Toyota FJ vs Rubicon Unlimited

TractorLegend · Oct 17, 2007

Yes, Im leaning toward the 4 door Jeep- the new lifetime limited powertrain (non-transferrable) warranty definitely sounds good. How could you not have problems with a 4X4 powertrain over your life? I suppose it somehow excludes "normal wear & tear" or some other vague wording geared toward denying your claim. I know they want you having it inspected at certain intervals at your dealer to keep it valid...you'd not be required to pay them for any maintenance, if you so choose to do your own, or have it done at your fave mechanic (according to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty act) unless they are doing the maintenance free...which they dont.
I need to get down and check out a few 4 door Rubicons- i notice theres a "half door" option that I suppose would only be with the soft top. I don't see any in our local dealers inventory. Maybe thats a regional thing. Its cute as heck but in a stormy climate i suppose one is better off with the Freedom hard top and full doors n windows, the doors are aparently still removable for "neighborhood recon missions" and the like. Forums report the odometer reset button is a joke and something else about the instrumentation or controls being buggy but is well reviewed otherwise.

Newblue · Oct 17, 2007

We just pick up an 08 unlimited Sahara last night for the wife. Two things we didn't like about the FJ was the visibility and the fact that they require premium fuel (93 octane I think). The rear seats on the jeep are very easy to get in and out of but the FJs were tight. Msrp was about the same but I think a better deal could be had with the FJ. On Jeepforums.com some were paying more than sticker because of availibility.

Mike

TractorLegend · Oct 17, 2007

Thats right, the toyota prefers premium fuel.
How do you like the rear seat room with the four door jeep?

Newblue · Oct 17, 2007

Rear seat room is nice. It has more than the Saturn Vue that the Wrangler is replacing. I put 60 miles on it last night but that was in the drivers seat which is comfy. I have only spent problably two minutes in the back so I don't know how comfortable those are. Leg room was plenty with me being 6' tall.

Mike

RedRocker · Oct 18, 2007

We've considered both also, my wife got to wheel an FJ in Moab last year at Jeep safari. It was pretty stock, no lift and did pretty well. For serious off roading I'd go JK, lift and bigger tires and you're ready to rock. I guess it all depends on what you want to do with it.

TractorLegend · Oct 18, 2007

We drove an '08 Rubicon last night, after stepping out of the 425 hp Magnum that took us there the poor little Heep seems a bit numb when you kick it in the pants. I would think it "adequately" powered but not a nickel more. Back "in the day" we would have killed for a fuel injected Jeep with a V6 so one didn't have the flooding problems on grades. But now that and a few more ponies would be good. The rear visibility was bad with the rear seat headrests pointing skyward, one may be able to fold the seats or bungee them down when theres no passengers. The tailgate opens toward the curb, kinda not smart. Would be nice if it were a fold down tailgate. I guess that would be hard with the spare there. The transfercase shifted easily enough. We drove the automatic. They only had a soft top in the "wrong" color.