Like you I am from the Jeep world. For many years, my Jeep has served me well for most of its life. It is highly versatile and inexpenive to mod. It climbs like no other out there except for maybe the Defender.
Most here don't understand or can't comprehend what the Wrangler can do and mostly, I read threads that bash the Wrangler, mostly name calling as that's about the extent of experience they have with the Wrangler or offroading for that matter.
I am looking for a bigger vehicle to cart my family around in, something safe, solid and something with better gas mileage with off roading capabilities coming in a close second.
I drive my TJ on a daily basis and wheel it when I can at Paragon and Rauch Creek. I will keep the TJ and relegate it for off roading trips and whenever I need it to get the job done.
I like the durability of the Toyota (what I've read) and the FJ has caught my eye for a daily driver.
Can you eloborate on what it is like to drive the FJ on a daily basis as compaired to the Wrangler? Here is some background information for my needs...
I intend to use this as a daily driver.
I have 2 small kids (booster/baby seats) that will ride along.
The wife may use this if it is civil enough (coming from a WJ)
Some points to cover...
-Gas mileage (reads like it does a little bit better then the TJ/WJ)
-Strength of drivetrain for off road conditions
-It's Achilles heel aside from the IFS? (axles drive shafts, etc.)
-Livability in the cabin (vibrations, road noise, too hot, too cold,etc)
-Power delivery city/highway/offroad
-What takes some getting used to
-Maintenace issues (servicing/lubing stuff yourself, hard easy)
-Fit finish of the interior
-Rear view a hazard?
This is my first real interest in a Japanese vehicle so any and all information on this would be very helpful.
i thought we beat this subject to death in the jeep vs FJ thread... have you tried the trusty old search function. Would hate to see highbeams have to retype what was already printed.
i thought we beat this subject to death in the jeep vs FJ thread... have you tried the trusty old search function. Would hate to see highbeams have to retype what was already printed.
After the first couple of pages of bashing I didn't bother reading any more. You mean there was more then the Heep/Jeep threads?
From a "car" standpoint the FJ is a much more comfortable ride than a wrangler. For noise and smoothness of the suspension there is no comparison between the two. I grew up with CJs and Wranglers and had dealer after dealer tell me that this year they improved the smoothness of the ride, it never did, and I never expected a smooth ride for a wrangler either, that is not why I bought them.
The FJ is an okay family car. It is careful work getting my three year old out of the back seat when she is asleep. With the doors fully open it is very easy to bonk a head, and unfortunately for my daughter I speak from experience. There is not a lot of shopping room in the back. We hit Costco once a month for the essentials and need to have one of the back seats forward to fit our cooler and stash. Day to day room is fine as we take our trash to the dump in the back and can stock toys and stuff for our excursions.
Gas mileage is right around 20 miles per gallon. We do mostly local driving never over 60 as we don't have a highway. When we use 4 wheel it is only for a mile or so, so it doesn't impact gas too much.
I had a 94 Wrangler with the 4.0 litre engine and I think the pick up is comparable between the two. If I wanted to jump on the wrangler and take off it was probably a little more responsive, but the FJ has no problem getting up to speed.
For the off road stuff I will let High beams take over, from what I have read he is quite qualified and understands off roading for what it is.
Overall we love the FJ. I hope some of this helps.
From a "car" standpoint the FJ is a much more comfortable ride than a wrangler. For noise and smoothness of the suspension there is no comparison between the two. I grew up with CJs and Wranglers and had dealer after dealer tell me that this year they improved the smoothness of the ride, it never did, and I never expected a smooth ride for a wrangler either, that is not why I bought them.
The FJ is an okay family car. It is careful work getting my three year old out of the back seat when she is asleep. With the doors fully open it is very easy to bonk a head, and unfortunately for my daughter I speak from experience. There is not a lot of shopping room in the back. We hit Costco once a month for the essentials and need to have one of the back seats forward to fit our cooler and stash. Day to day room is fine as we take our trash to the dump in the back and can stock toys and stuff for our excursions.
Gas mileage is right around 20 miles per gallon. We do mostly local driving never over 60 as we don't have a highway. When we use 4 wheel it is only for a mile or so, so it doesn't impact gas too much.
I had a 94 Wrangler with the 4.0 litre engine and I think the pick up is comparable between the two. If I wanted to jump on the wrangler and take off it was probably a little more responsive, but the FJ has no problem getting up to speed.
For the off road stuff I will let High beams take over, from what I have read he is quite qualified and understands off roading for what it is.
Overall we love the FJ. I hope some of this helps.
VALUABLE stuff. Thanks for sharing. When my girls fall asleep in the Wrangler, its a comedy show getting them out and with 4" of lift, the neighbors feel sorry for me
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