Another New Member Here

[fastball]

Hello everyone,

As a newbie to this forum and the FJ (don't own one yet), I have a few questions (well, I'll probably have more than a few as time gets close to when I buy one).

I am interested in the 4x4 model with the 6 speed manual transmission. I would certainly get the convenience package, upgrade package #1, and side airbags.

It will be my only vehicle. So, I would like to know, how is it as an every day driver? It will probably never see life off asphalt. Are the factory tire/wheels sufficient for good dry weather performance and reliable winter weather safety?

I plan on owning it for a long time - my current vehicle is a 2000 Honda Prelude (yeah, quite a change, but I could use the utility space and I've grown tired of having no elbow room and no view of the road and cars in front of me...... I was 23 when I bought the car new, and my perspectives in life have changed a bit). The car has 161,000 miles on it, and I intend my next car to match or surpass that (which is why it's only Honda or Toyota for me). So, as long as I do normal maintainance, it should be fine, right? But, is there anything extra special you have to maintain when it comes to a 4x4? Does transfer case grease need to be changed often? Differential grease? Etc.

Being a 4 wheel drive vehicle, when driven on streets mostly, do they tend to go out of alignment quickly? Do tires wear out fast? I'm just trying to get an idea since I drive about 25,000 miles/year.

I'm sure all of you love your FJ's, so I wouldn't expect many negative comments about it. But I'd love to year all of your opinions. And things you think someone new to the FJ family should know that I don't.

Thanks for your help.

[FJCameron]

I drive it in very urban / downtown settings all the time and have no problems with it as a city driver, does well on the freeways too. I have driven it in a few blizzards and it was like a tank on rails. Awesome. I have an automatic / 4WD though.

[MoSun]

Drive it like it's payed for. Welcome.