Will you be taking a lot of stuff with you? The FJ is big on the outside, but has very little usable space on the inside compared to the cavernous Element.

 

I was in the same boat.
6 cylinder engine vs 4
off road ready vs off road not so much
big outside/little inside vs big on outside AND inside
big price tag vs not so big price tag

Now, true, the FJ did ride a bit nicer and quieter than the E, but I was sold by the toaster. Plus the money I saved by going with the E over the FJ came in handy.

How much actual off roading are you looking at doing? If it's substantial, you may want to look at something with beefier tires and a real functional 4WD system. That being said, NOT the E.

Occasional light (let me emphasize LIGHT) off roading, go with the E.

 

I second what Maximo said, lot better off road capabilities, but
a lot less room to bring your stuff. And judging by a coworkers FJ's
broken windshields, one of the same problem as the E.

 

I like both of them actually. But what DID NOT sell me on the FJ cruiser was the shape, the oblong windows and the (from the looks of it) the blind in the rear looks HUGE, and the wheel on the back of the hinge (not hatch) door. Call me fickle, but I never liked spare wheels on the backs of cars. I prefer the hatch/tailgate combo than the swing open door. SOLD-ELEMENT.

 

What are you trading in? To get $3500 toward the FJ with the CFC program you would need something that only averages 15 mpgs and to get $4500 it would be 12 mpgs because the FJ only averages 17 combined. ( you need to better what you trade by at least 2 mpgs for the lower amount and 5 mpg's for the higher on a class 1 truck) + the E runs on regular and the FJ takes premium so you are talking .20 cents per gallon for the life of the rig as well.

If you are an avid off roader the the FJ wins but for all others I think the E is the best choice...you understand that's just my 2 cents!

 

Back when I followed FJ discussions, the consensus was that the FJ ran ok on regular, but if you wanted the full rated horse power you needed to use premium.

 

Yup, my 06 v6 tacoma ran noticeably different with regular fuel. Once you get used to how it runs on premium, it's hard to put regular back in it. And I NEVER got more that 20 mpg, that was on a 800 mile drive to Tahoe. 16-17 was the norm.

 

I considered the FJ since it really did not seem to be more expensive than the E. I then did a build on the Toyota website and once you add pretty basic features I was at 30k+. After that I was like no way....too expensive!!

John

 

The Elements off road capabilities are underrated.

 

giggles.





ive been stranded in a car wash before. twas epic indeed

 

MY buddy just replaced his Vette that he wrecked with an FJ. He loves it! But he says the mileage sucks, plus hitest gas, and the rear seat legroom is nil. Also, I saw how poor the rear view is...lots of blindspots


......but ......it looks COOL

 

Generally if you choose options that maximize off-road ability, you add to the cost, and hurt the gas mileage.

 

I think it also depends on what kinds of recreation you do and will this be your primary car.
I do a LOT of out door recreation and even after having an '85 Toyota pickup which had serious off road capability I realized that I could get anywhere I needed to go with an AWD vehicle instead of 4x4, and if I couldn't I would walk.

Advantages of the FJ Cruiser would be it's towing capability, (the E only can legally tow 1500 lbs), it can carry 5 people (the E can only carry 4), it's true off road capability (the E can handle very nasty roads though) and more creature comforts can be found on the FJ (but the E is very comfortable and has all of the comforts you'd want or need.

All that said, I really like the idea of the FJ Cruiser, especially since I come from a Landcruiser family. But with the usability, practicality, comfort and fun of the E I have never once regretted getting it.
Just remember, the newness and style will wear off of any car but you will be constantly reminded of the car's comfort, quality, ability and utility.

 

Some friends have an FJ and they love it. I rode in it once, thought the front seat was kiinda cramped and uncomfortable. The E is roomy and seats are comfy, with adult sized legroom in the back. I agree-I think the E's 4WD capability is underrated-it just needs more ground clearance. I think you need to decide if the off road capability is more what you're after or the room. For me, it was the room. I've been the off road/4WD low range route before. Don't need it any more. I just want to go on back roads, and the E can do that!

 

I too looked at the FJ before I bought my E. I had a 01 Tacoma Dbl cab. I knew I already liked the Elements, but I wanted to check out the FJ before I made any hasty decisions. The main things that killed the FJ for me were-1.pretty much the same 15-17mpg that I was getting in my Tacoma (this was primary reason I was able to get the wife to go for getting new-) 2- the price Toyota was planning on when they were planning on bringing the FJ out was in the low $20k range. I couldn't find any new less than $30k.
AS for quality I won't say ANY negative on any of the Toyota's that we've had. They have ALL been Excellent for the duration of ownership. I can only hope since this is our first Honda that its the same.
Like others have said the main thing to consider is how much SERIOUS off roading are you looking at???? Either way you go I wish you the best!!

 

I'm not worried about anything since I don't try to climb Mt. Everest in my car. I was just stating the fact that the E isn't designed to go off roading as much as the FJ.

 

well, i'm glad we got that cleared up, before anyone actually tries to drive their E up Mt. Everest.

<grin>

 

2 cents worth

A plastic tank is better than steel---it will give a little bit and won't rust inside.

If you're looking for something to go 4-wheeling, buy a $500 truck and go to beating the crap out of it.

The Element AWD works flawlessly in normal on-road driving.

Check into that cash-for-clunker program a little more---unless your trading in a beat-up, 300k, 73 Ford LTD with a 460 V8 on a 40+ MPG VW deisel, it's not all what it's cracked up to be. Most folks driving an old big block Ford aren't interested in a car payment with higher insurance costs.

 

I've taken my E off road before but nothing like over a bunch of boulders like in the previous picture. I did take it places with ease as to when I had a Ford Ranger I would get stuck.

 

Don't most vehicles have plastic gas tanks now?

 

If you're looking for something to go 4-wheeling, buy a $500 truck and go to beating the crap out of it.

Yeah, I had fun in my old original VW beetles.....man, they could take a beating.

 

Yeah, I had fun in my old original VW beetles.....man, they could take a beating.

I had a friend that had a '72 Super Beetle which would go up jeep trails with no problem. Though I did roll some pretty big rocks on the bottom. Fortunately I changed her oil so she never saw the dents on the bottom.

 

If you want do some serious backroads driving, not just playing in the local mud hole, I'd suggest browsing Expedition Portal. Posters have a variety of vehicles, though the Tacoma seems most common. Occasionally there a discussion of Element like vehicles. I don't feel out of place there.

Here's a thread about FJs
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28941

 

I had an 05 Element. Fantastic vehicle, but I wanted something new. Looking for other vehicles led me to the FJ at the local car show. I am tall, and it seemed to look cramped from the outside, but that might be an illusion. So I get in. Smashed my knee on the dash. There is a round piece of trim that got me. And it hurt, a lot. So as I settled in I notice my head is hitting the roof. As I look around I got poked in the back of my head by some hunk of metal bracket to my left at the roof. Who cares about amenities or mileage if they make the interior so horrible. They lost a possible sale.
Reminded me of the time about 25 years ago when I sat in a Civic. The salesman asked how I liked it. While completely seated, and also sticking my head out the sunroof, I asked if it came with goggles. Too small for me. lol

After comparing a lot of vehicles, I bought an 09 Element EX-Nav and couldn't be happier.

 

Reminded me of the time about 25 years ago when I sat in a Civic. The salesman asked how I liked it. While completely seated, and also sticking my head out the sunroof, I asked if it came with goggles. Too small for me. lol

Thanks for the laugh---we cracked up picturing you wearing goggles with your head poking out the sunroof. :lol:

Can you actually drive with the air conditioning on with all this gear in the vehicle. Let me know, Thanks again Gabe

You brought back old memories. My sister bought a new 71 Pinto, 1600cc engine and a/c----you really did have to turn off the a/c to keep from slowing to a crawl on a steep hill. :lol:

The Element has good low end torque----you'll be fine and happy

 

two different animals

I have looked at the FJ as well and think they look pretty sweet. I just don't think they are that comparable. They both are good vehicles with a similar style but the cost, mpg, capacity and capabilities are pretty different.

 

Thanks for all the comments. I am definitely leaning toward getting the element, my only concern is when the Honda element is loaded down with all the camping gear and a couple of mountain bikes can the 4 cylinder handle going over mountain passes. Can you actually drive with the air conditioning on with all this gear in the vehicle. I do a lot driving during the summer visiting mountain parks through out Washington Oregon, Idaho and even into Utah. Let me know, Thanks again

Gabe

 

If you get an E with a manual transmission you'll have absolutely no problems. The manual is geared very low. I've had more than the max weight in mine and had no problems accelerating up hills or doing any highway speeds. Get the MT; you won't be disappointed!!!

 

Don't worry about the engine power in the mountains. You'll be able to keep up with the trucks and RVs. I can't think of a Washington pass where I've felt a lack of power - US2, WA20, I90, US12, WA 410, Harts Pass, Wind River, you name it.

US395 in California climbing north out of Mono Lake - I was flooring it going about 60. That was as good as a sedan in the same lane, though not as fast a flock of motorcycles.

At the top of Chelan Butte, I had it floored in 1st for a short ways, but that was a no-traffic case.

One thing to watch out for with a full load - ground clearance under the rear subframe with be an inch less. Be careful if rocks have rolled off the embankments and onto the road. And if it is a dirt road with deep ruts - take extra care to place the tires on the high points.

As far as I know, there is no law stating that you have to drive up hill faster than on level ground - despite typical traffic on I90 on a Sunday afternoon.

 

No problem with power with an AT in the BC and Alberta mountains either. Just take it out of O/D if the transmission starts to hunt on long uphills.