Thumbs up or down factory options and accessories

[Saqqara]

A base model FJ certainly offers the most bang for the buck, but some factory options are worthwhile and a better value than aftermarket.

For potential buyers, I think it would be good to bring together in one place a thread that suggests what options represent good value and others for which one might consider aftermarket alternatives; factory warranty and toyota loyalty aside.

Some of these choices are very subjective; you should seek to buy and outfit a car in a way that makes you happy.


My thumbs up factory options:

4x4: of course. Can't be added later.

CQ package. Cruise control is a must have. Power mirrors are convenient and the rear parking assist sensors are very cool. I think this was money well spent, and hard to duplicate from the aftermarket.

Rear differential lock. Maybe an arb air locker would be better; I don't know enough about that. But I believe the factory option offers good value. Also a requirement of Atrac hack.


Thumbs down list:

Option Packages 1 or 2.
Factory Garmin Quest 2 Navigation.

The ATRAC mod will get you this very cool option for the cost of a $60 button. Don't buy a package just for that. Consided an an aftermarket double din navigation system such as a Pioneer AVIC D3 or Eclipse instead of the FJammer and the expensive optional Garmin Quest2. An advantage of the Garmin is that topographic maps are available. But you can buy a better Garmin handheld cheaper elsewhere, and save your driver side glove box for other necessities. Factory speakers and sub are worth replacing even in upgraded packages. Dash info display: if you think of it as art, go for it, but much of the functionality is duplicated in the AVIC D3's vehicle dynamics screen. 17 inch aluminum wheels: 16 inch aftermarket or TRD wheels seem to offer greater tire flexibility.

I do wish I had the steering wheel stereo controls and dressier shift knobs from the upgrade packages. Maybe I'll find them on ebay someday. I've been meaning to add an aftermarket inverter.

Side curtain airbags may be a priority for some.

Factory skid plate.

Spend this money in the aftermarket. Most here call it the "bling plate" and complain that it doesn't stand up to abuse. I have mine still because I can't see throwing away something I paid extra for.


I am not sure about:

Roof rack. It's lightweight and aerodynamic compared to most alternatives so probably more commuter friendly. The crossbars cannot bear big loads. It seems more bling than function. The more FJ's I see on the road, the more I wish I had saved my money for an ARB to set me out from the crowd. Still, many people have done some great mods and tool mounts that make this a reasonably functional rack.

TRD edition. Seems I'd want to take off some of what that buys to put on aftermarket stuff like adjustable coilovers if I was truly interested in offroad performance. But I don't have this package so don't consider this opinion with too much weight.

This is just one man's opinion and there is a wealth of information scattered around this forum. If I've made you question a particular choice, go dig deeper on that matter. If you disagree with me; you already know what you want and it's probably right for you. Go for it!

Anyone want to chime in? What options and factory accessories did I miss that others could review?

[AF Chief]

Yeah, I'd move the side curitain air bags up. Can't go wrong when it comes to safety.

I ended up paying for carpet mats, tire cover and running boards I didn't want because I didn't want to wait. They were easy enough to sell as take offs, but end up as part of the financed price.

Factory skid and roof rack is fine for what I do.
I'm fine with the FJ Jammer for now; prefer a mobile GPS over built in.
I'm OK with the factory alarm.

[1911]

If I was buying over again, knowing what I know now, I would buy a fairly stripped 6MT and go from there. The various upgrade packages are irritating for the things they combine; some good and some lame.

What I would want again: side curtain air bags, cruise control, rear locker, inverter, arm rests, all-weather floor mats, and window tint.

What I would avoid/decline if possible: homo gauge cluster on the dash, goofy lights in the outside mirrors, stainless steel exhaust tip, skid plates, rock rails, roof rack, alloy wheels, spare tire cover, FJammer, 50-state emissions, daytime running lights.

What I am neutral about (take them if they came with something else I wanted for not much cash): parking sonar, steering wheel audio controls, rear wiper, receiver hitch.

[smalls]

AF Chief previously said:

Yeah, I'd move the side curitain air bags up. Can't go wrong when it comes to safety.

I ended up paying for carpet mats, tire cover and running boards I didn't want because I didn't want to wait. They were easy enough to sell as take offs, but end up as part of the financed price.

Factory skid and roof rack is fine for what I do.
I'm fine with the FJ Jammer for now; prefer a mobile GPS over built in.
I'm OK with the factory alarm.

I was sort of in the same position, but I told the dealer that if he would like to give me running boards and the tire cover, that was fine but that I wasn't paying a dime for them.

He took them off quickly.

[ruebarb]

I got a FJ with the CQ pkg, locker, roof rack, alloys & tire cover.
I paid $28.4k I think any other factory option beyond that is a total waste of $$.

I've done everything else aftermarket and I am totally happy, no regrets.

[tsmith33]

1911 previously said:

If I was buying over again, knowing what I know now, I would buy a fairly stripped 6MT and go from there. The various upgrade packages are irritating for the things they combine; some good and some lame.

What I would want again: side curtain air bags, cruise control, rear locker, inverter, arm rests, all-weather floor mats, and window tint.

What I would avoid/decline if possible: homo gauge cluster on the dash, goofy lights in the outside mirrors, stainless steel exhaust tip, skid plates, rock rails, roof rack, alloy wheels, spare tire cover, FJammer, 50-state emissions, daytime running lights.

What I am neutral about (take them if they came with something else I wanted for not much cash): parking sonar, steering wheel audio controls, rear wiper, receiver hitch.

I 100% agree!!

[Cildar]

Want to bump this thread and say thanks. This advice was key for me in picking out what I wanted. Just need to put aside some time for some installs now.