Anybody got an FJ Cruiser?

[RockyTop]

your MERCURY Milan, is an "american made car" mercury= ford 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!! 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 . 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/minis...ME_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]

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!!

[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.