Questions on buying a used FJ Cruiser

[stoshzack]

Hi All -

I had a couple questions on buying a used FJ Cruiser. My wife and are looking buying a bigger vehicle for an expanding family. I found a 2007 FJ Cruiser manual transmission with 70K for $17,000 (2nd owner).

A couple questions:
1) Price looked good to me and seems to be $2K to 3K below blue book. Any thoughts?

2) My wife likes the idea of a Nissan Pathfinder and the third row seating. Of course, I like the FJ in terms of looks and dependability. I have had overwhelming good luck and little issues with my Toyotas (Prius, Tacoma, FJ40 and Corollas in the past) and they are so easy to work on. I have read up, and realize I probably don't really need the FJ if I am not off roading. Just wondering if you all had any thoughts (like how easy it is to put a baby seat in the back, back seat comfort, ect.)?

3) I've done a lot of work (mostly engine, exhaust, brakes, some transmission) on my Toyotas. I consider myself mechanically inclined, but I am a little leary about paying $17K and not taking the car into a mechanic prior to purchase. Toyota Dealership wanted $98.95 and Firestone wanted $19.95 to do a vehicle inspection prior to purchase. From what they have told me about the details of the inspection, I'd probably do a better job of checking it over than they would. Any thoughts? Any specific areas you all think I should check?

Many thanks for any and all input,
Stoshzack

 

[BMThiker]

I don't have kids, but most agree that the suicide doors are a pain if you have kids. I know in tight parking lots its a hassle - you wind up creating your own personal Bermuda triangle that's hard to get out of.

I wouldn't trust anyone but a personal mechanic to check it out, but as you said you can probably do it yourself. Check all fluids. Get wheels off ground and check tie rods, steering rack, CV axle clicking and wheel bearings. Look for signs of bushing degradation on the control arms. Probably more I'm missing, but its a start.

 

[2010effjaycrewsir]

Make sure you check for the dreaded fender bulge. Also be sure to listen for odd sounds coming from the rear differential. Both are known issues with the early built 2007's.

 

[winnie]

sounds like a private sale vehicle ... if so the current owner shouldn't have a problem with you checking it out or having it checked out ... FJCs are good vehicles, but nothing's perfect and who knows what the current owner had done (I have a 40 and an issue with it is the stuff the former owner did or had done) ... there was an inner fender bulge issue on some early build 07s and there was a ring/pinion issue on some early build 07s ...

 

[ufg8r]

I've got young kids (3 & 5) and it's a pain to get them in and out of my FJ cruiser. Mine's lifted so it's high for them, but the harder part is that there is just not that much room between the front and back seats for tall drivers - I'm 6'4". The kids also have a little trouble with the suicide doors.

Couldn't imagine having a rear facing car seat in there. But I will say that the kids love both my FJC and my 60, they actually prefer the 60 though b/c there is more room and they can see out better.

 

[alabamatacomaguy]

I like Fjs it's my favorite current model vehicle that's why I have one and almost ended up trading it towards a newer one.

That being said an fj doesn't sound like the vehicle for you at this time. I couldn't imagine getting a kid and a car seat in and out of the tiny back seat and the cargo area in these honestly stinks I just leave my back seats folded down. The gas mileage is pitiful and one thing that gets majorly on my nerves is the 6speed is full time all wheel drive. And if you drive it much on the freeway you'll probably chip an expensive windshield. It's still my favorite vehicle but I have no kids and drive on the interstate in mine maybe 4 times a year.


I would recommend a 4runner to you or maybe a rav4 or highlander. Being me I would prefer the 4ruunner with a family. But the fj is not a family vehicle.

If you do go back to the one in your post listen to it idle when not in gear at for example at when a stop light. A lot of them have problems with the throw out bearing chirping or whistling. I had it for years on my 01 Tacoma never seemed to effect anything mechanically but was very annoying idling anywhere. From what I learned it was something that should have a dab of grease didn't get it.
Also shift into 4low and active the atrac and rear locker make sure they work. A lot of them quit working after a couple of years of not being used. Mechanically everything is fine but the sensors in the transfer case go bad if not used and can be a headache to troubleshoot it took me a month to get mine working again and none of the traction stuff will work in it when it can't talk to the sensors.
If the owner will let you take it on the freeway I would get up to your normal speed and feel for vibrations, they can develop weird shudders and stuff it's rare but some have had terrible luck with getting the wheels balanced and have a major steering wheel shake. Being that this one has 70k miles I doubt it would be an issue.
Like the others said I would inspect the fender aprons up and down. If it shows even a hint of a crack forming I would quit looking at it. I am happy with my fj cruiser but at most it's me my girlfriend and my dogs in it.

If you live near a Carmax I would check with them if they would inspect it. They seem to focus on customers so I could see them offering something like taking a look at it for you. They have bought a couple of vehicles from people in my family over the years even when we didn't buy from them. They have an inspection area set up to knock out inspections quickly.

...via IH8MUD app

 

[stoshzack]

Thanks for all the responses! Yes, I think we are going in a different direction. Looking at older 80 series with third row seating.