Hello everyone. I am new to this forum, so decided to hit this section. I am looking at a sub 14000$ vehicle for trail road driving, snowed out roads, some mild offroading and of course long distance highway rides. The vehicle will see about 50% city, 45% highway, and about 5% time off the road (Every alternate weekend).
Off road time will increase when it snows.
I was thinking of playing it very safe and getting a 2007-2009ish 4runner, but that is sadly out of my budget. Bay area 4runners get very very expensive.
That brought me to getting either a Lexus GX 470
At about 13000$, I would need to spend 1000$ for a 2" lift to fit 32" tires and she is good to go. But there are issues. Like that audio system, and lots and lots of very nice things which can go wrong.
So that brings me to the fJ as a contender. Do you have any suggestions for a newbie. My requirements are
1. 32-33" tires possible with minimal mods
2. Reliability - Not very handy with self repair and don't own a lift so easy to repair at cheaper shops
3. Comfortable to drive on the highway (long 400-500 mile drives)
4. Rear diff lock
5. Enough rear clearance for snow chains (unploughed roads)
Welcome! It sounds like an FJ will fit your needs pretty well. There are two schools of thought on FJs. 07-09 FJs have a higher torque engine and a power band that comes on at a lower RPM. 2010+ FJs have more horsepower, but less torque but some people say that those engines drive on the highway better. The other thing you should know is that some early FJs had problems with fender bulges/rips, however that doesn't stop most people from buying one as that's just cosmetic. That was fixed in the 2010 and later models.
In order to fit larger tires on an FJ, you might have to do something called a body mount chop, however I was able to run a 285/70/17 tire on the stock vehicle without any modifications. You don't even need a lift unless you want to run really big tires.
Snow chains are only recommended on the rear axle so you are good there and there was a factory rear locker that is really useful on a lot of FJs. Just make sure the one you look at has it before you buy.
Thanks for the reply!
It seems the FJ is a very reliable vehicle, as much as the 4runner. I have already started searching, hope to find a good 16-17000$ specimen. Am okay with lower power
Thanks
I am looking at private sellers. I hope offering KBB (Good) price for 07-08 models would not be considered lowballing. I have seen carmax list such vintage cars for 15000-16000, so hoping for 14000 or less from private sellers
Hopefully you get the FJ..NOTHING really 'feels' like an FJ..the 4Runner and Lexus are great but don't have that tank-like feeling when your inside driving them because of the sloped A pillar.
with the 95% on road driving, I think GX470 for $13K is a better buy than an FJ. I believe it has the AWD V-8 drive train. The $1000-$1200 you will spend for a lift is the same thing you will spend for a a coil over lift on the FJ.
I see no difference in a V-8 4Runner vs. GX470 other than the Lexus are overlooked and the V8 4Runners are overpriced.
I would say get the FJ if you plan to do a lot of 4 wheeling, otherwise the GX470/4Runner route is the better one for you.
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