any day.

Oh definetly.....the Highlander, FJ, 4Runner and RAV all appeal to different buyers/market segments.

 

[broncosi]

well i went from Raleigh to Greensboro Sunday and spotted on the otherside of the highway a yellow, black, and blue FJs all in a line coming back to Raleigh, i got excited and im sure i scared the hell out of my mom

 

[RonMAIDEN]

All arguing and opinions aside I'd still take a Runner over the FJ due to the type of driving I would use it for and that being a DD the FJ just doesn't have the comfort a Runner has and never will.

I like the new 4Runners but I also like aguing too. This board needs these threads to be busy since some just die off too quick.