Any FJ Cruiser fans?

[Pony Soldier]

Had a 68, 74 and a 76. The forest service closed all the roads they fit on. I bought a pickup.

 

[Ferrulewax]

I’ve got a buddy with one- I think they are cool but I don’t get the cult following. The half rear door is a PITA, not much space inside and it seems like it’s got quite a few blind spots. I’m more of a 60/80/100/200 and prado guy or even 4r and sequoia- but I definitely wouldn’t mind having an FJ cruiser as a trail rig.

 

[Wrench]

I have a 3 locker fj80. I like it well enough.

 

[Phaseolus]

I wish I still had my 68 fj40

 

[3325]

I drove a 2012 FJ from 2016 - 2022. I traded it for a Jeep Wrangler. The FJ was a good vehicle, but I like the Wrangler better. Some people are just Jeep people and some people are just not. It doesn’t have to make sense.

 

[FLATHEAD]

I wish I still had my 68 fj40

Wish I still had my 78 FJ40.

 

[Weldor]

How do they compare to Wrangler unlimited? I have always liked the look, but I need room for 2 greyhounds. They fit in my Oscar mike jku. Thought about buying one for the wife, but theyare waaaay over priced. Still looks like a fun to drive vehicle.

 

[ss9961]

I bought a 2013 all white manual trans brand new.
I LOVED the FJ. I am 6’6” and fit just fine. The back seat access sucks but it was just my wife and I with 2 small dogs. It was unstoppable in snow, mud or sand. I also had an F350 so the FJ wasn’t my only vehicle. I paid 34k in 2013 and traded it for 29k in 2021 on my 2021 Land Cruiser heritage. The LC is the only vehicle I would’ve ever traded it for, I wish I still had the FJ.

I also have a wrangler rubicon 2 door, soft top, man trans. When people ask me to compare the wrangler and FJ I tell them that the FJ is sort of like a hard top wrangler, only absolutely reliable.

I do love them all though. And yes, current prices for FJs are insane.

 

[tony]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.motortrend.com/news/future-cars-2024-toyota-compact-cruiser-ev-suv/amp/&ved=2ahUKEwiQw6bMm7T8AhUILUQIHap5CpAQFnoECBUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3s3rRqY_v96QWe7zxQQhF8

Nothing like being on a weekend off road trip and needing to find a place to plug in

 

[handwerk]

Great stuff guys.
My FJ is currently in the shop getting fluid filmed.
After a week and about 500 miles I can say the concern over the “blind spot” are overblown.
Since I am used to also buying Tacomas and 4Runners the above average prices didn’t surprise me as I know these vehicles are typically long lived .
There are still some deals out there if you’re patient.

 

[BLJ]

Had a 2007. 3 wide car seats for the kids in the back didn’t work for us or we would still have it. Really solid vehicle for us.

 

[wyosteve]

Can any of you FJ owners give me an idea of typical highway mileage with the 4.0 engine? I've toyed with the idea of getting one, but in the reviews I've read, the mileage doesn't seem appreciably better than my Power Wagon. Thanks in advance.

 

[eddielasvegas]

Since there are readers of this thread who are potential buyers, I'll contribute my experiences with my '07 FJ in Voodoo Blue, in no particular order.

1) It has panache and a very high kewl factor.
2) It's a very capable off roader in stock form.
3) Fantastic 4WD drive train and super reliable and dependable.

And some things that bugged the bejesus out of me to the point I sold it after 8 months of ownership.

1) It requires premium fuel. This really ticked me off and IIRC, the difference then was 30-40 cents a gallon and not the 50-60 cents today.
2) Suicide doors are a major PITA if you'll use them regularly if you have young kids like we did.
3) Given the almost vertical position of the windshield, it is prone to chips and breaking more than a normal windshield.
4) Your insurance will have a conniption (see # 3; and want to use an aftermarket W/S) when it comes time to replace the windshield. Mine was $1,200 15 years ago. I had other insurance companies asking what the $1,200 claim was a few years later cuz it was so high dollar.
5) No cover on center console. Another thing that seemed so silly to not have like # 6.
6) No way to get circulation to rear seats as the windows in the suicide doors would not open. Totally silly move by Toyota IMHO.



Eddie

 

[Hydro557]

They don't require premium fuel. Premium fuel attains the rated hp is all.

In 220k mine never got anything other than 87 octane. Pen and paper fuel mileage over the life of the vehicle with about 50/50 Hwy city at ~800 feet asl is 17.9 mpg.

Best vehicle I've ever owned.

Eta-they do go thru windshields but 1200 is nuts.

Owned mine since 08 and replaced windshield 2 times. 325 each time.

 

[SDHNTR]

Had a mustard yellow 1976 in HS and college. I'd give a nut to have that vehicle back now!

 

[Randy11]

The 2007-2009 models did recommend premium fuel. Startting in 2010 they went to the double Variable Valve Timing and started recommended anything 87 or higher. It's one of the reasons the 2010+ are in a little higher demand.

@wyosteve I tracked my mileage on a 2800 mile road trip from MT to NM and back this spring, and got 20.8 on 10 ply Cooper 265-75-16 mud tires. I drive like a grandma though, and almost always get better MPG on vehicles than what they're rated.

 

[505Wapiti]

Have a 2012 FJ…. Or should I say my wife has a 2012 FJ . I barely get to drive it, but love it. Also have 2016 Tacoma TRD Off-road DCLB, and love them both. Will probably hold onto the FJ forever with no plans at all of ever getting rid of it. Has been a fantastic vehicle both on and off road.

 

[Hydro557]

The 2007-2009 models did recommend premium fuel. Startting in 2010 they went to the double Variable Valve Timing and started recommended anything 87 or higher. It's one of the reasons the 2010+ are in a little higher demand.

@wyosteve I tracked my mileage on a 2800 mile road trip from MT to NM and back this spring, and got 20.8 on 10 ply Cooper 265-75-16 mud tires. I drive like a grandma though, and almost always get better MPG on vehicles than what they're rated.

Mine is an 08.

I know many other FJ owners that run 87. Knock sensors work fine and they've had zero detonation issues.

Anyway, great vehicles. Ideal for 2 people.

And 20.8 is great mpg. These things are a brick going down the road. But there's just something about them.

 

[Randy11]

Mine is an 08.

I know many other FJ owners that run 87. Knock sensors work fine and they've had zero detonation issues.

Anyway, great vehicles. Ideal for 2 people.

And 20.8 is great mpg. These things are a brick going down the road. But there's just something about them.

That's good to know. I wonder if Toyota just needed to recommend premium to get the MPG rating they wanted.

100% with you on being a two seater, although I did have 5 dudes, 5 backpacks and a mountain goat in/on mine at one point. 90%+ of the time I have the back seats out of mine and the sleeping platform in there.

 

[wyosteve]

Thanks for the info. The mileage is close to what I've read, i.e. around 17 give or take a bit. I can get 17 or a bit more with my Power Wagon with the 8 spd. transmission if I can hold it under 75!