Got the FJ keys for a week

[Jordansrealm]

had to remove all images per toyota until the embargo is lifted. sorry for the confusion i will repost asap.

thanks

[mmarlatt]

Did you put any passengers in the back seat? How was it?

I am envious!

[confederate2]

Originally Posted by Jordansrealm

Recently, Toyota contacted me and asked me if I would like to review the new FJ Cruiser for my magazines. Ofcourse, being an offroad enthusiast I accepted and they turned over the keys to me for a week. They delivered the FJ at my office and I am just turning it back in today. It was a pleasure to drive both on and offroad. If you guys have any questions go ahead and ask and I will get to them asap. I was most impressed with the handling both on and offroad, a very responsive 4wd system and the audio system is really impressive with 9 speakers which included 3 subs. What I was unhappy with was the horrible blind spots because of the cab design. It was very difficult to see when changing lanes or navigating through some tight corners in the wilderness.

Here are just some quick snaps I took the other day.

Yes i am hoping you could answer a couple of quick questions for me. I nearly traded my Tunda for a Tacoma a year ago when the new Tacomas came out. However I found the 4.0 downshifting too much on incline when my 4.7 never did and the TRD Off Road package way too rough. I was used to the glass like ride of my Tundra even with a TRD package and an AAL. I have been waiting for the FJ to come out for the last year thinking this was the vehicle for me to trade my Tundra for. I have always liked it.

I have 4 questions:

1. How is the ride as comparible to other Toyotas you have driven such as the Tacoma and Tundra, etc.
2. Does the 4.0 feel as if it is enough power for the vehicle.
3. Do you feel as if you sit up high enough in this vehicle. I forgot to add that another reason I eliminated the Tacoma was that its seat height was so low. I am of average heigth at 5'10 1/2 inches and I couldn't even see over the steering wheel. It was a horribly low seating position. How tall are you and what is your opinion here.
4. Do you have any new information on pricing.

Sorry for all of the questions but you said ask. I have really been excited about this vehicle since it came out as a concept vehicle and i know they will be hitting the dealers very soon.

Thanks again.
Sammy

[Jordansrealm]

Originally Posted by mmarlatt

Did you put any passengers in the back seat? How was it?

I am envious!

Not too bad actually. Im 6' tall and my roomate is 6'3". We were in the front and had 3 guys in the back from 5'9" to 6' tall. Ofcourse, as with most vehicles today we had to scoot the front seats up some but nothing uncomfortable. The rear doors "falling" out the way they do is really handy because it completely moves the door out of your way. Just want the door latch when you get in so you dont hit your head.

[Jordansrealm]

Originally Posted by confederate2

Yes i am hoping you could answer a couple of quick questions for me. I nearly traded my Tunda for a Tacoma a year ago when the new Tacomas came out. However I found the 4.0 downshifting too much on incline when my 4.7 never did and the TRD Off Road package way too rough. I was used to the glass like ride of my Tundra even with a TRD package and an AAL. I have been waiting for the FJ to come out for the last year thinking this was the vehicle for me to trade my Tundra for. I have always liked it.

I have 4 questions:

1. How is the ride as comparible to other Toyotas you have driven such as the Tacoma and Tundra, etc.
2. Does the 4.0 feel as if it is enough power for the vehicle.
3. Do you feel as if you sit up high enough in this vehicle. I forgot to add that another reason I eliminated the Tacoma was that its seat height was so low. I am of average heigth at 5'10 1/2 inches and I couldn't even see over the steering wheel. It was a horribly low seating position. How tall are you and what is your opinion here.
4. Do you have any new information on pricing.

Sorry for all of the questions but you said ask. I have really been excited about this vehicle since it came out as a concept vehicle and i know they will be hitting the dealers very soon.

Thanks again.
Sammy

1. How is the ride: Excellent. Very smooth both on and off-road. I found the handling very impressive when cornering at speeds upwards of 30mph. Going over mild rocky and sandy trails was no sweat and really where the FJ excelled. I pushed the FJ to its limits thats for sure. I took it through some decent sized rock gardens, sand washes and race course type terrain. Considering its a stock vehicle with stock tires it did great. People often forget a straight out of the box rig on street type design 31" tires isnt going to have the same "feel" as a modified suspension rig on 35's. The traction control system bothered me because I like to have all of the control at my fingertips but it will prove worthy for the average driver. You can disable it though

2. Power: At first, I thought the 4.0L wasnt going to be enough but I was proved wrong. From a dead stop the FJ's front end springs to life and really stays put in the air with your foot to the floor. I drive a Tundra that has some additional mods so I am used to much more power than this Fj but I never felt like I needed it. Most of us would always want more power but I never felt like the FJ was lacking power. Climbing up hills, getting upwards of 100mph, doing in and out of off-road obstacles, it was great.

3. Height: Im 6' tall and I felt like I had enough room in the cab to swim. I felt like I was driving a Hummer H2 when sitting in the cab. As far as being heigh enough when seated, I felt fine. You can pump up the Toyota seats for a few extra inches of seat height, some people dont know what that second handle is on their seats. You have alot of front and side vision because of the large oversized flat front windshield and large front windows. However, the back is very hard to see out of, tons of blind spots.

4. Price: Last I have heard is they want to have it starting around $23K. I would assume knowing Toyota that to purchase the fully loaded version you are going to be closer to $30K. They are trying to tackle the off-road and youth market with this vehicle so price is crucial to them. I know they want to keep it as cheap as they can but its alot more vehicle than they originally planned on producing.

I took it by a dealer and was mobbed by 42 sales people, managers and random customers around the lot. A friend is a service manager so I thought he would get a kick out of it. Next thing I knew I was there for 3 hours answering questions and hanging out. Everyone wanted to drive it but I couldnt let them, although I did let them take it through their lot car wash for me!

This vehicle turned more heads than anything I have ever driven. So much rubbernecking im shocked i didnt cause accidents driving around. I had people following me for miles stopping me in parking lots with questions. One lady followed me for 3 miles and finally stopped me at Lowes. Her husband was on her cell phone and she asked if I would talk to him. He told me that he has an FJ on order already and he hadnt even seen one. I told him he was welcome to come and check it out so he did. I took him offroading with him and as he said it "you made my life today" I thought that was awesome!

I wish I could have held on to it a little longer to possibly arrange something with this club locally. Its in the works to get one from Toyota when they are ready as a project vehicle for one of the mags I do. If so, itll be my new daily driver and project rig and Ill be more than willing to show it around anywhere I have time.

Jordan

[confederate2]

Originally Posted by Jordansrealm

1. How is the ride: Excellent. Very smooth both on and off-road. I found the handling very impressive when cornering at speeds upwards of 30mph. Going over mild rocky and sandy trails was no sweat and really where the FJ excelled. I pushed the FJ to its limits thats for sure. I took it through some decent sized rock gardens, sand washes and race course type terrain. Considering its a stock vehicle with stock tires it did great. People often forget a straight out of the box rig on street type design 31" tires isnt going to have the same "feel" as a modified suspension rig on 35's. The traction control system bothered me because I like to have all of the control at my fingertips but it will prove worthy for the average driver. You can disable it though

2. Power: At first, I thought the 4.0L wasnt going to be enough but I was proved wrong. From a dead stop the FJ's front end springs to life and really stays put in the air with your foot to the floor. I drive a Tundra that has some additional mods so I am used to much more power than this Fj but I never felt like I needed it. Most of us would always want more power but I never felt like the FJ was lacking power. Climbing up hills, getting upwards of 100mph, doing in and out of off-road obstacles, it was great.

3. Height: Im 6' tall and I felt like I had enough room in the cab to swim. I felt like I was driving a Hummer H2 when sitting in the cab. As far as being heigh enough when seated, I felt fine. You can pump up the Toyota seats for a few extra inches of seat height, some people dont know what that second handle is on their seats. You have alot of front and side vision because of the large oversized flat front windshield and large front windows. However, the back is very hard to see out of, tons of blind spots.

4. Price: Last I have heard is they want to have it starting around $23K. I would assume knowing Toyota that to purchase the fully loaded version you are going to be closer to $30K. They are trying to tackle the off-road and youth market with this vehicle so price is crucial to them. I know they want to keep it as cheap as they can but its alot more vehicle than they originally planned on producing.

I took it by a dealer and was mobbed by 42 sales people, managers and random customers around the lot. A friend is a service manager so I thought he would get a kick out of it. Next thing I knew I was there for 3 hours answering questions and hanging out. Everyone wanted to drive it but I couldnt let them, although I did let them take it through their lot car wash for me!

This vehicle turned more heads than anything I have ever driven. So much rubbernecking im shocked i didnt cause accidents driving around. I had people following me for miles stopping me in parking lots with questions. One lady followed me for 3 miles and finally stopped me at Lowes. Her husband was on her cell phone and she asked if I would talk to him. He told me that he has an FJ on order already and he hadnt even seen one. I told him he was welcome to come and check it out so he did. I took him offroading with him and as he said it "you made my life today" I thought that was awesome!

I wish I could have held on to it a little longer to possibly arrange something with this club locally. Its in the works to get one from Toyota when they are ready as a project vehicle for one of the mags I do. If so, itll be my new daily driver and project rig and Ill be more than willing to show it around anywhere I have time.

Jordan

Thanks so much. I am convinced. Now I just have to convince myself to wait 1 year to get the second year model and so I won't have to pay over MSRP. That is what scares me. Remember last year when the Tacoma came people were paying 3000 over msrp. A year later you can buy them at invoice. I can't buy a vehicle unless I can get it pretty near invoice so I may have to wait. We will see as they should be coming in soon. And I will be driving one of these babies. It is definitely what I have been looking for some time.
Thanks again for the writeup.
Great
Sammy

[Jordansrealm]

No problem!

I believe (dont quote me on this) that Toyota is going to produce 40-60,000 units in its first run. Many of them are already sold. I just hope that it sticks around and sells well and doesnt turn into a niche vehicle and is gone in a few years.

[ncj01]

Originally Posted by Jordansrealm

One lady followed me for 3 miles and finally stopped me at Lowes. Her husband was on her cell phone and she asked if I would talk to him. He told me that he has an FJ on order already and he hadnt even seen one. I told him he was welcome to come and check it out so he did. I took him offroading with him and as he said it "you made my life today" I thought that was awesome!Jordan

That is ultra cool of you...

I'm curious about size...I can't make out from photo's w/out a point of reference how big this thing is....would you say it's about the same size as those (*&^(*&^(*&^ Hummer H3's? How does the size compare to a '05+ Tacoma?

Is the tranny a 5spd, 6spd, or Auto?

[Jordansrealm]

Originally Posted by ncj01

That is ultra cool of you...

I'm curious about size...I can't make out from photo's w/out a point of reference how big this thing is....would you say it's about the same size as those (*&^(*&^(*&^ Hummer H3's? How does the size compare to a '05+ Tacoma?

Is the tranny a 5spd, 6spd, or Auto?

Its bigger than the H3 but not as big as the H2. I guess you could say its a fat version of the H3. Much more interior room though, more like the H2. The track width is 4" over the width of the Tacoma so its bigger all around inside and out. I drove the auto but they are also going to offer a 5-speed manual.

[mmarlatt]

Is this the guy who had his wife track you down?

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forum...read.php?t=215

[Eddie]

Interesting looking truck. I see they borrowed the tow hitch from the Lexus GX470

[Jordansrealm]

Originally Posted by mmarlatt

Is this the guy who had his wife track you down?

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forum...read.php?t=215

thats the guy! haha

[corbin]

Any idea of the interior height in the back storage area? I'd love to buy one of these and use it for biking but I need about 37" of vertical clearance in the back to stand a bike up. I hate roof racks so inside storage is a must. I often car pool to races so I really need to be able to stand up two side by side. I could obviously lay one down when I go solo.
Thanks!

[goldmember]

I just don't like....Too busy of a cockpit and the side view IMO is From the front and the back it's ok...but from the side I just think it's ugly.

[tundrafire]

It sounds like it was in your possession over the weekend. There was a not as well as could be attended meet at Tom's Farms and I don't remember seeing an FJ there. I guess the FJCruisers guys rate higher than us little TS'rs.