FJ Cruiser, why?
 

For me, a friend of mine in high school, his dad had an FJ40, and I loved it. Tried to buy it a number of times... by that I mean I offered him a ricockulously low ball offers that he would laugh and say no. Then in 2003 I saw pictures of the FJ Cruiser prototype at the Detroit auto show. Man I was in love. Fast forward a few years, I found out they were making it, to say I was excited would be an understatement. When they finally came out, I was very disheartened, there was no way I could afford one. So I just bided my time till the day came that I could.

At the beginning of 2010 I was driving a 2003 Chevy 1500HD pickup truck. She was very nice, but every time I turned around I was repairing something. So me and the wife talked about it, and decided to sell it. So we did. I began searching for a new (used) vehicle. I was looking in the $10k range, and then it crept up to $15k, and before I knew it we were at $20k She actually is the one who said, why don't you look at used FJ's? So I did.

The dealerships hear were overpriced (in my opinion) so we took it to the net, and found my FJ at a dealership in Louisville, KY for about $5k less then here. Numerous phone calls, faxes, and one greyhound trip later I was there with my FJ. Drove her home and have been in love ever since.


So what is your story?

Okay I'll bite...

My brother and I shared numerous 4x4's through high school.. Heck I learned to drive in a 1954 Willy's Jeep... We had CJ's for several years and beat the piss out of them.. Then one day we spotted an add for a 1985 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60 in the newspaper that was for sale for $2800. This was 1999 mind you.. So we drove over to the guys house and we just happened to be the first people he had answered the phone for.. apparently there were tons of other calls... anyway the thing was cherry... garage kept... 84000 miles.. no rust... everything worked... she was a f*cking 16 year olds wet dream... Oh and did I mention she was the best color Toyota has every done... Nordic Blue...

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...r_leaf_32s.jpg

We had her for a number of years and had a blast with her... Unfortunately my dumbass brother got T-boned in her in 2003 and she was totaled. I was pretty pissed.. That is/was my dream car... So anyway I got over it and got a more practical vehicle to suit my needs at that point in life... But I always missed the 4x4's... The time came again when I was ready to get back into it and I searched and searched for a few years before I found this..

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...h/P1040574.jpg

My pride and joy... I spent hours on this thing until it was perfect at which point I realized it was no longer any fun taking her off-road... She was just too perfect... and too rare... At this point I started thinking about the FJ again... I was excited when they talked about doing a retro FJ40 inspiration truck but honestly, I wasn't impressed with the result... I thought Toyota missed the mark on several fronts and the FJC just wasn't what it should have been.. (I still stand by this) But at any rate I searched the market and couldn't find anything I liked better.. So I started my FJ search and quickly realized that buying a niche Toyota vehicle is a pain in the ass... I couldn't find a good used one anywhere remotely close to home, and the savings just didn't warrant the hassle.. I really wanted the all black TT... or a 2010 in Voodoo blue.. I'm not a black car kind of guy... I think it's a safe way to go but a constant pain in the ass in the cleaning department... It got to the point where I was just deciding between what I hated least... The silver's are everywhere and boring.. The green was too plastic for me... The yellow was too loud, the brick was too ugly, and the white was.. well white vehicles scare me.. even though it looks good... So in the end I went black and figured I'd grow to like it... I finally settled on the All-Terrain package since I wanted 16's and didn't want pure street tires, or bogus upgrades... The all-terrain comes with everything you need in an FJ but nothing you don't... I'd have killed for TRD SE Anthracite wheels but the dealership told me to get bent.. Anyway, after a few months deliberating, I bought my FJ in early November of 2010.. I bought a 2010 and in the end I'm glad I did... I hate the 2011 wheels and the rear headrests look uber gay.. I don't really see any beneficial upgrades in 2011 and they're more expensive...

I'm looking forward to seeing the 2011 TT in person and I'm praying for the day they do a fire engine red FJ... that would be a TT I'd drool over... oh well... anyway that's my story..

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...rth/FJ-5-1.jpg

:word:

Okay Tom.. Your turn..

Sorry I'm late!

I saw my first FJ in probably 07 or so. I was driving a Dodge Durango at the time. Not 4 wheel drive or anything but I really liked that car. I had never had a 4x4. My GF at the time pointed one out to me and I thought it was pretty cool looking but not much more. The more I saw them around town (was living in Tulsa at the time) the more they grew on me. I had also seen the new Chevy Colorados around and I loved those too. I deliberated for awhile. Gas prices were rising, I was going to buy a house in Atlanta, I thought the FJ was just a 2 door (had never actually seen one up close so I never noticed the suicide doors)...the truck seemed like the way to go. Also one of my favorite vehicles to date was my Chevy Silverado that I decided to get rid of when the lease was up and ended up getting a Ford Exploder Sport (blech!) I missed my Silverado as soon as I left it at the dealer. So I thought maybe the Colorado would bring back a little bit of that feeling.

So anyway, I traded in my Durango on a new Colorado Z71. That was a nice truck and my first 4x4. I bought my house, I moved to Atlanta, the years went by and every time I saw an FJ my eyes longingly followed it down the road. One day I happened to see one in a parking lot and noticed the suicide doors. oh sweet so it isn't just a 2 door! I've always been about a 3 year per car person and that time was coming up on my Colorado and I had just paid it off so I started seriously thinking about getting an FJ. Not forgetting the Ford Explorer debacle, I figured I better go test drive one and make sure I really liked them before pulling the trigger (haha sorry couldn't resist!). I found a local dealer with a used Brick FJ and I went for the test drive. Right out of the lot we passed another FJ and I got the FJ wave. nice! I loved it! I had read some bad reviews about the ride and the blond spots and blah blah blah blah...I thought the ride was great! I really didn't get what they were walking about. I was hooked. But, I was between jobs and wasn't starting my new one for a month or so so I had to hold off a little bit. Feeding the monkey by searching the internet for FJ related stuff I learned of the Army Green 2010. Now I had to deliberate again....used or new? Knowing I really wanted the Army Green I talked myself into it by saying I didn't want to buy someone else's problems with a used one. Learning of some of the issues with the earlier models I am glad I did cos at the time I wouldn't have known to look for things like fender bulges or cracks. Even though these are probably rare on your average non-modded, mall-crawling FJ.

So I called my credit union and got some financing set up, sent out an email to a few local dealers late at night and the next morning a guy called me from the nearest Toyota dealer asked me what I was looking to pay, I said "as close to invoice as possible." He said "How about 500 over." I said "I'll be right there." An hour later i was test-driving my AG. Got back and started the paper work and then got to laugh at another guy who had driven his 07 Voodoo Blue 2 hours to trade in on the AG but I beat him by like ten minutes. Suckah!

So, that's MY story! I kind of agree with JackRabbit on the AG color. Not quite plastic but it has a bit of a weird look to it. Especially stock. I loved the color but didn't fall IN love with it until I got the steelies and BFGs and started blacking stuff out. I think that makes a huge difference on the AG.

So here she is

Then
http://www.toyotafjcruiserforum.com/...3&pictureid=32

Now
http://www.toyotafjcruiserforum.com/...3&pictureid=33



I really need to get those mirrors blacked out!

Awww, that read like a love story! I love your AG, if I could have afforded new I would have gotten an AG for sure. "Blond spots" was that a typo or intentional?

Thanks Cap'n!

blond spots lol...I wouldn't mind a few blond spots in my FJ

As opposed to the urine spots you have in your FJ now?

'zackly

Hey, I don't know why you have urine stains, but I can honestly say, I have grease stains, tire stains (when I had my new tires mounted I just stuffed the old ones inside), and any stains that come with having a toddler!

Cos my FJ is so fun I pee a little every time I drive it

Ohhh, well that makes since. Plus you're so old right?

man.....some nice FJ's.....60 and 40...
I agree with Toyota missing the mark with what could have been but do like my FJ TRD...and yes the Black Diamond paint is a lot of work....looks cool tho:driver:

My BD paint isn't too much work. She gets washed every now and then, and she's good to go.

FJ, Why? ...Everybody else has two wipers, so I wanted three.

^ best reason yet!

x2 :bowroflwerd6:

I got tired of being practical and buying what I needed in vehicles.....

So I bought something I wanted!

At a early age of 18 I promised my mother I would never buy a Jeep . One of her friends died thrown from in and rolled on her. Well many years later Toyota came out with this FJ cruiser thingy. Ugly at first sight but I fell in love with it. Could not afford one till now. My GF told me I could get a truck if I let her pay for it. Only if I let her drive my GTI and get to drive the sand rail build I have been working on.



Well needing something to tow my addiction, The jet skis, trailer, and other things. Well you get the picture. She told me to find one that was below 18500.00 and what I wanted to drive. I looked a voodoo blue one and got cold feet after the dealer told me he did not think it was using oil even though it was way over full.

I was looking over autotrader.com for weeks looking for my deal. Carmax did not have what I wanted either. I decided to look on http://www.fjcruiserforums.com in the for sale section. Found 4 within my driving range to look at. Messaged all of them returning with one answer. My first email to Hank was " Why is my truck in your driveway ? ".
I love the black color and after seeing it in person I was sold !

We setup a meeting that was 2 hours for both of us to travel. I was itching I tell you . I never test drove one till a month ago . Knowing all along once I drove one I would have to have it. Well getting to know the previous owner I knew that when I drove it that was going to be the one I wanted.

As you can see from the pictures in his driveway . It has been taking care of. After pulling the carfax off the vin. I was shocked to find out I would be the sixth owner of this one and the last one.


I am sold. I will get to drive my dream truck after all. All to the thanks of my Wonderful GF (soon to be wife). I have not asked her yet. But after this I will never let the thought to enter my mind of getting away from her.

Testify!

That's a nice rig, DG!

Very nice DG. BD is the way to go. Well, I'll be honest it wasn't my first choice, but it was the one that fell into my price range. I'd say she's a keeper. (take that how you want)

Why did I want an FJ?

1. Because it was the baddest mother out there.
2. Cause they're a rugged SUV ... with comfort.
3. Its reputation and its legacy.
4. Toyota reliability.

I've wanted one since the day they rolled off the line. I love the old military jeeps and rugged looking vehicles, and that carried over to the SUVs of the 70s... I'd had a jeep ... but it just was substandard, not to mention the regular maintenance necessary to keep it on the road. Forget about upgrades ... frickin' Chrysler piece of shite.

I'd been researching and was ready to purchase, and lost my job in 2008.... and it's been a long, hard road back. Finally, on the road to recovery, every way possible, and I stumbled across my VDB by sheer luck ... I'd look at a lot of them in the Fort Knox/Louisville area, but all were way over priced.

Then when I was back in Columbus at end of May, and had completed all my errands and getting more moving stuff coordinated, so I did some online shopping. Low and behold, I found exactly the vehicle I've always wanted ...

I called to make sure they still had it, said I'd be over to test drive ASAP. Lived it ... but made it a point not to take my trade in, to five myself a night to think it over. I went and closed the deal the next day. It's not perfect ... it has some flaws that I'll clean up, but I love regardless ...

They had it on their lot for almost 2 months, and had dropped the price three times ... they gave me $3k for my piece of junk Dakota, and I bought a Toyota extended warranty, and the vehicle ... all told, got everything for $20k ...


BOOM!!

Love it every time I get in it. Damn near makes me cry.

P.s. sorry for the typos. Stupid smart phone, auto correct bullshit.

good for you man.....I went thru a divorce that creamed me and caused the loss of my dream truck at the time a '98 Tacoma TRD.......took some time but I once more own a TRD 'cept this time an FJ that I love even more so... i understand your story...


:driver:

Above all else, I wanted a Zombie Crushin' Mutha for Post-Apocalyptia.

Nice stories. I guess, minus the job loss, and the divorce, but at least the ending was good.

hell ya.....if that happens i'll cut a hole in the roof for the 50 cal.



:biggun:

what doesn't kill ya only makes ya stronger is what they say....

i think it does make ya appreciate where ya are now and that's way cool...



:big_banana_Dance:

^^^ ya = you. in case anybody else gets lost like i did. :shakehead:

lol ('laugh out loud' so none gets lost)

good looking out!

i just bought an FJ Cruiser and purchased an FJ 40 in 1973 for $3900. I sold the same car here in Colorado in 2004 for $7800. I put 326,000 miles on that beauty. Rebuilt it once. It had a mechanicaln wench on it and it was left pretty much stock. So far I absolutely LOVE my new FJ- although there is not much of a relationship between the two. I mean there are obviously some like design considerations- but let's face it- as much as I loved my old FJ 40- it was a grueling ride. However, on the plus side, reliable as anything that's ever hit a Colorado mountain trail. For the thirty plus years I owned that vehicle, it resided in Denver and in Summit County Colorado above 9100 feet.

Right on. What made you sell your 40?

My story... In 2005, I broke my back for the third time. I was rear-ended by a really unintelligent person who was speeding on wet roads. Luckily for me, he hit another vehicle before crashing into my Dodge Dakota. He hit hard enough that my seat back broke and I was bent backwards over the seat from the impact. I broke L3, L4, L5, and S1. After five surgeries and many drugs, two other pick-up trucks, and the settlement of a lawsuit, I decided that I wanted to get another 4x4. One stipulation... it had to be comfortable on my back. The time was April of 2007.

After many searches, road trips, and countless hours with sales people, I decided that the FJ Cruiser was the vehicle for me. The vehicle that had the most comfortable seats was a Hummer H2, but I could not afford one of those. I found a TRD FJ on the website of a "local" dealer. That dealer was about 50 miles away. I called them to inquire about the vehicle. I was told that it was available and very sweet. So, I get my things together and make the trip to the dealership.

What do you think that I find when I get there? No TRD FJ! In fact, it had been sold three weeks prior. When asked about the phone conversation and subsequent travel to the facility, the manager pointed out that they had many other FJ's and he was sure that I would find the right one for me. I told him where he could pack sand and left the dealership.

At which point, I decided to go back to Indy and see a dealer on the northside that I had spoken with a few months before while waiting on my settlement. Upon walking onto the showroom floor, I was greeted by a very nice lady who understood exactly what I had just gone through with the other dealer. She was aware of their tactics.

She and I spoke for quite a while before ever getting to the part of the discussion about purchasing an FJ. We went out to the lot and walked around, looked in, and generally inspected every FJ that was there. None of them jumped out at me and yelled take me home. She saw my disappointment and made a suggestion. She suggested that I come back in a few days because they had another FJ that was out getting some modifications. She was sure that it would be something that I like. I agreed to wait it out and come see her later in the week.

What I found upon returning was a Sun Fusion FJ on the showroom floor that immediately screamed my name. The modification that she had mentioned was custom leather seating with a heat option! With a bad back, heated seats were something that I did not think I could get as it wasn't an option on the FJ.

We took it for a ride. She suggested that I keep it for a few days to see how I like it. As a bonus, she would have my pick-up detailed in case I decided not to buy the FJ. I drove it for only a day before returning with a check to fill out. After a little haggling and discussions on the worth of my Chevy, I wrote a check and walked out with the keys for my brand new 2007 FJ.

I have made many modifications on my own since that time. I have many more to do, but this damn economy has put a damper on that. Since that time in April of 2007, I have put many miles in many locations on the Tonka Toy. I have no plans of getting rid of her at any time. I do want to purchase anotehr vehicle when I can afford one. You can bet that I will return to where I got my FJ from. I have had no other dealer ever do so much and provide the level of customer service that I was given.

Okie
 

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/...amhospital.png
July 31, 2009. 12:30pm
I lie in a coma for 32 days, heavy iron gates to my soul rise as I open my eyes, as if I awoke from the best sleep of my life. Not knowing anything was wrong i'm in and out for the next two weeks slowly coming around, and becoming coherent, learning to talk again, telling my brain to move my hands, fingers, legs. But for some reason the lights weren't all the way on to my legs, why is this? Few more days go by, I earn the right to drink and eat on my own, apple juice was the first thing I had to drink in almost two months, and let me tell you, it was Jesus! Finally i'm awake or so it seemed, then I get the news... "You were shot five "5" times with a .40 caliber pistole, your lucky to be alive".
The doctor's say "we may have to take your left leg from the knee down". I'm horrified. Luckily the vein graph held together and I still have my leg.
Entry points...
Three rounds traveling 1000 feet per second, at point blank range, rip thru my upper left chest, exploding my clavical, 4 ribs and my lung, finally exiting thru my shoulder blade, spine, and back ribs.
I turn to walk away, and as i'm turning another bullet tears thru my right hip and pelvis, hits my spine again, turns and goes out my back, barely missing my kidneys.
At this point i'm drowning on my own blood as my lungs fill with blood, I hit the ground.
And the gun goes off again...
The last and final bullet tears thru my left knee, breaking all the bones and worst of all, cut my femoral in two. I'm bleeding to death.

Six more shots ring out in the night as the gun man flee's and fires into a crowd of on lookers. Luckily no one else was injured. Complete strangers pump on my chest and try to hold the wounds the best they can, waiting for help to arrive.
Leaving you with questions...

September 11, 2011 17:00
After months and months of searching and debating Rubicon or FJ, I find my self at Fowler Toyota in Norman, Ok.
I find my 2009 FJ Black Beauty, "OKIE" Slightly used with 50k on it, looked new to me and it was loaded out, settin' pretty on a fresh set of 285's. I owned it that day. Here we are 10k later and a few mods under it's belt and i'm still in love!
I got the FJ to be an extension of myself or former self. I didn't want to just stay inside and feel sorry for myself, every time I climb in the seat it just makes me feel good. I have a slight disability now and I try to not let it stop me from doing LIFE! And no, i'm not retarded! lol! But my legs and back are a wreck, so don't ask me to help you move!
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/...8/photo-36.jpg
Gotta get back to work now!!! LMAO!!!:mfr_omg:

Wow!!! All that I can say is Wow. I am glad that you are okay and are able to enjoy the FJ.

I came here today to give an update on my FJ situation. My '07 Tonka is no longer mine. I was made an offer by the local Toyota dealer here in Indy that I purchased my first FJ from. They made me an offer that I could not pass on. Basically, my '07 had reached its optimum trade in potential and I had a lot of equity in it.

So, at 76k miles, I traded my '07 for my new '12 FJ. It is kind of weird going into my garage and seeing something that is so different but so alike my '07 was. Many of my friends told me that I shouldn't do the trade because the Tonka Toy was/is one of a kind. They had a point, but I could not say no to a new FJ with a new warranty, maintenance contract, and payments that are nearly $250 lower per month.

The attached photos are with my camera phone and not very good. I will add more as soon as I am able to get the real camera out with some good lighting. This is the beginning of Tonka 2.0. A blank slate that I can turn into art. :)

looks good!!!:big_banana_Dance: