Anybody got an FJ Cruiser?

[offroadracer99]

The idea and thought of selling my STi and getting something else in the future (Spring) has been a topic of discussion between me, myself, and my fiance' :lol:, and getting something a little bit more grown up, practical, ect. and the FJ has come up in my book anyway.

Good DD, still play with it in the dirt, and gets better MPG than my Ford could ever dream of and about the same as the STi.

Just wanted to know if anyone has one or know someone who does and gets it dirty now and then and how they like it.

Thanks! :D

[calvynandhobbs]

I have a friend of mine at work that just picked one up 3 weeks ago. He loves it so far, but hasn't had a chance to get it off-road yet. He already had a 2" spacer lift put in and one size larger tires. His is blacked out all the way around with no two tone like the majority of them you see and also has black rims. I'll see if I can get him to take a picture or two for me to post up.

Roger

[offroadracer99]

Cool! It sounds nice :thumb:

[RockyTop]

One of my good friends out in Washington has one and belongs to a 4wd club out there. They ALWAYS go off road and they enjoy the capabilities IMMENSELY.

[WhiteRhino]

Buy American:poke:

[SKIP]

They require premium fuel to acheive the horsepower & mileage numbers.
Also they make the manual version full time 4wheel so the automatic actually gets better fuel economy...
(Looked into them about 6 months ago for the wife.)

[timbercruiser]

IH8MUD.com Go to the FJ Cruiser section under forums. They have pics and info you can use.

[joe_jeep]

i work for toyota, but i would never own one! i realize american brands are hardly american anymore, but they employ far more hard working americans in the home grown parts industry. not just uaw people either. im talking your friends and family members, that drive hilos, shuffle paperwork, and drive trucks. im not saying the fc is a bad vehicle, im saying its bad for americas shrinking middle class.
good luck with what ever you buy, even if its a toy.

p.s. i got my wife a 2002 gmc envoy($11,900 with 34k miles). averaged 22 mpg at 75 mph with 1200 lbs of cargo on a 400 mile trip to oscoda and back(included a little off road).
very powerful engine(270 hp). launched a 20 ft chapparal boat no problem(4000lbs? and pulled it out at the end of the weekend). does suprisingly well off road. a rear locker is an option. 3.42,3.73,4.10 axle ratio options. lots of cargo room too. bds now offers a 2inch suspension lift, and a 2 in body lift(fairly cheap too). both lifts combined will fit 33's. ive seen 33's one trucks with just the suspension lift and some trimming.

[mytacoma]

This one belongs to a friend of mine here in Kalamazoo. Nice truck!

http://www.trdoffroad.com/forums/index.php?topic=1473.0

[offroadracer99]

Well I test drove the FJ last week and it is too cool. I put the STi up for sale tonight and should be listed tomorrow. I don't know how fast it will sell, but it will be a great car for the right person. Hopefully it sells soon and then I can get a deal on an 07' so the dealers can make room for the 08's :wave:

So if anyone knows anyone who wants a nicely modded STi, send them my way :wave:

[95geo]

Well I test drove the FJ last week and it is too cool. I put the STi up for sale tonight and should be listed tomorrow. I don't know how fast it will sell, but it will be a great car for the right person. Hopefully it sells soon and then I can get a deal on an 07' so the dealers can make room for the 08's :wave:

So if anyone knows anyone who wants a nicely modded STi, send them my way :wave:


go test drive an H3

[DieselMTU]

go test drive an H3


Agreed :laughing2:

[Renegade II]

...........So if anyone knows anyone who wants a nicely modded STi, send them my way :wave:

If you haven't yet, try listing it here: http://www.iwsti.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=30

or

http://forums.nasioc.com/

Mine sold really fast listed there, but WRC was on Speed Channel all the time back then and a STi was unobtanium on the Subi lots. Good luck!

[DieselMTU]

If I was not buying a house, I might consider it.... but not for at least a few more years

[Rattler]

I traded in my WRX and it was modded quite a bit. My dealer gave me a decent price for it that I was happy with. Granted, if it was warmer out I would have de-modded it some and just sold the parts and probably would have came out ahead a little more.

My dealer has a black FJ Cruiser sitting out front (at least it was a week or so ago) that had a "2 lift on it.

http://www.labadieauto.com/new_vehicle_details.htm?vehicleId=da48f1b74046381e 010469e8128fb427

[offroadracer99]

go test drive an H3

I thought real hard on the H3 as an option, but I just like the FJ looks and 0-60 times are a little better, going from the STi I need something with a little more get up and go. The H3s are still nice. :yourock:


If you haven't yet, try listing it here: http://www.iwsti.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=30 (http://www.iwsti.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=30)


or

http://forums.nasioc.com/ (http://forums.nasioc.com/)



Going to put them up now, just havent done it yet, still waiting for the autotrader.com one to post up too. :D


I traded in my WRX and it was modded quite a bit. My dealer gave me a decent price for it that I was happy with. Granted, if it was warmer out I would have de-modded it some and just sold the parts and probably would have came out ahead a little more.

My dealer has a black FJ Cruiser sitting out front (at least it was a week or so ago) that had a "2 lift on it.

http://www.labadieauto.com/new_vehicle_details.htm?vehicleId=da48f1b74046381e 010469e8128fb427


Trade in won't work for me, to big of a loss. :eek:

That is a nice FJ though, I think I am going to go with the Sun Fusion though :wave:

[Rattler]

You are gonna miss how much fun those cars are on fresh "2 snowy roads! Then and on entrance/exit ramps.

A guy I work with is driving his wife's H3 lease. He hates it. She hates it more now. Thats why he is stuck driving it. The visibilty is horrible but an FJ probably isn't any better. Cris is pretty Ford biased too.

I always liked NASIOC too. My member is #6351. Been there a while!

[Renegade II]

My STi never saw snow or rain, too many mods and the Hoosiers were not to user friendly in the slippery stuff :hysterical:

My wife wants a FJ, but the 08' H3 has an optional 300HP V8 so we might go that route.

I can make you a deal on an 01' HMCS, but it's real slow.:)

[DieselMTU]

[I can make you a deal on an 01' HMCS, but it's real slow.:)[/quote]

I wouldn't mind slow with that vehicle!

The only way I will trade / sell my Chevy is for an '08 or '09 Hummer.... I may wait and see when the H3T comes out.

I like the FJ's Tadition.... but the colors and the design look more like it belongs in a childrens coloring book.

Just my opinion.... I hate rounded edges on cars, this FJ is too round for my taste.

Good luck with whatever you purchase and selling the car.

[Rattler]

[quote=Renegade II;27806]My STi never saw snow or rain, too many mods and the Hoosiers were not to user friendly in the slippery stuff :hysterical:/quote]

You missed some of the best stuff for a Scooby! The hardest was controlling myself on some of those dirt roads up North. I felt myself turning into Petter Solberg.

Here is my old one. It looked like this in March of '02 (a couple years before the STi). I got it in April of '01. It was the 3rd one in MI IIRC. I wanted an STi but . . . . . . I got more compliments on the car from cops than anybody! I would be parked and they would pull up and start talking. On bikes too. I was turning at an accident detour and the cop directing traffic pointed at me with a stop signal. He walked over and signaled me to put the window down. He just wanted to say "Nice car" and waved me on. I always told them they needed them for patrol cars. They always agreed! I had some great conversations with them.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/4/web/376000-376999/376159_1_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/4/web/376000-376999/376159_6_full.jpg

Here it is with a rare set of WRC replica graphics that were given to the dealers when they were released. They were a cling-on so I couldn't drive around with them on.

[DieselMTU]

Awesome Ride.... Very Jealous.....

I volunteer at the Rally America events in Michigan.... Love seeing the Subus. Some day I may purchase one, but that is the problem, there are way too many cars / trucks out there I would love to have / buy

[Rattler]

The wife and I were just up to Copper Harbor. That must be great to see them run on Brockway Mountain! I've been to Sno*Drift a few times.

I would kill to have some of those old rally cars, especially Group B cars; Lancia 037 (or maybe a pre-Group-B Stratos), Ford Cossie, Ford RS200, etc.

this place sells them all the time:

http://www.carclassic.com/

Back on subject: I would love to get a new FJ!

[DieselMTU]

They kept closing Brockway stage the last few years....

Too hazardous due to the weather and spectators that kept sneaking onto the road. Same thing happened this year on a few stages at Sno*Drift. A Few people drove their vehicles on the snowmobile trails and pared them on the road... and others were actually racing the cars on their sleds!!!

Pastrana actually stopped driving on one stage because it got so bad. I think they threw out 2 or 3 stages!

FJ (trying to stay on topic)

[Rattler]

They kept closing Brockway stage the last few years....

Too hazardous due to the weather and spectators that kept sneaking onto the road. Same thing happened this year on a few stages at Sno*Drift. A Few people drove their vehicles on the snowmobile trails and pared them on the road... and others were actually racing the cars on their sleds!!!

Pastrana actually stopped driving on one stage because it got so bad. I think they threw out 2 or 3 stages!

FJ (trying to stay on topic)

Now that I think about it, the last time I went ('04) they shut down a couple then too.

[95geo]

I thought real hard on the H3 as an option, but I just like the FJ looks and 0-60 times are a little better, going from the STi I need something with a little more get up and go. The H3s are still nice.

like renegade said, its getting a big HP increase for 08.... the fj will be slow compared to it.

[offroadracer99]

like renegade said, its getting a big HP increase for 08.... the fj will be slow compared to it.

From what I had heard, the H3 Alpha was only going to pull a 0-60 in the 10sec range, maybe 9, but still not the 7.1 that the FJ is doing. I could be mistaken.

Does anyone know the real H3 Alpha 0-60 times????

Never thought I would find so many Subaru... or ex-Subaru guys on here :wave:. And nice pics of the bug eye.

It will be kinda tough to let the STi go. It is a very fun car.

[95geo]

From what I had heard, the H3 Alpha was only going to pull a 0-60 in the 10sec range, maybe 9, but still not the 7.1 that the FJ is doing. I could be mistaken.

Does anyone know the real H3 Alpha 0-60 times????

Never thought I would find so many Subaru... or ex-Subaru guys on here :wave:. And nice pics of the bug eye.

It will be kinda tough to let the STi go. It is a very fun car.

I am seeing 7.5 for the fj and 8.0 for the h3, im not sure how reliable the h3 times are though since they arent out yet.

seems like an easy choice to me....

what do you do for a living?

[offroadracer99]

I am seeing 7.5 for the fj and 8.0 for the h3, im not sure how reliable the h3 times are though since they arent out yet.

seems like an easy choice to me....

what do you do for a living?

I am a Juvenile Detention Specialist at a Maximum Security Youth Center.

I also have the input from the little lady, and she likes the FJ better :wub:

[Renegade II]

The $12k+ price difference between the H3 and FJ would pay for a lot of off road trips, equipment, tires, lift, etc...

[95geo]

I am a Juvenile Detention Specialist at a Maximum Security Youth Center.

I also have the input from the little lady, and she likes the FJ better :wub:



i cant get over the fact that it looks like a turtle.

just remember that even that job is effected by the automotive industry in michigan..... im done, its your money

[Rattler]

The $12k+ price difference between the H3 and FJ would pay for a lot of off road trips, equipment, tires, lift, etc...

Until you compare the aftermarket for each. I know there is a ton of items available for the FJ. I don't see much for the H3. When I first got into Yota's back in '97, I did a lot of research. The huge aftermarket was one of the big conversion points for me. I was pretty-much all-GM up until then.

After owning 3 Toys, it wouldn't be a tough choice for me. I loked at a CrewCab Colorado before I bought my used DoubleCab Taco. They would have been about the same $$ after my Dad's discount but I went with the used Toy.

The biggest complaint from what I have read and heard about the FJ is it's thirst for the high-octane. I was lucky to get 300 miles out of a tank with my WRX after mods. It was more like 250 mostly.

My DoubleCab gets a real 18 around town and 21 on the highway. I loved my old Toys with the 22REs.

[offroadracer99]

The price difference is big too. I am getting rid of the STi to bring my payment down.... way down.

I don't mind putting 93 in it, I run it whatever I drive anyways. STi likes 93.

95geo, I understand what you are saying, and I do take that into consideration, but I am not going to buy an H3 to help MI jobs if it just hurts my financial future and it is something I won't be able to afford with the upcoming wedding and house plans. I know a lot of people feel stongly about this subject. I could say this...and you say that... but it wont get us anywhere. If I had more money to spend I might get an H3 Alpha, but that is not the case and an FJ is more in my budget than an H3. Peace man. :wave:

[DieselMTU]

Always have to take care of the little, but more important things first. I want another vehicle or two.... but can't afford it now either.

[RockyTop]

There is not a single car that is 100% "American". My old man retired out of Ford in 1997 after 33 years. I bought a Milan which is made in Mexico and is blowing the Quality Control of "American Made" cars, out of the water.

Spending $12,000 more to get an H3. Digging your debt deeper, only to "buy an american brand" is asinine. This defies the concept of common sense, and economics. You'd be far better off getting a used HUMVEE for about $20,000-$25,000, instead of dropping $30,000 on an H3.

A vehicle within a budget guideline is what the issue at hand will be, not "one person that really WILL NOT IMPACT the dying Michigan Automotive Industry". Ford, GM and Chrysler hurt themselves, it wasn't the customers.

[95geo]

There is not a single car that is 100% "American". My old man retired out of Ford in 1997 after 33 years. I bought a Milan which is made in Mexico and is blowing the Quality Control of "American Made" cars, out of the water.

Spending $12,000 more to get an H3. Digging your debt deeper, only to "buy an american brand" is asinine. This defies the concept of common sense, and economics. You'd be far better off getting a used HUMVEE for about $20,000-$25,000, instead of dropping $30,000 on an H3.

A vehicle within a budget guideline is what the issue at hand will be, not "one person that really WILL NOT IMPACT the dying Michigan Automotive Industry". Ford, GM and Chrysler hurt themselves, it wasn't the customers.

ok, it is evident that you guys havent really done any research on the subject.... your first point of "american made", everyone knows "american made" cars are not 100% american made, if you look on the sticker it will give you american/canadian content... my dad is driving a colorado right now US/C content is 77%, it is made at the same place as the H3.

your MERCURY Milan, is an "american made car" mercury= ford :wave: and yes, the quality of the F/D/G has increased quite a bit lately, and i heard toyota had the most recalls of everyone not long ago.....


as for the price..... to get a locker in the FJ it puts you right up at 30k a rear locker equipped H3 with an auto puts you at 34k.... when the V8 comes out I would add in about 2k for that option. with the low sticker price of the FJ i doubt there will be much if any discounts on them. the i'd also bet that the h3 will have at least 2k coming your way in one way or another.... their v6 will not even compare to the v8 that will be in the H3, i dont care what 0-60 is.... you can sway that with gearing, the 1/4 mile times will probably be more than 1 second different. in the end i doubt the price difference will be any more than 4k


and your last statement...... why would you say that? that is literally the exact same thing as saying "why vote, your only one person" :rolleyes:

rattler: why would you buy A toyota if your dad works for gm? WTF?

[Jarhead]

It is difficult to sit by and watch all the chatter and not get in a word here and there. Each one of us can point a finger of blame and say that is why it is the way it is. I remember from more years than I can trully remember my father telling me, "As you point that index finger at blame, there are three of your own fingers pointing back at yourself."

It is the products we buy and the people we vote in and out of office that will determine the future our children and our children's children will need to contend with. We do that as an individual. We as a nation have exported more technology along with our manufacturing base and are now trying to survive in a global market as a service provider.

Go back to the Civil War and ask yourself why the North prevailed and won. It won simply because it had the abilty to produce; the manufacturing base existed in the North. So as we continue to move our businesses, export our technology, shift our manufacturing base to other countries we will lose our status as a world power one day because we will no longer have the ability to produce. Don't think for a minute You cannot make a differance as one individual.

Yes I work for General Motors and don't understand why people choose to spend their monies on products that don't put money back into this nation. All I have to do is go out in the parking lot and shake my head in wonder. I also wore our Nation's Military Uniform to Retirement so that you can have the Freedom of Choice.

All I want you to remember is when you point that finger at blame and why this and that are the way they are, three of your own fingers point at yourself...

[Rattler]

My brand loyalty went out the window years ago when I started to see the lines blurred between the manufacturers. Toyota Corolla = Geo Prizm, Pontiac Vibe = Toyota Matrix, Ford Escape = Mazda Tribute, Chevy Tracker = Suzuki Sidekick, etc. I could go on. I know they have done it for years all the way back to the old Mazda/Ford and Chevy/Isuzu minitrucks but its gotten so blurred. Hell, my Tacoma was built in Caifornia.

I don't come here to see who can piss the biggest puddle. I like to take my truck offroading and hate to see our land getting taken away to do it on.The gov't doesn't care if the tires are on a Chevy, Toyota, Jeep, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, etc. They just don't want any tracks in the dirt I am starting to think.

I was just reading a post on another non-truck board. A gentleman who lives out West told a story of how they fought to get a trail opened back up. The greenies kept rolling big rocks in the way to block access. A bunch of them got together and moved the rocks far enough away where the greenies won't be able to drag them back without waaaay too much effort. The Feds have caught the greenies moving the rocks in the way but won't do anything to them about it. Thats not a good sign in my eyes.

[timbercruiser]

My brand loyalty went out the window years ago when I started to see the lines blurred between the manufacturers. Toyota Corolla = Geo Prizm, Pontiac Vibe = Toyota Matrix, Ford Escape = Mazda Tribute, Chevy Tracker = Suzuki Sidekick, etc. I could go on. I know they have done it for years all the way back to the old Mazda/Ford and Chevy/Isuzu minitrucks but its gotten so blurred. Hell, my Tacoma was built in Caifornia.

I don't come here to see who can piss the biggest puddle. I like to take my truck offroading and hate to see our land getting taken away to do it on.The gov't doesn't care if the tires are on a Chevy, Toyota, Jeep, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, etc. They just don't want any tracks in the dirt I am starting to think.

I was just reading a post on another non-truck board. A gentleman who lives out West told a story of how they fought to get a trail opened back up. The greenies kept rolling big rocks in the way to block access. A bunch of them got together and moved the rocks far enough away where the greenies won't be able to drag them back without waaaay too much effort. The Feds have caught the greenies moving the rocks in the way but won't do anything to them about it. Thats not a good sign in my eyes.

So the greenies were "improving" the trail? COOL!!!

[SKIP]

Back on topic...

This is a thread is not about debating "buy american".
It's for pro's & con's of the FJ.

And no hate responses to me please...
All 4 of my current vehicles are "American", plus I work in the auto industry.

[Rattler]

Never thought I would find so many Subaru... or ex-Subaru guys on here :wave:. And nice pics of the bug eye.


Funny you mention that. One of the guys I met at a few Subaru meets is on GL4x4, 88XtraCabDlx. He recognized my name from NASIOC on there. I remember when we were talking at the meets & garage days about 4x4s.

[RockyTop]

your MERCURY Milan, is an "american made car" mercury= ford :wave: and yes, the quality of the F/D/G has increased quite a bit lately, and i heard toyota had the most recalls of everyone not long ago..... My Milan is NOT American. It is built in Hermosillo, Mexico. The CD3 platform is utilizing about 40% of it's parts from a Mazda 6. About the only thing "American" on it is the Brand Identification. The rest is either Japanese or Mexican. I happen to have the 4 cylinder version in which the engine is manufactured in Chiuahua, Mexico.

The Fusion/Milan/MKZ are selling like hotcakes because finally Ford has done something right (since they stopped production of the Escort). These are the 1st cars to utilize computer technology never before used by the Industry. The entire manufacturing process (plant layouts, machine placement, assembly line placement and design) and a CAD based prototype was raked over the coals, long before the Clay Modelling was started. I would talk at length to one of the Designers when I worked at Ford, since I had gone to school with him in the 7th grade.

Bryce, my post was misread as to the intentions. He has a budget and he wants to stick with it. As my Home Theater hobby goes, there is always a "well if you're willing to spend a little bit more than your budget". It's called a budget for a reason. The $4,000 he is saving alone, can buy bigger tires, suspension lift, other accessories to use on it.

Berating the FJ "on it's looks", while being a quality SUV since it's introduction defies explanation. It's like when I was a member of the Explorerforum.com and folks there would comapre a stock Explorer (90-2001) and rag on the stock Grand Cherokee for being better off-road. It's asanine. The stock ZJ, WJ smokes the Stock Explorer 10 times over, especially off road.

I carry no malice, I have a few friends that have them out of state (Washington, California, and Utah) that REGULARLY wheel their FJ Crusier's and love them. One is on 35's and does very well on the rocks.

[Rattler]

I got my new Car & Driver today. It had a write up on the H3 Alpha. $39k!!:eek::ahhh: 0-60 had a 9 sec. estimate I believe(left the mag at Ma & Pa's).

Beleive me, I don't hate the H3, just the price.

[WhiteRhino]

I will never get away from saying "buy american". Every single job in Michigan has an impact from the auto industry.

I have a buddy who is a cop and always drove Toyotas claiming that "my income is not affected by the auto industry". Now he's bitching because his real estate investments have gone in the tank.

Buy american!

[Renegade II]

Well........ after a couple of test drives and a visit to the ARB site to ooogle over their FJ products, when it comes time we are going the FJ route. A loaded 6 speed with the "e" group options (locker, active traction control and a ton of other stuff) is only $29,000 and the tough as nails A750 auto trans with the "e" group is only $625 more. Compared to the H3 that gives me about $10k in my pocket for lift/tires/ARB/Warn stuff :)

Time to sell the H1 :wah:. It's american made, any takers?

EDIT: Nice site showing FJ's wheeling. Just look for the "view video" links in the section tutorials. http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/minisite/fjbulletin/index.html?s_van=GM_FJ_HOME_FJ_BULLETIN

[Rattler]

I like All Pro's they had for the Ultimate Adventure.

[REVZILLIA]

I have one with 40,000 miles . really enjoy it . fun to drive . my gas milage ranges from 17 - to 23 . so pretty good . Mine has all the bells including aftermarket leather interior , maintance package ,extended warentee locker etc . out the door was 35,000 . The cons so far . it does have some blind spots and just comes with street tires , don't have heated side mirrors .not much of a back seat the dealer had a h3 there for comparison . I'm a tall guy and head room is important . Fj was easier to get in and out for me . H3 has more creature conforts but more $$$ .that 5 cylinder doesn't help and i tow snowmobiles My two previous trucks were durango's R/t . loved them but could n't sell the 2002 R/t . gas milage was 12 at the best . I wanted a new 4 door wrangler but they weren't out yet. .. It came down to the bottom line on the durango trade in . toyoto gave me what i wanted . no one else even came close . The jeep dealer even said we have alot of durangos were trying to move and didn't want any more ...so i guess he didn't want to sell me a car

[Rattler]

:wave:

Glad you like yours. I like the voodoo blue second to the black. My old Scooby dealer has one that must have been a trade-in. I am half-tempted to go talk to my old salesman (he is actually new car manager there, good guy too).

I saw they released a service bulletin or something similar. You don't have to run premium unless you want "full perfomrance". I know that was a big bitch from a lot of people about them.

I too am tall ('6"5) and have always been comfortable in my Toyota trucks. Have you sat in a JK yet for comparison? I may talk the wife into one.

[MichEE]

Not sure how I missed this one...

Love the FJ - I've been a GM guy for many. many years so I took it hard getting a Yota - just don't like working on my 3 old S10 Blazers ('98, '99, '01). When the trans AND rear end went out in the same year it was time to unload and get something that would not cost so much to maintain.

I have been off road (Silver Lake and a little mud here and there) and am VERY impresses. So was my friend that has a Jeep!! It is a daily driver, gets 18 in the city (not mcuh driving on the hiway) and has TONS a room for my wife, wheelchair and 4 year old son. The buy was a no brainer really, with the rear opening door. I have ~17,000 on it and have changed the oil and rotated that tires... that is IT!!

Me likes!!:thumb:

[Rattler]

I really like my Taco but have liked the FJ Cruiser since I first saw it. The black TRD one was nice they had last year but this year's Trail Teams Edition has me wanting one now. The dealer said they might not be available in this zone. I gave my number but told him to not bother if they want anything over MSRP for it.

http://www.toyota.com/img/vehicles/2008/fjcruiser/special-edition/fj_se.jpg