FJ / Hummer3

[foxtrot6]

Hi
I was directed to this site by Ross in Korea, Thanks Ross
My dilema is what to buy. A Toy ota Land Cruiser or a Hummer3.
Now I am a Power Wagon guy, no dought the greatest 4x4 ever built .
But Dodge has ruined that one some years ago. I am well aware of the reputation of the older LCs . But being raised by the US Navy I have a very hard time with cars of Japan
The LC is and has long been the only Japanese vehical I would ever consider owning.
Im lookingh for reasons to buy a LC
I know the price difference, The mileage is very close, But I was reading that the LC needs the high octane stuff. Not a good start in my opinion. I havent bought that stuff since I last put gas in my 65 Riviera, and that was leaded gas.
So convince me people, right now I could go either way, but if one or the other offered a Diesle engine that would do it right there. But I dont see that happening any time soon.
Thanks

 

[Gumby]

Depends on what you want it for. Do you want to put 30 inch rims on it and cruise around? Buy the H3. Are you familier with domestic reliability issues? If you are comfortable with domestic repair costs and intervals, then you're good buying either.

If you want Toyota reliability, off road capability and fit and finish, buy the Cruiser. you will have higher repairs costs, but far fewer repairs. Your truck will last long, long after the H3 will be junk.

There is a considerable difference between a 93-97 Land Cruiser, a 98-07 Land Cruiser, and a 07 FJ Cruiser.

A H3 doesn't compare in any way to any of the above for any thing I care about. I have been driving Toyota's long enough that I can't abide the shoddy workmanship in domestics.

If you're looking at a Land Cruiser, you might want to post in the 80 or 100 series sections. If your looking at a FJ Cruiser, then this is the right place.

 

[Felix]

Hey Roland, welcome to MUD!!

Here are those thread links that I tried to email to you:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=116447&highlight=premium+gas

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=96253&highlight=premium+gas

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=86209&highlight=premium+gas

 

[firetruck41]

If you want a old tech leaf sprung rear, dressed up Trailblazer, with a very claustrophobic interior, get the H3. If you want a reliable, proven platform (Prado Land Cruiser based), coil sprung, powerful VVTI V6, your choice of manual or auto, get the FJ Cruiser. There seems to be a big and still developing aftermarket for the FJC, and many of the products available are true off road/functional mods, not just chrome dress up like you find for the Hummer crowd. I was in the Navy, never had a problem with buying a Japanese vehicle, in fact I very much enjoyed the time I spent in Japan.

 

[Felix]

My father was a Navy kid who grew up in Hawaii in the 50s. For years he preached "Buy American!.... No Jap Crap!" He now drives a Camry and has my mom driving a 4Runner.

 

[MoCoNative]

Presently it is a little different, but I support the Japanese auto makers. Our lold cruisers were built pretty much by hand, with an organized work group, that took great pride in building a quality product. And even to this day, the auto industry in Japan seems to be a fair industry to its workers.

On the other hand, domestic auto manufactures have continued to outsorce production, cut jobs, shaft their workers and turn low quality products. But most of all they keep losing American jobs. Toyota on the other hand continues to increase production in the US, by building more plants and providing more jobs for Americans. I'm all for that, and it is a quality product.

 

[hammer1]

My preference for Toyotas comes from learning to drive in the late 1970's, and we all know the reliability of 1970's domestic cars and trucks. I bought my first 40 series in 1979, and have owned landcruisers ever since.
Aside from the outsourcing, shafting workers, and general business practices of the Domestic auto makers, I just cant get the bad taste out of my mouth, even after 27 years.
But...I've gone wheeling with a friend of mine, and his 93 Cherokee, and It can do all my 60 can do, so i guess to each his own.
but the Hummer? nah....overgrown tahoe with bling.
check out the later 80's, and the 100's.
If you dont mind feeling KINDA squished..get the FJ. I love mine

 

[Blues Dawg]

I was raised on american cars, my 1st 4x4 was a 74 Blazer, my next was a Dodge Ram, and since then I have owned 2 Toyota Pickups, a 4Runner, an FJ-40 Land Cruiser and now have an FJ Cruiser. In the interim, I bought an Avalance - fair enough truck for hauling building and landscaping materials the 2 years I owned it, BUT:

Common to GM is recalls - Avalanche had 2 or 3, minor but inconvenient, my 99 Corvette had 3 also (one significant that the steeering would lock when not desired). The Avalanche was also built in Mexico, if you are concerned about foreign content or dilution of funds in to the US economy. Overall fit, function and quality of the Toyota is noticeably better than the GM. Toyota underrates its drivelines (longer life and higher reliability). As noted, I've owned a number of GMs, both cars and trucks, and the only GM advantage I have noticed is greater load capacity on the trucks and, I have to admit, I do like a V-8 (H3 is only an I-5).

 

[taccruiser97]

The Hummer H3 is basically a badge engineered Chevy Colorado with a 5 cylinder engine that even with HP increases for 07 is still considered underpowered by the automotive enthusiast magazines. For some unknown reason GM won't put in the 6 cylinder or V8 option as a powertrain option that is available with the Trailblazer.

I like them but also think that if the "Hummer" reputation is what you are after, the H3 will come up short.

Shortly after they were introduced, saw one on Taylor Pass where some buddies and I had taken our relatively stock Jeeps through. We told him the trail was a little beyond his H3, and suggested he quit while he was ahead. (A lot more to the story but this is the short version). Last we knew, on our way over to Tincup, the H3 was highcentered front, middle and rear, and a Park Ranger was going to see about getting him out.

If you want something for light off roading, skiing, hunting etc., the H3 is a good if somewhat underpowered, vehicle. If you want to go on some tough but not hardcore trails, the Land Cruiser/FJ Cruiser is the choice everytime. The H3 is good, but a Land Cruiser/FJ Cruiser is better.

 

[cruiser88]

thank god for japan enough said

 

[cruiser88]

buy youreslf a 80 series cruiser to start,hmm maybe a 95

 

[Gold Boy]

the truth is...

h3 hummer = bling and poor reliability

land cruiser = good reliability and no bling

 

[sikocycles]

If you have to ask than get a H3

 

[FJ-Ollie]

If you are into bling, go with the H3. It handles well, drives well, and you don't have to use premium.

If you want to wheel, the FJ is a Mountain Goat (moniker not mine but I agree). It will climb virtually anything. Take each for a test drive and see for yourself. Besides (I know this debate can go on forever), Toyotas are about the only auto actually made in America anymore.

 

[hudyhue]

I was disappointed in the fj visability sucked, no intierior room ,engine seemed strong +,i went with the h3 roomier than fj cheaper price wise,dealer actually dealt with me un like toyota... and my h3 doesn't see that much of road any way light trails or dirt roads mainly... i still use my fj40..

 

[Felix]

...dealer actually dealt with me un like toyota...

Did the Toyota dealer treat you poorly, or did they just refuse to lower the price? If the GM dealer gave you a "deal" it's probably because he had to in order to sell it.

 

[gearguywb]

I was disappointed in the fj visability sucked, no intierior room ,engine seemed strong +,i went with the h3 roomier than fj cheaper price wise,dealer actually dealt with me un like toyota... and my h3 doesn't see that much of road any way light trails or dirt roads mainly... i still use my fj40..

Wow, that's funny...you knock the FJ for interior room and drive a '40? Wow.

 

[cruiser88]

I was disappointed in the fj visability sucked, no intierior room ,engine seemed strong +,i went with the h3 roomier than fj cheaper price wise,dealer actually dealt with me un like toyota... and my h3 doesn't see that much of road any way light trails or dirt roads mainly... i still use my fj40..

i cant wait to see the upkeep cost on the humper

 

[foxtrot6]

Thanks guys, Its going to be a little while so Ill keep reading, The link on octane was very intresting.
As far as bling and trucks go, thats not me. Thats why they make cars.
My Power Wagon is brown camo and I dont wash the outside of either of my trucks, except for the under carriage.
What Ill use it for is to get dirtty and as a back up for work.
I didnt think the FJ was that cramped inside, after all it is some what of a jeep.

 

[Felix]

...after all it is some what of a jeep.

I take it you're using "j**p" as a univeral term for a shorter wheelbase, utilitarian 4x4? Be careful, some of the guys on here can be sensitive to that sort of generalization.

If you thought that octane thing was cool, you should spend some time poking around in the other tech forums. There is a tremendous amount of great info here on MUD, not all of it LC specific.