My parents own an Xterra and I have driven it enough to have a valid opinion. Drives good, great acceleration and breaking, steering is good too. The ride is uncomfortable in the back seat and ok in the front. Seats themselves are not all that comfortable. Getting in and out of the back seat is a pain cuz of the wheel well and door shape. I’m 6 feet tall and it’s awkward getting in and out while trying not to drag your ass across the wheel arch which gets dirty. Cargo is cool cuz it’s plastic all the way around.
Overall not a bad vehicle. I wouldnt own one because it doesn’t fit my needs. My parent love it cuz it gets 21 mpg on the highway and it’s just the two of them so a midsize suv is all they needed.
Of the above mentioned, I would choose the Xterra hands down. The Xterra is the only one of these vehicles which is a true 4WD truck. The others are cars with an AWD type system. Given that you are looking at an FJ, I would assume you are wanting a truck that gives you a real off road bias. The Xterras are rugged trucks that have good off road reputations. The newer ones (since 2005 or so) have strong engines. They are simple 4WD systems (or at least were when I looked at them) but are available with locking diffs is you want better traction. In the end, I went for the larger 4Runner instead of the Xterra.
I would strongly recommend you looking at a 4Runner as well. The V6 models will get into the low 20mpg range which is about the same as the FJ (they share the same engine and drive train). While they don’t have quite as good off roading ability (but still among the best of all the SUVs on the market), they have much better daily driver qualities in terms of visibility, ride, ease of entry, and cargo space. Lots of FJ owners have switched to 4Runners upon becoming dads…
have one 4 years now and love it 
its a killer off road rig and a good road rig but the blind spots are over blown IMHO it is tougher in some areas no doubt but only when backing out of a car space really use your mirrors go slow never a issue
check out the blue room lots of info their
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/
no vehicle is perfect if you want it only for the road cause you like it then go for it but I think for those not wanting to off road there are better choices for daily driver for SUVs
for off road again they are incredible rigs but with lift tires and heavier roof rack heavy bumper winch etc… I get about 15 MPG tops
they are a great rig for durability/reliability though and I would not get rid of mine for any other rig except a land cruiser
its built in the Japan plant where commercial vehicles were made or at least was not sure if they changed that ?
the frame and such is basically the prado which is a landcruiser setup
kids fit fine in the back but adults would be tight and it would suck to be in the back 
I have had tacomas before and a older FJ40 along with a few other off road and 4x4 rigs my two fav would be my FJ40 and this vehicle
We looked at the FJ Cruiser a couple of years ago and ended up getting a 4Runner SR5 V8 instead. It has been a phenomenal automobile and very comfortable. The V8 has good power and the gas mileage isn’t terrible. We average around 24 HWY with it.
The Sequoia is also very nice and worth taking a look at.
Well since our masters at the EPA won’t allow us lowly serfs to import the Toyota Hilux, I went with the Tacoma.
Though if I had the Federal Reserve Notes I’d opt for a hand made Icon FJ. . .:eek:
a Icon would be cool and of course a hilux would be cool also
That ICON is pretty sick but 88k?? I think I’ll just stick with restoring and doing a SAS on my 94 Ranger.
EDIT: If I had the money, however, I would most definitely throw it at these guys as I can appreciate a dedicated simple, hand made off roading vehicle. What they’re doing is simply awesome. I’d order up an FJ43 with the diesel option. If I had 88k to spend on a vehicle I’d throw it at one of these trucks way before a Porsche or something of similar cost.
ICON is a pretty sweet vehicle. I am partial to the early Ford Bronco’s and if I had the money I would definitely build one. My first vehicle was an '89 Bronco and that thing was a fucking beast. I wish i never would have sold it.
It would be nice if the EPA was completely done away with and let the car companys compete on their and come up with technology based on consumer needs and not a bunch of lies. This whole GREEN fever with our gov’t is a big fucking joke and a fraud.
I’ll put another vote in for the Xterra. When I bought my last car they were on the short list, but in the end I ended up buying another WRX hatchback. My daily commute is over 50 miles and the mileage would have killed me. That was about the only thing holding me back. I’d take one over an FJ any day unless it was one of the aforementioned Icon trucks. I’ve always been partial to the older Toyota and Land Rover Defender models.
do you find Costco gives you better purchasing power than buying yourself? (I’m in the market for a new Jeep… 
)
I don’t know that it gets us better purchasing power. You still have to find your own financing. I would say it probably gives you slightly better pricing, the local Toyota guy said $300 over invoice.
I talked to my mechanic today (the guy I’ve gone to for years) and his recommendations were Toyota, Honda or Jeep. He’s said he’s seen rusting issues with the Xterra and some mechanical problems.
He likes the FJCruiser and 4Runner in terms of SUVs, Tacoma is a good truck though he thinks they are overpriced for what they are. Honda he likes them all but says the Pilots ride reaaaalllly nice. Jeep he says the Wrangler is the only one worth considering…so an American car did make it onto my list.
Short List:
- Jeep Wrangler - full offroad capability in a reasonably comfortable on-road vehicle, nice amenities, better pricing and more incentives put this high on the list and it does look pretty cool. I’m a bit worried about quality here
- FJCruiser - Great quality and offroad capability but the on-road performance makes me balk a bit. Little to no incentives and spartan amenities make it cool, but I’m a bit worried about comfort and practicality on long road trips
- Honda Pilot - Great reputation for quality, on-road capability, luxurious amenities and very nice ride but weak off-road performance kind of eliminates the logic behind getting an SUV
I am not sure what utility you need or weather you will be dealing with, but I would test drive the 4runner or rav4 too. Many a road trip I have gone on driving a Pilot. it is a very nice ride, but does not handle as tight as the 4Runner and as you mentioned, horrible off road (which might not matter to you), i live in the mountains up a long steep private road, and I have also had the pleasure of digging that thing out, its AWD so no nice 4 low, you can put it in what they call 4 low, but it takes about 1 ft of movement to engage, which sucks in 3 ft of snow. I loved the rear window that went down in the 4runner, great for lumber.
There are a lot of factors:
do you live in urban, rural, suburban? offroad/snow? family? other hobbies?
Live in suburban neighborhood, up a steep hill and winters around here can be gross. I’m outdoorsy, hunt/camp/shoot, wife not so much.
We test drove the RAV4 and it was ok but more my wife’s speed then mine. This is my car, wife gets hers next year.
Test drove the Wrangler and I was very impressed, best all around ride so far, true 4x4, very comfortable and nicely equipped.
I can tell you when I went in to get mine I used costco but wanted to see what they could do first ? so haggled and got it down they said no way could they do any more etc…
then said OK how about this and did the costco thing and it came down another 1 or 2 k forgot but a good chunk !
cant blame em for trying
a buddy of mine in the car industry told me that costco checks up on every sale and if the dealer tries to get more than the guaranteed amount over the actual invoice the dealership looses the costco deal ! so dealers dont mess about !
interesting to hear that ?
I usually never buy new cars though ? but these in 2007 were in short supply and hard to come buy and were not used yet heheheh
will be curious what you think of the FJ when you test drive it
I can say when I think there are better road cars I would not trade mine in for anything
I had a MB S class just before my FJ and can say the MB S class is most likely the finest touring type road long distance car you could ever get for under 100K and have done the same 1500 mile trip in that and my FJ and while the seats are not comfy compared to the MB they are not uncomfortable to me but can say driving it still makes me feel great every time I get in it I just love the thing park it still look back and smile inside
I think if one ever had a FJ40 or similar model they know the love of FJ fever
also the interior room for me is good in the FJ things like the rav4 are to tiny feeling
I still do think their are better options for on road with a touch more civility to them but again I like the more basic feel no fancy set it to 76 degrees type air conditioner ? just turn the dial to about this position like most cars used to have but who cares mine cranks out in the phoenix summers just fine and I stay cool
only thing I would like a bit more storage and refinements of the 4 runner at time but would not give up the FJ for them
these to me are the creature comforts I dont miss to much
when I moved here I left on Maui a Porsche a BMW convert 3 series and a suzuki GV japan model not spec for US ? but good small 4x4 true transfer case and frame low etc… it replaced our toyota tacoma that was stolen
I am a car guy had some nice rides and even with cool cars most of them make it a few years and I get bored move on etc… again I dont see getting rid of the FJ cause I do love it so much and trying to think ? I dont think their are to many other cars I have owned for over 4 years ?
Were money no object, I would honestly have a hard time turning down an old Land Rover D90 Defender. Since it is, I went with an old (TJ) Jeep Wranger instead, at 1/3 the price. The Wranger is inefficient, loud, and drives like you’re sitting on top of a washing machine … and I pretty much love everything about it. When the east coast was in the process of getting pounded with several feet of snow last winter, we threw it in 4WD and drove to the movies.
The FJ is an attractive and purpose-built vehicle, no doubt, though I suspect I would just head back to the Jeep dealer myself. It’s hard to argue with what works.
AC
I test drove the FJ a few days ago. I liked it but it definitely felt like driving a serious off road vehicle. Which is fine but it lacked the on-road refinement and prompted me to write the OP. Visibility was constrained but would just take getting used to, though I’m not sure the wife could make the adjustment safely since she’s never driven a big truck before.
All in all I’m very impressed with everything about the Jeep which has made me reconsider my bias against American cars, I’m still not as sure about long term quality though.
Our Jeep is a total POS and I can’t wait til we get rid of it. 05 Liberty limited 4WD. Also based on about 4 dealers its obvious they have zero interest in after the sale support even under warranty and TSB’s.
As far as the lack of rear view my 350Z can’t get any worse. Every time I back up until Im about half way through the maneuver I have no idea if someone is coming down the lane or what.
The Libertys are kind of in a realm of their own as far as most Jeep people are concerned. I think they’ve been pretty well excommunicated from the family. I wouldn’t look at their performance as indicative of the rest of the Jeep family, particularly the Wranglers.
If you do end up looking seriously at a Wrangler, subscribe to the magazine Tread Lightly. If you don’t have another way of getting one, the subscription will get you a Chrysler Affiliates code for Affiliates pricing (-1% off factory invoice). I’ve heard you can usually negotiate another 1% lower than that price if you’re good at that kind of thing.
Myself, I’ve been happy with my 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It was quite an ordeal to purchase it, but its without a doubt my favorite vehicle. Its nice to have a vehicle that really feels like it fits me.
I understand its not a “real” Jeep, and we only have it because it was gifted to us by my parents. I actually like the thing except for the chronic problems and gas mileage. I like the interior layout and all that but there is ‘always’ something wrong with it or this or that part thats broke.