Looking for a new Expedition vehicle and can't decide, Help :)

[SoCalMonty]

Every vehicle choice has its pros and cons, and every vehicle has its quirks.

If we said "no" to every vehicle that had a quirk or known issue, none of us would own vehicles - we'd be walking everywhere.

For all of the hullabaloo about "FJ's cracking half" that's been going on in here, there are thousands of them wheeling with zero issues. And it also sounds like an easy fix - have a quick gusset or fish plate welded to the offending area, and it's a closed issue.

I really wouldn't worry about it. I mean...

You can't off road in a Discovery, because they will break down or blow up.

You can't off road in an XJ or ZJ jeep, because they don't have frames, and the flex will crack your glass.

You can't off road in an IFS vehicle because you have no articulation.

Blah, blah, blah...etc.

 

[Hilldweller]

Every vehicle choice has its pros and cons, and every vehicle has its quirks.

If we said "no" to every vehicle that had a quirk or known issue, none of us would own vehicles - we'd be walking everywhere.

Fact.

You can get any vehicle at all and get a lemon. There are no guarantees.

If you like the Jeep the best, get it. Learn to wrench on it. Make it yours. Build it, use it, love it.

 

[Lyric]

Fact.

You can get any vehicle at all and get a lemon. There are no guarantees.

If you like the Jeep the best, get it. Learn to wrench on it. Make it yours. Build it, use it, love it.

I like the Jeep for looks a lot but the name Jeep kind of makes me cringe badly. I just don't care for the name at all period. I would ether consider a Commander or possible a Wrangler Unlimited.

I like the FJ a lot but besides the frame issue I worry about storage room. I want to be able to carry my dogs, gear and a couple friends as well.

The Land Cruiser is an option as I do like the Land Cruiser a lot but it's hard to find a good running nice Land Cruiser in my price range.

I also considered the Nissan Xterra but I don't know much about these vehicles to make a solid opinion.

Lastly I have looked at the Mitsubishi Montero Limited but the engine size is what worries me. Some have stated on here for example that the V6 has enough power but I do question because of how big the Montero Limited is.

So confused and brain wreaked

 

[Hilldweller]

Dude ---- Jeeps rule the Wasteland...

 

[Lyric]

Dude ---- Jeeps rule the Wasteland...

You own a Commander correct? Do you see it being a long long lasting vehicle if properly taken care of? Some say any vehicle will last long if taken care of properly but I do not believe this is the case for some vehicles. Example would be Land Rovers but whats your thoughts?

 

[bob91yj]

I worked at a Jeep dealership when the Commanders were new. I'd guess the few that are still around were able to get all of the bugs worked out of them and became decent vehicles. The rest of them are in a scrap yard or parked under a tarp on the side of the house.

I'm a die hard Jeep guy, own two Wranglers, sadly, even for a Jeep guy the Commander was a failure.

 

[codename607]

Here is some food for thought....

Before my FJ I had a modified 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon and before that a brand new 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. I spent all of my 15 months in Iraq researching JKs and saving up my money just to build the one I wanted.

So when I redeployed I was at the dealership the second day back and dropped a ton of money on a 2011. After that I spent a lot more in parts. Before I had 10,000 miles on the Jeep I had to take it back to the dealership because the transmission was giving me issues. They blamed it on my driving and I ended up having to pay out of pocket for services they should have fixed. After this happened a few more times I figured it was because the Jeep was a lemon so after all the money I put into it(modifications and maintenance) I traded it in when it had 18k miles on the dash. The Jeep I traded it on was a build up Rubicon Unlimited. For a while (about 6 months) the Rubicon was doing great and I loved it, but then things started to change. First it was something loose in the engine, then it was the ebrake, then something loose in the transmission. All in all I went to about 10 different dealerships and they all said the same thing...it because of your off road driving.

Even though the Jeep never left me stranded I was always worried that it would break down at a stop light or even worse way out in the back country. So by now I knew I wanted a Toyota. Eventually I came across my FJ and the rest is history.

So far I've put 20k miles on it in the last year and I've only had to take it in because the suspension was loose. Partly my fault but they still fixed it. I've also taken it in for oil changes and tire rotations because its free under the Toyota Care. Every time I take it back all of the service guys are like thank you...thank you...thank you. They love seeing it with all kinds of scratches, dings and covered in mud. They even asked for a couple off roading pics.

Sorry for being so long but the main thing I wanted to illustrate was the fact that Toyota never gave me any ******** about the way I drive my truck. Couldn't say the same about Chrysler.

Heres a pic of my Jeep a few days before I traded it:

 

[Lyric]

Here is some food for thought....

Before my FJ I had a modified 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon and before that a brand new 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. I spent all of my 15 months in Iraq researching JKs and saving up my money just to build the one I wanted.

So when I redeployed I was at the dealership the second day back and dropped a ton of money on a 2011. After that I spent a lot more in parts. Before I had 10,000 miles on the Jeep I had to take it back to the dealership because the transmission was giving me issues. They blamed it on my driving and I ended up having to pay out of pocket for services they should have fixed. After this happened a few more times I figured it was because the Jeep was a lemon so after all the money I put into it(modifications and maintenance) I traded it in when it had 18k miles on the dash. The Jeep I traded it on was a build up Rubicon Unlimited. For a while (about 6 months) the Rubicon was doing great and I loved it, but then things started to change. First it was something loose in the engine, then it was the ebrake, then something loose in the transmission. All in all I went to about 10 different dealerships and they all said the same thing...it because of your off road driving.

Even though the Jeep never left me stranded I was always worried that it would break down at a stop light or even worse way out in the back country. So by now I knew I wanted a Toyota. Eventually I came across my FJ and the rest is history.

So far I've put 20k miles on it in the last year and I've only had to take it in because the suspension was loose. Partly my fault but they still fixed it. I've also taken it in for oil changes and tire rotations because its free under the Toyota Care. Every time I take it back all of the service guys are like thank you...thank you...thank you. They love seeing it with all kinds of scratches, dings and covered in mud. They even asked for a couple off roading pics.

Sorry for being so long but the main thing I wanted to illustrate was the fact that Toyota never gave me any ******** about the way I drive my truck. Couldn't say the same about Chrysler.

Heres a pic of my Jeep a few days before I traded it:
View attachment 183384

Trust me this is what worries me about buying a Jeep period which is reliablility. I can honestly say everytime I have got into a Jeep or Chrysler vehicle it feels super cheap. Quality on Toyota does seem to be superior. Someone on here mentioned how those with Jeeps tend to act like they have no issues, almost like they live in denial.
If I were to not go with an FJ lets say, I would possibly also consider the Lexus GX470.

 

[SoCalMonty]

Lastly I have looked at the Mitsubishi Montero Limited but the engine size is what worries me. Some have stated on here for example that the V6 has enough power but I do question because of how big the Montero Limited is.

The Montero Limited is lighter than ALL versions of the 4WD Commander, just FYI...in some cases by several hundred pounds. Look up the curb weights.

Also, the FJ's cargo room - basket rack, roof rack, can carriers - there are ways around that. Almost a non-issue I would think. I went on a trip in a friend's FJC and it certainly didn't feel cramped with 2 adults, a 120-lb Newfie mix, and a weekends worth of gear.

Don't stress so much...every choice you make is going to be a compromise. If it meets your primary needs, then go for it. You will learn to live with whatever drawbacks they might have.

 

[Saltriverfolk]

I like my WK2 made in Detroit. It is a gentlemen's Jeep though. After a 2001 Durango, a 2007 Durango and a 2011 JK, I find the WK2 a comfortable high speed vehicle that can handle the interstate on the way there as well as the trail at your destination with the right options. One day I want a Power Wagon!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk 2

 

[GetOutThere]

I have had zero issues with my 2012 JKUR, and it is not babied at all.

When it comes to Jeep reliability, they've come a long way. You always hear about the bad apples on the internet.

Ask Scott Brady about his JK reliability experiences... last I heard, they were all positive.

 

[Hilldweller]

My 2008 Jeep JK had 86,000 miles on it after 3 years when I traded it in. The trans lines were just beginning to leak but that was a recall on that year ----- it had the best residual value of any vehicle that I ever owned at trade.
Unlike my Power Wagon. That breaks all the time and has suffered the most depreciation of any vehicle I've ever owned...

 

[Hilldweller]

You own a Commander correct? Do you see it being a long long lasting vehicle if properly taken care of? Some say any vehicle will last long if taken care of properly but I do not believe this is the case for some vehicles. Example would be Land Rovers but whats your thoughts?

I've never owned a Commander, considered a Commander, driven a Commander, or even seen one offroad. They interest me almost as much as a Ranger Rover...

 

[Lyric]

Well folks yesterday I took off work to go check out a few more vehicles. This time I decided to check out the Land Cruiser 100 Series. I have always loved the look of the vehicle and have though many of time about buying one. I must say I really like the vehicle and it seemed pure top quality inside, out and under the hood. I drove a 2000 and a 2002. Both were great and I have no complaints. I also found a Lexus LX470 within 50 miles of where I was checking out the Land Cruisers, thanks to smartphones these days. lol. I test drove the LX470 and it was nice as well. Honestly the LX470 felt like a rebadged Land Cruiser, lol. No joke. Except I noticed the LX470 had height control - which honestly just seems like something down the road that could break and be costly. lol.

I loved the room and everything the Land Cruiser offered. The room was just the right size for four adults, 2 dogs and some gear. I also loved loved loved the rear tailgate that makes a gate to sit on and the upper gate can sheild you from rain or sun. I think this vehicle is purely sexy looking. lol.

I can just see myself doing so many lovely mods to a Land Cruiser and I can see the Land Cruiser lasting years and years to come. I think I have made my final decision. The Land Cruiser is tried and true vehicle that everyone knows it top notch all around. A little bigger than my 4Runner which is great and a lot bigger than the FJ Cruiser which would leave me quite tight and compact a lot of times.

My plans would be to get a 2 or 2 1/2 inch lift kit, grill guard or arb grille guard and a nice roof rack for the top and I'll be set.

If I'm considering the Land Cruiser 100 Series, if I ran into a good deal on a Lexus LX470, would you guys jump on a LX470 too? I know all in all its a Toyota still and basically a rebagged Toyota but having Lexus written all over the vehicle makes me frown a little. I mean Lexus is typically not something you would consider or think of as outback or expedition vehicle. lol. I guess I could rebadge it Toyota. lol. Or would you stick with just a 100 Series Land Cruiser and not at all look toward the LX470?

I plan on taking a look at a bunch this weekend and buying one. So advice now if you have any, lol.

BTW I have gave long long thought to the FJ Cruiser but cannot pull myself to getting one. Biggest reason would be room.

 

[Hilldweller]

If you get the Lexus you have to put a "pink panty" sticker on the rear window. It's a rule.
Other than that, they work great and one of our locals has one; he was in that video with the van.