Moving to TN...Tundra or FJ Cruiser?

[ballz2wallz]

Hey guys, I'm getting ready to move back to Nashville, and I have to buy a vehicle. Today I drove both a new Tundra and FJ, and let me tell you, I like them both, but I don't know what to buy!

Also, I'm now debating between used and new, which is a trap I never thought I'd fall into.

Any tips or suggestions?

[eyedoc]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

Hey guys, I'm getting ready to move back to Nashville, and I have to buy a vehicle. Today I drove both a new Tundra and FJ, and let me tell you, I like them both, but I don't know what to buy!

Also, I'm now debating between used and new, which is a trap I never thought I'd fall into.

Any tips or suggestions?

my advice if you're GOING to buy used, is to get the FJ. In a couple of years, once the "kinks" are worked out of the Tundra that will be a good used truck to buy. A used tundra right now will be a first model year used truck.... which some will argue are full of bugs, while the FJ has been out for a couple of years.

I know someone is gonna jump me on this......oh well.

Also, what are your needs going to be in Nashville????

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by eyedoc

my advice if you're GOING to buy used, is to get the FJ. In a couple of years, once the "kinks" are worked out of the Tundra that will be a good used truck to buy. A used tundra right now will be a first model year used truck.... which some will argue are full of bugs, while the FJ has been out for a couple of years.

I know someone is gonna jump me on this......oh well.

Also, what are your needs going to be in Nashville????

My needs aren't too many yet. I want something I can use to do the outdoors stuff...for the 'active male' if you will. Fishing, camping, hunting, etc. Something I can take in the moutains or two something if I need to. At the same time, I hope to get married and have a few kids (hopefully in 5 yrs...I have a girlfriend who has a child already) so I want something that can last me a while.

I will live like 3 min from work so I'm not too worried about the commute and gas prices...yet.

[mhadden]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

My needs aren't too many yet. I want something I can use to do the outdoors stuff...for the 'active male' if you will. Fishing, camping, hunting, etc. Something I can take in the moutains or two something if I need to. At the same time, I hope to get married and have a few kids (hopefully in 5 yrs...I have a girlfriend who has a child already) so I want something that can last me a while.

I will live like 3 min from work so I'm not too worried about the commute and gas prices...yet.

First off welcome to TN! Hope you enjoy your stay here!

Secondly, I heart my CrewMax. It has a sheet-ton of room and can haul whatever I need. Plans to haul a boat were nixed for another year, but it'll be able to do it well.

If I didn't buy the Tundra for long-term family considerations, I would've bought an FJ. I like the styling and its just about as capable as a Land Cruiser (but at more than half the cost). If you go the way of a FJ, make sure to get the roof rack as it'll help you expand some of your room for tents, bags, dead deer, etc. I just didn't want to buy the FJ because I nor the wife, wanted to haul kids in and out of those clamshell doors (and there is one or two other members that sold their due to those reasons). Gas mileage is okay for the Tundra, considering its size and weight, but the FJ will do tons better. I can't bitch about the prices, though. I bought a truck

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by mhadden

First off welcome to TN! Hope you enjoy your stay here!

Secondly, I heart my CrewMax. It has a sheet-ton of room and can haul whatever I need. Plans to haul a boat were nixed for another year, but it'll be able to do it well.

If I didn't buy the Tundra for long-term family considerations, I would've bought an FJ. I like the styling and its just about as capable as a Land Cruiser (but at more than half the cost). If you go the way of a FJ, make sure to get the roof rack as it'll help you expand some of your room for tents, bags, dead deer, etc. I just didn't want to buy the FJ because I nor the wife, wanted to haul kids in and out of those clamshell doors (and there is one or two other members that sold their due to those reasons). Gas mileage is okay for the Tundra, considering its size and weight, but the FJ will do tons better. I can't bitch about the prices, though. I bought a truck

It seems you share my predicament.

I'm not yet married, buying my first car, but want to be smart about it. My girlfriend and I plan on being married in the next few years, and as I mentioned she already has a kid. I've really been dealing with the pros and cons of the FJ and the Tundra. Here is what I've come up with:

Tundra pros:

1. recreational
2. work-horse
3. 0 down and 0% financing for 60 months on all '07 models
4. sweet looking
5. room for kids and gear
6. 380 hp
7. 10k lb towing capacity
8. can keep it forever, even when I get married

Tundra cons:

1. doesn't have enclosed bed, so some things are open to elements
2. $20-25 more to fill up than FJ
3. large and sometimes hard to maneuver

FJ pros:

1. recreational
2. small and maneuverable
3. $20-25 cheaper to fill up
4. slightly better gas mileage
5. enclosed body to keep everything safe and dry
6. sweet looking
7. cheaper

FJ cons:

1. 120 hp less
2. only 4k towing capacity
3. my dad says it looks more 'yuppy-ish', where the Tundra looks 'manly'
4. can't fit kids in those seats well (but I don't have kids...yet)
5. no deals on financing
6. may have to buy another car when I get married

So as you can see, I'm stuck! And I do appreciate your last post, but it just affirmed my stuck position...as you were slightly stuck too if it wasn't for a woman by your side helping you make the decision. I don't have that just yet

In bold are probably some of the more important issues...the financial ones. I'd love anybody else's input about what's better about one over the other!

[mhadden]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

It seems you share my predicament.

I'm not yet married, buying my first car, but want to be smart about it. My girlfriend and I plan on being married in the next few years, and as I mentioned she already has a kid. I've really been dealing with the pros and cons of the FJ and the Tundra. Here is what I've come up with:

Tundra pros:

1. recreational
2. work-horse
3. 0 down and 0% financing for 60 months on all '07 models
4. sweet looking
5. room for kids and gear
6. 380 hp
7. 10k lb towing capacity
8. can keep it forever, even when I get married

Tundra cons:

1. doesn't have enclosed bed, so some things are open to elements
2. $20-25 more to fill up than FJ
3. large and sometimes hard to maneuver

FJ pros:

1. recreational
2. small and maneuverable
3. $20-25 cheaper to fill up
4. slightly better gas mileage
5. enclosed body to keep everything safe and dry
6. sweet looking
7. cheaper

FJ cons:

1. 120 hp less
2. only 4k towing capacity
3. my dad says it looks more 'yuppy-ish', where the Tundra looks 'manly'
4. can't fit kids in those seats well (but I don't have kids...yet)
5. no deals on financing
6. may have to buy another car when I get married

So as you can see, I'm stuck! And I do appreciate your last post, but it just affirmed my stuck position...as you were slightly stuck too if it wasn't for a woman by your side helping you make the decision. I don't have that just yet

In bold are probably some of the more important issues...the financial ones. I'd love anybody else's input about what's better about one over the other!

At least you are looking at all angles. The FJ would probably be the best bet if they offered lower financing, and to be honest, that's a big reason why I didn't look too much at them. I figure the $3-4k I'm saving in interest can be used over the next couple years feeding my hungry Tundra Just for the record, a Tundra (either DC or CM) can be had for the price of a loaded FJ...just something to think about

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by mhadden

At least you are looking at all angles. The FJ would probably be the best bet if they offered lower financing, and to be honest, that's a big reason why I didn't look too much at them. I figure the $3-4k I'm saving in interest can be used over the next couple years feeding my hungry Tundra Just for the record, a Tundra (either DC or CM) can be had for the price of a loaded FJ...just something to think about

Well the Tundra I want is the 4x4 5.7L '07 double cab V8 with the offroad package. So far they're listing me at just over 32k. What do you think? Should I ask for a bit less, or do you think they are incapable of going less?

[mhadden]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

Well the Tundra I want is the 4x4 5.7L '07 double cab V8 with the offroad package. So far they're listing me at just over 32k. What do you think? Should I ask for a bit less, or do you think they are incapable of going less?

For reference, I bought mine OTD for 34k...I had the bucket seat option, cold kit, and some other crap that totalled 1k. 4x4 5.7.

Question is are you looking at a Limited? If it's an SR5, I'd say they are asking a little too much. Your target should be $500 or so over invoice. So ask them to see, or if you know all the options, price it out on edmunds.com.

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by mhadden

For reference, I bought mine OTD for 34k...I had the bucket seat option, cold kit, and some other crap that totalled 1k. 4x4 5.7.

Question is are you looking at a Limited? If it's an SR5, I'd say they are asking a little too much. Your target should be $500 or so over invoice. So ask them to see, or if you know all the options, price it out on edmunds.com.

It's the offroad package, which is essentially between the SR5 and Limited. It comes with all the SR5 power, but with a few additions that make it a bit sturdier. Or so the dealer says...

[mhadden]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

It's the offroad package, which is essentially between the SR5 and Limited. It comes with all the SR5 power, but with a few additions that make it a bit sturdier. Or so the dealer says...

Don't believe a word the dealer tells you One of those idiots said that the Tundra had such large brakes, that you don't need a brake controller or trailer brakes!

I'm guessing its the TRD; which is Bilstien shocks, fogs, and some other minor appearance items. But I'm sure there's more options (even small ones) than just TRD on it?

[eyedoc]

Ahhhh, you'll want something else in the 5 year time period anyway.... get the BLACK FJ and a supercharger, roofrack and call it a day... in five years, trade up for a Tundra and get a topper to keep your stuff dry. Have fun while you can......when you have a family, you'll wish you'd had a fun ride in the FJ...

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by mhadden

Don't believe a word the dealer tells you One of those idiots said that the Tundra had such large brakes, that you don't need a brake controller or trailer brakes!

I'm guessing its the TRD; which is Bilstien shocks, fogs, and some other minor appearance items. But I'm sure there's more options (even small ones) than just TRD on it?

I don't know...I think you're right about the added stuff, thought isn't the TRD about 500 hp from the supercharger? I think this is still only 380 or so...

Are you saying it's still not worth 32.5k?

What would be a good price to you? I was thinking of trying to get him down to about 29k...

[mhadden]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

I don't know...I think you're right about the added stuff, thought isn't the TRD about 500 hp from the supercharger? I think this is still only 380 or so...

Are you saying it's still not worth 32.5k?

What would be a good price to you? I was thinking of trying to get him down to about 29k...

I was referring to the TRD off road package, not the supercharger I don't think the TRD charger is out just yet...

I am assuming you are looking at a Double Cab 4x4 w/ 5.7 and the TRD package (which includes SR5 trim)? If you are looking at a CrewMax, that is a hell of a deal! If you are looking at a DC w/ TRD, with no other options, I priced it at an MSRP of 33,280. Invoice is 30,021. So, with that said, 30,500 or lower is what I think a fair price is. But I don't budge on the $500 or less over invoice thing, though. A dealership isn't a charity, but I don't want them getting any more of money that I have to give

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by eyedoc

Ahhhh, you'll want something else in the 5 year time period anyway.... get the BLACK FJ and a supercharger, roofrack and call it a day... in five years, trade up for a Tundra and get a topper to keep your stuff dry. Have fun while you can......when you have a family, you'll wish you'd had a fun ride in the FJ...

Well, I also considered that. Though, if I have a good truck to last me for a long time and is payed off, couldn't I just buy a 'fun car' if that's something I really wanted to do?

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by mhadden

I was referring to the TRD off road package, not the supercharger I don't think the TRD charger is out just yet...

I am assuming you are looking at a Double Cab 4x4 w/ 5.7 and the TRD package (which includes SR5 trim)? If you are looking at a CrewMax, that is a hell of a deal! If you are looking at a DC w/ TRD, with no other options, I priced it at an MSRP of 33,280. Invoice is 30,021. So, with that said, 30,500 or lower is what I think a fair price is. But I don't budge on the $500 or less over invoice thing, though. A dealership isn't a charity, but I don't want them getting any more of money that I have to give

Yeah I think you're exactly right (it's DC, not crewmax). Ok, 30k is what I was thinking to, but I'll start at 29k anyway

Wish me luck, and thanks for all your help!