Buying an FJ

Considering buying a prior leased 2014 ft cruiser base 4wd auto. Has 34000 mi and they want 30000. The part that really worries me is all the transmission issues people with autos say they have. Do the 2014s have these issues as well? I also read about driveline issues.

 

I have a 2014 with neither issue you mention. But then again, I have only 10 k on the clock.
I was at my local dealer a couple weeks back and noticed a recently turned in 2011. 44k for miles and dealer wanted 30k for that one.

 

Maybe I'm missing something, but I've never really heard of FJ with automatic transmissions having any major problems. I've heard that some 07 - 09 FJ with automatic transmissions would get a shudder at higher mileage, but keeping the transmission fluid changed fixed that, and some manual transmission FJ have the throwout bearings go bad. The main problems I've heard of are with early FJ, rear differential, fender bulge. These issues were fixed long ago. My FJ is an 07 and I've had no problems. The transmission shifts extremely smooth and it rides really nice too. $30k for a 2014 FJ seems like a heck of a deal, if the Carfax is clear and you want an FJ, I'd buy it.

 

I don't know of any transmission issue. There is the stop bump also on the early models that had a TSB. I have an 08 and no Trans issues, Fender bulges, or Diff problems. I moderately off road (2-3 times a year) heavily modified I'd say now (3 inch lift, Full skids, Sliders, rack, larger tires, bumper, winch, yada, yada, yada). The price would have been better a couple years ago, but the value seems to have gone up a little. Just an opinion.

 

The early 07s had rear end issues and some developed the shuddering issue. 10'+ addressed the fender bulge issues. I have a 2011 TTSE and no fender issues or trans issues at 50K miles.

I do have a tiny oil leak from the timing chain cover. Its on the square plate that I believe is used of inspection of the chain. Does not lose enough oil per 10K to even tell on the dip stick.

Seriously, anything 10'+ and your safe. Manuals do seem to have TOB issues here and there.

 

'07, 70k, no problems to date with anything at all. Moderately wheeled 20 to 30 times/year. 35K miles with 2" lift(no diff drop) with 285/70R17 STT's. The Mrs. drives it every day, best SUV we've ever had period! If you're going to buy an FJ, jump in there because they are only going up in value. I've seen them selling for about 10-15% above NADA values already.