2011 FJ, Tacoma, and 4runner

So today I went down to the dealership as its getting closer for me to buy a vehicle. I test drove a 4x4 FJ. I was surprised at how roomy up front is and with the seat all the way back I easily got in/out behind the drivers seat (I'm 6'3, 250). Fitting in a vehicle comfortably is not easy for me as I have wide shoulders and I'm some what tall.

I really love the material on the inside where you can literally hose it out. Awesome for my lifestyle. I didn't like the turning radius and that is just because I am use to the sedan I have now, not a huge deal. I'm really leaning towards the green fj and line-x the white top.

The Tacoma was pretty roomy surprisingly but the short bed is such a killer for me. It just wonder what I'd do with it.. haul some apples? lol. I really like the roominess inside though but I like the fj seats better. Also I sat in a new 4runner. I was seriously not happy with the room. I compared the interior room online before I went in but it was horrible.

This particular model did have a sunroof which the dealer said without one the roof would be 3 inches higher? lol. The pull out table thing was kind of neat but also wastes 3 inches of vertical room in the back. They didn't have a Trail Edition to test out but I atleast got the feel.

I asked about the 2011 FJ Trail Teams edition as I liked the all green. They said I could order one and it would arrive within 90 days. The msrp is 34870 I think for the TT. The FJ Off road is 32540 plus it comes with the new wheels and they said I could take the roof rack off and deduct that (want a arb steel) and I'm pretty sure I could get it for 30k with the TT mods added.

Not an easy decision as I have to include my family in mind when buying. If it were just me and my wife I would buy a Tacoma. Anyone else in vehicle buying crisis decision? Any way I thought I'd share today's experience at Toyota

 

Make sure you get one with A-TRAC, regardless of which Toyota vehicle... if you are into 4 wheeling!

 

The FJC interiors blow; I got rid of my '07 exactly for that reason. Extremely cheap plastic, and not really good for much of anything. YMMV.

 

I'm the same size as you and found the room in the 4Runner to be pretty good. It's actually my favorite vehicle I've ever driven (I drove a new 4x4 Trail model).

I love the FJ as far as looks go, but I hated the windshield/dash when I test drove one

 

I lol'd when I saw the 3 windshield wipes. I've never seen that on a non commercial vehicle. I felt really weird at first when I sat in the FJ because of the box-iness but driving was actually comfortable. Also like the map/handgun pocket on the dash!

As for cheap plastic, why do you say cheap? Did you have a bad experience? Of course I would use the all weather mats but I don't see why you couldn't hose out mud and what not. You say water goes through the plastic?? I didn't know the plastic wasn't good so I googled after reading your post and see many on the fj cruiser forums complaining. Thanks for looking out

The 4runner is sweet. If I was 6'0 I would probably get it but being the size I am, I felt more comfortable in the FJ. Also the rear seat didn't have any more significant room in the 4runner, same as the cargo. Again I'm looking at these non-biased. I know every vehicle has its cons and I'm just trying to minimize those cons.

 

The plastic is ridiculously soft, so it scratches easily. For some folks, that's not a big deal, but for me it is, as I keep my vehicles in great shape. Having owned a Toyota of some sort for over 20 years now, I was very surprised to see the cheapness of that material. YMMV

 

I thought they were ugly .. sure.. but that's subjective.

I liked the room, the function first attitude. My tacoma is cheap and plastic too. Come on.. what's that silver plastic around my radio? Barbie diamond plate?

To add to the "make sure you get a-trac if you like 4 wheeling"

Make sure you get the FJ if you like 4 wheeling.. Its one of only a few cars designed with exit and entry clearance in mind.. Much better balance than a pickup and some extra options, like the inclinometer and I think the hand yank transfer case is tits.

 

i just traded my tacoma for an fj. its an 07 model. i love the fj so far i have had it for a month. all vehicles come with plastic interiors now so thats not a reason to not get an fj.

 

Well I am not a fan of the FJC at all. So that's that.

I have two small kids so the 4Runner made sense for me. There is plenty of room for me (5'10"). The offroad capabilities of this thing are top notch. On road, it is very comfortable. I don't like the slide out tray. I am actually going to replace the slide out tray with a set of third row seats.

 

I like the new 4 runner, thats the only "new" vehicle I would buy these days

 

There is a big difference between the FJC plastic and Tacoma plastic. You'll see...

 

how can you complain about bed size when your other two choices do not have beds?

of the three, if i didnt need a truck bed, i would get the 4 runner

 

I love my FJ, as for plastic. who cares--you have kids, anything will get tore up. The main reason I would suggest not getting the FJ is because you said you have a family. The FJ is reasonably roomy, but is just seriously lacking in the storage department and getting kids in and out of the suicide doors would be a pain in the ass. Also, the rear hatch swinging out sideways instead of up is an issue if your wife is going to be driving at all. The rear hatch is very heavy and my wife doesnt like it. would be even tougher for her if she had a baby in one arm. There aren't all those little cubbys and stuff that things like the Tacoma and 4Runner have to stick kid crap into. That being said there are some pretty cool aftermarket storage accessories. I love the manual transfer case and the shorter wheel base is great for off road.