Talk me out of trading my 5th gen for an FJ

[Riser]

So I've been in love with the '14 Trail Team edition FJ, ever since I saw one. I have 1 year left before my limited edt. is paid off. Has anyone here owned both? I have only been off road a few times, so it's mostly aesthetics that is drawing me to the FJ........

The Fj does not have the same amenities as my 5th gen and that's what I'm worried I'll miss. How is road noise, rattles etc? My 5th gen has been a perfect vehicle, really can't complain. Wish I could afford both...I also have a 5yr old daughter. Not sure how safe the FJ is with those suicide doors....

Would I be making a mistake trading it in?

 

[3wbdriver]

No help for encouragement either way, but it's my understanding this is the last year they're making the FJ. Something to consider.

 

[Misterquad]

I cannot talk you out of that. I have owned both. I must say that I want the TTUE to park and save for 20 years so I can be that old guy driving around in the last pristine FJ.

I had a 2010 TT for 2 years and sold it last October after I bought my 2012 Trail Edition. Both are great vehicles. It is like trying to pick which kid you love more. They are both of the same parents but each have things I like more.

My advice if you plan to mod it. Just go buy a base version in that blue, paint the white roof blue and the grille white. This way you save your money for mods. It is about a $4,000 upgrade to get the TT and I stripped all the TT parts off anyway.

As for safety read this:
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/general-discussion/308354-massive-50mph-head-collision-fj.html

 

[Sac State]

I just traded my 08 FJ TT for the 4Runner.

Loved the FJ, most enjoyable vehicle I have ever owned. I had the 6MT which was full time AWD. I felt supremely confident driving her in any on-road driving condition. The TOB went out every 30k miles was the main reason I let her go. For me, the Runner is much more practical.

Better outward view, anybody in the FJ backseat said it was like a dungeon and carrying a conversation was impossible with the TRD exhaust. I like the four doors and three rows of seats in the Runner. Other than the aforementioned TOB, she was bullet proof. I consistently got 17mpg on required premium.

Never had her off-road to the degree for which she was designed. The 1st gear in the manual was medieval if you have stop-go traffic. Check the FJ blue forum, people with autos seem to have torque converter chatter which isn't mentioned in the 4Runner forum and it is the same drivetrain.

Seems to be more aftermarket stuff for the FJ.

Depending on your status, young kids, urban/suburbia, commuter, better creature comforts, I say stick with your 4Runner.

BTW... Don't believe that high resale stuff because it is a TT. Dealers couldn't give a rip at trade-in time.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I just traded my 08 FJ TT for the 4Runner.

Loved the FJ, most enjoyable vehicle I have ever owned. I had the 6MT which was full time AWD. I felt supremely confident driving her in any on-road driving condition. The TOB went out every 30k miles was the main reason I let her go. For me, the Runner is much more practical.

Better outward view, anybody in the FJ backseat said it was like a dungeon and carrying a conversation was impossible with the TRD exhaust. I like the four doors and three rows of seats in the Runner. Other than the aforementioned TOB, she was bullet proof. I consistently got 17mpg on required premium.

Never had her off-road to the degree for which she was designed. The 1st gear in the manual was medieval if you have stop-go traffic. Check the FJ blue forum, people with autos seem to have torque converter chatter which isn't mentioned in the 4Runner forum and it is the same drivetrain.

Seems to be more aftermarket stuff for the FJ.

Depending on your status, young kids, urban/suburbia, commuter, better creature comforts, I say stick with your 4Runner.

BTW... Don't believe that high resale stuff because it is a TT. Dealers couldn't give a rip at trade-in time.

What is TOB?

 

[Stifler]

What is TOB?

Tig Ole Bitties! better known as a Throw Out Bearing

 

[Gabex35]

I've had both and liked the FJ...love the 4runner

 

[05Rrunner]

Nope

 

[DigableKid]

I owned an FJ (just not the trail edition) and can tell youths Runner is a game changer if you have kids. How old is your kid? If she's not old enough to sit in the front, the suicide doors will be a pain. Especially, in tight spots.

 

[Jeremy556]

Would I be making a mistake trading it in?

Probably. The only functional advantage to the FJC, you don't use anyway. 80+% of my miles are off-road or on the way to/from trails, never carrying more than 1 passenger, and I still prefer the 4runner (except for when I'm high centered).

Do yourself a favor and rent one from a Toyota dealership for a week or two.

 

[Riser]

Thanks guys, it worked. Keeping my 5th gen. Damn truck is too practical to get rid of

 

[LandCruiser]

-FJ Cruiser has cheap interior, cheap paint, cheap seats
-You can't get in the back of the FJ without unbuckling the front seatbelts, opening the front doors, then opening the back doors--the back doors don't open 175 degrees like pickup doors, they awkwardly stay open 3/4 of the way. This is a super ***** to get in and out of in tight parking spaces, especially given how long the front doors are
-You can't see out of the fooking thing--front, back, left, right. It's like riding around in a football helmet
-The truck looks goofy as hell unless it's lifted
-Less hp and torque than 4Runner
-Wide turning radius
-6MT transmission has a known design flaw that Toyota will not remedy (t/o bearing)
-Windshield cracks, it doesn't chip. If you live in a place that puts down gravel, like Colorado, you're hosed. It's also a ***** to replace correctly.

The FJ is not a "Toyota Jeep" the last one of those stopped production in the 82/83 model changeover.

 

[toyslug]

Landcruiser nailed it as why NOT to get one even BEFORE one should consider exchanging one for a 4Runner!
IMO the FJ in stock form LOOKs more effeminate and too "cute" to be a man's truck! I even think our 5th gen 4Runner also LOOKS "weak" in comparison to the previous 4Runner generations!

 

[dekeman]

[MENTION=92049]LandCruiser[/MENTION] is bang on. I've spent considerable time in both.
Love the 4R more each day. Hated the FJ more each day.

This is what I wrote about the FJ a few years back.

 

[Whiplash Willy]

-FJ Cruiser has cheap interior, cheap paint, cheap seats

How is that any different then our 4runners?

 

[Lenny33]

I have had both.
FJ's windshield gets cracked all the time and freezes up in the winter because of it's vertical nature.
FJ's blind spots are HORRIBLE.
FJ's back seat is a pain in the butt to get in and out of.

That's enough.:biggrin2:

 

[JohnJerk]

-FJ Cruiser has cheap interior, cheap paint, cheap seats
-You can't get in the back of the FJ without unbuckling the front seatbelts, opening the front doors, then opening the back doors--the back doors don't open 175 degrees like pickup doors, they awkwardly stay open 3/4 of the way. This is a super ***** to get in and out of in tight parking spaces, especially given how long the front doors are
-You can't see out of the fooking thing--front, back, left, right. It's like riding around in a football helmet
-The truck looks goofy as hell unless it's lifted
-Less hp and torque than 4Runner
-Wide turning radius
-6MT transmission has a known design flaw that Toyota will not remedy (t/o bearing)
-Windshield cracks, it doesn't chip. If you live in a place that puts down gravel, like Colorado, you're hosed. It's also a ***** to replace correctly.

The FJ is not a "Toyota Jeep" the last one of those stopped production in the 82/83 model changeover.

Can't argue too much with the above but do note the following:

-The FJ feels much faster/peppier than the 4R despite the spec sheets
-Resale is anticipated to be better than 4R
-You can get a rear locker on any model
-FJ is cheaper than 4R
-2014 Trail Team will be a collectors item eventually and resale will prob be better than just about any other production vehicle out there
-Stock for stock, FJ is more capable off road

 

[Misterquad]

In my mind I wish I could morph the FJ's interior, grille and rear spare onto the 4Runner or just stretch the FJ to have 4 real doors (and the rear deck was laid flat with the rear seat down).

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/general-discussion/136727-toyota-4runner-fj-front-end-2.html

It is not exactly the way I would do it but close enough to make my point.

 

[KCcarguy]

It's the last year for the FJ. I'd love to have one! They seem to be a little more sturdy/ utilitarian than 4runners. FJs have great aftermarket support and they make better trail rigs, but that's about it. 4runner wins in about every other category.

 

[Jimmy_D]

They make better trail rigs

Absolutely true. I have both. 2007 FJ and 2013 TE 4-Runner. Both are heavily modified and both see extensive off road use. If you're not into wheeling your vehicle in a serious way I'd definitely opt for the 4-Runner.