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FJ Cruiser

B

bigshot

Senior member
Can someone tell me about the FJ Cruiser? I'm looking to buy one in the near future for snow driving, mild to moderate off-roading and safety. I've read mostly positive reviews but wondering if anyone has first hand knowledge or has owned one of these trucks. I have test driven a 2010 and found it drove nice and the visability wasnt too bad.
 
From what i've heard they are pretty decent vehicles. However i'm not a huge fan of the styling/design.

Also, do not, i repeat. DO NOT get the blue color..
29004750045_large.jpg
 
Very utilitarian. I've never driven one, but heard great things. I actually really dig the design. I'd cross-shop it w/ the honda element. My coworker has an element, and it grew onto me. The element is actually pretty damn cool and useful car.
 
I have a 2007 FJ Cruiser.

Good points:
Great offroad performance for a stock vehicle.
Traction on sand/dirt/rock is excellent, if A-Trac is still an upgrade, get it.
Great for one or two people.
Reasonable highway ride for long trips
Plenty of power for passing but not a speed demon

Bad points:
Limited cargo space
Lousy for more than two people
Can't lie down in back
Replacing a windshield used to be $1200-1500, don't know if this is still true, haven't needed to do it myself.
19 gallon tank is on small side for vehicle this size. Also never able to put more than 16 gal into it when on E. Don't know if three gallon reserve is there or not.


Repairs to date (as of 48k miles):
A/C dash switch replaced under warranty
 
IronWing said:
Replacing a windshield used to be $1200-1500, don't know if this is still true, haven't needed to do it myself.
Click to expand...

This is what I heard a while back, I don't know if they've become more affordable or not. Supposedly the high angle windshield was a rock magnet.

According to co-workers who drove the FJ cruiser the company owned the suspension was overly soft, which worked well for off-road but around town handling suffered.
 
Someone once told me it had the coldest air conditioner he had ever felt is his entire life, he likened it to a real meat locker.

They appear to have horrible blind spots, although never having driven one, I can't say for sure that they do.
 
Sluggo said:
Someone once told me it had the coldest air conditioner he had ever felt is his entire life, he likened it to a real meat locker.

They appear to have horrible blind spots, although never having driven one, I can't say for sure that they do.
Click to expand...
The rear blind spots are comparable to a pickup with a shell. It depends what you are used to. If you're used to using your mirrors then it isn't a big deal. To me, the most annoying blind spot is the front passenger side A pillar which is fairly wide.
 
Every time I see one I laugh a little. They look like they are trying too hard, or look like a kid's hot wheels increased to life size. Bleh.

I don't know about their capabilities but those signal and brake lights that stick way out are asking to get broken off-road 😛
 
I have one. Really like it. I personally find the cargo space more than adequate, but rear visability is a problem. Thank goodness for the backup sensors. It's built off of the same platform as the 4Runner and Lexus GX470. MPG is a little dissapointing. I average about 16 in town and 20 on the highway, my parents have a Tacoma with the same 4.0 and auto tranny and get about 17 and 23. The manual gets worse mileage as it has full time 4wd, the auto doesn't. I've wheeled mine a few times and it's been impressive. Eventually, I will replace the front bumper with something that has better departure angles, though.
 
Fmr12B said:
Get an H3 or Wrangler Unlimited instead.

FJ is prone to body tears if you plan on doing any serious off-roading.


http://forum.ih8mud.com/fj-cruiser/171443-engine-bay-body-rips.html
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That was fixed with the 2008 model year. Also, the Wrangler, with the exception of the Rubicon packages, isn't nearly as capable off road in stock form, and has a lousy interior and questionalble build quality. The H3 is a Chevy Trailblazer with different body panels. Enough Said.
 
the h3 is built on the same hydroformed full steel frame as the trail blazer. true. the h3 also has much better and more capable suspension than a trailblazer/envoy. the frame that these vehicals sit on is extreamly rigid. by the link above it apears that the frame and body are both very flexable on the FJ, I would much rather flex my suspension off road than the frame and body of the vehical.
 
The 2010's come back with a rear view camera as well. What else don't you like about it? The cargo looks to be fine for my needs and I love the fact you sit up over other vehicles. Does yours have a roof rack? If so, do you have problems parking in certain parking lots, etc.

After bought I may do something like this,

fj-cruiser_6.jpg
 
bigshot said:
Can someone tell me about the FJ Cruiser? I'm looking to buy one in the near future for snow driving, mild to moderate off-roading and safety. I've read mostly positive reviews but wondering if anyone has first hand knowledge or has owned one of these trucks. I have test driven a 2010 and found it drove nice and the visability wasnt too bad.
Click to expand...

Try the new Jeep Grand Cherokee... the "SUV" (its a unibody) is gorgeous, the interior is pretty damn nice, and more... honestly, it's currently the best available vehicle from FIAT in the US
 
MikeMike said:
Try the new Jeep Grand Cherokee... the "SUV" (its a unibody) is gorgeous, the interior is pretty damn nice, and more... honestly, it's currently the best available vehicle from FIAT in the US
Click to expand...

Actually this is on my list for a test drive this weekend. Up here in Canada, it is about 5k more for the Laredo. The thing is with the Jeep is that in two years these won't be worth much compared to these FJ Cruisers so i'm a bit hesitant to drop 42k on a jeep, the fj is 37k up here.

The thing with these FJ's is that they need proper tires to look right
 
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bigshot said:
The 2010's come back with a rear view camera as well. What else don't you like about it? The cargo looks to be fine for my needs and I love the fact you sit up over other vehicles. Does yours have a roof rack? If so, do you have problems parking in certain parking lots, etc.

After bought I may do something like this,

fj-cruiser_6.jpg
Click to expand...

I've got the roof rack. Never have had a problem with the height. Im still stock, thought. I may add 2-3" of lift later on, but mostly for the upgraded bumper and 33" tires clear better.
 
uli2000 said:
That was fixed with the 2008 model year. Also, the Wrangler, with the exception of the Rubicon packages, isn't nearly as capable off road in stock form, and has a lousy interior and questionalble build quality. The H3 is a Chevy Trailblazer with different body panels. Enough Said.
Click to expand...

2011 Jeep Wranglers get an all new interior that is pretty lavish for a Jeep.

2011-jeep-wrangler-interior.jpg
 
Fmr12B said:
2011 Jeep Wranglers get an all new interior that is pretty lavish for a Jeep.

2011-jeep-wrangler-interior.jpg
Click to expand...

Wow, that it pretty nice. Too bad it's still a Chrysler (and now Fiat, those Italians sure know about reliability) product and will fall apart before reaching 100k.
 
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