Toyota FJ Cruiser

bcmalibu99ls

I got into old snow about bumper deep before it wouldn't go up the mountain any further, even with locked axles

So, what happened? The vehicle just would not move even with you pressing gas all the way? How steep was the mountain at that point?

Muchas gracias, eh!

greenbeast

i have a fj40 landcruiser with the origonal 2F engine and 4 speed gearbox. i want to fit a 5 speed, does any one know what 5 speed gearbox's will fit this engine.

submachine

"You find an FJ Cruiser anywhere within the next year for less than MSRP I would be amazed."

Im sure you believed the same thing about the new beetle, the mini cooper, or the pt cruiser. Incorrectly

kdhspyder

OTOH Prius' have been going at full sticker for 3 yrs now in most places. It depends on the supply and demand only. We'll see.

plekto

Even the Prius is going to fall from grace soon. The hybrid Camry will take a chunk out and the upcoming Hyundai/Kia hybrids and the Honda Fit hybrid next year - all for less money...

Of course, competition is a good thing. I have no pity for any manufacturer that can't make decent vehicles. I mean, even Subaru and Mazda manage to make decent cars with a budget that's probably less than GM spends on executive bonuses.

ctautomall

The Prius will not be effected by the Camry Hybrid because it will not get the gas mileage the Hybrid gets, and probably won't qualify for the Tax Credit, but who knows. And as far as Honda, cmon' they can't sell the hubrids they have. It will be some time before anyone else has a hybrid to compete with Toyota.

kootenayfj

Tires had jusssssst started spinning, so I was very close to geting stuck....not a good idea in the Selkirks all by my onesies.
Totally guessing, but I'd say about 16-20%, which is a wild guess, based on knowing the sections of highways 3 and 3B/22 in this area that are 11% slopes.

zombo

Those dealers who sell 3-5 grand over MSRP are ripoffs who sell to suckers!But I guess there's enough suckers right now to keep sales up.When gas hits $4 per gallon this summer,we'll see how the 15 mile per gallon FJ flys off the lot LOL ! You idiot car salesmen crack me up!

voodoofx

15 mpg? My last tank I got almost 17mpg on regular.

ctautomall

Whoa! I am an idiot because I make a living selling cars? That's kind of harsh. For one I do not EVER charge over MSRP on anything. And two, what exactly do you do for a living Oh Mighty Zombo? You got a clue because you post on a car site. I do it everyday, and deal with the likes of you everyday. You know, there are honest people in the industry. I treat everyone the same regardless of the commission I make, and have a 99% CSI from over 10 lines.

plekto

I *meant* the Corolla hybrid. It's going to divide Prius sales pretty evenly.

brazenhead

First of all I would like to say hello to everyone. I've been reading these posts for a few weeks now and have been enjoying everyone's take on the new FJ. I'm actually expecting mine in 8 more sleeps.

This question may have already been posted but I most likely missed it. Could someone please tell me what color the background lighting is in the gauge cluster? This really isn't that important but it's kinda been bugging me.

By the way does anyone know what FJ stands for?

dreasdad

Fj was part of the original vin number and became a way to describe this vehicle by the owners. does not really stand for anything.

carlover3

Hi all,
Someone please answer if you have experience about the
Convenience Package. Convenience Package includes daytime running lights, rear clearance sonar, and other items.
1. daytime running lights: what exactly is this item in the FJ Cruiser ? and how do I verify that my FJ Cruiser has the daytime running lights working correctly ?
2. rear clearance sonar: same as question #1, how do I verify that it has one (visually) ? and if it works correctly ?
Thanks much!
CarLover-

carlover3

A Toyota saleman maybe joking when he told me that FJ stands for Japan Fuji mountain (or maybe he was serious but I was never sure about it.)

zombo

Sorry,looks like you're one of the good salesmen,but it did seem like in your initial post you were saying that the dealer you worked for was price gouging. There is a site,fj cruiser forums dot com,where dealers are advertising MSRP on the FJ and some people are actually getting them for less.Others are taking then for test drives,then getting their deposits back,saying it's like driving in a bomb shelter,poor outward visibility and so forth.I see the FJ as a decent vehicle if a bit overpriced and somewhat cartoonish looking in blue or yellow,but I'm basically a pickup man so no thanks to the FJ for me,looking forward to the 07 Tundra.

carlover3

Hi all,
I am excited to take delivery of my Yellow FJ Cruiser within the next couple days. I'd like to get some advise on what are the good driving conditions/habits during the intial break-in period (during the first 1000 miles or so ? ) .
Driving conditions here mean average speed, road terrain, what gas octane, or any useful info please advise.
Thanks!
Carlover-

rick_reno

After some searching, I found a Yellow FJ at a local dealer - picked it up a couple of days ago. Came with the auto transmission, convenience package, curtain side air bags, upgrade package #2, roof rack, towing package, spare tire cover and floor/cargo mats and running boards (I don't need the rock guards). I'm in N. Idaho and they aren't easy to find, the closest dealer was sold out on vehicles that are two months away from delivery - the next closet one had a FJ, but it wasn't set up with what I wanted. The third one had this yellow one and I went over to look at it. So far, I really like it. Excellent on both the highway and the numerous dirt roads we have around here. Yellow wasn't my first choice based on the photo's I'd seen on the web - but when I saw it in person it's fantastic. Very visible. This is the first vehicle I've owned from Japan, I bought my first car in 1965 and I've stuck with German cars for a long time. I hope it's reliable.

ron41

You'll know if the vehicle has daytime running lights if the head lights stay on when you start and drive your vehicle during daylight. Furthermore you'll know the vehicle has rear parking sonars if there is a botton on the panel, it will light up and will also make a beep sound when the gear is put in reverse plus it will beep continuosly if you approach anything near the vehicle while moving in reverse.

nedzel

"You'll know if the vehicle has daytime running lights if the head lights stay on when you start"

I don't know about the FJ Cruiser, but on my 2003 4Runner, the daytime running lights are the parking lights, not the head lights.

dreasdad

Register with Toyota online once you have taken delivery of your FJ and they will send you a scale model of yours in the color that you bought. Go to http://www.toyotaownersonline.com/

johnxyz

Would someone please confirm or refute - elaborate on the comment that the FJ with a manual tranny is full-time AWD vs. part-time AWD with an automatic tranmission?

This just doesn't sound correct (wouldn't the auto FJ be the same as the auto 4Runner which has a F/T AWD system)?

Thanks alot.

rick_reno

It's confirmed. Auto - part time AWD, standard - full time AWD.

abraindrainer

There are plenty of dealers that have FJs in stock and are asking MSRP. Thus, I would safely say that they are going under MSRP already. Granted that most of the units currently produced are ringing up just under $30k.

As many have said earlier: this is way too much given other alternatives. I have said it before and I will say it again: for this kind of money most folks would be better off in a 4Runner. The only exception is if you want to do very very serious offroading or if you must have a stick shift Toyota SUV.

People, do not listen to the folks from the stealerships! If you live in an area with no stock, buy one at another (domestic rich) state like OH or MI and drive it back or ship it: that is worth $2-5k!

dreasdad

I think you are not safe to say any one will be paying under msrp for an FJ that is not at laeast 2nd cousins to the dealer principal.

And if you don't want to buy a car fromn a dealership why don't you start your own car company?

brazenhead

If your cruising around at night in your FJ, what color do you see when you look at the dashboard? I know i asked before but i didn't get a reply.

kernick

z: When gas hits $4 per gallon this summer,we'll see how the 15 mile per gallon FJ flys off the lot LOL !

me: If aperson is going to be buying a $30K vehicle like the FJ Cruiser, I'd hope $4/gal gasisn't a big deal. If the difference in cost in driving an FJ versus say a typical car getting 25mpg (real-world, not EPA) then they shouldn't be buying a vehicle that price.

If a person drives 1,000 miles month, gets 17 mpg and gas is $4/gal, that's = $235. If they got a car at 25mpg, that's = $160. So buying a car would save $75/month - that's not much anymore.

If you turned around and sold the FJ in 1-2 years, I'm sure the extra gas would be more than paid for by what should be low depreciation.

kernick

a: Granted that most of the units currently produced are ringing up just under $30k.

me: now a manual (or auto) base model 4x4 is a good deal. The only options I would want is the locker and the stereo, and shkip all that other junk in those packages.

carlover3

Hi all,
I am so excited to take delivery of my Yellow FJ Cruiser within the next couple days. I'd like to get some advise on what are the good driving conditions/habits during the intial break-in period (during the first 1000 miles or so ? ) .
Driving conditions here mean average speed, road terrain, what gas octane, or any useful info please advise.

Somebody told me that it's good to do an oil change after the first 1000 miles to flush out the system and start over with fresh oil. Does it make any sense in helping anything in the engine by doing such an early oil change.

Thanks!
Carlover-

rick_reno

Mine has white gauges, they're very visible. I can change the color of the radio display, I think I have it set on purple now.

rick_reno

There some break-in info in the owners manual; basic stuff. Drive it at varying speeds - no quick stops in the first couple hundred miles (I think). Don't set the cruise control and take it on a long drive, the speed should be varied. Drive it anywhere you would normally drive a vehicle - don't worry about it. The gas cap cover on mine has a note about 91 octane gas.
With todays oils, I'm not changing mine until the service interval comes up. Modern oils are very good and don't need the frequent changes like oil did 20-30 years ago.

zombo

Why would anyone buy something over 30K and sell it a year or two later?May as well throw your money away to buy the latest,greatest toy,then sell it at a loss for the newest trendy thing! Maybe some people are okay with spending 3 grand or more on gas every year,but most that I know definitely are not! SUV sales plummetted last summer when gas rose to over $3 per gallon,summer isn't even here yet and in some places it's already over $4.My car gets 34 mpg,my truck gets 18,so the truck sits and the car gets driven when gas prices go through the the roof.And when the weather's nice my motorcyle which gets 45-50 mpg takes me to work and back.The FJ is supposed to be a weekend rock crawler and not a commuter vehicle anyway right?I can use that other 2K or so saved to buy many other things,than to make the greedy oil companies even richer,believe me!But whoever wants get a deal below MSRP will do it when gas prices are highest and the fish aren't biting on gas guzzling suvs,because then the dealers will be price gouging on the Prius and Camry hybrid instead!

gagrice

I think Toyota has all bases covered. When gas was cheaper a year ago this time our local Toyota dealer had 11 Prii sitting on the lot. They could have sold all the SUVs they could get. Now with gas prices high the hybrids will move fast and SUVs will sit for a while. I am seeing too many negatives here for the FJ to be a booming success like the current Tahoe or even the RAV4.

kernick

z: Why would anyone buy something over 30K and sell it a year or two later?

me: well it depends on the vehicle. If the FJ is still very popular, it will have depreciated only a little. If I buy a $30k FJ and can get $25K for it 2 years later, I sell it. If I could only get <$20K, it would be a bad financial move, to sell it and go buy annother similar vehicle.
If this $30K to $25K scenario worked out, I would have spent $5K for 24 months of driving a new vehicle with $0 repairs. That's about $200/month before gas and maintenance. I know man people who are putting $300-$500/month on average in repairs into 5-7 year old cars.

z: Maybe some people are okay with spending 3 grand or more on gas every year,but most that I know definitely are not!

me: this is a $30K vehicle, I would suspect that most people shouldn't be buying such an expensive vehicle, if the cost of gas is a problem. That's just my perspective, that you shouldn't buy something if you're counting your pennies, figuring how to afford it. I would at least suggest a 2X income over the cost, or pay in cash.

z: The FJ is supposed to be a weekend rock crawler and not a commuter vehicle anyway right?

me: most of the marketing points at that, and people will use it in extreme conditions, but most people will use it for all their transportation. Having multiple vehicles really ends up costing a lot in depreciation, registrations, repairs and insurance. You complain about how people can afford the extra gas for an FJ; you should add up what having a truck, car, and motorcycle cost you all together.

brazenhead

kdhspyder

It's a very simple answer $30K to some means less than $30K to others. I see it everyday and neither is wrong and neither is right. It's just the way life is.

A guy comes in and wants to buy a DCab Ltd 4WD Tundra.
"I want everything you can put on it."
OK done. He continues..
"Now is there anything you've forgotten, whatelse can I add?"

zombo

I didn't complain about affording the gas in my initial post,but said that the right time to buy an FJ would be to wait until the price of gas was high when SUVs would be less sought after,because that's when you would get a better deal.All my vehicles are paid off,my insurance with a good driving record is very reasonable and splitting the mileage between 3 vehicles means less wear and tear and repairs.For example,in 4 years other than oil changes,30K mile dealer service and a set of tires,I haven't had to put a dime into my Matrix.And I figure I've put about $1200 in repairs to my 94 Toyota SR5 over the last 5 1/2 years that I've owned it,about $220 a year.I don't know who these people are who are spending $500 every month on repairs ,but obviously they aren't driving Toyotas,my SR5 still purrs like a new truck.BTW you left out sales tax,higher insurance on a 30K vehicle, and payment interest which would bring the monthly cost of the new vehicle substantially higher than $200 per month.

But getting back to the original topic, the FJ is a nice vehicle,but why would anyone pay over MSRP for any vehicle? It just doesn't make any sense to me! Throwing money away pure and simple and if you trade your old car in ,add about 2-3K to the loss,money that you would've recouped had you sold that car yourself!

zombo

Maybe that's the way an 18 year old buys a new vehicle or a lazy millionaire,but if you don't do your research and negotiate knowing what the dealer's profit is on MSRP you're not buying a car,you're getting taken.Also visiting at least 3 or 4 dealers to get competing prices is a must if you want to make the best deal on a new car.

I'm missing something here if going into a car dealership,throwing money around like confetti,bending over and paying whatever they ask is how it's done these days.Newsflash,the salesman and the sales manager are not impressed by your outstanding credit or bank account,behind closed doors they are laughing at you.At what an easy mark you are,laughing all the way to the bank!(Not you specifically kdh,but the person who buys a car like that)

kernick

Look, you're particulars aren't average then. A person with 3 typical vehicles is going to have higher costs than someone with (1) $30K vehicle. Vehicles typically depreciate several thousand dollars per year (your '94 truck obviously isn't).

But insurance is not that much extra for new vehicles. I have an '00 Silverado that costs me about $500/year. I was just pricing a used '05 Viper as a 3rd vehicle and that came in at $931/year. So an FJ Cruiser isn't going to be so expensive. I live in a state with $0 sales tax. Not an issue. Now I'll tell you about my coworker who just got a quote on her Mazda van for a $900 U-joint.

My point is that if you can buy a new vehicle with low depreciation, it is financially better than the average owner of either a new or many used cars. If you can have the enjoyment of a new car, with full warranty, and it only costs you $250 or so per month payment, that's a great deal today. I believe an FJ Cruiser fits that description.

z: But getting back to the original topic, the FJ is a nice vehicle,but why would anyone pay over MSRP for any vehicle?

me: I wouldn't either, unless you really want it. The true-price of anything though is what someone is willing to pay for it.

z: and if you trade your old car in ,add about 2-3K to the loss,money that you would've recouped had you sold that car yourself!

me: Agree. If someone wants to get rid of their FJ in 2 years, they'd be best to sell it themselves, take the $25K and go buy another new one, have a brand new vehicle and get another full warranty. I know a couple that do this with their Honda Civic every 2 or 2-1/2 years. Because it is a less expensive car, their difference in purchase and trade-in is less. It runs him about $150/month doing this. He always has a nice new reliable car, and no repair costs.

zombo

Living in the semi-socialistic state of NJ,which just raised it's sales tax to 7% and has the highest car insurance rates in the country,it costs you no matter what you drive or how long you keep it. They also charge a 4 year registration fee(to help pay down the massive budget deficit the incompetent pols left) for any new car and if you sell it after two years that registration money paid for the remaining two years is gone.I'd advise your friend with the Mazda to get a second estimate from a known, reputable idependent repair shop,it couldn't hurt.This is why I stick with Toyota and Honda,never had a CV joint go bad on any I've had and that includes some with well over 100k miles.

As far as the true price of anything being what anyone is willing to pay for it,that's true in the collector car market,but anyone paying over the manufacturer's suggested retail on a new car,who doesn't have the brains or common sense to tell a price gouging dealer to stuff it,is a trendy fool and a spoiled child who has never learned the value of a dollar and only keeps prices artificially inflated for other potential buyers!

voodoofx

Does someone out there have an FJ that only gets 15mpg? My last tank of 89 got me almost exactly 18mpg. That was a mix of city and highway, a lot of it driven by a lead footed 21 year old.
The longer I own my FJ the more I like it. It's quick, fairly comfortable and good off-road. With the exception of the turning radius everything I hate can be modified i.e. door mirrors and bumpers. Even 18mpg is not very good, but its way better than my 12/13mpg 04 Tundra [its for sale]. We also have an 03 Camry 4cyl. It has 56,000 problem free miles on it.

ergo

Anyone solved the lack of SUNROOF issue? :confuse:

Dealbreaker omission if you ask me (at this pricepoint).

kdhspyder

Most people especially on forums like this do care about the things you mention but at the same time this country is so diverse that there is a huge number of people for whom $1000 to $5000 is of no significance at all.

If they want something then they buy it.

Again neither one is right or wrong it's just the way life is today.

kdhspyder

Heh, I moved from Wayne, off Rte 23/80, down to the beach in NC 7 yrs ago. I can insure 3 new vehicles for what one used to cost in the 90's in NJ.

The Honda dealership on Rt 23 is the reason I've been in Toyota's since 1989.

zombo

I had my go round with the price gouging Honda dealers in NJ back in the 80s too.The first time ,looking for an Accord,I walked away and bought a Nissan.The second time, in the late 80s, I actually bought a new CRX Si for slightly under MSRP.Now I hear that Honda dealers are asking at least 2K over retail for the new 06 Civic Si,seems like nothing's changed with them.An all new CRX is due out late 07,wonder how much over sticker the shyster dealers will be asking for that!

As far as the 'adult children' who don't have a clue on how to buy a car and are paying thousands over MSRP to be the first on the block with the newest toy,they don't seem to be bragging about getting reamed as there is nothing posted on the prices paid topic heading. At least they know enough not to gloat about being a fool!

voodoofx

In post 1257 I said I paid MSRP. But if someone likes something enough to pay extra to get it now so what! Like someone else posted, to some people $5K is chump change. I know guys who've spent more than that on wheels. As for greedy dealers selling for what the market will bear[bare?] isn't that good 'ol American capatilism? Would you sell your house for less because demand has driven prices to a ridiculous level?

zombo

Unless you buy a house built over a uranium mine it will always go up in value over time,no matter what you pay for it.A new car will always go down in value,unless it becomes a classic over a period of decades.So it really is throwing money away,that's what stupid,shallow people do.But you're right there's no law against being dumb,and the car dealers love these people!

When the price of a gallon of gas soars way over $4 a gallon this summer over the some imagined tensions over Iran,who we don't get a drop of oil from or some other lame azz lie, you can have a good laugh over that darned capitalism(not greed) at work! If Brazil can become energy independent ,why can't we? Is Brazil that much more technologically advanced than the U.S.? It wouldn't be because our government is in the back pocket of big oil(who knows how to use capitalism and is not greedy) would it?

cyberbro

Brazil becoming energy independent? Ha ha
To compare that to us is a joke. Brazil has a lot of oil themselves for one and two the drug of choice in brazil is glue! They have no Money so that means that each person there does not have a few cars like we do here and drive just for fun. They also don't have the electric needs we have as a modern society with computers,ac and tv's in every room of every home. They are a 3rd world country compared to us. I guess you think iran really needs nuclear energy besides sitting on one of the biggest oil reserves in the world.
Go back to sleep!

zombo

Sorry,but you are the ostrich who needs to get it's head out of the sand and wake up.Read the 4/20/06 column at billoreilly.com. But here are some things everyone should be able to see-almost as soon as winter is over and people aren't buying huge amounts of fuel oil,almost immediately the price of gas starts climbing,why? A gas station's tank is filled on Monday,on Tuesday there are tensions in the middle east and prices at the pump are up immedately on Wednesday,even though that same gas in the tank was bought at a cheaper price just two days prior,why?All of a sudden hurricane season is driving up gas prices,who would've thought ten years ago a mere weather report would result in higher gas prices? They'll gouge you anyway they can these days,but as long as you own stock in Exon Mobil it's no big deal right?

But the way things are going with unlimited illegal immigration,out of control budget deficits,and incompetent politicians who don't care about anything except what will get them reelected(both parties) we will soon be a third world country ourselves.And then maybe we will be running all our vehicles on ethanol,like the 188 million people in Brazil are right now!

abraindrainer

Kids no fighting! BTW: what do your posts have to do with the FJ? :surprise: Aside from that, you make interesting points!

Let's clear the air: Honda and Toyota dealers are some of the worst because their products are some of the most reliable (maybe offer best value) and thus, they often displayed high degree of bad behavior. Over the years, both automakers have been behaving badly when new models or refreshes have come out: Ody, Pilot, Highlander, Prius, etc. On the other hand, when '03 4Runner came out some dealers kept saying how it justifies screwing the buyers but the market fizzled very quickly and by the end of the year the plastic cladding yielded prices of over $2k under invoice. Will this happen to the FJ? There is a significant probability! When the new Ody and Highlander came out, it took years for any other make to come out with comparable (value) offerings. On the other hand, FJ has a lot of completion and that is going to keep the market and buyers (charge "whatever-I-want" philosophy) in check...

Dreasdad: GO AWAY! Go back to :sick: stealership where you live and try to sell some used :lemon:, because we are not buying your crap here. Please tell us where that is and we will make sure to stay out of your way. :confuse: We can easily find other places where to buy our Toys. I simply suggested to look at more (distant) alternatives to keep all sellers honest by creating a more competitive market! I know you like to compete or should I say lose(r). There are currently no-haggle dealership that are already charging under MSRP!