H3 or FJ? - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

skisurf2 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-11-2006, 04:57 PM

Would you buy a Fj or H3?

What do you think is a better buy for the money?

What do you think of the 5 cyclinder inline 5 vs Toyota's V-6?

42GAMI · #2 (**permalink**) 05-11-2006, 05:05 PM

T-u-n-d-r-a !!!

skisurf2 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-11-2006, 05:41 PM

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...TO03/604050383

good article

Diego · #4 (**permalink**) 05-12-2006, 01:43 AM

I would no doubt buy the FJ instead of the H3. Yes the H3 may have a few advantages over the FJ like a slightly better approach and departure angle and lower crawl ratio BUT the H3 is still pretty much a GM product and GM doesn't hold a candle to Toyota's reliability and resale value. The H3 is built on the GM Colorado/Canyon platform and drivetrain of which BOTH along with the Nissan Titan were rated by Consumer Reports as LEAST reliable pickup trucks last year. IMO the Toyota 4 L V6 is a better engine than the GM 5 cylinder. Stock tires are pretty much the same size on both with the option of 33" for the H3 but I'm sure you could also fit 33"s to the FJ as well if you wanted to. They are BOTH very capable off road, not sure which one would be better BUT the FJ does have traction control as well and is said to be able to complete the Rubicon Trail in stock form so that does say something. The H3 IS a cool looking machine BUT I would still choose an FJ.

KEBWEBS · #5 (**permalink**) 05-20-2006, 09:10 AM

I was faced with the same choice. I went with the FJ for the same basic reason. An H3 might have a slight benefit for heavy trail riding and rock bashing but the advantage is gone when the vehicle fails to run! Putting my faith in a GM made 5 cyl engine was a leap I was unwilling to take!
By the way.. I absolutely love my FJ and would suggest it as a great choice all day long!

roclimbr · #6 (**permalink**) 05-21-2006, 05:28 PM

Haven't seen anyone trying to pass off that crappy five cylinder as a real engine. Must be only smart people are replying to your question. Take their advice and go with the FJ.

Michael2000 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-22-2006, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skisurf2

Would you buy a Fj or H3?

What do you think is a better buy for the money?

What do you think of the 5 cyclinder inline 5 vs Toyota's V-6?

You can't get the answer here. You're on the FJ forum! Besides, you have to check them out for yourself.

I will tell you this, though. The FJ rides much better onroad than the H3. The frame on the FJ is much stiffer. Toyota did a wonderful job on this. It feels like a unibody, even though it is a body on frame. The H3 is based on the Colorado pickup chassis, and the frame is flimsy. No, you won't permanently twist it, but it jiggles going down even a smooth road.

In a pure offroad environment, the H3 starts shining. Contrary to what the Detroit News says, the H3 has a much tighter turning diameter, 37 feet, vs. 41.8 for the FJ. It also has a 4.03:1 low range vs. the FJ's 2.566:1. That along with the 33" optional tires, it is better for extreme rock crawling. Overall, though, the FJ will do just about everything the H3 will. It all depends on how hardcore you are.

The H3 five cylinder engine has more vibration than the FJ V6, especially between 1500 and 2000 rpm. The FJ also has more power, although that changes in 2007, when the H3 gets bumped to 242 horsepower, surpassing the FJ's 239. The H3 has 400 pounds more to haul around, so acceleration will still fall behind for the H3. Mileage is about the same for both, but the H3 uses regular, rather than premium for the FJ. The FJ also has a 6 speed manual, vs. the H3's 5 speed.

Both have poor visibility, due to the narrow windows. Both have wind noise at highway speeds with the flat, vertical windshields. Both are quite good for road noise.

The interiors are as different as night and day. The FJ is best described as rugged utilitarian, which is quite functional, while the H3 is more car like and plusher. You can even get leather in the H3. The radio is a lot better in the H3, too.

As far as value, the H3 is probably a better buy, because you can get those at invoice, while you'll have to pay MSRP for the FJ for a while. I would expect the H3 to depreciate more, so if you keep it five years or more, you may come out better with the FJ.

Don't forget to include the new 2007 Jeep Rubicon in your shopping. It promises to be an awesome offroad machine. It will be available in two and four doors. No pricing is available yet, but it will probably be close to a loaded FJ 4WD.

Good luck!

Michael

skisurf2 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-22-2006, 09:07 PM

"As far as value, the H3 is probably a better buy, because you can get those at invoice, while you'll have to pay MSRP for the FJ for a while"

Agree with most except for this. Arlington Toyota of Jacksonville sells for MSRP or less.

"Don't forget to include the new 2007 Jeep Rubicon in your shopping. It promises to be an awesome offroad machine."

No doubt the jeep rubicon is a great off road vehicle for the hard core, however it will no doubt cost more than the FJ.

Hey each there own.

Tundraspv · #9 (**permalink**) 05-23-2006, 10:47 AM

FJ Cruiser all the way! There isn't a GM product made that I would buy!! And that sorry I-5 engine......ACK.

fjcruiser2006 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-23-2006, 02:10 PM

Try both. Ask yourself what your needs are. IMO they are 2 entirely different vehicles both in design and in consumers targeted. I find the FJ design smart and fresh. The H3 is mearly a image version of H2. I personally like H1.

If you are asking this question on a FJ forum, I surmise you have already made your choice. Just make the leap - the waters great!

gslone · #11 (**permalink**) 05-30-2006, 06:39 PM

i'll agree the rubicon is pretty bad ***!! or you could go with the H3 if you wanna be an unoriginal bastard.

el_madmaster · #12 (**permalink**) 06-04-2006, 10:41 PM

True the tubicon is pretty sick off road, but overall, it is pretty overpriced for what you get. Comparatively weak engine to the Fj and Xterra, yesteryear interior, lackluster this and that... truly is the the hardcore. I'd definately get a used one though.

paulhw69 · #13 (**permalink**) 06-29-2006, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trux

FJ Cruiser all the way! There isn't a GM product made that I would buy!! And that sorry I-5 engine......ACK.

Ditto! That I-5 is the biggest piece of crap. Stomp the pedal of the H3 or Canyon then stomp the pedal in a FJ or a Tacoma... Trust me this will answer all the questions you have!

livinloud23x3 · #14 (**permalink**) 07-04-2006, 09:49 PM

Never really kept up with GM too much except when I was looking at a Z71 Tahoe...I've driven an H2, meh just a big Tahoe. The H3...Blazer replacement? Lol even though it has the Hummer name, it's not a true Hummer. I would say it also depends on if you plan to keep the vehicle or just trade it. Resale value is much better on a Toyota. Plus, Toyota's reliability has been much better than GM's. What's that...GM sells are like $10,000 under MSRP and still fighting not to go under..? Enough said, FJ all the way

.

Tundrav8yamaha · #15 (**permalink**) 07-04-2006, 10:17 PM

If i had to decide between the Fj cruiser and the Hummer H3 I would gladly choose nither allready own one gas Hog(Tundra) plus Both they both plain look fugly and too boxey for my taste bud's but to each there own. I am surprised on a few thing's the FJ and H3 are gas hog's the FJ Cruiser V6 Mpg is like what Im getting on my Iforce V8 Tundra sadly I would have figured Toyota would have done a better job on MPG on the Fj but that doesnt seem to be the case I'm disappointed on the FJ if you want my honest opinion on the topic. The Fj seemed to fill a nitch for Toyota yet Not offer any real appeal..