The Good: Jeez I want one. Really solid feel, great power, great interior. Pure utility. Cheap too, cuz I now know I want the base model. See below. I'll skip the tremendous worshipful glory as you're all no doubt aware of it.

The Bad: The rear view sucks. SUCKS. What appear to be cool wraparound windows on the outside are reduced to tiny little portholes inside. Makes me wonder if this would improve if the rear interior were gutted. The rear window is tiny too, wiper is only 7 in long, yet a very long arm - it does sweep the whole window as it's axis is centered at the center of the spare wheel. I'm 5'9 and the rear is unsleepable for camping, just too short and "split level" - too far from flat. 16/19 mileage: is lower than I'd prefer, but could be worth it. Lastly, the doors don't open quite as wide as I'd expect. The rear is already maxed out, but perhaps a mod will come up to open the fronts a tad more.

Options and Packages: My 2c is Skip them all. I'll get the all weather mats and the skid plate, maybe the roof rack, the rest aftermarket as rarely needed. Configure a totally base model and then add every option, adds up to %50 additonal to the base price- $23,5 up to 35K. Mirror lights: 5 watts - useless, pure bling, put my eye right up to it and it was still pale. Power windows: why not manually adjust once, never touch again. Wheels: black steelies keep $650 in my pocket. Cruise: up to you, I love cruise, just don't need it here/now. Stereo: the base system is great, I found after loading 6 cd's in my Subaru, I either forget what's in it, or want a fresh one, a single hot swapper with 6 speakers is fine. Keyless entry: The fj comes with power locks standard, close enough. Privacy rear window tint: The view is so restricted back there this won't matter. Which leads to the rear parking assist; it shouldn't be necesssary if the rear view was better, up to you. Daytime running lights: I hear silver cars blend with the sky behind them, up to you.

Upgrade packs:
#1: if you get the manual trany, you don't need anything here, all bling and luxury. I would like power inverter, but not worth buying the rest, inlcuding the convenience package prerequiste.
#2: adds a subwoofer. Base stereo is great so this would be a waste of space.

Conclusion: Jeez I want one. I know of no other vehicle which fits my needs better, and my needs are met in the base model, little or no options.

 

Well my 2 cents, after owning one since monday night and screwing around off road a little, the rear locker and especially the A-trac... I couldnt live without.

The A-Trac works just too good. (in my short experience with it so far)
And we all know how great the rear locker is.

 

The rear seat bottom cushions remove in about a minute per side with a wrench supplied in the toolkit. That drops the folded seat backs and makes a flat floor. I think you'd fit then.

 

I was thinking the same thing. I was planning on getting the base model and just upgrading everything else with aftermarket. BUT the rear locker is key. I wonder if there will be any aftermarket companies making their version of this.

 

Yeah, the rear locker comes standard with the 6spd... woo!

 

i test drove it today and i love it. there are some things that i would change but overall its nice. big selling point for me is that they offer it in a manual and a 6sp at that. i was so bummed that they dont make manual 4r nemore. drives nice, handles well, plenty of power room front seats. seems big from the inside but i like it.

as for the windows, im ok with it. i drive a 91 yota pickup ext cab and i cant see crap out of my rear side windows when i look over my shoulder so its ok. the rear window is a bit small but ill manage.

i was in the market for a new suv and my choices were, Tahoe/YUkon, Expedition and 4r. i wanted the yukon/tahoe because of the v8 and the roominess of the vehicle but the turn off was that it wasnt a yota. so i wanted the 4r, but they didnt offer it with a manual tranny and i didnt really like the new gen body style. so the FJC comes along, its nice, roomy, and manual!

so verdict is, im sold.

 

I'd just like to see Black cherry in person.

Also, forgot to add this. The roof rack is currently unavailable, so am asking about having this installed afterwards. Guys didn't know and said would check, but I did climb up on the tire and found six mounting points on the bare roof which corrspond to the rack mounts, and have covers in place. So I'm pretty sure the rack can be installed after purch, it's probably bolt-on. Which brings the next question, if this is true then aftermarketers may also build something to match these mounts...

 

HAve any pics of it in action

 

Mine got one, and we're both serviced through the Port of Portland where the racks are installed. If they ran out, it won't be for long given the profit margin on those things. Although I have to say it's an expedition quality basket made of huge aluminum tubes, rated for 165 lbs. and looks like no other. My 2¢.

 

As would I the Black Cherry looks like a sweet color. Also the Dealer today, said they had to add all the racks to theirs.

 

I've wheeled with my ATRAC for about a year now, and I still have not bought a locker yet. I hav not run into a need for one with the moderate wheeling that I do. The FJ seems likely a more than capable vehicle, and I am sure it is a good buy, but it has the looks that only a mother could love.

 

How about the plastic rampy thing in the cargo area that covers the length where these hinge together?

 

Well, I haven't actually tried it, only read about it. I'll give it a shot and post a pic of the result.