thinking of trading up to an FJ Cruiser

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eyebmx

eyebmx

10 Year
Joined
Sep 22, 2011
Threads
13
Messages
133
Im debating trading my 08 WRX in for an FJ Cruiser. I love my WRX, but really thinking I would enjoy the FJ more. Fun in the REX is usually illegal so this could be a good investment in traffic ticket savings :D. But would like to have something more comfortable and reliable than my '64 40 for longer runs, like Moab. Not to mention capable of normal freeway speeds. I also think gas will break even as I get about 20mpg on premium now, will get less in FJ but can buy regular. Any common issues or damage I should watch out for before buying an FJ? Im hoping to save a bit on a slightly used 2011 and still get new car financing from my bank. There is also the question of manual or automatic. Im actually having a hard time with that one, as I love driving manual, but understand the benefits of auto when wheeling. any incouragement/discouragement or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
 
please excuse my unorganized rambling. Its late, just got off of work, and brain has been going in circles about going for it or not all day.
 
The other benefit of getting one with auto is that they have part-time 4WD systems so you don't have the fuel economy hit of the all-wheel-drive that is standard for the manual tranny models.
 
Sure you don't want to consider an 80? :D If you sell the WRX, you'll have cash to spare after buying an 80 for mods. Seems to be lots of them in the for sale section these days.
 
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eyebmx said:
I also think gas will break even as I get about 20mpg on premium now, will get less in FJ but can buy regular.
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alia176 said:
Sure you don't want to consider an 80? :D If you sell the WRX, you'll have cash to spare after buying an 80 for mods. Seems to be lots of them in the for sale section these days.
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Ummm, did ya miss this?
 
eyebmx said:
Im debating trading my 08 WRX in for an FJ Cruiser. I love my WRX, but really thinking I would enjoy the FJ more. Fun in the REX is usually illegal so this could be a good investment in traffic ticket savings :D. But would like to have something more comfortable and reliable than my '64 40 for longer runs, like Moab. Not to mention capable of normal freeway speeds. I also think gas will break even as I get about 20mpg on premium now, will get less in FJ but can buy regular. Any common issues or damage I should watch out for before buying an FJ? Im hoping to save a bit on a slightly used 2011 and still get new car financing from my bank. There is also the question of manual or automatic. Im actually having a hard time with that one, as I love driving manual, but understand the benefits of auto when wheeling. any incouragement/discouragement or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
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I think you should just get a sti, i get rock solid 22.5 mpg (thank you aCar, we won't talk about what is says for my 80), i can't believe you are contemplating giving up turbo therapy! not that ahem, i haven't considered it too in a moment of fleeting stupidity :p :flipoff2:

SBC your 40, it will keep up, but will still be a 40 ;)
 
Speeding tickets will not be an issue with the 80, that's for sure!!
 
alia176 said:
Speeding tickets will not be an issue with the 80, that's for sure!!
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I got a speeding ticket in the 80 going through Jemez Pueblo not long ago and I got pulled over in Phoenix on the way back from Baja so you can get tickets in the 80 if you drive stupid (no admission of guilt implied.)

Now that I think about it, I spent a lot of time [STRIKE]talking to[/STRIKE] negotiating with 'officials' carrying guns on the Baja trip. :D Damn, I want to go back sooooo bad.

-Mike-
 
Beowulf said:
Now that I think about it, I spent a lot of time [STRIKE]talking to[/STRIKE] negotiating with 'officials' carrying guns on the Baja trip. :D Damn, I want to go back sooooo bad.

-Mike-
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Well Mike, I've been approached by several folks off-list about a trip. You just might get your wish.
 
I wondered why the manual had lower mpgs, makes sense now, didnt know they were full time 4x4. I was starting to lean towards an auto anyway. As for the turbo therapy, I would for sure miss 60mph in 5 seconds. I knew sl33p3 would be the one to try to talk me out of it ;). I am also starting to fear the future problems that may come from a higher mileage turbo charged car. I dont know, have to go test drive the FJ, never been in one before. As for the 80's, I really like them, but am looking for a newer still with a warranty daily driver.
 
Warranty...that's a concept I'm not used to. I guess my warranty is my shop manual, LOL!

Do consider the 4Runners too as the narrower body does make for less blind spots and perhaps easier wheeling (not sure). That and that V8 sure is nice!
 
i have 97k on my '04 sti... bought it with 70k something from a buddy who bought it new... still ticking along nicely. it is my 4th subi and all have been good to me, if you bought the REX new or almost, i bet it's good for a while... NO WAY you 08 could have those miles, well it could, but holycrap ;)

you just got the "what if" bug, i hear ya, problem for me is nothing would scratch the turbo itch anymore than the sti and new is way more expensive than paid off ;) ie new evo or sti would be no better car perf wise (but WOULD be an upgrade to your wrx ;), a whole lot more payment than zero i have now. then i have stupid thoughts of other cars in that range, acura tl, g37, and none of them excite me, so i drive the sti, happily.

speaking of runners, you know daisy has a nice 4runner he keeps talking about selling. would be a nice DD... and there is a nice 80 in santafe with a tundra v8 in it, know nothing about it, just sayin ;)

good luck with your inner turmoil, we'll be here to make sure you never make a decision without some regret.... lmao.
 
eyebmx said:
Im debating trading my 08 WRX in for an FJ Cruiser. I love my WRX, but really thinking I would enjoy the FJ more. Fun in the REX is usually illegal so this could be a good investment in traffic ticket savings :D. But would like to have something more comfortable and reliable than my '64 40 for longer runs, like Moab. Not to mention capable of normal freeway speeds. I also think gas will break even as I get about 20mpg on premium now, will get less in FJ but can buy regular. Any common issues or damage I should watch out for before buying an FJ? Im hoping to save a bit on a slightly used 2011 and still get new car financing from my bank. There is also the question of manual or automatic. Im actually having a hard time with that one, as I love driving manual, but understand the benefits of auto when wheeling. any incouragement/discouragement or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
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I had an FJC for a year in a half-a 6 speed stick with e-locker.

While it is cool and novel, it is not very practical. The back seat is tiny and the suicide doors do not help ingress/egress much, and cargo area is not too big unless you fold down the rear seats. The MPGs averaged around 15-16 (like Marc said, auto is the way to go). I ended up trading it for a Taco 4x4 Quad cab-much more useful, which I still drive.

The FJC is defiantly a cool toy, the aftermarket is excellent. If I had enough money to have a reliable pickup, a motorcycle, a commuter car and a nice classic FJ40, I would get another FJC.

I do not recommend it as a DD, or in place of a pickup, unless you are single and live in an apartment within 5 miles of where you work.
 
An interesting thing I learned recently about modifying new Toyota 4x4s.....it seems that your local dealers do not like to perform warranty repairs on them if you've modified them. Keep this in mind if you're planning on wheeling/modding your future 2011 Toyota something. TTORA has some more info on this.
 
I was thinking all I would do to it is add a leveling kit and 285/70s. Otherwise stock, its got about everything I'd want except for a winch.
 
sl33p3 said:
SBC your 40, it will keep up, but will still be a 40 ;)
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Yup still a 40...but mashing the pedal is great:bounce:...and then mashing the brakes for a turn;) Repeat Repeat and Repeat again


**** where did my gas go?:flipoff2:
 
alia176 said:
An interesting thing I learned recently about modifying new Toyota 4x4s.....it seems that your local dealers do not like to perform warranty repairs on them if you've modified them. Keep this in mind if you're planning on wheeling/modding your future 2011 Toyota something. TTORA has some more info on this.
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Toyo Masters doesn't mind working on modified Toyota's, and their prices are fair. Dealer wanted to replace rack to repair power steering leak which would have been an expensive waste considering that the real problem was a leaky seal on the power steering pump. :whoops: It wasn't that hard to see that the fluid was leaking from too high to be a problem at the rack.
 
Daisy 53 said:
I could be persuaded to let it go...
It is a great DD and gets 21 MPG if you keep out of it!

Daisy
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What Toyota 4X4 would you have left if you sold your 4Runner? I seem to recall a rule about owning one to be "official" in the club.
 
marcfj60 said:
What Toyota 4X4 would you have left if you sold your 4Runner? I seem to recall a rule about owning one to be "official" in the club.
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Sounds like you miss being picked on with a Hundy that is a "mall cruiser" :flipoff2:
 
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