Buy now, or wait for improvements?

[scottm]

Tough decision, that's quite a truck. It's smart to hold back on enhancements and incentives, and Toyota is smart. Most new product launches do it, and there are many obvious and desireable features Toyota has chosen to leave out of this product. They may discover some mechanical improvements for the next years, or find ways to cheapen up a few things. I don't mean this isn't a great truck, its nearly perfect for me, but I know they can and will do better in the coming years. This won't be like a guy in his two-year-old '91 FJ looking at the much improved '93. Those were major improvements, but his truck still carried itself well when he pulled into the dealership. The Landcruiser stood nearly alone at the top of that market, and resale was solid on those vehicles. I'm concerned that I'll pull into the dealership in my '07 FJ, and there will be a line of '09s with turbo-diesels and moon-roofs, front lockers, improved suspension, heated seats, perhaps a third-row mini jump seat. Shell or soft top maybe? My '07 will seem archaic among the many modern SUVs. The gas station across the street will read $4.99/gallon. The salesman will offer me less than I owe to trade it in on a diesel.

This is a great truck at a great price, almost like they built it for me (well, someone ten years younger), and I'm ready to buy. My current cars are tattered and in need of replacement, and both my jobs are looking up. Most importantly, my wife thinks I should get one. The time is right. Decisions, decisions. Ideally, many of you will buy these first-years, pamper them with synthetic fluids and OEM parts, then unload them for the diesels. My wife would like blue.

 

[Brentbba]

I'll wait for a soft top, if it's in the works Toyota.

 

[reservoirdog]

Don't worry. Toyota isn't going to release a diesel version of this vehicle in the States.

 

[scottm]

Hmm, rumors of a diesel would probably dampen sales among the target audience, and if it doesn't sell well it probably won't get a diesel. You're absolutely right, Res, no plans for a diesel ever! Toyota is bringing diesels in for trucks, and the FJs has diesel competition. Diesels are coming to light trucks, SUVs, and cars, but not to the FJ? Even people working at Toyota won't say never, unless they work in marketing.

 

[firetruck41]

Toyota has indicated that they have no intentions of bringing diesels in any consumer vehicles, except HD trucks, ie. the next Tundra. They are headed towards hybrid drivetrains for all vehicles instead. I highly doubt there will be any NA diesel FJ or Land Cruiser. But I still hope they change their mind

 

[FJ809496TLC]

If I were you, I would sell all non-Toyota vehicles then get the '07 FJ. Wait a few years then buy another one. Another option would be to lease one with an option to buy.