Still have my TSX, but I'm really liking the new Toyota FJ Cruiser. The wife has a Honda Element, and its a lot like that I'd say.

So I started a new car forum site for the FJ. http://www.toyota-fj.com

C'mon by and visit...

 

My wife loves the Cruiser, and I have an afiinity for it as well. Other than the somewhat odd looks (and rubber interior) I would never compare it to the Element though. The FJ is a real 4X4 (save the front indy which has purists up in arms) with massive off road potential with a strong engine and nice towing ability.

 

All of these boxy things are ugly! And they keep spreading!

It's a disease!

This public service announcement has been brought to you by: M TYPE X

 

I like the original or remakes way more than Toyotas idea of a 2nd gen. Think about buying a 2007 wrangler a lot as something to go to the beach with. The FJ, while I wanted/hoped it would be a lot cause it was a Toyota, doesn't even cross my mind now after seeing what they came up with. Its almost silly that jeep out did toyota in this segment, but they were outdone in everything imo.

 

...and the FJ came in third place in the April 2006 C/D Comparo test. (Nissan Xterra came in 1st.)

 

I LOVE the new FJ. I think it will be my next SUV 6spd 4x4 in the top model trim

 

Love it for what? A six speed in a truck is a whole lot less fun to drive than what someone from a 6-speed car thinks. The ratios shouldn't be for acceleration, but rather pulling power ...

 

I'm still scratching my head because I actually like the FJ and I'm no fan of SUV's.

 

I love the design, I love the utility basis for the vehicle, I like the interior, and I like the manual tranny (my pathfinder is a stick.)

I think it will be a fun SUV with good power, and hauling capability.

 

A good friend of mine fell in love with the FJ the moment he saw the concept photos....and he's really not an SUV fan neither. I dont like it but I bet it'll sell well. Then again, ALL Toyotas (from Scion xA to Lexus GS430) seem to sell pretty well.

 

The three wiper system on the FJ is neat!

 

I'd have to say you can't see beyond your own nose.

Everything you are pissing and moaning about is subjective. I don't tow anything, I haul around camera gear. As long as it fit my gear comfortably and not impair my ability to drive, then I am happy. And I fail to see how the overall utility sucks.

I loved it since the concept, and I spent a lot of time sitting in it, and looking over it at the LA Auto Show. And it just solidified my like for it even more.

Last thing I want to do is test drive for a final opinion.

You got your opinions, wonderful. I could care less.

 

We are beginning to agree to much... this isn't any fun.

I find the design a decent modern interpretation of the 40. Outside the design I am not sure what is not to like. It is a nice drive (yes I have driven one) and reminds me of everything I think an SUV should be and very little it shouldn't. It is by far the most exciting SUV in its price range. I often think it is a good thing most people on car forums don't design cars, we would see only one style and it would be stagnate. I also think car forunites often get jaded and see style through the rose tinted glasses of 50+K cars. If it doesn't fit that mold despite the fact it costs half as much then the design is poor.

 

Oh yeah...price on this thing is right!!!

 

I don't think we ever disagreed...just had a spat...its AZ, it happens.

 

the new FJ is pimp, but it may be because I had a friend w/ an old FJ that I absolutely loved

 

never thought toyota would do a classic car like this, but people will buy it

 

Agreed but dang it I prefer to argue with people that are resonably intelligent, thus I have at the very least a latent desire to disagree with you!

 

I'm sure there will be debates to be had in the future.

 

Dealers have been begging for a model with "buzz" for a while, they saw it in the FJ and helped it get greenlighted pronto. When I was making my usual rounds and hit the Toyo dealership back when it was first announced my Toyo dealer had a cherry FJ40 sitting in the showroom to start the Cruiser hype.

 

Yeah, if I had to, I'd probably go XTerra.

 

xterra is a piece of crap


no data to back that up, i just look at it and think 'hey that's a big piece of shit'

 

Wow, that's a lot more interest in the FJ than I thought I'd find here in just a few hours.

As for coming in #3 in C&D, one of the other major magazines rated it #1. It's a typical preference thing.

I love driving the wife's Element, we drove it cross country. The FJ does seem to be a much more capable version, bigger engine, better 4wd, larger interior.

Although I have been completely happy with the Element's 4wd on the road, it has handled incredibly in the snow. Never took it off road, which will be the big difference.

But you've seen a Cherry FJ? Kickass... don't suppose you'd be able to get me a picture of it would you? I'd love to see one up close but I'm sure its a while before one shows up in my area...

 

Wait: cherry CONDITION FJ40... gotcha...
Not one of the new Black Cherry FJ Cruisers. That's what I'm looking for a pic of...

 

I love the element...and it was wonderfully designed, and the pure utility purpose of it is amazing, BUT I was less the impressed with the lack of engine ( I test drove the 5spd stick.) And that just didn't feel safe to me, or worthwhile once the car becomes loaded with gear.

And while new ones with everything painted on them look decent...it takes away from the utility/ruggedness of the idea behind the element.

You can build the FJs on toyotas website, and I did this a few months ago. I think I loaded the hell out of it and was drooling.

If I can even get one it wont be for a few years.

 

try ih8mud.com lots of Cruiser fans there and I am sure plenty of 40 pics in all states of repair and all levels of clean

 

Gotta love the NXT panel speakers!

It obviously is a polarizing design, more so than I expected when I first saw it. For the price with smilar utility it is the X, FJ and Liberty. For me one is too cute, one too generic and one just looks cool. Plus I am a big fan of the 4.0 drivetrain in it, it is highly proven and mega reliable. The chassis (Prado) is also a well proven design. Very utilitarian design inside with expected Toyota fit/finish and quality.

 

We moved from the East Coast to Colorado Springs a few years ago. We shipped the Element's back seats with the movers, me and the wife in front, behind me the dogs bed and the dog with plenty of room (he's a full size fuzz explosion) and then the cargo netting, with all our luggage and essentials behind it.
I ended up with a lot more room than I would have hoped for which was nice. Even with all that weight it handled the interstates with no issues at all. Sure, pure acceleration is a bit lacking, but since I don't have my mustang anymore that is a good thing to remember. Also keeps the fines lower!

 

nice website. have you checked out www.fjcruiserforums.com ?

 

the new fj is cute.

 

 

I like it.

 

it has that face that only an owner could love

 

....a la Honda Element.

 

It has the old school "TOYOTA" lettering in the front instead of the Toyota logo.

 

i love it. I may get one to replace my beater cherokee.

 

Now, all that is missing is Nissan putting out a different/retro kind of SUV thing like this FJ Cruiser and the Element.

 

They our out now saw one on the highway yesterday.

 

Nice, but I wouldn't buy one.

 

Ugliest SUV on the road next to the H3.