Looking for a FJ Cruiser

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CruizerHound

CruizerHound

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Mar 18, 2010
Threads
9
Messages
238
Location
Charlotte N.C.
I'm not to sure about the protocol, but lets say I have a brother who works for the govt. He was transferred form his office in SE NC that starts with a F to a location overseas he describes as a ****hole. He is returning to his "office in F" soon, like really soon. We have been emailing back and forth about a Trail FJ Cruiser.

I know a bit about the LC's but not the FJC so I thought I would ask you guys what to look for. He is looking for a low miles (-20k) FJC, possibly the Trail version.

Is the trail worth the extra $ ?

Any known major problems with the FJC?

What kind of price should he expect to pay?

Who is the Toyota dealer down there?

Any special deal for govt. employees?

Here are some links he sent me:

Fletcher NC

FJC Forum

Fville CL

Mountain State

Denver Co

He doesn't want a project or someones old trail rig. Im going to send him a link to this thread so he can follow along.

Big Thanks,
-Jake
 
If he / you are talking about Nam here then I can help him as I am here also. Rick Hendrick is the local around here . It is a good one and they do give Govt discounts for the Military. Anyone else I am unsure of. Have some other dealers around here for used cars that he can Google and look at what they have. If not in Nam then I got nothing.
 
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Also most of us on here are military or have been military around these here parts. I myself would go for an 80 / 100 series though, but thats just my .00000002 dinar worth.
 
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Nam

I have a 100 and love it but I think he wants something newer that he doesn't have to do anything to.

I dont think he minds traveling to get good one. Thoughts on the whole trail package? Could one duplicate that model for less?
 
Trail appears to have rear locking diff and sliders.

Also, has he thought about a trail edition 4Runner? A bunch on autotrader.
 
He doesn't need a locking diff or sliders. He really just liked the one tone paint job.

I mentioned 4Runners to him but he has seemed to gravitate towards the FJC. I think he also like the two door look.

A new standard a FJC is high $20's right?
 
He has not driven one.

List of his recent drives:

Harley Davidson (Sitting in my carport)

73(?) VW Bus with pop up

Mid 90's Volvo sedan

Mid 90's Volvo station wagon

When he gets back he will have use of my sister-in-laws Volvo S40, so at least he will have something to drive.
 
A new FJC is in the low 30's last I looked. You can get the locker and ATRAC without the trail teams package, which is mainly a different paint scheme and special badging. To me, not worth the extra dough. There are tons and tons of aftermarket parts for these things, so he can build it however he wants. I like mine. Some cruiser owners do not like them for whatever reasons, but they are great SUV's and very offload capable, even stock.
 
If he's looking at something new(er) there really aren't any issues to be concerned with. I love mine and use the heck out of it with no problems, but I wouldn't be as happy if it had an automatic. Make sure you get a model with the rear locker though since that will help resale. The FJC has one of the highest resale values of any vehicle sold in the US, so if he changes his mind, he won't lose his butt. Used FJ's with low mileage are usually pretty close in price to new, so he might be better off sticking with new and keeping the warranty, but that's his choice.

The only real reasons to get the Trail Teams version of an FJC is if you like the color and aren't planning on modifying it. You're pretty much getting different wheels, slightly upgraded shocks and some badges. Wheels, tires and suspension are the first things most people upgrade anyway, so it comes down to appearance more than anything.
 
i own a 2011 FJ 4x4...thats all you want...dont pay the absurd price for a trail teams...it gives you nothing other than some badging. 35K is way more than what the truck is worth. The vehicle is very capable in stock form however if you do plan on wheeling there are certain thing you are going to want to have on the truck ie. sliders, tires, lift, skids among a few other. The FJ Cruiser is by no means a LandCruiser. but it is a dependable reliable vehicle that you can have alot of fun in. As far as weaknesses ...weak rear axle shafts, IFS, blind spots, weak(er) rings and pinions, and certainly not at all good gas mileage...hope this helps. I love my FJ Cruiser and honestly right now i wouldnt want anything in its place. they are very tough as i have beaten the crap out of mine and it asks for more!
 
I'd highly recommend getting the rear locker if for only future resale value down the road. It can be had without ordering any of the "packages".

No, the packages are not worth the $$$ IMHO. If its about what he likes in the looks, then its is worth it, just not in a functional standpoint.

They ride and handle like one would expect, MPG is very low 20's until one adds anything to it.

I absolutely loved mine, have no regrets, when I get asked if I'd do it again, I'd say yes. Yet, one could also conclude that since I'm now driving an 80, building it up to replace the FJC, that I prefer the 80...
 
^ i can understand doing some of the stuff to it for cosmetics, but if it is never wheeled, why does it have a winch and sliders? Seems like quite a build to never leave the road.
 
Yukon LX said:
^ i can understand doing some of the stuff to it for cosmetics, but if it is never wheeled, why does it have a winch and sliders? Seems like quite a build to never leave the road.
Click to expand...

This seems to be happening more and more. Super nice builds and they never get dirty.
 
Yukon LX said:
^ i can understand doing some of the stuff to it for cosmetics, but if it is never wheeled, why does it have a winch and sliders? Seems like quite a build to never leave the road.
Click to expand...

His plan was to wheel it but he works for UPS and works 14+ hours a day and he just dont have time. After he got it the way he wanted it the truck is too nice to mess it up. He bought a 40 to play with then sold it and bought a cheap 60 that he is going to wheel. If he ever gets the time.
 
hmm, if i were putting that kind of money into something, and all the gear was towards off road performance, i would figure out before i started weather the end product would be too nice. Do you know what i am saying? Anyhow, nice looking build.
 
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