Just testdrove the FJ...

[DTAYLOR]

First, I have driven an 80 for 155000 miles, and love it. The thought of replacing it has never crossed my mind. My wife wants a new car and I was thinking 100, but she likes the look of the FJ, so I promised I would give it fair consideration.

Here are a few things I came up with. Tell me if you FJ owners agree.

I thought it handled OK, but not nearly as good as the 80, on or off road.

Loved the design in and out.

Really like the "lip" under the oil filter.

Turning radius is poor with diff locks or 4x4 low.

Diff lock hard to disengage.

Low driver visibility (I'm 6'2") and I felt like I was a tank commander with armour all around. Not my favorite thing, but I suppose some might like that.

Quarter glasses being too small really cut visibility, but enhance exterior looks.

Excellent color schemes. Wife likes blue. I like yellow.

I thought they could have come up with some kind of removable or washable carpet.

Overall, I think they did a great job with this truck. I just think it is geared toward a younger demographic than the 40 something white guy. This is likely a good thing for Toyota, because it looks as if it will appeal to that audience.

The salesman said the tires have a 100,000 mile warranty as long as you have te dealer rotate them every 5000 miles, at your expense. This sounded like a poor response to a tire issue on a newly designed vehicle. One could likely buy a set of tires and wheels for the cost of 20 tire rotation trips to the dealer. Not a deal breaker, but not the kind of service we have all come to expect from Toyota.

I like the truck, and will recommend it to my 27 year old son, but will most likely buy a 100 (or a nice 80) for my wife.

 

[Corey]

The diff lock may be hard to disengage as all this stuff needs to break in, including the transfer case.

Carpets?
Not in my FJ
I love having a rubber floor and rubber floormats.
Makes it so much easier to clean after being off road.

I really do not notice any blind spots in the rig, I am use to driving work vehicles that have hardly any visibility at all, so the FJ is real easy for me to see out of.

This is my far the nicest vehicle I have owned, and I do not feel like it is geared towards a younger crowd.
Myself, I will be 50 very shortly.

 

[TrAiLbUs1]

Have gone out w/ stock 80's before and I can tell you that this vehicle performs better stock. Approach angles, departures, and traction controls are much better. My friend would tag his tow hitch and I never did, doing the same obstacles. This vehicle is great onroad and off, very comfortable for long trips. Have not had problems w/ diff lock engaging or disengaging, it's electronic so it's simple, turning radius is not a problem either. The japanese engineers really turned out a great vehicle, fun to drive, & gets you anywhere and back.

 

[rfjtoy]

Have run with many 80's off-road and you can't go wrong with the FJ or the 80. Best of luck in your decision.

 

[PiCruiser]

After setting my mirrors right I havn't had any problems with blinds spots but the wife is still worried. She doesn't drive it much now that I got her Jeep fixed. I think experience in larger vehicles made this a non-issue for me.
Enjoy whichever you get.

 

[DTAYLOR]

Thanks, guys

I appreciate the input. I'm also very glad to hear the ones who have bought one like it.

Happy New Year to all,

Dan Taylor

 

[TrAiLbUs1]

I appreciate the input. I'm also very glad to hear the ones who have bought one like it.

Happy New Year to all,

Dan Taylor

Happy Holidays, as for the blind spots fish eye bubbles take care of that . Enjoy the New Year!!!!! Hope this helps w/ your decisions.

 

[macneill]

FJC vs 100? Two different animals doncha think? Both suited for their purposes.

 

[DTAYLOR]

We all know how women are...

FJC vs 100? Two different animals doncha think? Both suited for their purposes.

I think I stated in my original post that it was my wife who wanted to give the FJ a look. Plus, she has not spent much time driving my 80, or any 100 or FJ. Hers is simply one of those, "oh that is cute" kind of deals. The poor woman has been driving a Ford Explorer for the last 80,000 miles.

Since I choose my battles carefully, and was a bit curious about the FJ myself, I thought it best to give it a drive.

Now that that is done, I'm back to finishing the overhaul on my 80, then on to buying a nice 80, or 100 for her DD.

 

[k_os]

If kids are involved the FJ is just not the best deal, and like some peeps in the 80s forums say. The 100 is not a DD but a GG.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

First, I have driven an 80 for 155000 miles, and love it. The thought of replacing it has never crossed my mind. My wife wants a new car and I was thinking 100, but she likes the look of the FJ, so I promised I would give it fair consideration.

Here are a few things I came up with. Tell me if you FJ owners agree.

I thought it handled OK, but not nearly as good as the 80, on or off road.

Loved the design in and out.

Really like the "lip" under the oil filter.

Turning radius is poor with diff locks or 4x4 low.

Diff lock hard to disengage.

Low driver visibility (I'm 6'2") and I felt like I was a tank commander with armour all around. Not my favorite thing, but I suppose some might like that.

Quarter glasses being too small really cut visibility, but enhance exterior looks.

Excellent color schemes. Wife likes blue. I like yellow.

I thought they could have come up with some kind of removable or washable carpet.

Overall, I think they did a great job with this truck. I just think it is geared toward a younger demographic than the 40 something white guy. This is likely a good thing for Toyota, because it looks as if it will appeal to that audience.

The salesman said the tires have a 100,000 mile warranty as long as you have te dealer rotate them every 5000 miles, at your expense. This sounded like a poor response to a tire issue on a newly designed vehicle. One could likely buy a set of tires and wheels for the cost of 20 tire rotation trips to the dealer. Not a deal breaker, but not the kind of service we have all come to expect from Toyota.

I like the truck, and will recommend it to my 27 year old son, but will most likely buy a 100 (or a nice 80) for my wife.

I am fortunate enough to have an FJ, 100, and 80 series. They are all different and I love them all! Unfortunately, if I absolutely had to pick one Cruiser, it would be the 100. It does everything fairly well, which is rare for any vehicle. It does not suffer from a slow motor (80) or blind spots (FJ). It is simply the most complete Wagon ever made. Again, they are all awesome, but if you can afford it, buy a 100. If not, you won't be disappointed by an 80 or FJ.

 

[gearguywb]

Having owned a 100, and currently an 80 and a FJ I could not agree more that each vehicle has it's own strengths and weaknesses. As a 40+ yo guy I have more fun driving the FJ than either of the other two. That being said, I just drove it 1500 miles in two days and would have preferred the 100 series. About any other time the FJ wins in the "just plain fun to drive" category.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Having owned a 100, and currently an 80 and a FJ I could not agree more that each vehicle has it's own strengths and weaknesses. As a 40+ yo guy I have more fun driving the FJ than either of the other two. That being said, I just drove it 1500 miles in two days and would have preferred the 100 series. About any other time the FJ wins in the "just plain fun to drive" category.

I completely agree with you that The FJ wins the "fun to drive" category of the 3 Cruisers. I just drove a little over 1000 miles in the FJ and did wish I was in the 100 at about the 500 mile mark.

 

[LandCruisers4Life]

Boy after driving my old FJ cross country a couple of times, the new FJ is a CADDY compared and I love driving it 1000 miles!! Man I wonder what it's like to drive a 100??!

 

[BMWSTOY]

100 Vs. Fj Vs. 80

I would love to add to this as this was my struggle for the past 6-8 months. The FJ was just plain fun as described. (I am sure the newer models will remove that gigantic panel and put in another window and viola, no more blind spot - when they do I will have to get a loan or stay away from the dealer).

I ended up with a very used 100 for half the cost of a FJ or I would have likely still ended up with an FJ. I do like the 100 so far and have begun the mods. It really does matter what 90% of your driving will be. I choose the 100 over the 80 only for the comforts my wife enjoys, it is better on-road with its luxury - IMHO.

I say, lets swap - too bad Timbuktu is not near Colorado or we could swap for the day Any FJ owners in or near Denver?