Should I Trade My 2014 FJ for a 2016 Tacoma?

Hello People,

I am a potential newbie looking for advice. I currently own a 2014 FJ Cruiser with 1,600 miles on it that is straight stock except for a pair of DeMello Tubular sliders.

My local Toyota dealership seems to want to add it to their inventory of used vehicles and have been contacting me regularly asking me if I am interested in trading it.

Their last several calls suggested that they would be interested in perhaps trading roughly straight across for a 2016 Tacoma TRD Offroad, which strongly suggests that they have a potential buyer for the FJ. There aren't many out there that are still straight stock with such low mileage and not even a rock chip.

And as far as I can tell, there are not that many 2016 Tacomas with TRD packages on dealer lots that are ready to drive away as of now (late September).

The truck would be very handy, and I am having trouble exiting and entering the FJ because of a damaged left left leg and foot. Not to mention keeping the top of it clean! Otherwise, it has been a fantastic vehicle so far.

I was hoping that if some of you veteran Tacoma owners had a spare moment you could give me some advice on whether this might be something you would contemplate, or a deal you would avoid for the time being.

I live right in the center of DFW so my main chances for serious off road driving are during vacation, although I am not averse to risking a ticket for driving around construction sights or anywhere there are some nice grass or gravel ups and downs.

I should add that I have lived most of my life in the South and West where a two wheel drive vehicle is not really considered a "truck" (no insult to anyone intended; it's just part of my history).

I am in no rush but in terms of Toyotas I have owned 3 Lexus's and 1 of those cool old SR5 4x4 wagons from back in the mid 80's. My history of reliability with the Toyota made vehicles would make it really tough to switch to an American truck, but I have never owned a straight up Toyota Truck.

I should also mention that I have always been averse to buying any vehicle during its first model year--at least, so far.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

Sounds like a fair deal. Both are great vehicles. Test drive the new Tacoma and see if you like it any better than your FJ. If it were me, I'd probably go with the truck. Welcome to the site!

 

To Rock Lobster: When my BMW got totalled last October my original plan was to buy a Tacoma TRD Pro in Inferno Red. If I could find one I would be seriously tempted to buy one of the last 2015's.

So yes I would like to have a truck. I think the thing that steered me in the direction of the FJ was a discussion I had with some FJ fans who had heavily modified their's and had the time and money to spend a lot of time offroad.

Also, you see Jeeps and Tacomas every time you turn around where I live. I hate to admit it, but I wanted to "stand out" a little. Now, I don't really give a crap what anybody but myself thinks about what I drive. Better that a little maturity comes late rather than never.

To Over da Hill: Your pictures of your truck are not making my choice any easier. That is a really beautiful machine! I reckon I will have to wait a month or so to get the package and color I want, but I think I have made up my mind.

 

The FJ can fit 33" tires without modification. The Tacoma would require trimming.

The FJ while not pretty has an exterior that will never go out of date, because, well, it isn't being produced anymore.

 

I would if I could get 2015

 

Normal dealer tactic to get you in a new loan.

If you want a 2016 Tacoma, get one. But 99% sure your FJ will be a substantially different story than the one they're reading to you right now.

 

i would wait and until the dust settle's with this new 2016 but that is just imo

 

Thank y'all again for your advice.

Now I'm thinking that I can get a new Tacoma anytime during the next 6+ years. I can never get a new FJ again.

And as others have suggested, this is more a generation 2 1/2 Tacoma than a complete remodel. For example, I have crawl control and a locking rear differential and mine is a 2014. They work flawlessly.

Maybe I'm mistaking their motives, but I have dealers in my area contacting me wanting to do simple maintenance on it even though they have nothing to sell in which I would be remotely interested.

It's strange that FJ sales fell off so dramatically toward the end of its model life given how everybody wants to get their hands on one now!?!

I'm also getting sick of hearing about this CAFE crap (followed by an infinite number of profanities that would be deleted by the board administrator) really kicking in within a year or two. Pretty soon the only way to get a real internal combustion engine vehicle will be to buy a full size truck.

There's no way people in Texas are going to give up their trucks or their guns. I reckon I better start learning about Tundras. I've got one of the biggest shooting ranges in North Texas right around the corner from me so I think I'm pretty well up to speed on the other.

 

Every week I get offers to trade-in or trade-up. The dealer makes money over churning cars and loans. I have a '11 AC 4x4 six speed and I think that is too new to trade. And in my experience, early trades are VERY expensive.

I got a trade in offer in the mail YESTERDAY for a 09 Pontiac G6 I had for a company car and must have gotten my name either from the XM radio account or some service facility, since nothing about the car was in my name. The Pontiac has been gone for three years...

Do what is right for you, and not what the dealer suggests.

Howard