[HoosierRon]

I went to Toyota's web site and built an FJ 4x4 with "option C" (the middle one) and no accessories. It cost $28,940.

I then went to Kelly Blue Book's web site to find the "trade in" value of a 1 year old FJ 4x4 similarly equipped to what I built, with 15,000 miles in "good" condition. The trade in value is $16,650. See for yourself.

So in 1 year, the FJ dropped $12,290. 42% in 1 year. $1,024 per month.

Then I wanted to find out what it would cost to lease an FJ. Good credit rating, 36 months, $0 down, 15,000 per year. $582 per month. Which means if people are turning in their FJs at the end of the lease, Toyota is losing a whole lot of money. (I realize that it will depreciate more in the first year than in the following two years, but I cannot calculate the resale of a 36 month old FJ because they have not been out that long.)

Part of the reason the FJ does not hold its value could be the fact that the bodies are tearing in two:

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/problems-dealer-service/33440-engine-bay-body-rips.html

 

[goblue]

Works for me. The FJ was a bigger mistake than the Tundra.

 

[Htay7500]

fail.

 

[steinravnik]

All trucks are plummetting right now. My Xterra is valued at half of what it cost new a year and a half later from being new. I imagine the situation is similar or worse for Explorers, Trailblazers, etc. Luckily, I plan to keep my vehicle until it's paid off, at which point it will still be worth something.

 

[Ronald McChevy]

Works for me. The FJ was a bigger mistake than the Tundra.

IMO the FJ is the dumbest vehicle on the road.

"Hey look at me I'm on an African Safari, but instead of taking photos of giraffes and lions in the wild I'm taking my stupid kids to soccer practice!

P.S. my frame just snapped in two!"

 

[Neanderthal]

IMO the FJ is the dumbest vehicle on the road.

"Hey look at me I'm on an African Safari, but instead of taking photos of giraffes and lions in the wild I'm taking my stupid kids to soccer practice!

P.S. my frame just snapped in two!"

:sad::laugh::laugh::rotf:

Ha, funny.

Most (98.6%) of the folks I see in the FJ are 30-something granolas apparently on their way to a kayaking or bicycling event.
They look fit, just smart enough to be fooled by "change," and glad to have a kewl, Marlin Perkins-type vehicle that sets them apart. :yup:

 

[plane]

:sad::laugh::laugh::rotf:

Ha, funny.

Most (98.6%) of the folks I see in the FJ are 30-something granolas apparently on their way to a kayaking or bicycling event.
They look fit, just smart enough to be fooled by "change," and glad to have a kewl, Marlin Perkins-type vehicle that sets them apart. :yup:

Who is this Marlin Perkins?
He sounds familiar.
Isn't he the guy sitting in the Range Rover sipping Martinis while Jim is out fighting for his life wrestling with 3 African lionesses and a boa constrictor?

 

[prowlerjc]

Mutual of maha's Wild Kingdom host. Yep, that's him.

 

[Ed753]

And if you take a $30,000 H3 you also get about $16,650 ......

So what is your conclusion?

 

[HoosierRon]

And if you take a $30,000 H3 you also get about $16,650 ......

So what is your conclusion?

My conclusion is that Toyotas depreciate as quickly as Hummers.

 

[Titanic]

My conclusion is that Toyotas depreciate as quickly as Hummers.

Oh snap

 

[osv_alero]

And if you take a $30,000 H3 you also get about $16,650 ......

So what is your conclusion?

The Hummer comes with $10k off. The toyota doesn't. Loosing $4000 in the first year isn't so bad. Loosing $15k is.

 

[RSW]

empty

 

[Ed753]

The Hummer comes with $10k off. The toyota doesn't. Loosing $4000 in the first year isn't so bad. Loosing $15k is.

This, in part, explains why the domestic lease model is so broken that it needs to be virtually eliminated.

Gas price is only a recent addition to the problem.

I know Ford/GM/Chrysler tried to “right-size” the pricing of certain models, more than once, but it never seems to stick, but why would it!? Buy a 3 year old Envoy for $20,000 or lease a NEW one for $300?

 

[member12]

When calculating resale value, you have to use "average price paid" instead of MSRP.

You can probably get an FJ for $6000 off, which means it's resale value is just "bad" instead of "disasterous".

Interesting, but I am certain that within a year or two, the Hummer H3 will have a similar problem.

 

[ptviperz]

I thought the FJ was pretty cool, reminds me of the old Toyota's you'd see in Africa or something. It seemed unique.

I'd personally go for the FX35 if I was gonna get a CUV.....that's a cool ass car.

 

[F14CRAZY]

I kinda like the looks of them actually and I'd use it for its intended purpose...the frame issues though are kinda ugly though Six speed manual though.

 

[CACressida]

I kinda like the looks of them actually and I'd use it for its intended purpose...the frame issues though are kinda ugly though Six speed manual though.

Its not a frame issue, its an inner fender issue. I never had this problem though.

The Frame is the back bone of the vehicle, and the inner-fender is that thing Chevy Silverados don't have LOL.

 

[HoosierRon]

Its not a frame issue, its an inner fender issue. I never had this problem though.

The Frame is the back bone of the vehicle, and the inner-fender is that thing Chevy Silverados don't have LOL.

It's a frame issue: the frame bends, causing the inner fender to tear.

 

[CACressida]

It's a frame issue: the frame bends, causing the inner fender to tear.

Everybody knows frames flex. This isn't an issue in the Frame. The ripping is the inner fender wich is constructed out of sheet metal. If the Frame is still there, I could care less if the doors fall off if im in the Sahara trying to make it back to civilization.