thinking of selling 3rd gen for fj

[OutdoorLF]

I have had two FJ Cruisers, 2008 Trail Teams Limited automatic and a 2009 Base manual with a lift. Not as much room as a 4Runner, rear suicide doors are terrible getting in and out, gas mileage not as good, tons of blind spots, especially if your 6'4" and trying to see a stop light while being the first at an intersection, cannot see past the top of the windshield to see the light. If you have lots of $$$ you can easily dump $40k into one modified, bought my 99 4Runner for $7k, put $8k worth of mods on it and guarantee it will keep up with any FJ and not worry about brushing into a tree and looking at how much it will cost to fix.
Your decision but since you asked I thought I would respond.
Now if you were looking into an FJ 40 we would be talking different, had a 73 and wish I never would have sold it.

 

[MTD]

I still like the FJ more than my 3rd gen, only reason I don't have one is because it didn't work at this point in my life. A soon as I graduate I am buying one.

 

[KingSuper]

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 :crazy: My bad, yea I wouldn't get one of those

What a lovely picture, makes me want to get out there.

 

[MTwEeZi]

If I wanted a fast 4Runner, I would get a 4.0L 4th gen 4x4 and supercharge it.

 

[3bears]

the only reason I can think of getting a fj instead of my 4 runner is to get an old one...wagon/safari style...trick it out and throw a diesel in it ( which was a plan of mine a few years ago)
I think they are kind of a joke to try to relate them to the old ones
I think yota corp was just trying to play/gamble on the name

 

[Chuckles89]

I would keep the 3rd gen. My dad's 4th gen seems like it's not built as well as my 3rd. The automatic transmission also suuuucks! My 3rd has plenty of power if you step on it haha!

I've never been in a FJ Cruiser, but I think it's too wide.

 

[Bandit Runner]

My wife had an FJC for 5 years. I never did care for it, due to all the reasons listed previously.

- Awkward size, too tall and wide.
- Very small cargo storage area.
- Horrible blind spots.
- Useless rear doors.
- Poorly designed roof rack.
- Swing out rear cargo door instead of lift up gate.

I much preferred taking my older 4Runner on trips and outings.

 

[mountain mike]

I had a 2010 FJ for about 3 years, ended up rolling it, insurance totaled it out and then I bought my 3rd gen. I liked my FJ, but it turned into more of a toy and when I rolled it I reassessed my situation and it didn't make sense to me to have $40k+ in a vehicle I only used on the weekends. I also had a 96 Infiniti I30 that I DD’d that was only worth about $2k on a good day.

So after I rolled the FJ I bought a 2013 Avalon and then the 01 4Runner. My wife was pregnant and it made more sense to have a newer car to DD vs my 96 Infiniti with 200k+ on it. If I was going to get something scratched up possibly dented it made more sense to do it to a 15 year old vehicle vs a newer FJ that was worth a lot more money. My wife also weighed in on this and made it clear that if I was going to wheel something I better not total out another $40k rig.

For a DD the FJ might make sense for you. Here is what I have noticed between the two.

The FJ is FAT and bloated. I didn’t really notice the width parking the FJ or driving it around town, but the 3rd Gen is much more nimble on the trail and overall I like the size more on the 3rd gen. The FJ seems very wide on the trail compared to a 3rd gen.

They are about the same in terms of inside usable space. Either one doesn't have much room. Some of this may be because I run the spare in the back of the 4runner and the FJ has it mounted on the outside. But trying to load either one up for a camping trip will result in limited space. A roof rack on either on would help.

FJ gas mileage is the same as my 3rd gen. In stock form I would say my 3rd gen was actually a bit better. I was able to average about 19-20 in the 3rd gen and about 18-19 in the FJ. Modded out they both come in right about 13-14 mpg.

As for power the FJ wins hands down. Not that the 4.0L is a powerhouse, but in modded form I never really had an issue with the FJ. The 3rd gen modded, I can tell a big difference and am currently saving my pennies for a regear. Something I didn’t feel my FJ needed, although my FJ was a manual and the 4Runner is an auto. But still the FJ will have more power and doesn’t feel like a dog as my 3rd gen currently does.

The FJ is cooler, well at least in stock form. My 3rd gen looks pretty bas ass with the mods (at least I think so). But whenever you drive the FJ it feels like you are going on an adventure with the small short windshield. There are not as many of them as you kinda get the feeling that you are in the “club” with an FJ.

The visibility in the 3rd gen is much better than the FJ. However, I will say I got use to the visibility in the FJ and never had an issue.

Resale on both is very good.

There is a lot more aftermarket support for FJ’s. Tons of suspension set ups, tons of aftermarket bumpers, roof racks, etc. The FJ community will through tons of money at their rigs and the aftermarket market has noticed and caters to them. Not as much as a Jeep, but still more than our 3rd gens.

YMMMV