Any Comments About the FJ Cruiser?

[url]http://www.toyota.com/fjcruiser/index.html[/url]

Has anyone on the list tested an FJ Cruiser yet? Has anyone on the list
bought one yet?

I haven't gotten a chance to look at one up close yet, but from what I
see and read it looks interesting. I understand it uses a shortened
4Runner frame. If that's true, then the only thing that's new is the
body, which should remove the "first model year" curse so many new
releases seem to suffer. Most of the bugs should already have been taken
care of.
--
Tom - Vista, CA

TOM wrote:[color=blue]
> [url]http://www.toyota.com/fjcruiser/index.html[/url]
>
> Has anyone on the list tested an FJ Cruiser yet? Has anyone on the list
> bought one yet?
>
> I haven't gotten a chance to look at one up close yet, but from what I
> see and read it looks interesting. I understand it uses a shortened
> 4Runner frame. If that's true, then the only thing that's new is the
> body, which should remove the "first model year" curse so many new
> releases seem to suffer. Most of the bugs should already have been taken
> care of.[/color]
I took one for a burn - liked it, the interior was ok and seemed nicely
set up for cleaning etc... seemed to have enough power though not as
much as my Tundra. Handled nicely... I just took it out for 10 mins...
i understood it was built on a modified Prado chassis rather than the
4runner.

I don't love the looks, I had the original FJ40 Diesel and loved it - I
would have preferred a re-release of that vehicle with some
modernization. (Loved that FJ40)!!!

smoked salmon wrote:
[color=blue]
> TOM wrote:
>[color=green]
>> [url]http://www.toyota.com/fjcruiser/index.html[/url]
>>
>> Has anyone on the list tested an FJ Cruiser yet? Has anyone on the
>> list bought one yet?
>>
>> I haven't gotten a chance to look at one up close yet, but from what I
>> see and read it looks interesting. I understand it uses a shortened
>> 4Runner frame. If that's true, then the only thing that's new is the
>> body, which should remove the "first model year" curse so many new
>> releases seem to suffer. Most of the bugs should already have been
>> taken care of.[/color]
>
> I took one for a burn - liked it, the interior was ok and seemed nicely
> set up for cleaning etc... seemed to have enough power though not as
> much as my Tundra. Handled nicely... I just took it out for 10 mins...
> i understood it was built on a modified Prado chassis rather than the
> 4runner.
>
> I don't love the looks, I had the original FJ40 Diesel and loved it - I
> would have preferred a re-release of that vehicle with some
> modernization. (Loved that FJ40)!!![/color]

Thanks for the info. After I posted the original message, I went to the
FJ site (the URL I posted) and was looking through the presentation.
They mentioned the Prado frame. Is the Prado a European-only or
everywhere but the USA vehicle? I guess I should do a Google search, eh?

Ah, a Land Cruiser!
[url]http://prado.toyota.com.au/toyota/vehicle/HomePage/0,4666,1701_582,00.html[/url]

Toyota makes a lot of really neat vehicles we never see in the USA. Like
the Brutus line in South Africa...

[url]http://www.toyota.co.za/models/viewrange.aspx?id=lc_pickup[/url]
--
Tom - Vista, CA

TOM wrote:[color=blue]
> smoked salmon wrote:
>[color=green]
>> TOM wrote:
>>[/color][/color]
<snip>[color=blue]
>
> Ah, a Land Cruiser!
> [url]http://prado.toyota.com.au/toyota/vehicle/HomePage/0,4666,1701_582,00.html[/url]
>
> Toyota makes a lot of really neat vehicles we never see in the USA. Like
> the Brutus line in South Africa...
>
> [url]http://www.toyota.co.za/models/viewrange.aspx?id=lc_pickup[/url][/color]
Yes that brutus line of land cruiser looks nice especially the diesel....
Toyota sure needs to re-introduce diesel vehicles to northamerica...

Looks too Jeep-ish.

TOM wrote:[color=blue]
> [url]http://www.toyota.com/fjcruiser/index.html[/url]
>
> Has anyone on the list tested an FJ Cruiser yet? Has anyone on the list
> bought one yet?
>
> I haven't gotten a chance to look at one up close yet, but from what I
> see and read it looks interesting. I understand it uses a shortened
> 4Runner frame. If that's true, then the only thing that's new is the
> body, which should remove the "first model year" curse so many new
> releases seem to suffer. Most of the bugs should already have been taken
> care of.[/color]

I like the looks and features but am not impressed with the gas mileage.
Who knows how high gas will go? I heard as much as $2.20 higher next year.

Might as well keep my 4-runner. It gets the same mileage and runs on
regular gas.


"KaiS." <spam@begone.com> wrote in message
news:ICfyg.1470$TV.642@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...[color=blue]
> Looks too Jeep-ish.
>
> TOM wrote:[color=green]
>> [url]http://www.toyota.com/fjcruiser/index.html[/url]
>>
>> Has anyone on the list tested an FJ Cruiser yet? Has anyone on the list
>> bought one yet?
>>
>> I haven't gotten a chance to look at one up close yet, but from what I
>> see and read it looks interesting. I understand it uses a shortened
>> 4Runner frame. If that's true, then the only thing that's new is the
>> body, which should remove the "first model year" curse so many new
>> releases seem to suffer. Most of the bugs should already have been taken
>> care of.[/color][/color]

"grinder" <seagle@earthlink.invalid> wrote in message
news:KVpyg.4095$gF6.1082@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...[color=blue]
>
>
> I like the looks and features but am not impressed with the gas mileage. Who knows
> how high gas will go? I heard as much as $2.20 higher next year.
>
>[/color]

MPG I find acceptable for the performance and size, but of course we would all love
to see it raised. I also think the price is in line with the performance, compared
to other Toyotas.

I love the looks and the off road performance capabilities. Driving/riding in the
front seat is fantastic with the forward & side visibility and spaciousness. Getting
into and riding in the back seat is for youths or adult contortionists only. The
spare tire position blocks the majority of the rear view from the inside mirror.
Definitely fun to drive.

Recommendations:

Stretch the wheelbase at least another 8-10 inches, to increase the rear seat area,
allow adults to climb through the rear seat passenger doors, and increase the rear
storage area.

Move the spare tire to the roof, with a swing-down mount assembly. This would allow
the rear doors to be redesigned to be more "trailer-friendly". As it stands now, you
would have to completely disconnect most trailers in order to open the rear door on
the FJ.

Increase the colors available.

Optional larger engine for those of us who want to have fun, and need to tow heavy
loads. A larger engine would make this a great alternative to not only other
less-capable SUV's, but also make it an alternative for many people to get away from
having to own pickup trucks.

jim menning wrote:[color=blue]
>
> Stretch the wheelbase at least another 8-10 inches,[/color]

This would drastically change the off-road performance. Think
"Breakover angle".

4Runners, Highlanders, and Rav4s have better back seats if that's what
you need.

jim menning wrote:
[color=blue]
> "grinder" <seagle@earthlink.invalid> wrote in message
> news:KVpyg.4095$gF6.1082@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>[color=green]
>>
>>I like the looks and features but am not impressed with the gas mileage. Who knows
>>how high gas will go? I heard as much as $2.20 higher next year.
>>
>>[/color]
>
>
> MPG I find acceptable for the performance and size, but of course we would all love
> to see it raised. I also think the price is in line with the performance, compared
> to other Toyotas.
>
> I love the looks and the off road performance capabilities. Driving/riding in the
> front seat is fantastic with the forward & side visibility and spaciousness. Getting
> into and riding in the back seat is for youths or adult contortionists only. The
> spare tire position blocks the majority of the rear view from the inside mirror.
> Definitely fun to drive.
>
> Recommendations:
>
> Stretch the wheelbase at least another 8-10 inches, to increase the rear seat area,
> allow adults to climb through the rear seat passenger doors, and increase the rear
> storage area.
>
> Move the spare tire to the roof, with a swing-down mount assembly. This would allow
> the rear doors to be redesigned to be more "trailer-friendly". As it stands now, you
> would have to completely disconnect most trailers in order to open the rear door on
> the FJ.
>
> Increase the colors available.
>
> Optional larger engine for those of us who want to have fun, and need to tow heavy
> loads. A larger engine would make this a great alternative to not only other
> less-capable SUV's, but also make it an alternative for many people to get away from
> having to own pickup trucks.[/color]

Or just buy a Land Cruiser...

It is what it is. If they make it wider, longer, taller, (heavier) etc.,
then it wouldn't be an FJ anymore... :>))
--
Tom - Vista, CA

On Fri, 28 Jul 2006 16:27:25 +0000, B A R R Y wrote:
[color=blue]
> jim menning wrote:[color=green]
>>
>> Stretch the wheelbase at least another 8-10 inches,[/color]
>
> This would drastically change the off-road performance. Think
> "Breakover angle".
>
> 4Runners, Highlanders, and Rav4s have better back seats if that's what
> you need.[/color]
My kids like Rav4, due to the 2nd row can be tilted.