FJ Cruiser Owners

[Gutshot John]

My wife and I are in the market for a new car (the Saabaru is getting traded in) and I've had a yen for the FJ Cruiser which reminds me of the old 1960s Land Cruisers which may be the coolest 4wd ever made (IMO). She said I could get what I wanted this year, if we bought her a car next year that she wanted...I figured that's a fair deal.

Dealer inventory of these are pretty tight and since I'm a member of Costco, the only local participating dealer has a Trail Teams with the BF Goodrich All Terrain tires etc. The dealership is looking to make a deal before the end of the month. The chances of me going off-road with any regularity aren't much but there are a few times a year when it would probably happen (hunting season, camping etc.) and I would probably go off-road a lot more often if I could.

Has anyone owned one and regretted it? Are the All-Terrain tires going to piss me off on normal pavement? Should I wait until I get some better options in stock?

[C4IGrant]

I don't own one of these, but do like them a lot. The local Toyota dealership has one that is a dark OD green with black rims. Pretty slick! I would buy one if they came in a 4dr.



C4

[Gutshot John]

That's probably the trail teams which is the exact model I'm looking at. The 2011s are all green.

They're not 4 door per se but they do have swing out suicide doors.

[Ak44]

My buddy just got a 08' with BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires...My impressions from riding in it as a passenger in the front and in the back is the ride is very uncomfortable for me. I would assume that the mud tires and the fact that the vehicle itself is promoted as an off road vehicle may have something to do with it.

It looks cramped but sitting inside it feels very open and spacious (in the front), again my speculation is from the increased head room/roof. The V6 has very little acceleration/pick up and feels tremendously underpowered. It is definitely a two person car as the backseat has little room.

The FJ has the looks going for it though. These are my observations and opinions, this is coming from a Tundra driver so I may be a little biased

[czydj]

Has anyone owned one and regretted it? Are the All-Terrain tires going to piss me off on normal pavement? Should I wait until I get some better options in stock?

No regrets. The motor, trans and ride comfort have been terrific. FJ blind spots? No problem. I've driven stuff with no side visibility and you use the mirrors. So far no fences, trees or garbage cans have died at my hand.

I run BFG KM2's, which are basically knobbies for the street. They hum if I get on the expressway and drive me crazy in 2 hours. Under that they are completely tolerable. I will go to the BFG AT's next time and those should be sweet.

The TT is a sweet rig. If I had the cash I would have one. The TT's I've seen have the mono-color. Sa-weet!

MPG is a drag - if you put bigger tires on expect 16 mpg

[ryan]

My buddy has one with the 6 speed manual tranny and it will get up and go. Im 6'4 and bouncing around in it off road the "oh shit" handles will bust your noggin. You cant see a dang thing in reverse, I mean nothing makes backing a trailer a nightmare.

[Gutshot John]

According to my research they've upped the horsepower in recent years as that was a common complaint.

The reviews I've read mark it as an excellent off-road vehicle...practical/comfortable/everyday vehicle? Not so much.

I'm just wondering how much I can live with. I hate full-time 4wd/Awd so my options are really limited to that or the Tacoma (wife hates pickups) and I don't think it will ride much better on the road anyways (at least according to the reviews). So it's either dedicated SUV or something practical.

[Ak44]

What about a Jeep? or a Tundra

[eternal24k]

My friend had one, I loved the look and concept but it has a cramped back seat and killer blind spots. He ended up selling it for a crew cab Tacoma and is much happier.

I still think they are sexy, but the blind spots are reallly bad

[czydj]

The reviews I've read mark it as an excellent off-road vehicle...practical/comfortable/everyday vehicle? Not so much.

Mine is my everyday driver. More comfy than the 2011 Jeep Patriot I just rented for 3 days and it hauls everything I want. What "practical" are you looking for? Last I checked, this is a Toyota built in Japan. Quality and reliability from everyone I've heard and I've had zero issues in 2+ years.

I still think they are sexy, but the blind spots are reallly bad

Horse hockey. Use your freaking mirrors and brain. If you're a blind senior citizen, then sure, stay away.