The other day I am driving home in the TJ and see a gray FJ and brought me back down the memory lane. Now I should say I have had the TJ about a year and nothing beats the summer top/doors off feel cruise but I have to say the 2 cars are on 2 different planet reliability and fit and finish wise.
I owned the FJ for about 6 years. Bought it at 98K and in the 6 years and 20-30k miles of ownership, the only real repair I had to make was brakes on one corner only (don't know why there was uneven wear). The truck was solid and always reliable. Never hesitated and never got me stuck. No squeaks or rattles or rust holes (although the frame was rotted in the rear). Interior was very modern and plush in comparison to a TJ for a 2008 model year.
Now the TJ is less than a year old to me. It is an 05 Rubicon and so far I have had to change the battery and starter and the ignition actuator pin took a dump and got me stranded. Ended up bypassing the sucker and converting to a push start. I have random rattles and squeaks. The rear tail gate glass does not stay shut. My ebrake is toast and needs to be replaced and many other smaller issues that I did not anticipate from a low milage car.
Don't get me wrong, love the TJ and I still need to spend more quality time together to develop a bond but I do not look at it as a reliable or comfortable car.
Here is a pic of old FJ which is sorely missed
I owned the FJ for about 6 years. Bought it at 98K and in the 6 years and 20-30k miles of ownership, the only real repair I had to make was brakes on one corner only (don't know why there was uneven wear). The truck was solid and always reliable. Never hesitated and never got me stuck. No squeaks or rattles or rust holes (although the frame was rotted in the rear). Interior was very modern and plush in comparison to a TJ for a 2008 model year.
Now the TJ is less than a year old to me. It is an 05 Rubicon and so far I have had to change the battery and starter and the ignition actuator pin took a dump and got me stranded. Ended up bypassing the sucker and converting to a push start. I have random rattles and squeaks. The rear tail gate glass does not stay shut. My ebrake is toast and needs to be replaced and many other smaller issues that I did not anticipate from a low milage car.
Don't get me wrong, love the TJ and I still need to spend more quality time together to develop a bond but I do not look at it as a reliable or comfortable car.
Here is a pic of old FJ which is sorely missed