I'd Like to Tell Toyota...This is for constructive suggestions to be made to Toyota regarding the FJ Cruiser. This is a flame free forum and heavily moderated.
I drove my first FJ60 (1985) the other day and I have to partially agree with the original post. Sort of like comparing my old 1987 560SEC Mercedes to the plastic cars they make today.
Mercedes has the same attitude.
I love my FJ, don't get me wrong, but no doubt about it - they made them better back then. The days of pride of manufacturing should be over - cars and trucks now are just a shadow of past quality.
As for as the excuse for the weak components to save weight for better mileage, that is laughable. The mileage is awful. Gigantic trucks with V8s get better, so that is an epic fail.
Proof of value then vs now? I could probably sell my FJ for $20k, it is perfect. There is an FJ60 on Ebay here at $12k already, with multiple bidders. New it sold for $15k. People are willing to pay over half the cost of my FJ for an 80s FJ60 w/ 80k miles. Why? Must be the quality. Toyota : Land Cruiser:eBay Motors (item 180369054212 end time Jun-21-09 20:10:06 PDT)
i went to a dealership today to get some bulbs and saw a "new" 08 4x2 sunfu sitting on the lot.
nothing special, but it stickered for 30k.
toyota, get over it.
the times you can charge premiums for your cars are long dead. that was back when your cars lasted forever and were rock solid.
the frail plasticky things you sell these days are NOT the land cruisers of 1980 that could run 300k miles as long as the body didn't rot off.
rattles, squeaks, bulging fenders, frail clutches, whining belts, idler pulleys, soft bodies. you have a lot of nerve to piss on the reputation of rock solid vehicles you have established.
Location: "Sweet Talking Southern Gentleman" -Madame X
Posts: 2,698
Re: get off of your high horse
I too remember the "good ole Toyota days". The days when stepping on the throttle resulted in a slightly deeper roar.. Nothing else, just the sound of the butterfly opening a little more. The days when shifting from second to third required leaning up in the seat to accommodate the two foot shifter throw.. The days when top speed could only be reached after a ten mile run.. I remember those days well.. as I do the 40hp VW beetle.. LOL.. Cheers.. Ron
__________________
08 SS, Kokopelli decals, SS valve stem caps, 35PSI COLD and exhaust tip
Rapper standing on the corner, wrappers flying in the wind... And in my quite reflection, I wonder why..
I agree, but a FJ isn't going to win any street races either. It isn't about speed. It is about reliability, workmanship and quality. Maybe that is just me.
but a FJ isn't going to win any street races either.
Oooh, gotta disagree there. Sure it won't beat anything with real power, but it sure is fun making the ricers wonder what's wrong with their sh-t when an SUV leaves them looking at its spare tire.
The gas crunch back in the late 70s forces the auto manufacturers to step away and redesigned how they constructed vehicles in the earlier years. And slowly, the manufacturers started to fattened up designs again nearly some 30 years again. Case in point. The pick up truck. Have you noticed how freaking big it is and its like a semi on the road. The high beds and the higher heights are all a distraction. Why? Because the manufacturers LISTENED to the consumer and wanting it bigger. So the manufacturers started playing the numbers game and thats what we have a now, an over sized pick up truck. Its ridiculous IMHO! Oh I did mention the price have been skyrocketing too? Geezus talking about bending over the consumer.
The Big 3, especially GM, ventured to 'dropping' cylinders, which isn't new since the 80s caddy's had it, it was a selling/marketing point to get more trucks out the door. their trucks may have better MPG, but Ford is still winning the war domestically. There's more than just MPG than can get a sale. Ford and GM are offering hybrid trucks/SUVs first thanks to the prices which have crept up again. That's the trend for the past several years.. hybrids so people will buy. Other manufactures are most likely quietly working on their own. I see that Toyota came out with their 'flex fuel' vehicles and one Hybrid SUV. I prefer to have either a Sequoia with dropping cylinders or a hybrid because that Tahoe Hybrid has caught my eye. The question is.. is the MPG gain that much of a factor for a sale to me? Its the overall package that gets the sale.
So in closing, WE created this vehicles. Manufacturers to watch the 'trends' and ask. Its our own doing.. majority rules.
Just deal with it. I know a 69 camaro will mostly last longer than a 2010 one.
Oh, how right you are. Around my part of the country Hino trucks are consider the lesser of all the box trucks, below Isuzu/GMC, Ford, International, etc.
I used to drive a Hino when I was 21. I think it was a 1978. It was a beauty.
I can't disagree with the OP, but true to his forum name, I think the older bulletproof specimens that will run forever are what one who really needs and desires a rock solid tank would just have one of the older, stouter, heavier vehicles for those purposes, and forget about the newer ones. As has been posted, the US requirments, gas mileage considerations, and things desired by the masses in vehicle to make it profitable just don't seem to line up with what is required for tank-like, simple, and reliable offroadster. At least not one very affordable to the majority of us. Otherwise, there would be many alternatives out there, right? Just my two cents.
I agree with both sides of this argument. I had a 1990 4runner years ago, and that truck was solid. I later had a 96 4runner, and it wasn't as solid. My FJ falls somewhere between. It feels more solid than the 96 runner, but not as solid as the 90. I wouldn't trade it for the world though.Factory locker? 6 speed? I'm sold! It is also nice to not have to get a 90mph run at that next steep hill heading down to Moab as I had to with my past Toyotas. The 3.0 in the 90 was a gutless wonder, and got about the same mileage as the FJ. And I just love dusting the ricer cars. They are usually pretty surprised a lifted truck just smoked them. My .02
__________________
08 Black Diamond Conv. Pkg. 6MT
Roof Rack
Hitch
Locker
$60 A-TRAC
ABS VSC OFF Switch. (fun button)
Passenger Arm Rest
Kenwood Deck Assorted Speakers
Rough Country 3" lift
BFG 285/70/17 All Terrains
Home Made light Bar
Cheap Auto Zone Lights
Custom Air Dam
Trail Gear Sliders
Full Ricochets
Linear Mode
