Looking for a new Expedition vehicle and can't decide, Help :)
- Thread starter Lyric
- Start date
BIGdaddy
Expedition Leader
Again, wow. I don't think I can come up with another example of a car that has simply "broken" like that?
Maybe frame cracks on old Jeep CJ's where the frames weren't boxed and were allowed to flex and work harden?
RangeBrover
Explorer
You'd never have that problem with a minivan.
dorton
#rockcreekoverland
I wouldn't be hesitant on the purchase of an FJ Cruiser. There are 70,000 members on that board. Out of the 70000, 5 have posted a problem that can be fixed by spending $100 on gussets. They go like a tank, last basically forever, have great power, an either a love it, or hate it styling, and they ride very well when factoring in their off road capability.
The reliability issues of the Jeeps are passed off as no big deal, it's just a given, just nature of the beast. The autos are known junk, and the manuals only need repair a little less often than the autos.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2
The reliability issues of the Jeeps are passed off as no big deal, it's just a given, just nature of the beast. The autos are known junk, and the manuals only need repair a little less often than the autos.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2
Hilldweller
SE Expedition Society
I agree. It's just something to look out for when buying a used one.
If I had my choice though, I'd look for '08 or newer...
If I had my choice though, I'd look for '08 or newer...
BIGdaddy
Expedition Leader
LoL...nobody is knocking FJ's for what they represent, which is a very good value for the $ spent, but they're not perfect, dude.
If they've got issues, it might be helpful to know which years those issues are limited to. And thanks to Hilldweller, the OP is now aware so he can make a more informed decision, since he's already focused in on these particular rigs.
BIGdaddy
Expedition Leader
Haha!
Yeah I've been reading upon this fame issue anf it doesn't seem to affect all FJ Cruisers and only appears to be a handful of people who have reported this issue. I don't think I'm to worried but when I go to buy I will for sure give a close inspection and a close eye to this when checking out one to make sure its not a problem. Like someone else said I think its only a handful. I think the FJ Cruiser would be a better choice than say a Jeep but well see. I will keep an out and give a good inspection before buying.
codename607
Adventurer
My buddy has over 200,000 on his 07 FJ and he drives it pretty hard off road. Only issue with his was the rear diff breaking but compared to how he drove it thats nothing. He was planning on putting a diesel engine inside it so that made him drive it even more. Still to this day it keeps on going hard.
Yeah I'm not reading to mich into the whole frame issue as I don't think its as much as issue as it appears to be. Apparently it was an issue with the 2007 to early 2008 model. On wiki it says this was an issue found out about and made changes. So I am for sure to check out an FJ before buying just to be on the safe side.
Here is what wiki said:
Toyota has made revisions to the engine bay inner fender aprons due to some bulging and cracking issues with 2007 and some early 2008 models. The bulges and cracks in the inner fenders were attributed to a Toyota design flaw through certain Vehicle Identification Numbers. Toyota has addressed the problem and has changed the design.
I think I'll be looking at a 2008 but if it comes down to a 2007 I will keep my eye out for the issue.
Only bad thing with this problem is that Toyota acknowledged it was an issue and made changes to later models but would not fix those affected by this issue unless you were within your warranty period. I honestly feel this should be something they should fix even outside the warranty period because it was a design flaw to a main structual part of the vehicle.
Mojavejohn
Adventurer
"In My Stable"
Lyric, I'll give you some advice based on what's in my "Stable" right now.
As my signature says, I'm running a '12 FJ, a '02 Silverado and I also bought a '01 Frontier for my son. All 4X4's.
My family consists of an eighteen year old son, seven year old daughter, two dogs and a wife.
I don't try do do extreme trails, just light and medium trails. The most important thing to me in a car is reliability. If I break down 60 miles from nowhere in the middle of the Mojave Desert, it could spell real trouble.
1st:
I love the FJ! PERIOD; END OF STORY! Does it have a few drawbacks, sure, all cars do, but this is a great ride. I bought this new from the dealer. This is my wife's DD and it sees minimal trail use. Not because I don't want to take it out; but because the wife wont let me take "The Beast". There is the problem of visiblity but, you'll get used to it, it's really not that big of a deal. Ours has the back-up camera, so this helps. The older models don't have this, but you can get it aftermarket; I would invest in one. As for taking four adults and a couple of dogs, this will certainly be a challenge. If you pack right and bring the right gear, you could do it. You would have to be minimalist with what you bring and be very organized. Backpacking type gear will be you're friend. When we take the FJ, it's for short, one and two day trips and I do bring my backpacking gear and leave the dogs at home. As for loading two adults in the back seats, it would be OK for short trips, under two hours, but I wouldn't want to sit back there longer than that. We bought the FJ over the Wrangler Unlimited for two reasons. One; it cost less for what it came with. I would have had to get the Rubicon to compete with my FJ, and that was just a little more than I was willing to spend. Two; the reported reliability of it and the relative unreliability of a Jeep. Did I already tell you that I love this rig? The times that we've taken it on the trails, it's been awesome. So much more maneuverable and nimble than my Silverado. We get about 16-17MPG combined C/H. It has plenty of power too.
My Silverado is a crew cab, short bed, 2500HD. I have a small, cab hi camper shell on it. I bought it when it was a year old. This truck has been nothing short of great! I have literally taken it to hell and back, and she has never left me stranded...Knock on wood. I don't baby this old girl, we go on some pretty good trails here in the desert and up in the local San Bernardino Mtn's. I've taken her into Monache Meadows up in the Southern Sierra and the toughest trail was up to Laurel Lk's on the east side of the Sierra, that was a tough trail. The truck is basically stock. This is the rig I take when we are going on extended trips, and yes the dogs do get to come in this truck. I can load up all of our "Glamping" gear, plus firewood and ride in style to where ever we are going. Eight hour trips with four adults and two dogs, no problem. The big drawback to this truck is it's maneuverability. This is my daily driver and getting around town is a little tougher than the FJ. With this said I don't ever plan on getting rid of her. I get a combined 16MPG C/H. I have 175,xxx miles on her, and the only big thing that I've had to replace was the fuel injectors.
After I pay off my wife's FJ, I'm going to park the Chevy and use her third out, and get either a Taco or a Frontier, crew cab, short bed. I think this would be a good middle ground between the FJ and the Silverado as both a DD and a capable trail rig.
Just a quick word of advice, get the newest, lowest mileage used car that you can afford. When I bought my sons Frontier, it had 100,xxx miles on it. We got a "Good" deal on it, or so we thought. $4000 and a year later it's finally running good. Also, when we went shopping for the FJ we were initially looking for a used one, but for just a few grand more we were able to get a brand new rig. My first new car ever. It didn't make sense to buy used, and we got a better APR for getting it new.
Good luck.
Lyric, I'll give you some advice based on what's in my "Stable" right now.
As my signature says, I'm running a '12 FJ, a '02 Silverado and I also bought a '01 Frontier for my son. All 4X4's.
My family consists of an eighteen year old son, seven year old daughter, two dogs and a wife.
I don't try do do extreme trails, just light and medium trails. The most important thing to me in a car is reliability. If I break down 60 miles from nowhere in the middle of the Mojave Desert, it could spell real trouble.
1st:
I love the FJ! PERIOD; END OF STORY! Does it have a few drawbacks, sure, all cars do, but this is a great ride. I bought this new from the dealer. This is my wife's DD and it sees minimal trail use. Not because I don't want to take it out; but because the wife wont let me take "The Beast". There is the problem of visiblity but, you'll get used to it, it's really not that big of a deal. Ours has the back-up camera, so this helps. The older models don't have this, but you can get it aftermarket; I would invest in one. As for taking four adults and a couple of dogs, this will certainly be a challenge. If you pack right and bring the right gear, you could do it. You would have to be minimalist with what you bring and be very organized. Backpacking type gear will be you're friend. When we take the FJ, it's for short, one and two day trips and I do bring my backpacking gear and leave the dogs at home. As for loading two adults in the back seats, it would be OK for short trips, under two hours, but I wouldn't want to sit back there longer than that. We bought the FJ over the Wrangler Unlimited for two reasons. One; it cost less for what it came with. I would have had to get the Rubicon to compete with my FJ, and that was just a little more than I was willing to spend. Two; the reported reliability of it and the relative unreliability of a Jeep. Did I already tell you that I love this rig? The times that we've taken it on the trails, it's been awesome. So much more maneuverable and nimble than my Silverado. We get about 16-17MPG combined C/H. It has plenty of power too.
My Silverado is a crew cab, short bed, 2500HD. I have a small, cab hi camper shell on it. I bought it when it was a year old. This truck has been nothing short of great! I have literally taken it to hell and back, and she has never left me stranded...Knock on wood. I don't baby this old girl, we go on some pretty good trails here in the desert and up in the local San Bernardino Mtn's. I've taken her into Monache Meadows up in the Southern Sierra and the toughest trail was up to Laurel Lk's on the east side of the Sierra, that was a tough trail. The truck is basically stock. This is the rig I take when we are going on extended trips, and yes the dogs do get to come in this truck. I can load up all of our "Glamping" gear, plus firewood and ride in style to where ever we are going. Eight hour trips with four adults and two dogs, no problem. The big drawback to this truck is it's maneuverability. This is my daily driver and getting around town is a little tougher than the FJ. With this said I don't ever plan on getting rid of her. I get a combined 16MPG C/H. I have 175,xxx miles on her, and the only big thing that I've had to replace was the fuel injectors.
After I pay off my wife's FJ, I'm going to park the Chevy and use her third out, and get either a Taco or a Frontier, crew cab, short bed. I think this would be a good middle ground between the FJ and the Silverado as both a DD and a capable trail rig.
Just a quick word of advice, get the newest, lowest mileage used car that you can afford. When I bought my sons Frontier, it had 100,xxx miles on it. We got a "Good" deal on it, or so we thought. $4000 and a year later it's finally running good. Also, when we went shopping for the FJ we were initially looking for a used one, but for just a few grand more we were able to get a brand new rig. My first new car ever. It didn't make sense to buy used, and we got a better APR for getting it new.
Good luck.
After looking a little more online I still find myself worried about the frame issue with the FJ Cruiser.
Two things that worry me about the FJ Cruiser are the frame crack issues and also interior room. The interior room worries me because you never know when you will need that extra room. With that I keep looking back at the Land Cruiser and the Commander for second thoughts. Gosh I wish it were more simple to buy something but that's what gives every vehicle its own character and leaves the owner in something they love and desire.
Does anyone think the Commander would be or close at least in reliability as the Land Cruiser. I know some people just really dislike or don't like anything Jeep but I'm keeping an open eye. Plus with the Commander being discontinued the prices are really nice. It's a vehicle by Jeep that I really like but not a 100% sure on reliability.
Two things that worry me about the FJ Cruiser are the frame crack issues and also interior room. The interior room worries me because you never know when you will need that extra room. With that I keep looking back at the Land Cruiser and the Commander for second thoughts. Gosh I wish it were more simple to buy something but that's what gives every vehicle its own character and leaves the owner in something they love and desire.
Does anyone think the Commander would be or close at least in reliability as the Land Cruiser. I know some people just really dislike or don't like anything Jeep but I'm keeping an open eye. Plus with the Commander being discontinued the prices are really nice. It's a vehicle by Jeep that I really like but not a 100% sure on reliability.