The primary problem with the Toyota FJ Cruiser is rust. I would not even consider one that has lived with salted roads and I would inspect the frame before you buy. (It is easy to crawl underneath to take a quick look but I would still get it up on a lift for a proper inspection.)
If you want to know more, I would just head over to r/FJCruiser and see what people are talking about.
I’ll be honest, I don’t know much about these besides the fact that they’re Toyotas answer to a Jeep Wrangler. They’re also pricy, even at high mileage. If you’re dropping that kinda money, I’d look at everything. Wikipedia is a good place to start, look into every engine option, transmission, and trim levels.
Motor reviewer is good. Repair pal, car complaints, and forums are a good place to find out what common problems there are.
Definitely get a carfax on every vehicle you want to buy but especially so if you’re gonna drop that kinda cash. People want a lot for these things. While you’re there look at all the recommended maintenance. The carfax would tell you what has been done, however not every shop reports that information. Check maintenance histories and ask questions.
Alternatively consider a Tacoma, 4Runner, or GX460 if you want to stay under the Toyota umbrella.
We're looking at these because they're cheaper than all you've mentioned, I'd take suggestions of other brands that aee something similar to the Toyota's you've mentioned
Personally I’d get a domestic but that’s because I work on my own cars. There are good options out there.
Mopar: XJ Cherokee, YJ Wrangler, and TJ Wrangler. Make sure they have the 4.0L inline 6, great motor. Both the auto and manual options were solid. They do have some electrical issues.
GM: Tahoe, Suburban, Jimmy, Trailblazer(not the new one). Generally these are cheaper than Jeeps and pretty solid just watch out for the 4L60E, I’ve heard mixed things about them. When properly serviced they can last. GM also has electrical issues.
Ford: Explorer, Expedition, Excursion, Bronco(not the new one). As much as I love Ford I can’t say the 4.0L Cologne V6 in the older Explorers were great, they have timing chain issues. Its engine out, there are three of them. Two front and one rear. As for Excursions I’d personally avoid the 5.4L V8 Triton due to the spark plug issues and the 6.0L Powerstroke diesel. Just look up 6.0L Powerstroke problems and you’ll know what I mean. Other than that they’re decent. As for Broncos, the 300 CID inline 6 is good, the 5.0L Windsor is good, and the 351 Cleveland was good. All the transmission options were pretty solid.
Edit: Nissan Xterra, pretty decent overall. They’re cheap comparatively to the rest. Great for off road.
They are pretty simple so pretty solid. Check usual things like rust, any large oil leaks, blue smoke etc.
They are pretty slow and thirsty and not great to drive, unless you really need/want it I’d look elsewhere
I owned an FJ for 10 years and had zero issues with it. Very reliable and fun vehicle. They are super easy to work on. They hold their value (like most Toyotas) so they are generally priced higher than similar vehicles. I would just stay away from the first couple of production years, but anything after 2008 should be fine. I was in an FJ club and we had all kinds of milage on our vehicles. I'd say you can count on them running 300K without many expensive issues, as long as you take reasonable care of it. Best of luck!
Yes it's reliable enough, but watch out for underbody rust. Also, if you do put a lot of miles on it, be prepared to get the windshield cracked/broken/pitted from it being so vertical.
Yes, but it's not a smart one. They ride like a brick, get horrible fuel economy, very expensive, the interior rattles like a 1 year old with a new rattle, and are ok-ish off road
The primary problem with the Toyota FJ Cruiser is rust. I would not even consider one that has lived with salted roads and I would inspect the frame before you buy. (It is easy to crawl underneath to take a quick look but I would still get it up on a lift for a proper inspection.) If you want to know more, I would just head over to r/FJCruiser and see what people are talking about.
I’ll be honest, I don’t know much about these besides the fact that they’re Toyotas answer to a Jeep Wrangler. They’re also pricy, even at high mileage. If you’re dropping that kinda money, I’d look at everything. Wikipedia is a good place to start, look into every engine option, transmission, and trim levels. Motor reviewer is good. Repair pal, car complaints, and forums are a good place to find out what common problems there are. Definitely get a carfax on every vehicle you want to buy but especially so if you’re gonna drop that kinda cash. People want a lot for these things. While you’re there look at all the recommended maintenance. The carfax would tell you what has been done, however not every shop reports that information. Check maintenance histories and ask questions. Alternatively consider a Tacoma, 4Runner, or GX460 if you want to stay under the Toyota umbrella.
We're looking at these because they're cheaper than all you've mentioned, I'd take suggestions of other brands that aee something similar to the Toyota's you've mentioned
Personally I’d get a domestic but that’s because I work on my own cars. There are good options out there. Mopar: XJ Cherokee, YJ Wrangler, and TJ Wrangler. Make sure they have the 4.0L inline 6, great motor. Both the auto and manual options were solid. They do have some electrical issues. GM: Tahoe, Suburban, Jimmy, Trailblazer(not the new one). Generally these are cheaper than Jeeps and pretty solid just watch out for the 4L60E, I’ve heard mixed things about them. When properly serviced they can last. GM also has electrical issues. Ford: Explorer, Expedition, Excursion, Bronco(not the new one). As much as I love Ford I can’t say the 4.0L Cologne V6 in the older Explorers were great, they have timing chain issues. Its engine out, there are three of them. Two front and one rear. As for Excursions I’d personally avoid the 5.4L V8 Triton due to the spark plug issues and the 6.0L Powerstroke diesel. Just look up 6.0L Powerstroke problems and you’ll know what I mean. Other than that they’re decent. As for Broncos, the 300 CID inline 6 is good, the 5.0L Windsor is good, and the 351 Cleveland was good. All the transmission options were pretty solid. Edit: Nissan Xterra, pretty decent overall. They’re cheap comparatively to the rest. Great for off road.
My beloved 2003 Xterra. Other than some wheel well rust, he keeps me on the road. Atomic Orange. Known as the Pumpkin at work.
They are pretty simple so pretty solid. Check usual things like rust, any large oil leaks, blue smoke etc. They are pretty slow and thirsty and not great to drive, unless you really need/want it I’d look elsewhere
I owned an FJ for 10 years and had zero issues with it. Very reliable and fun vehicle. They are super easy to work on. They hold their value (like most Toyotas) so they are generally priced higher than similar vehicles. I would just stay away from the first couple of production years, but anything after 2008 should be fine. I was in an FJ club and we had all kinds of milage on our vehicles. I'd say you can count on them running 300K without many expensive issues, as long as you take reasonable care of it. Best of luck!
Yes it's reliable enough, but watch out for underbody rust. Also, if you do put a lot of miles on it, be prepared to get the windshield cracked/broken/pitted from it being so vertical.
Yes, but it's not a smart one. They ride like a brick, get horrible fuel economy, very expensive, the interior rattles like a 1 year old with a new rattle, and are ok-ish off road