Today is decision day....

I couldn't decide yet. For some reason the bozo at the Toyota dealership didn't get me all of the info I needed. Now the bank is closed.... so the decision gets pushed back another day.

I really love both vehicles for different reasons. The 4Runner certainly makes more sense....man, I love the 4Runner Sport. It is quite possibly the coolest vehicle ever produced in my opinion. I just wish the one I was looking at was blue or white instead of black. :bash:
 
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Thai said:
The FJ automatic 4wd system is a part-time system...you canNOT use 4wd on dry pavement. The FJ manual is a full-time system, like the V8 4runner model.
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Really? This whole time I thought the automatic FJ had the same setup as the V6 4Runner, with selectable 4wd that could also run full time.
 
BamBam said:
I couldn't decide yet. For some reason the bozo at the Toyota dealership didn't get me all of the info I needed. Now the bank is closed.... so the decision gets pushed back another day.

I really love both vehicles for different reasons. The 4Runner certainly makes more sense....man, I love the 4Runner Sport. It is quite possibly the coolest vehicle ever produced in my opinion. I just wish the one I was looking at was blue or white instead of black. :bash:
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You dont like black? Maybe you should wait until a color you want comes around. I would like to know what color the FJ is. FJ will definitely get the wow factor but i've never driven one before. Theres a modded FJ around here and it looks wicked in black.
 
I love black vehicles. Nothing looks better to me than a clean black vehicle. The problem is that with a black exterior and black interior it will get pretty hot during the 100+ degree summers. Plus they look like garbage in the winters because of the road salt and sand they throw down around here.

I was choosing between a blue or light tan FJ. I figure the lighter colored one would look better all year and stay cooler (especially with the white roof). The blue one just looks pretty cool, but maybe too flashy for a middle-aged guy like myself.
 
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Thai said:

However, this does not mean that the 4runner is a Tahoe (sorry Falls!). The 4runner is way more practical and can be modded to be equal to stock FJ (if not more). FJ can never be modded to be as practical as 4runner.
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Thai, no apologies needed. Hey the tug boat Tahoe rocks and you know it. Best off road machine since the Smart Car hit the market:D

Anyway I would opt for the v8 4R , yes I'm biased but really depends what you want to do. The 4R is a totally different 4wd than I am used to but as time goes on ( especially this winter driving in lots and lots of snow ) I've begun to really appreciate its capabilities.

Thai , you said the Atrac on the FJ is better by a wider margin. Just wondering how so ? It seems pretty aggressive on the 4R , what would the difference be ?
 
I have never been in an FJ but to me it seems like a fun weekend car, while the 4Runner seems more of a daily driver. It really depends on what your going to be using the car for.
 
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Falls said:
Thai , you said the Atrac on the FJ is better by a wider margin. Just wondering how so ? It seems pretty aggressive on the 4R , what would the difference be ?
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Well, it seemed to transfer torque to the non-spinning/slipping wheel better. It clamps down on the spinning wheel quicker and actually really slows it down (and even stop it momentarily). The 4runner's system allowed for more slipping/spinning.
 
BamBam said:
I love black vehicles. Nothing looks better to me than a clean black vehicle. The problem is that with a black exterior and black interior it will get pretty hot during the 100+ degree summers. Plus they look like garbage in the winters because of the road salt and sand they throw down around here.

I was choosing between a blue or light tan FJ. I figure the lighter colored one would look better all year and stay cooler (especially with the white roof). The blue one just looks pretty cool, but maybe too flashy for a middle-aged guy like myself.
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I'd go with a blue or black one. Black only if it has the black roof(TRD edition i think). Tan does have it's advantages so i'm not going to bash that. If your going to go with the FJ for it's unique look, why not blue? Who cares if it looks flashy, if you're spending your money on it dont worry about what others think. If you do, most people around my area agree the FJ looks wicked in blue. Sure it's a little over the top but looks awesome to me, a nice compliment to it's retro look.
I don't think i've ever seen a tan FJ. Yellow looks great too.
 
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FJC has the same size brakes on the rear, I wonder if the rear pads are a stickier compound, perhaps the brakes hoses are substantially stiffer, or maybe Toyota set out to have it function more aggressively.:confused:

I have to believe a stickier compound of rear pad and a stiffer, less flexible brake line would help the 4Runners ATRAC work more aggressively. Just my 2cents...:cheers:
 
CJ3Flyr said:
FJC has the same size brakes on the rear, I wonder if the rear pads are a stickier compound, perhaps the brakes hoses are substantially stiffer, or maybe Toyota set out to have it function more aggressively.:confused:

I have to believe a stickier compound of rear pad and a stiffer, less flexible brake line would help the 4Runners ATRAC work more aggressively. Just my 2cents...:cheers:
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I would imagine it's in the programing of the ECU/computer or something. A-TRAC on the FJ is an off-roading tool...can only be used in 4-LOW. It is aggressive enough to be quite effective in rockcrawling, which is one of the traction control's weakness. Traction control tend to not work very good at slow speed crawl because you do not have enough wheel speed differences to trigger the ECU/computer to brake the spinning wheel. And by the time you have enough wheel speed differences, your truck already is slipping and sliding. FJ's A-TRAC fixes this (or tries to) by being more sensitive to wheel speed differences and being more aggressive at clamping a tire to a stop.

FJ's A-TRAC is not meant to be used on the highway or even in bad weather...you cannot use it in 4-HIGH.
 
Thai said:
I would imagine it's in the programing of the ECU/computer or something. A-TRAC on the FJ is an off-roading tool...can only be used in 4-LOW. It is aggressive enough to be quite effective in rockcrawling, which is one of the traction control's weakness. Traction control tend to not work very good at slow speed crawl because you do not have enough wheel speed differences to trigger the ECU/computer to brake the spinning wheel. And by the time you have enough wheel speed differences, your truck already is slipping and sliding. FJ's A-TRAC fixes this (or tries to) by being more sensitive to wheel speed differences and being more aggressive at clamping a tire to a stop.

FJ's A-TRAC is not meant to be used on the highway or even in bad weather...you cannot use it in 4-HIGH.
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Wow! What I have learned/solidified in my mind (while BamBam decides which is right for him) is the 4Runner wins hands down if you have to live with it everyday. An FJC with an auto in snowy road conditions is somewhat primitive. VSC can
 
This has been a ton of good info. Unfortunately we had a blizzard here yesterday and everybody is still digging out. Now my car purchase decision has been pushed back some more. Maybe I'll do it on Monday since I get the day off.

You guys are full of great information. I think what I really wish now is that my wife would have picked up a 4Runner instead of the Pilot she just bought. Then I could have gotten the FJ and everybody is riding in style. Oh well... the Pilot is still a really good vehicle for her. I am just not a huge fan. It is just a really big car, but at least it is comfortable and safe.
 
BamBam said:
This has been a ton of good info. Unfortunately we had a blizzard here yesterday and everybody is still digging out. Now my car purchase decision has been pushed back some more. Maybe I'll do it on Monday since I get the day off.

You guys are full of great information. I think what I really wish now is that my wife would have picked up a 4Runner instead of the Pilot she just bought. Then I could have gotten the FJ and everybody is riding in style. Oh well... the Pilot is still a really good vehicle for her. I am just not a huge fan. It is just a really big car, but at least it is comfortable and safe.
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Given that she has a Pilot you're in great shape. Concerning the Pilot, I concur: big, safe and comfortable. Either combo (Pilot/FJC or Pilot/4Runner) is a great combo.

Stay on top of VTM & transmission fluid changes on the Pilot; every 20-30k... My Dad has a Ridgeline (mechanical sibling to the Pilot), my best buddy has a Pilot. The Transmission and Transfer case fluid on both take quite a beating, more than Honda planned. The remedy, according to the message boards, seems to be lots of fluid changes. There are a lot of high mileage units with driveline problems and many units with zero problems. The line is drawn straight down the frequency of fluid change line.
 
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CJ3Flyr said:
Given that she has a Pilot you're in great shape. Concerning the Pilot, I concur: big, safe and comfortable. Either combo (Pilot/FJC or Pilot/4Runner) is a great combo.

Stay on top of VTM & transmission fluid changes on the Pilot; every 20-30k... My Dad has a Ridgeline (mechanical sibling to the Pilot), my best buddy has a Pilot. The Transmission and Transfer case fluid on both take quite a beating, more than Honda planned. The remedy, according to the message boards, seems to be lots of fluid changes. There are a lot of high mileage units with driveline problems and many units with zero problems. The line is drawn straight down the frequency of fluid change line.
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FANTASTIC information! Thank you so much for that info on the Pilot. That shows what kind of folks are here. I get Honda advice just because you're a nice person. That's great!

As for the decision.... I came to the decision to buy the FJ (just because I'd always wanted an FJ40 as a kid). Then the bozo went and sold it out from under me, I even told him I'd give him a cash deposit and everything.

I think a higher power is intervening. Something tells me I was meant to be a member of the clan of the 4Runner. We'll see what transpires on Monday when I call the guy who is selling some 2007's with low low mileage. Muahahahaha.
 
BamBam said:
FANTASTIC information! Thank you so much for that info on the Pilot. That shows what kind of folks are here. I get Honda advice just because you're a nice person. That's great!

As for the decision.... I came to the decision to buy the FJ (just because I'd always wanted an FJ40 as a kid). Then the bozo went and sold it out from under me, I even told him I'd give him a cash deposit and everything.

I think a higher power is intervening. Something tells me I was meant to be a member of the clan of the 4Runner. We'll see what transpires on Monday when I call the guy who is selling some 2007's with low low mileage. Muahahahaha.
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Glad to help with the Honda. Well, do you have a 4Runner yet? :confused: I hope you find one you like. I love mine. :bigok:
 
Nah, I don't have one yet. Low mileage guy is all out of V8's as of right now. I really prefer vehicles with full time 4 wheel drive, so I am just going to wait until he gets another one in with a V8 I guess. Other dealers around here have them, but they want MUCH more than he sells them for.
 
BamBam said:
Nah, I don't have one yet. Low mileage guy is all out of V8's as of right now. I really prefer vehicles with full time 4 wheel drive, so I am just going to wait until he gets another one in with a V8 I guess. Other dealers around here have them, but they want MUCH more than he sells them for.
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Good for you. Waiting for the right one is always better than succumbing to the temptation of instant gratification. Well, maybe not always better but patience definately works better when you're talking cars or mates.:biggrin2:
 
CJ3Flyr said:
Good for you. Waiting for the right one is always better than succumbing to the temptation of instant gratification. Well, maybe not always better but patience definately works better when you're talking cars or mates.:biggrin2:
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I have the ultimate example. I wanted a new truck back when I drove my 94 Explorer because my mom bought a new one. With the money I had at the time, a Ford Escape was in my price range, but my mom didn't want to go half and half yet since it was for my graduation present. So by the time I graduated, and summer came around, I had about $17,000. By this time I had already become obsessed with 4runners, and finally found the one I wanted. It's MSRP was about $38,000 but we got it for $32,700 through the credit union.

If I had gotten what I wanted at the time (for instant gratification) I would have a Ford Escape right now instead of my 4runner. Bleh.
 
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