Follow-up to the 30K conundrum...

[NAdams]

Just when I thought I had it all figured out....ditch the Burb....buy a used late-model Land Cruiser. Be happy. Well, not so fast....

My wife was off yesterday and so we swung by the local Toyota dealership. No Land Cruisers to be found but somehow we started looking at the FJ Cruiser and my wife really liked it (which suprized the heck out of me since she is normally the level-headed one in this pairing.). So she throws this twist on me later in the day....
Keep the 2001 Burb which is paid for and runs great. Sell the 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and buy a FJ Cruiser. Hmmmmm.....still have one car payment (granted, a little larger than the Jeep.). Get a new FJ Cruiser, that has room and comfort for those camping trips to Colorado/Arizona/Utah.
All the reviews I've read about the FJ seem positive. Good mix of on/off road performance and cool styling. Seems like as we near the year-end, the 2007 models should become more attractive despite no current incentives.
I know this is a complete "180" from the Land Cruiser discussion of last week, but when I think about it, her argument for replacing the Jeep makes more sense. We never take long road trips in the Jeep because the thought of traveling for a few hours or a couple days in the Jeep doesn't appeal to us.....but once we get to Ouray in the Burb, we are wishing we had the Jeep! So, once again I welcome you thoughts.

Nate

 

[crawler#976]

I've wheeled with quite a few FJC. Go drive one off highway if you can. While they are very capable if you get the TRD rear locker and A-trac (both of which can be hacked to work when you want) I personally think the visability is even worse than the '05 and newer Tacoma's.

I've been looking at the new JK Unlimited Rubicon, and while I haven't had the opportunity to see one on the trail yet, feel it's probably gonna be a great platform in a size range similar to the FJC.

Mark

 

[DaveInDenver]

If you like the FJ Cruiser, you'd probably be very happy with a 4Runner. The only thing I don't care for with the 4Runner is there is no manual tranny option.

I'd stick to the original plan, sell both the Jeep and Suburban and get one decently capable 4 door truck. The FJC is nice, but still suffers IMO from being cramped, like a Wrangler.

You could get a good deal on a couple of year old SR5 (base model) 4Runner, strip the running boards, add a couple of bumpers and an Old Man Emu suspension and still be well under the $30,000 mark. Then you'd have a truck that is just about as capable as the FJC (mostly the wheelbase of the 4Runner is a bit limiting compared to a FJ Cruiser, they are essentially the same mechanically) and have lots more usable space and better sight lines.

 

[Jacket]

This might be an interesting thread for you

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7639

 

[Martinjmpr]

I remember looking at both the FJC and the Taco back in the early part of the year when I was shopping for a new vehicle (I ultimately settled on an '04 Taco X-cab, though.) However, as cool as the FJC looked, it occurred to me that for the same price as the FJC you could get a double cab Taco, TRD, with the same 6-speed tranny, and the Taco can carry a hell of a lot more stuff than the FJC. The FJC really isn't that big inside and of course the billboard-sized blind spots have to be taken into consideration, too. The DC Taco has 4 real doors that 4 real adults can get into and out of, and can also see. About the only visibility that rear seat passengers have in the FJC are between the driver and front seat passenger and what little they can see out of the side window.

The reviewers at TTAC referred to the FJCs windshield as a "gun slit", I think for good reason.

The only thing the FJC gets points for in my book is having a manual T-case lever. But if you can live without that, I think the double cab Taco is a better deal all around. Just my $0.02.

 

[Lynn]

Since you seem to be open to other options...

If the trailer is just for base camp, and the Jeep for day trips, how 'bout ditching the trailer?

Could you put your camping gear in the back of the 'burb and tow the Jeep to CO?

Or. if your really wanting to buy something, how 'bout replacing the 'burb with the above-mentioned Taco, setting it up for camping (RTT over the bed?), and then towing the Jeep?

Personally, live in Cedar Park (outside Austin), and am dreaming of a 4x4 RV towing a Jeep to CO.

p.s. Isn't there some issue with the FJ frame cracking? Might be something to investigate.

 

[tacollie]

I have two friends that just bought fjs with a rear locker(no atrac) for 24,000 brand new. They are sweet. With good tires and a small lift they are great offroad. Both of my friends are both single. I like the fjs but probably will get another taco because it is just more practical. My girl friend, dog and I can fit in one with all our gear a lot easier. If the 4runners were cheaper and had a rear locker and manual tranny that would be my choice. Just my 2 cents as I am going through the same thing right now. If I was buying used I would consider a 1st gen tundra to.

 

[NAdams]

Holy Crap!!! Just read a few of the 160 (yikes) page thread regarding the inner fender well metal fatigue issue in the FJC!! While I wasn't thinking of a lift or aftermarket front bumper, the whole issue has me rethinking the FJ at present. Thanks for the lead on that info.....it's only a great offroad vehicle if it stays together while offroading!

Nate

 

[neliconcept]

go with the 4runner, get 4.56s, dual arbs, have the comfort, and get the mileage with the v6, v8 is powerful but im sure the v6 with 230hp is enough considering i can beat rice burners in my 200hp 3.4 motor that I have now.