FJ Cruiser

[*MAD DOG*]

I've never owned a SUV, 4X4, 4 Wheel Drive vehicle before. Ever since my latest trip to CA i've been thinking of trading in my Yaris for a SUV. I haven't test driven anything, but I do know i like the idea of the drivers seat being at the same height as my ass so all you do is just plant your butt and slide your legs in.

Also the idea of having some ground clearance appeals to me. Driving in that elevated seated position also appeals to me.

So I was originally thinking of getting a Ute (Pickup Truck). But now I was browsing the Toyota Australia website and came across the FJ Cruiser.

Anyway they release this model in about 40 days. I would like to get your advice on SUV's as i've never owned or driven one and i'm seriously thinking about getting this.

Check out the brochure i've attached and if you want anymore info clicky here (http://www.toyota.com.au/fj-cruiser?WT.ac=FJPressReleaseHome)

[ilikerice]

always been a fan of the FJ.. just always been out of my budget. i had a tacoma 4dr prerunner and i enjoyed it. had to trade it in for something smaller (enter the yaris) and easy on the monthy payments. no more roomates is expensive.

i say FJ is a good choice. do it!

[*MAD DOG*]

always been a fan of the FJ.. just always been out of my budget. i had a tacoma 4dr prerunner and i enjoyed it. had to trade it in for something smaller (enter the yaris) and easy on the monthy payments. no more roomates is expensive.

i say FJ is a good choice. do it!

Thanks man :w00t: Thinking about it, seriously.

[CTScott]

I love the looks of the FJ. The only negative is the gas mileage, which is just a wee bit better than my Xterra.

The FJ actually even share a few parts with the Yaris. I have sold few couple of my Passenger Occupancy Sensor Bypass Modules to people with FJs, who have switched to aftermarket seats for serious off-roading.

[YarisPR]

I love the looks of the FJ. The only negative is the gas mileage
+1
We traded my Passat for an FJ & the Yaris, I used it couple of months, I let my mom have it cause of the terrible gas milage, I use it sometimes but I hate watching the fuel gauge going to empty before a round trip. :thumbdown:

Besides the bad MPG I Love It! :headbang:

[MadMax]

Get a Jeep.

I've wheeled with FJs and while they are capable vehicles offroad, I would hate to take something that expensive and beat the hell out of it. My Jeep, on the other hand, is just as capable (probably more so) and I can fix just about anything that breaks or goes wrong with it.

Also, there is a much larger aftermarket for Jeeps. Heck, many companies put out catalogs as large as phone books on parts and accessories for them. The options are pretty much endless.

Lastly, a buddy of mine who owned an FJ said the visibility was horrible in it. Same was true for the Hummer H3. Of course, visibility is great in a vehicle that you can take the doors, windows and top off!

Just my 2¢. Good luck with your decision.

Cheers! M2

[marcus]

3 thumbs up.. been looking at fj myself.. just hope youre aware of the windshield prone to cracks on stone chip issue.due to angle position.. seating is not the most comfortable specially on long driving.

[cougar65]

I would get a ute if i lived in Australia I mean it's bad ass http://m.holden.com.au/vehicles/ute/ss-v-series-redline-edition
Granted this is not for off roading or well anything but! It's awesome!!!! I just like the el camino and stuff... So utes rub me the right way.

[big lo]

FJ, one word badass!!

[sickpuppy1]

Get a Jeep.

I've wheeled with FJs and while they are capable vehicles offroad, I would hate to take something that expensive and beat the hell out of it. My Jeep, on the other hand, is just as capable (probably more so) and I can fix just about anything that breaks or goes wrong with it.

Also, there is a much larger aftermarket for Jeeps. Heck, many companies put out catalogs as large as phone books on parts and accessories for them. The options are pretty much endless.

Lastly, a buddy of mine who owned an FJ said the visibility was horrible in it. Same was true for the Hummer H3. Of course, visibility is great in a vehicle that you can take the doors, windows and top off!

Just my 2¢. Good luck with your decision.

Cheers! M2

Dont forget, he's in Australia. Jeeps might not be as plentiful there.

[severous01]

my thing is.....IFS....sucks for an off-road vehicle. i'd rather have a chevy truck with an solid axle than a brand new 2011 X5, FJ, or any other IFS front end.

jeeps are AMAZING for their off-road capabilities. they get decent mileage. their support for lifts, wheels, lockers, bumpers, and any other aftermarket is through the roof...dependability is top notch. price is extremely fair seeing as how they're everywhere.

a second option for any serious off raoding vehicle would be any other make/model that had a solid front axle. older land rovers, suzuki side-kick, toyota tacoma or anything SOLID AXLE. they're easy to upgrade for bigger wheels/tires, long arms lifts, leaf springs are best but coils work as well.

[*MAD DOG*]

I love the looks of the FJ. The only negative is the gas mileage, which is just a wee bit better than my Xterra.

The FJ actually even share a few parts with the Yaris. I have sold few couple of my Passenger Occupancy Sensor Bypass Modules to people with FJs, who have switched to aftermarket seats for serious off-roading.

I think I would have it converted to run on LPG. Gas milage would be of no concern, LPG is about 60c per litre.

[*MAD DOG*]

Get a Jeep.

I've wheeled with FJs and while they are capable vehicles offroad, I would hate to take something that expensive and beat the hell out of it. My Jeep, on the other hand, is just as capable (probably more so) and I can fix just about anything that breaks or goes wrong with it.

Also, there is a much larger aftermarket for Jeeps. Heck, many companies put out catalogs as large as phone books on parts and accessories for them. The options are pretty much endless.

Lastly, a buddy of mine who owned an FJ said the visibility was horrible in it. Same was true for the Hummer H3. Of course, visibility is great in a vehicle that you can take the doors, windows and top off!

Just my 2¢. Good luck with your decision.

Cheers! M2

I'll test drive a Jeep before I make my decision. Thanks.

[*MAD DOG*]

3 thumbs up.. been looking at fj myself.. just hope youre aware of the windshield prone to cracks on stone chip issue.due to angle position.. seating is not the most comfortable specially on long driving.

I have to be comfortable in the thing to buy it. When I give it a test drive if I aint gonna be comfortable in it, I aint buying it.

[*MAD DOG*]

I would get a ute if i lived in Australia I mean it's bad ass http://m.holden.com.au/vehicles/ute/ss-v-series-redline-edition
Granted this is not for off roading or well anything but! It's awesome!!!! I just like the el camino and stuff... So utes rub me the right way.

Was thinking about a Ute. If I can't find a 4x4 or 4x2 I like then a Ute may be a serious option.

[*MAD DOG*]

Dont forget, he's in Australia. Jeeps might not be as plentiful there.

We have Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge dealers here. Jeeps have been here for ages, then Chrysler and Dodge joined the market.

[sickpuppy1]

So how much off roading are you thinking of doing? Serious or occasional. Mostly around town or is this going to become a new hobby...going out in the boonies to play in the mud and such. i guess these are questions to help with the decision. The Jeep has better aftermarket support, but the FJ may be a better around town kinda vehicle, comfy wise, with occasional off road bouts.

[*MAD DOG*]

So how much off roading are you thinking of doing? Serious or occasional. Mostly around town or is this going to become a new hobby...going out in the boonies to play in the mud and such. i guess these are questions to help with the decision. The Jeep has better aftermarket support, but the FJ may be a better around town kinda vehicle, comfy wise, with occasional off road bouts.

The only off roading I plan to do is over nature strips to avoid grid lock. I'd be using the FJ as a daily driver to and from work. Off roading may happen, but mainly it will be city/motorway driving to and from work.

Another reason I like the FJ is it's interior looks roomy. I was in LTNoogies Jeep (forgotten which model it was), but I don't think i'd fit behind the wheel in it. I'm a big guy, when I say big i mean 6"4' 500 pounds approx. I fit in the Yaris, if i'm going to get a new vehicle it has to be able to fit me in it and me be comfortable.

[Shinare]

I know this is completely off base, but my wife and i looked at several small SUV's over the past few weekends. Toyota fj, rav4, chevy equinox, Honda CR-v, a nissan, a hyundi, and a kia sportage.

I have to say WITHOUT A DOUBT in my mind that our next vehicle is going to be a 2011 Chevy Equinox. The build quality/feel is unmatched, the value for what you get as far as standard stuff and options is great, and its fuel econ is 22/32 which is great for the segment. The ride is excellent.

That's just this one man's opinion. (Oh, and Edmunds, Motorweek, and other awards its already won)

[marcus]

I know this is completely off base, but my wife and i looked at several small SUV's over the past few weekends. Toyota fj, rav4, chevy equinox, Honda CR-v, a nissan, a hyundi, and a kia sportage.

I have to say WITHOUT A DOUBT in my mind that our next vehicle is going to be a 2011 Chevy Equinox. The build quality/feel is unmatched, the value for what you get as far as standard stuff and options is great, and its fuel econ is 22/32 which is great for the segment. The ride is excellent.

That's just this one man's opinion. (Oh, and Edmunds, Motorweek, and other awards its already won)

equinox is very nice was a previous saturn vue i believe.. best so far is the 2011 explorer... reminds me of the landrover.

[Thirty-Nine]

If you're not doing a ton of off roading, IFS is completely fine (you might thank yourself on the highway ride). Even doing off roading, IFS isn't all bad, although a solid front axle is the "prefered" setup for hardcore off roading. I've wheeled with FJ Cruisers before in Moab (specifically this vehicle (http://revtek.com/images/toyota/trucks/FJ431.JPG)), and it went everywhere we did in Jeeps. But again, if you're not planning on doing hard-core off-road duty (rock crawling, etc.), then IFS will likely be fine.

I personally bought a 1995 Suzuki Sidekick (http://www.subcompactculture.com/2011/02/sidekick-gets-new-top.html) that I've been working on. Will get a 2" lift and some 29s or 30s. I'm building mine to be a trail rig and for use in the dunes.

If I lived in OZ, I'd get either a Nissan Patrol or, more likely, a Suzuki Jimny. But that's just me.

The other downside to the FJ Cruiser is the terrible outward visibility. Lane changes can be a hariy endevor.

[*MAD DOG*]

I know this is completely off base, but my wife and i looked at several small SUV's over the past few weekends. Toyota fj, rav4, chevy equinox, Honda CR-v, a nissan, a hyundi, and a kia sportage.

I have to say WITHOUT A DOUBT in my mind that our next vehicle is going to be a 2011 Chevy Equinox. The build quality/feel is unmatched, the value for what you get as far as standard stuff and options is great, and its fuel econ is 22/32 which is great for the segment. The ride is excellent.

That's just this one man's opinion. (Oh, and Edmunds, Motorweek, and other awards its already won)

No Chevy dealers in Australia. Have you got a picture of said vehicle? It may be badged as a Holden here.

[*MAD DOG*]

equinox is very nice was a previous saturn vue i believe.. best so far is the 2011 explorer... reminds me of the landrover.

Ford don't sell the explorer here. Instead we get a Ford Territory http://www.ford.com.au/servlet/Satellite?c=DFYPage&cid=1248884728291&pagename=FOA/controller&site=FOA

[sickpuppy1]

Probably the Captiva
http://www.holden.com.au/vehicles/captiva

[yaris2010RS]

I'm a big guy, when I say big i mean 6"4' 500 pounds approx. I fit in the Yaris, if i'm going to get a new vehicle it has to be able to fit me in it and me be comfortable.


HOW THE HELL DO U FIT IN THE YARIS?

[*MAD DOG*]

HOW THE HELL DO U FIT IN THE YARIS?

The same way I fit in the ECHO I had before it.

1. Open door.
2. Get in.
3. Shut door.

Not that hard when you think about it.

[djct_watt]

I have a friend that size and he fits as well. . . but I have trouble engaging first gear sometimes (he has to shift his leg) (RHD car).

[yaris2010RS]

i find any friend i have in the car with me, i always nudge their leg going into 5th (LHD car)

[MadMax]

Dont forget, he's in Australia. Jeeps might not be as plentiful there.

Oh, they've got them! (http://www.jeep.com.au/) :biggrin:

[*MAD DOG*]

Can you guys tel me your thoughts on the Dodge Nitro and the Dodge Journey. Are they good vehicles or trouble?

[marcus]

ford are getting better