Bogley

Scott P · Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 1760

I'm stirrin' the pot here.

According the latest issue (April 2006) of Consumer Reports, the authority on long term reliability of vehicles, and average four year old Jeep has 87 mechanical problems per 100 vehicles. This is compared to 25 for Toyota. While one person may have good luck with a Jeep, you are still taking a risk by buying one. Simply put, an average Jeep will have 348% more problems than the average Toyota. Big difference.

Jeep is on my black list of vehicles never to buy again. I used to own one (89 Wrangler).

The FJ is claimed to be better off-road than the Rubicon, but it would be better to have an unbiased source compare them side by side to see if it's really true. One report says they are equal, but the Rubicon has a slight advantage due to dimensions.

Here is one review I've found:

http://blogs.edmunds.com/.ee8e9d9

In the Forums, there's quite a discussion about the FJ Cruiser. Lots of speculation about the vehicle's pricing and how capable it will be off road and how well it will stack up against cars like the Jeep Wrangler, Hummer H3 and Nissan Xterra. Well, I've driven all four of these vehicles, and the FJ's pricing has been released, so I will go ahead and set the record straight right here:

The FJ is a screaming bargain. It starts at less than $22,000 for a 2WD automatic, and it tops out at $23,300 for a 4WD auto. If you load it up with luxury items and off-road equipment you might crack $29,000, but even a base 4x4 version will utterly destroy any remotely surmoutable off-road driving surface. It's also better equipped than the other three cars (even before you add options) and, in my not-so-humble opinion, it is by far the best looking and best on-road driving vehicle of the group, too. I'll maybe give the Jeep Rubicon a slight advantage in pure off-road ability, but only because of the Wrangler's tidier dimensions, not because it has superior equipment or any other inherent "capability" advantage. And in terms of everything not related to going off road, the FJ pummels the Wrangler (BTW, I'm a big Jeep Wrangler fan, but I'm not going to let that fact warp reality).

Here's another, but it sounds like they didn't drive them side by side:

http://www.vanguardngr.com/articles/2002/features/motoring/mt121032006.html

Most of those parts and accessories undoubtedly will be for off-road use. After traversing a fomidable off-road course in the Fj, Mark Williams, editor of our sister publication Truck Trend, says, “The Fj is a serious four-wheeler. A locking rear diff, A-TRAC four-wheel traction control, and strong approach and departure angles will set this icon up against the Nissan Xerra, the Hummer H3, and the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. The hard-cores will appreciate the steel wheels on the base 4x4 and the manual transmission gearing. Toyota included a clutch interlock defeat with the manual to allow for starters crawling over serious obstacles.” Toyota heralds that the Fj Cruiser is the most capable 4x4 in the U.S lineup, and it lives up to the hype.

I don't think I'll buy either due to gas mileage, but here is what they get by EPA figures:

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon:

City mpg: 15
Highway mpg: 19
Horsepower: 190@4600 rpm
Torque: 235@3200 rpm

Toyota FJ Cruiser:

City mpg: 17
Highway mpg: 21
Horsepower: 239@5200 rpm
Torque: 278@3700 rpm

In other words, the Toyota is a bit roomier, supposedly as capable off road, much better on road, will be more reliable with likely less than 1/3 of the mechanical problems, has 13% better gas mileage city, 11% better highway, 26% more horsepower, and 18% more torque. It seems buying a Jeep is now a very poor choice.

accadacca · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 7870 Location: On Your Screen

I remember looking at the new FJ concept a few years ago. It looked awesome and I knew it had a good chance of making it. Well, it seems that it finally hit the assembly line and I saw one with yellow plates yesterday. If I was in the market for a vehicle of that type I know what I would buy. :slobber1:

Yet, I am currently winning the second motorcycle battle with the wife. Don't want to take my foot off the gas too early. :haha:

marc olivares · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 614 Location: sugarhouse

WOW if my land rover got anywhere near 15 mph i'd be doing backflips!!!

one thing that your consumer reports dont account for is vehicle user enthusiam. i bought my Discovery out of pure wanten desire. i had to have it!
no matter what the cost.
and to date, i'd be willing to bet i've paid more in repairs and upgrades than i did when i bought the thing new.
so what's my point... some times true love conquers all?
love is blind? or i/m just a glutton for punishment for buying a Limey POS?
if i had to do it over again, i would in a heart beat!
:nod:

jimflint1 · Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 568 Location: Middle-of-Nowhere

As the former owner of an 85 and a 76 Cherokee this is the Acronym for JEEP: Just Empty Every Pocket.

I had nothing but trouble with Jeep vehicles and will never buy one again. On the other hand, one vehicle I truly treasured and wished I had never given up was my old Toyota FJ40 Landcruiser--a '72.

Toyota over Jeep in a heartbeat.

Iceaxe · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 7806 Location: Local Bordello

Scott Patterson wrote: Horsepower: 190@4600 rpm
Horsepower: 239@5200 rpm

:roflol: :roflol: :roflol:

Go big or go home

8.3-liter Viper V10 engine
500 horsepower, 525 lb-ft of torque
0-60 mph in the low-5-second range
154-mph top speed

http://www.dodge.com/srt-10/performance.html?context=srt-10-index&type=left

:banana:

Sombeech · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 12655 Location: The Rubbish Bin

The FJ looks pretty nice. What's the price? I tried looking up some images, and ended up getting some porn sites for some reason. :eek2: That's quite the story to discuss at work. :oops:

I'll have to continue my research at home.

Scott P · Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 1760

Quote: 8.3-liter Viper V10 engine
500 horsepower, 525 lb-ft of torque
0-60 mph in the low-5-second range
154-mph top speed

Thing looks low to the ground. It would probably bottom out on a curb.

basilone0331 · Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 394 Location: Sandy

I think the price range is 22,000-29,000

live2ride · Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 1141 Location: Riding my bike

The toyota dealership on riverdale road has one on display and they look pretty bad ass, I would like to get one, curently have a tacoma and I don't know if I can give up not having a truck (the bed) I have been following these and like them alot, the one display looks really nice and I believe it has all the bells and whistles, it looks alot better/beefier than the pic posted above

live2ride · Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 1141 Location: Riding my bike

Iceaxe wrote: Scott Patterson wrote: Horsepower: 190@4600 rpm
Horsepower: 239@5200 rpm

:roflol: :roflol: :roflol:

Go big or go home

8.3-liter Viper V10 engine
500 horsepower, 525 lb-ft of torque
0-60 mph in the low-5-second range
154-mph top speed

http://www.dodge.com/srt-10/performance.html?context=srt-10-index&type=left

:banana:

Lets see price??? Off road capabilities? Not the best comparison you could have picked??

accadacca · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 7870 Location: On Your Screen

I like the blue:

http://www.toyota.com/fjcruiser/index.html

Udink · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 866 Location: Price, Utah

I don't doubt that Toyota could easily put something out there that rivals or beats the Jeep Wrangler all-around, but they really blew it on the looks of the FJ Cruiser. When I first heard they were making a concept vehicle out of it, I got really excited--the image in my mind was a modernized FJ-40 Land Cruiser. I think the new production FJ Cruiser is just too goofy looking for me.

I actually do have plans to buy a used TJ Wrangler next year, 'cause they'll easily be in my price range, but I really hope Toyota does something about the looks on the FJ. Maybe in a few years I'll be able to afford a used one.

basilone0331 · Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 394 Location: Sandy

Udink wrote: I think the new production FJ Cruiser is just too goofy looking for me. I agree, just by looking at it you can tell there may be some visibility problems.

goofball · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:40 pm Post subject:

that is one butt ugly vehicle.

but if it says toyota its quality. had an fj60 years ago that got 300k miles on its first motor and still good compression on all 6. buried it in a river once, had currrent flowing thru the cab. no snorkel on it but it started right back up 6 hours later when we came to pull it out. man i loved that vehicle... toyota is the way to go for those who prefer function over bs.

Sombeech · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 12655 Location: The Rubbish Bin

I'm a Jeep man, but looking at the FJ stats, I'd give it a try...

BTW, it was I who moved this to the Off Road 4X4 section. We're just lacking some topics there. This still has the shadow topic from the General Discussion forum for easy access. Thanks. :2thumbs: