FJ vs 3rd Gen Tacoma

Hello Everyone,

I’ve got a 2008 Toyota FJ with 66k original miles and I’ve been getting some pretty ridiculous offers for the truck. While I love the FJ for what it is, I’ve always had a truck and miss having a bed. I’m an avid camper/explorer and enjoy truck camping. So there is that... I’ve been considering letting the FJ go for a 2017 or 2018 TRD Off-Road Tacoma. I’ve been really close to pulling the trigger but I have some reservations about the 3rd Gen Tacos. Most notably the drivetrain and transmission issues that a lot of people have been barking about. I have had absolutely zero issues with the FJ and the drivetrain is top notch. I also worry that the FJ will be that one I let go and regret 20 years from now due to the collectibility these things seem headed towards.

I would love to hear some thoughts on this...

-SoundPony

 

Welcome to TW! Keep the FJ AND buy a new Tacoma.

 

It's crazy how popular the FJs are now that Toyota discontinued them...it was like no one wanted them when they were being sold and now they're highly sought after. I read somewhere that they have the one of the highest resale values of any modern day vehicle, people are getting close to what they paid for them even with substantial miles on them.

I really like the FJ's myself. If you have reservations about the new Tacoma then I think you should really think hard about trading in your FJ on one....have you test driven the 3rd gen? If you're worried about the drivetrain you should do a lengthy test drive and see if you can live with the difference in power/feel between it and your FJ. If at all possible, I'd find a way to keep the FJ and get the next vehicle you want, whether it's a 3rd gen or not. That FJ will likely be worth even more down the road.

 

I know, it really is wild and I wonder if it will last. I’ve had offers within a couple grand of what I paid for it new. Every time I take it in for an oil change at the local dealership they always send in the sales manager to see if I’m ready to let it go. They offered me $21k for it this last time, makes me wonder what they would try to get for it. I’ve seen FJ’s locally with well over 100k miles and still asking $20k and up. Crazy. Do you think the fact that they were built in Japan has something to do with it?

I have drove a 2017 crew cab TRD Tacoma, although I’d go with an access cab for the 6ft bed. The truck drove great, I didn’t sense any issues. I was actually pretty smitten with it. They are really good looking too. I would assume that most of the people complaining test drove theirs before the issues showed up. It seems to be a legitimate issue given the number of complaints online.

I wish I could afford to have both! I hear you though, great advice. I appreciate it.

 

Keep the fj and buy a used Tacoma that you can mod for truck camping...

 

FJ interior scratches just by looking at it, Tacoma is much better in this regard. FJ is perfect sized in width and length for everyday driving (taco is a bit long especially with the longer front overhang compared to FJ) and the fully boxed frame makes installing sliders cheap and easy not to mention giving the ride a very stiff platform to build on. Seat adjustment is better on FJ, but really no complaints from me on taco. Rev hang was way worse on the FJ and the mpg was also 2-4 mpg lower compared to the taco, but the torque was better from start. Taco is better top end as FJ loses some steam. Wasnt a big fan of the rear visibility on the 08 backing up, but adding some extra lighting helped a lot. I liked the utilitarian-ism of the FJ and its overall lack of features (still have no idea if the dual climate controls or mini menu options on the tacoma is worth it compared to the simple big ass dials on the FJ for everything like radio/AC/etc that work with gloves on). I also did not like the FJ lack of storage bins compared to the tacoma (both have left/right rear bins in their respective "trunks", but taco also has behind the seat and under seat storage in the rear). Liked the hood system on the FJ better (lighter, thinner, + gas struts) but interior noise was higher compared to tacoma. FJ had a grease-able drive-line setup and I kinda liked the AWD on the MT despite the MPG hit (though this was also due to the rear end gearing compared to taco). Oh, and harder to wash the taco compared to FJ (lots of small details especially on the grill area compared to giant slabs of flat on the FJ).

One thing for sure-- I never really could get behind the idea of an SUV for everyday vehicle. Rear storage is limited in height by the roof and passengers share the same space as the trunk, meaning if I put anything dusty, dirty, or smelly in the back it permeates the entire interior. Really just a tall car to me and not even a good sedan model but a hatchback, albeit the FJ was/is my favorite SUV type vehicle regardless for what it represents-- a throwback to the 1990s toyota where they built vehicles strong, simple, and reliable. But you really cant overlook the bed on the taco, which is a game changer to me-- all cars/SUVs are just that, people carriers with the only difference being size. Toss in a bed (large or small) and you have a new class of vehicles that does it all.

In a way, I wish they made an FJ truck (and not that hack job one though they did decent work). Also wish I kept my FJ, but the taco IMHO is better in almost every way. Just my 2c.

 

keep it...

 

Sound Wisdom!

 

Hello all,

First post here...

Soundpony. I am in the same position as you - except I have pulled the trigger and am waiting on delivery. My 2010 FJ MT has 175 000 kms (Canadian here) and, besides factory maintenance, I have just had to replace a lightbulb in all the years that I have owned it. Also, I was lucky to even get it... as it had just left Japan days before the tsunami of 2010! It is really hard to let go of the FJ... but for all of the excellent reasons listed by duckytw... I feel that my new taco will be everything that the FJ is and more. But still.... there will be a tear in my eye when the time comes to hand the FJ keys to another. I Am also a camper / explorer type and just love that gear can be kept in the bed rather than in the truck itself - especially when winter camping. Good luck with your decision soundpony. Let us know what you decide!

If anyone can comment on how the MT taco compares to the MT FJ... that would be great! I bought my MT taco having never even driven a MT taco...