I absolutely fell in love at first sight with the FJ Cruiser.
I had planned on buying one until I sat in one at a local auto show where the dealers bring out all the latest models.
I found it to be very uncomfortable for me (<---key words before someone flames me) and I did not like the interior.
I'm glad that I could sit in one and not have salesman bugging me.
I still applaud Toyota for making a very cool rig......it just wasn't for me.

 

It is not the right vehicle for sure for some.
Strange how I fell in love with them after awhile, as I did not care for them when I first saw them.
Then Bob (BT17R) told me about them in more detail, and before I knew it, I put money down on one to order it sight unseen except for pictures on the 'Net.

I really dig the interior, it is very down to business like with no leather seats, no carpets to get dirty, and a HUGE cockpit.
These are also the most comfortable seats yet in any Toyota I have owned or been in.
The first time my youngest son rode in it, he said it was much bigger inside than the new Xterra his stepdad and mother had just got.

Also when they first came out many who do not even frequent Toyota based forums such as this bought them to have the new next thing, then ended up trading them in.
Why?

They were not trained at youth how to use their mirrors when driving, and they said the rig drove like a truck.
Darn straight skippy, it is a truck.
SUV body on a truck frame, so it is going to ride rough and not handle like a Honda Element which they were probably use to.
Hopefully those traded in with low mileage went to a better home of someone who appreciates a real rig that is meant to take you to work during the week, then get off the beaten path on weekends.

 

For real, my Pickup with 35s and 6" of lift fits in except for 2" of the 5" lights on the light bar.

 

im 15 years im buying a diesel right hand drive one

 

Ditto what Corey said. Initially I posted "what were they thinking" about the styling. Then who knows why but it started growing on me. Next, I ordered one sight unseen.

I think it's the perfect size for both urban and off-road driving. OK, maybe you can't sleep IN it, but can sleep ON it! Tremendous aftermarket support, but pretty spot on out of the box. Yep, it's a truck, actually a Land Cruiser Prado frame. It feels substantial and maneuverable, though the steering is slower than a 4R for off-roaders. Excellent ergo, I even like the dash night lighting with the optional dashtop pod.

I'll shut up. Let's put it this way, I had mine for sale twice, both times pulled it after getting full price offers. Just couldn't do it after living with it for awhile and appreciating how good it is. You won't see yourself at every other intersection, that's for sure.

 

try the Clamp-On rear view mirrors from Broadway?



it's a wide angle lens, on a regular vehicle, it covers all the way from my own face to the back seat to the passenger side blind spot. plus, it won't blind you when a big chevy with 12" lift shining it's hi-beams behind you.

i have used it since late 90's, it works absolutely positively great for all the cars and trucks i've driven. it can't make the big black of blinding body panel see-through on an FJ, but it could help you to see more things quicker in an emergency situation when you need to make a split second decision to slam on the brakes or change to the right lane to avoid other crazy driver, like i used to see back in L.A.

it makes my 4Runner has NO blind spot on the passenger side, at all. no look over shoulder need.

 

In many in-building and underground garages in southern Ontario, my third stop light on the ’94 barely clears the concrete caution beam at the entrance. The factory antenna usually whips gas and water pipes while inside. Yeah, yeah, not very hardcore, but it's a reality of where I live/work and my disability makes walking difficult which makes parking outside further away not always viable.

One thing for sure is FJs drive beautifully. Great power (even on reg.), great brakes, fast direct steering, nimble wheelbase and length , rigid squeek-free chassis, etc. Essentially a two-door gas Prado/4Runner with a sometimes impractical body. Still a love/hate for me.

Rake the windshield a few more degrees and maybe a removable roof again like the, ahem, good ol' days? Anyone know what the FJ Gen. II might be like yet or if there is one?

 

Given the economy, I think FJ will continue unchanged. With it's retro styling, it should remain a timeless design.

I wheel with a gal who can't walk. She had her FJ adapted to hand controls for throttle and brake. She goes everywhere the rest of us go with more skills than most.

Good point about the brakes. They are very effective. Stopping distances are limited by grip, not stopping power or fade, and are vented at all four corners.

 

the dealers have all said that 09 is the last year for the FJ. It was only supposed to be a2 yr special model to begin with. with the economy - i dont see them continuing a vehicle that only gets 18mpg..... to a very limited market.... its the Camry's and Prius that are selling right now.

As far as the blind spots - i dont think the bigger interior mirror will make any difference - its the exterior mirrors that need a parabolic spot added to the bottom as others have pointed out.

 

I also bought mine without ever driving one. At first I wanted my old Taco back but once I got used to it I love my truck. It does everything I could ask for and it does it good. I do not understand people complaining about their paint? I have not noticed any chips but I do have alot of scratches.. I wheel mine and use it. It has some negatives but so does everything else. I love my FJ and plan on keeping it for a long long time.

 

Everyone I have spoken with that use to have a fairly new Tacoma likes the FJ Cruiser better after driving/trading in their Tacoma.

Now I would think the longer wheelbased Tacoma would handle better though.
My best handing rig of all time was my second Toyota, the '90 Xtracab 4x4 with a 22RE 5 speed.
I pulled a tent trailer all over the mountains with it, and it could walk circles around my FJ as far as handling goes.

But then it was at stock height.
Only thing I changed on it was to go from the stock 235x15 ties up to 31x10.5x15, and aftermarket wheels.
Rancho 5000 shocks all the way around, and stock torsion bars uncranked.

 

i got my first windshield chip this morning.... it wasnt a very big rock... and it came from an SUV passing me
back to the windshield thread to see whats up...

 

Well I do miss my Tacoma and I probably wouldn't have sold it if I knew I would miss it that much. The FJ is just a whole different machine and it took some getting used to but I love it too and I am sure if I do get rid of it I will miss it. I am not saying one is better than the other but just different thats all. My nex rig will be a FJ 45 if all goes well so I probably wont miss either one too bad

 

Yesterday I was given a dodge SUV for a loaner Vehicle while my 4Runner is in getting a brand new rear bumper.

I couldn't even turn left out of the rental parking lot as the post on the passenger side was blocking line of sight on any traffic coming from the right. After trying to see what was going on from practically sitting in the passenger side I finally gave up trying to make a safe left and turned right instead. I have also discovered the thing also puts far too big a blind spot to my left as well.

I remembered the FJ having blindspots, which was my biggest beef with the rig, so I went to the dealership and took one out again. I felt like I was driving in a glass bubble compared to the dodge SUV, and the posts were nearly twice as big in the FJ. The difference is that they've been placed in locations that seem to require less attention, the passenger window is much bigger, and the mirrors are better suited to the rig.

I don't know why manufacturers are being forced to go with bigger pillars, but they all seem to be going that way. I'm happy with where they were placed in the FJ though.

 

Yeah those A pillars can be a nightmare, I can count on one hand how many times I've almost hit someone in the 4Runner because they walked out from behind a car at the right time.

Aaron

 

Styling means nothing to me as long as it functions. You can opt out of the roof rack, as I did, and you get used to the blind spots (I drove an double door panel bus for years, so I'm used to it). As long as it works in the dirt, and it does, I'm happy. Safe and reliable would be my first concern. You might have to move your head a bit more to check traffic, but c'mon. No need to cry if you're not buying one.

 

The blind spots are negligible if you have an understanding of how mirrors work and set them accordingly. Pull a 40 trailer around for a while and you might learn how to use your mirrors.

The stock roof rack, which is an option, is junk. I'll be replacing mine with something useful.

Premium fuel is not required. I thought the 3.0L Turbo Diesel would be no brainer as well.

 

I drove part-time a fridge-white Ford E250 reefer catering van back in university with NO windows behind my head so I know. It's the FJ's windshield not be able to see overhead. Plus, it's an unpleasant ride for back seat passengers as well as getting in and out. Many of us aren't kids anymore so hauling around famliy and friends becomes more and more of a priority. It reminds me a bit of the first-gen Yota extended-cabs -- a verticle mail slot by today's standard.

I just don't like that Toyota's marketing people felt the need to plump up the engine power and torque figures (on high test) and yet no turbo-diesel when diesel awareness is at an all-time high in these parts.

 

Still no problem with me seeing out the windshield at all.

As far as the diesel goes, I am not really interested in one.
The fuel use to be a cheaper source than gas.
I know a lot of full size truck owners at work who are pissed off as diesel is now the most expensive fuel source to run, but when they bought their Ford F250+ rigs, diesel was cheaper than gasoline.

Yeah, try driving these for 31 years especially with people walking around you all the time and you appreciate getting into rigs like the FJ where you can see using the mirrors or looking out the windows.
Blind spots simply do not exist for me.

 

Now FOR SURE I'm not buying a lift truck.