Feedback on FJ

[krasny]

Coldnapalm previously said:

id buy it my fjs already been underwater in a wreck it puts up with my dogs easy to clean quiet inside was quieter before i put on my magnaflow but hey :P and its great off road! but i get pretty bad gas mileage about 14-16 mostly low 15 no tires yet it does have blind spots but you get used to them quick AWD is a nice touch but its my dd and Ive driven from the keys to new york and it was very comfortable blew my 99 ranger out of the water :P but take my info for what its worth i only just turned 19 so I don't no much about anything but rangers and Fjs

oh ya and i use 89 octane planning on going to 87 very soon

LOL, I consider 16mpg great. currently getting around 11-12

[krasny]

FJ's are not boring to drive as DD correct? I was just reading some road test, and the guy was complaining that FJ is really boring to drive (on road), something equal to a small Toyota sedan. I will post a link if I find it again. Spoke to a dealer today, he has a 4x4 coming in a few weeks so I'm thinking in the meantime I will hit the used lots.

[Cummins and Goins]

I will admit thay are not the most exciting thing to drive on paved roads. Bit of that short wheel base issue thing and the rut chasing. They are also pretty gutless if you are used to a V-8 truck. But for what they can do off road they do ride good on pavement and the fun really starts when you get out into jeep country. Having had a few what I call good jeeps including CJ with a vette 350 I am pretty much a jeep person for off road stuff but in the older age the FJ seems to be as close as I can get to that and have a plushness factor too. The down is my wife really likes the FJ and I only get to drive it on weekends or when we go in road trips. If there was one down with it I would say the gas milage vs the power factor is it but then its not built for racing or MPGs, its a off road rig you can use as a freeway driver is all.

[landy]

I really enjoy driving mine. Add a CAI, exhaust, etc. and it's a bit more fun!

[Blackwind]

I'm looking at used FJ Cruisers in the Dallas area...and there are plenty. Salesman crack me up however asking more for a used then a new one.

Yes...this actually happened end of last week. I have found good conditioned used FJ's with low miles in the 23k neighborhood. Plan on pulling the trigger on one this week or next.

[landy]

Nice! Welcome!

[krasny]

you right , plenty of used ones. However most are priced at 26k at which point you might as well get a new one. I looked at the ones used one but it was torn up. I do not mind buying used but want make sure it was not torn up.

I'm a step closer now, since I sold my Tahoe this week.

[krasny]

Blackwind previously said:

I'm looking at used FJ Cruisers in the Dallas area...and there are plenty. Salesman crack me up however asking more for a used then a new one.

Yes...this actually happened end of last week. I have found good conditioned used FJ's with low miles in the 23k neighborhood. Plan on pulling the trigger on one this week or next.

Agree, I might also buy one straight from an auction, a buddy of mine has a license. I spoke to Toyota of Dallas, and they will have 4x4 in like 5-6 weeks. To long for me.

[Athena]

Krasny try internet sales. You can get an fj from anywhere and most dealerships have an internet department. I think Landcruisersteve (maybe wrong) had some pretty good advice on this. I think there's more room to work with them also.

As for the right vehicle for you, something that you've gotta consider. Do you consider keeping close to OEM or do you think you'll eventually modify it? As a daily driver it's definitely an ideal vehicle, and stock ( maybe different tires )can get you pretty much anywhere. We've spotted a stocker through Poison Spider in Moab, and I, myself got trough Kane Creek canyon in Moab stock. I remember our first trip to Moab realizing how versatile the fj is. We were comfortable driving it on highway and offroad. That can't be said for many rigs. It can be a simple daily driver or an offroad vehicle off the lot.
Now that we've modified our vehicle as much as we have, well she's no longer our daily driver. She's extremely modified, but I will say that even with our 35" swampers (knobby as all hell) and not re-geared she still runs like a champ.
I have a bad back, severe sciatica. I do have issues riding passenger (great excuse to drive right). When I'm driving I tend to have better posture and there's more ways to adjust the seat. For comfort I extremely recommend getting the arm rest for both the passenger and driver, possibly after your purchase so your not financing them.
If you want to wheel it, I suggest getting the rear differential locker and the a-trac. They're a very nice feature and when used right are great mods. As for the other stuff like roof rack, brush guard, and all that, well again if you're going to mod, like myself, you'll end up getting rid of all the stuff, and considering that it's financed well then you're paying a lot more in the long run. There's also people on here all the time that sell the OEM parts frequently, and a lot cheaper than from the dealership or having it wrapped in your finance.

[SKIBUMM]

My wife drives an 07 Denali. It is more luxuious and rides smoother and I wouldn't trade her. You get used to the quirks of the FJ and the fun factor is off the scale. I wanted something that would take a beating out hunting and heading up to the ski resorts every weekend and still be family friendly. There is only one thing to remember is if you get an FJ be prepared to start spending money because they eat up cash for the modding that you will want to do. I know you say "Oh i will leave it stock" i did but as soon as you start seeign what you can do with just a bit of skill you will start and once the bug bites you hold on tight because as addictions go it's a dooozzzeeee.