st8rocks
New member
It is. Same design on my Rav, I hate it. Especially loading and unloading in the rain. One of the major draws backs to the GX in my opinion.
Wife wrecked her BMW...buy a FJ Cruiser to replace?
- Thread starter Texas777
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It is. Same design on my Rav, I hate it. Especially loading and unloading in the rain. One of the major draws backs to the GX in my opinion.
I get that the FJC would likely become your vehicle and the 4R would go to your wife, but for reference, my wife who drove a BMW (manual trans 3 series) a few cars ago, now drives a FJC and loves it. She practically swaps cars more often than I get new shoes and the FJ is a keeper for her.
Intruder
New member
Actually, I mean the two back doors not the swing out rear hatch. Though I do agree about the 4Runner rear hatch being convenient as a rain shelter. On a camping trip where it poured rain all weekend I stood under it to cook all my meals with a Jetboil.
I owned an FJ Cruiser (traded it for my current 4Runner), and currently own a BMW 545. There is no comparison between Toyota and BMW. Completely different animals for different styles of driving. If your wife is only used to (and likes) the BMW style, then the FJ will be a radical difference for her. If, on the other hand, she likes offroading and higher vehicles that are rather heavy and sluggish as compared to the BMer, them maybe she'll love it. Personally, I'd let her decide.
ETA - Since I see you'll be the one driving the FJ, then I'll add that the 4Runner is a step up in my opinion from a "civilized driving" perspective. If you're an avid off-roader, then I give the FJ the edge. The FJ is not nearly as nice to drive through town or on the highway as a 4Runner is. Most of the reasons have already been mentioned, but I'll also add "road noise" to the comparison. the 4Runner is much quieter than the FJ, and the BMer is FAR quieter than both of them.
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Antman
Elite Member
That's freakin' hilarious! Made me lol fo real.:clap2:
RickC5
New member
Find something else.
What he said^^^^
My neighbor has a '13 FJ and we have a '14 4Runner Trail. Aside from the similar drivetrain, there's no comparison. I ride in the FJ all the time, and the FJ makes me feel claustrophobic. The narrow windshield combined with minimal side windows contributes to that feeling. The lack of rear doors makes everyone irritable. The driver or front passenger must unbuckle and maybe get out to let out any rear seat passengers, even pre-teen kids. His FJ gets no better gas mileage than our T4R. We both have 2" lifts, but his lift (OME) really ruined the highway ride. We have Daystar spacers & they work fine with the KDSS. The FJ is also noisier--much noisier.
Probably the most interesting thing is that he stated after a long ride in our T4R: "If I had it to do all over again, I would have gotten a 4Runner."
So, unless you want an FJ for lots & lots of off-roading, just forget about it!
What he said^^^^
My neighbor has a '13 FJ and we have a '14 4Runner Trail. Aside from the similar drivetrain, there's no comparison. I ride in the FJ all the time, and the FJ makes me feel claustrophobic. The narrow windshield combined with minimal side windows contributes to that feeling. The lack of rear doors makes everyone irritable. The driver or front passenger must unbuckle and maybe get out to let out any rear seat passengers, even pre-teen kids. His FJ gets no better gas mileage than our T4R. We both have 2" lifts, but his lift (OME) really ruined the highway ride. We have Daystar spacers & they work fine with the KDSS. The FJ is also noisier--much noisier.
Probably the most interesting thing is that he stated after a long ride in our T4R: "If I had it to do all over again, I would have gotten a 4Runner."
So, unless you want an FJ for lots & lots of off-roading, just forget about it!
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wfo9
New member
I looked at an FJ and a Tacoma when I got my 4 runner. The thing that turned me away from the FJ was the fact that I could not get my bikes in it very easily. I do a lot of MTB and the bikes are too expensive to leave on a rack while at work... I pondered it for a few days, but realized the 4 runner just had too much utility to pass up. I also do a lot of off-road moto stuff. That was my original reason for considering a Tacoma, but I quickly realized it had a really small bed in the first place and no room inside, plus I could still carry a single moto with the 4runner/FJ with a receiver carrier. For the money, the 4 runner was by far the best value.
With that said, I have ended up using my 4runner for off-roading way more than I ever planned. It has become a new hobby in itself. In that setting, I often wish I had an FJ instead of the 4 runner. THey also have way more aftermarket parts available...
Bottom line, they each have their strengths and weaknesses, but the 4 runner has more overall utility. The FJ wins on the trails, but the 4Runner rules for bringing along all your stuff.
With that said, I have ended up using my 4runner for off-roading way more than I ever planned. It has become a new hobby in itself. In that setting, I often wish I had an FJ instead of the 4 runner. THey also have way more aftermarket parts available...
Bottom line, they each have their strengths and weaknesses, but the 4 runner has more overall utility. The FJ wins on the trails, but the 4Runner rules for bringing along all your stuff.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/185543-roll-call-fjc-owners-now-own-5th-gen.html
My bride is now driving my old FJC 6MT and she loves it. Her only complaint has been the crappy rearward visibility when backing-up. She adjusted quickly to the big fat a-pillars.
My bride is now driving my old FJC 6MT and she loves it. Her only complaint has been the crappy rearward visibility when backing-up. She adjusted quickly to the big fat a-pillars.
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I had a rear camera installed in mine when I had the Kenwood/Garmin head unit put in. Really helps that rear view. cost less than a hundred bucks to have it done, and was SO worth it!
Shaolin
New member
I originally wanted a TRD Edition all black FJ Cruiser or a Team Trails Edition FJ Cruiser before I ordered my 2015 TRD PRO 4Runner.
We test drove an FJ and here are a few things that changed my mind.
No room in the backseat, really bad blindspots, can't see nothing from the back window, backseat feels really tight, don't like how the hatch opens like a door, suicide doors (with a newborn in the backseat it would suck) basically it is not a family oriented vehicle. Perfect for a couple but not for kids & it seems too small for me.
But it does destroy JEEPS.
We test drove an FJ and here are a few things that changed my mind.
No room in the backseat, really bad blindspots, can't see nothing from the back window, backseat feels really tight, don't like how the hatch opens like a door, suicide doors (with a newborn in the backseat it would suck) basically it is not a family oriented vehicle. Perfect for a couple but not for kids & it seems too small for me.
But it does destroy JEEPS.
Thanks for the comments and suggestions, including yours 1Engineer!
First off, to answer the question that was asked a few times, the wife does like the 4Runner and would be happy driving it. We came really close to buying her a Limited the week after I bought my Trail.
Drive an FJC this afternoon, and many of the pros and cons voiced here became evident. It was helpful going into the test drive with these things in mind. While I like the vehicle, I m not sure I care for the small back seat, confined feeling I get when in it, and limited visibility. If bought for a third car, it would be fun to build up and take out to play, but I'm not seeing it as a daily driver for me (or her).
No FJC for us, so back to considering another 4Runner, as we don't like any other SUV options short of the Range Rover (not gonna happen). The BMW is paid off with only 40K miles on the clock, and is definitely repairable, but once a vehicle gets bent its rarely 100% right again, and I'm pretty particular about the details so it's probably going. The warranty is about up as well at the 4 year mark in May so there is always that to consider too. They aren't cheap to keep after the warranty expires...
Thanks again to everyone that provided constructive input. Hard to beat a 4Runner all the way around!
First off, to answer the question that was asked a few times, the wife does like the 4Runner and would be happy driving it. We came really close to buying her a Limited the week after I bought my Trail.
Drive an FJC this afternoon, and many of the pros and cons voiced here became evident. It was helpful going into the test drive with these things in mind. While I like the vehicle, I m not sure I care for the small back seat, confined feeling I get when in it, and limited visibility. If bought for a third car, it would be fun to build up and take out to play, but I'm not seeing it as a daily driver for me (or her).
No FJC for us, so back to considering another 4Runner, as we don't like any other SUV options short of the Range Rover (not gonna happen). The BMW is paid off with only 40K miles on the clock, and is definitely repairable, but once a vehicle gets bent its rarely 100% right again, and I'm pretty particular about the details so it's probably going. The warranty is about up as well at the 4 year mark in May so there is always that to consider too. They aren't cheap to keep after the warranty expires...
Thanks again to everyone that provided constructive input. Hard to beat a 4Runner all the way around!
hikenbike
New member
Been considering an FJ myself recently and I owned a 328i three years ago. Almost identical ride. She'll love the FJ without question. Just get it.
oljedi11950
New member
Get a V6 awd Venza & crossover it ! Saw one & drove it the other day SWEET ! All the upside & versatility of 4runner with chick appeal IMO !
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