The Toyota FJ Cruiser takes the top spot on this list by a significant margin for the second year in a row since it is an off-road expert and a rarity in terms of resale value.
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What’s the value of FJ Cruisers?
From selling one or two FJ Cruisers annually to selling more than two each month, classic vehicle auctions. The base model’s median sales prices increased significantly, from roughly $14,000 in 2019 to $27,500 in 2020, and then increased again to $30,450 in 2021.
What does a Toyota FJ have high mileage?
So you want to purchase a high mileage secondhand FJ? Few 4WD vehicles can possibly compare to the dependability and toughness of the Cruiser series. These SUVs are constructed strong by Toyota, and if you read the comments left by the many satisfied FJ cruiser owners in the hundreds of forum threads, you’ll be persuaded that it’s one of the safest used SUV 4WD purchases available. There are a few problems, though, and I’ll go into more detail about those a little later.
If the scheduled maintenance and services have been performed, FJ Cruisers can travel well over 250K miles without experiencing any mechanical issues. With only routine maintenance and a few minor cosmetic faults, many owners have driven their vehicles well past 300K miles.
Therefore, it is crucial to confirm that a used FJ Cruiser has a comprehensive service history, either at the Toyota agents or with a reliable private workshop, before making the purchase. For these FJs, mileage is less of an issue than how well they were maintained.
Many owners are really pleased with their purchases and speak highly of the build quality, dependability, and durability of them. The FJ is an extremely capable off-road vehicle, suited for long drives or whatever 44-track you’re willing to subject it to. It will effortlessly eat up the trails and transport you home in complete luxury.
The eccentric, retro styling is obviously not to everyone’s taste when it comes to design, proving that beauty is subjective. I adore it, for sure!
See what one owner had to say about it:
I recently purchased a 2011 FJ with 123,000 miles on it. I gave it my 3.6 Rubicon in exchange. I liked the Jeep and couldn’t be happier.
Therefore, these cars’ dependability and longevity are really what make them beautiful. Clearly, mileage is not a concern. You should be fine to go if you look hard and long for the one you prefer, test drive it, and make sure it has a complete service history. These 4WDs don’t have any shady plans in place to take advantage of you once you’ve spent your hard-earned money. They have a sturdy construction. It’s a rather secure purchase.
The fuel consumption of these JF Cruisers is, in my opinion, their main drawback. Definitely thirsty!
The 2010 models have seen minor fuel economy improvements since their 2007 debut. For variants with two or four wheels, the FJ will achieve city fuel economy ratings of 14 to 17 mpg and highway fuel economy ratings of 19 to 21 mpg.
Expect those numbers to fall considerably lower if you want to customize the FJ with larger tires, lifts, and roof racks. You’ve now been forewarned.
However, those who purchase these automobiles don’t necessarily do it in order to consume less fuel.
What year is ideal for purchasing a Toyota FJ?
Even though this Toyota is very dependable, there are a few factors to take into account while purchasing a used FJ Cruiser. The finest resale value and many advantageous features are found in the 2013 FJ Cruiser.
Do FJ Cruisers frequently experience issues?
FJ Cruisers: Are They Reliable? The FJ Cruiser receives a 3.5 out of 5 reliability rating from RepairPal, placing it 12th out of 26 midsize SUVs. The model typically has an annual repair and maintenance expense of roughly $506. This is less than the $573 average for medium SUVs.
Do Toyota FJ Cruisers have a market?
The Jeep Wrangler, the Nissan Xterra, and even Toyota’s own 4Runner were all fierce competitors for the hard-core off-roader FJ Cruiser. The FJ Cruiser, which was sold in the US for the 2007 to 2014 model years, has unquestionable resale value and is now in high demand.
Why was the FJ Cruiser canceled?
Toyota’s FJ Cruiser was one of the most distinctive and tough SUVs to ever reach the market, but it was discontinued for North American buyers in 2014. The firm had determined that sales were inadequate to cover the manufacturing costs of a second generation, leading to the discontinuance of the vehicles. The FJ Cruiser, on the other hand, has remained a popular vehicle long after most automobiles cease to be produced. The popularity of this sturdy vehicle has been impacted by a few different elements.
First, there is now a sense of scarcity among people who are interested in purchasing the FJ because there won’t be a new generation for the foreseeable future. Despite the fact that Toyota had discontinued the model almost ten years prior, many owners who still have one have opted to keep the car due to its increased rarity. Toyotas, unlike many other brands, tend to retain their value over time, and because of their reputation for producing durable, high-quality cars, demand for this dependable vehicle has only increased over the past 10 years.
Depending on the model and the year, a FJ Cruiser would probably cost you between $24000 and $51000 if you were shopping now. Finding one is less likely because special edition and limited-edition models get the highest prices at auction.
The FJ Cruiser is also highly regarded among off-road vehicles for its durable exterior, which can resist extreme circumstances, in addition to its reputation for performance and dependability. This amazing device is more expensive than other models in its class because it was made to survive extremely difficult conditions.
These off-road vehicles are frequently utilized for sports like off-road racing and rock crawling. The waterproof inside of this car was one of its most intriguing selling points because it opened up new possibilities for things like driving into deeper water or leaving your windows open in a downpour. The FJ Cruiser has an enormous advantage over other SUVs in that it can tow up to 5,000 pounds and does it with improved capability.
Overall, because of the FJ’s distinctive charms and rarity, a good-quality used version of the car will probably cost you about as much as it did when it was first launched onto the market, if not more.
How trustworthy are FJ Cruisers?
The Toyota FJ Cruiser has a 3.5 out of 5.0 reliability rating, placing it 12th out of 26 midsize SUVs. It has cheaper ownership costs than the national average due to the $506 average annual repair cost. When compared to all other vehicles, the frequency and severity of repairs are both about average.
Jeep or the FJ Cruiser, which is superior?
These two cars perform similarly to one another off-road. The Wrangler does have a slight advantage over the FJ Cruiser in terms of raw data, but the gap isn’t particularly wide. Even when compared to its current Wrangler competitors, the Jeep Wrangler comes out on top thanks to the combination of its several small victories over the FJ Cruiser.
The FJ has an unmistakable appeal. With the FJ Cruiser, Toyota so blatantly set their sights on the Jeep Wrangler that it ultimately killed it. They were attempting to ride an already broken wave. The FJ is still a very capable off-road vehicle, although it somewhat underreaches the target off-roading market. The FJ Cruiser is more useful as a vehicle for camping trips and as a means of transporting a raft or a kayak to the riverbed. The Wrangler is capable of doing this as well, but it is also free to go off-roading for enjoyment only. The Wrangler actually shines in this regard; it’s an incredibly entertaining car that still manages to be useful. On the other hand, the FJ primarily consists of the latter.
Ultimately, given that the FJ is no longer being produced, this isn’t a very fair fight right now. The Jeep Wrangler is not only a fantastic vehicle, but also a dynamic platform that can be modified to virtually its fullest extent.
Is premium fuel required for the FJ Cruiser?
Later, Toyota sent a statement indicating that although the FJ’s fuel-door placard reads “Premium Unleaded Fuel Only,” the owner’s handbook states that the vehicle can operate just fine on normal unleaded and only requires premium for optimal performance and all 239 rated horses (87 octane).
When should a Toyota FJ Cruiser’s timing belt be changed?
Timing belts are important, but unless your Toyota owner’s handbook specifically advises it, they don’t need to be replaced on a regular basis. Between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, some automakers advise changing the timing belt, while others don’t. Many timing belts available now can last 100,000 miles or more before they need to be replaced.
What makes FJ Cruisers so expensive?
It’s vital to realize that demand plus scarcity always leads to increased pricing, and cars are truly no exception. Due to the restricted supply, used FJ Cruisers in poor condition are nevertheless far more valuable than other used car types.
What does Toyota’s FJ stand for?
Clearly, the “J refers for “Jeep, and the “F denotes the type of engine. Because they used a Type B engine rather than an F, the early FJs were actually known as BJs.
Timing belt or chain: Which is there in a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser?
FJ drives the valve camshafts with a timing chain (really three chains). Timing chains often last as long as the rest of the engine and are “excellent for life.” Unless there is a visible issue, such as a noisy chain or a chain that has jumped a tooth on the sprocket, they are NOT in need of replacement. You don’t need to worry about it as long as the chain is operating normally and you undertake routine maintenance (oil changes).
The fact that many engines use a timing belt could be the cause of the misconception. A timing belt is a plastic-toothed belt that has steel, nylon, or kevlar wires woven into it for reinforcement. Depending on the vehicle, timing belts DO need to be replaced on a regular basis, often between 60 and 100k miles. Timing belts on the majority of Toyota vehicles should be replaced at 90k miles. Failure to replace the timing belt on schedule can result in very costly repairs, even complete engine destruction. THE FJ IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS.
The serpentine belt that powers the alternator, water pump, air conditioning compressor, and power steering pump is the other belt that needs to be maintained. Every 30k miles, the serpentine belt needs to be inspected, and if it’s cracked or has longitudinal splits, it needs to be replaced. Even if it does not appear to be damaged, it is still a good idea to replace it at 90k miles. If you notice a broken serpentine belt right away, stop the car, and turn off the engine, you won’t experience an imminent engine failure. Driving with a damaged serpentine belt will quickly cause overheating and require costly repairs (blown head gasket, seized engine, etc.). Delaying the serpentine belt replacement past 90k miles puts you at risk of being stuck because it will break at the worst possible time, or, even worse, of damaging the engine by continuing to drive with a broken belt.