The new 2007 FJ Cruiser is due out by the end of this month in many states and in Canada.

So who is buying?
Do you like it, going to wait a while, not so hot to trot about it, or are you very interested in getting one?

I for one did not take to it right away, but after realizing the reality of how much it would cost to get my rig back into top shape again, it made more sense to me to get something much newer.

After reading up on this new FJ and how well it does off road and for a much cheaper price than a 4Runner or Tacoma, I became very interested in it.

 

I want my folks to buy my Tacoma for I can get one.

 

Yep, got the VIN and it's sitting at the port waiting for official launch on 3/27 before it's shipped.

I was like you. When I saw the concept over a year ago I thought it was too outrageous for me, but followed it's development and ordered one on spec anyway. Then prototype specs were released and it was remarkably close to the concept.

Knowing that Toyota doesn't make many mistakes, I paid closer attention realizing they locked the design so quickly that their data must be showing strong across the board demand for Toyota to return to it's roots.

Final specs showed that it would be the most competent off-road Toyota in production and the only one with the unique M/T, center locking Torsen and rear locker available at any price. Pricing was announced and it was so aggressive (in the US, sorry Canada) that wait lists formed quickly. All that with no advertising at all. Then when I saw and sat in one at the local car show, something clicked and I think FJ will become an instant icon and maybe even a future classic.

Then FJ got good reviews from the media events like the Rubicon crossing. Mainstream mags that mean anything to off-roaders gave it a warm reception, like Motor Trend that placed it ahead of it's current SUV of the Year. It's a segment leader before release. It'll be interesting to see how many sales are conquests, how the demographics shake out and how many young men trade in their rice rockets to enter a new segment where they don't write speeding tickets.

It's going to be a hit for awhile, and then Toyota will bring out special editions like Scion does, maybe even a soft-top model.

Here's what mine will look like, rock rails and all:



It was a tough call on color, but my last three SUV's were all silver so it was time for a change. Here's one for you, Corey:

 

You need to put another selection on your poll so I can vote:

"Too poor to buy one whether I would like to or not."

 

Saw one at the Columbus auto show this weekend, sat in it , looked under it, poked all around in it, did not want it.

It's a great concept, and has some nifty features, but I still don't like it.

Lamm

 

Sweet pic Bob.
I bet your blue rig is in this group at the port of Portland.
http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=81894

 

Don't get me wrong it is a great cross between a daily driver and a trail rig, but it's just a little gaudy for my tastes. It seems to have that novelty appeal, that would wear off quick. Also, I prefer to buy all of my trucks, and toys pre-beat, that way I have less work to do.

 

Not the rig for me with two newborns and a wife to haul around.

 

man, boeing must pay you well! you went from needing money to buying a brand new fj!

i should apply there...

 

Boeing does pay good Lee, about 4x what I made on my other job for 2 years.

 

as for any newly designed vehical.

they cost a lot off the showroom floor. Wouldnt surprise me to have toyota all of a sudden convinetly loose a container or 2 of them on the way over and now dealers jack up the price even more knowing that people want them. Which just turns into MORE depreciation in 2-3 years.

in 2-3 years there will be a number of them comming off of lease = much cheeper and with strict lease rules and "mandatory" maintance you dont loose much interms of a used version.

there are usually a series of recalls in the first few years. (ill let everyoene else be the guine pigs thankyouverymuch)


so ill sit back and wait, see how they turn out, see how they hold up, see what they end up selling for, and what there depreciation is.... and then in 5 or so years i might pick one up.

 

At the price they are going for, I may have to pick one up for every day of the week

Seriously, these are dirt cheap if you order it to your specs.
No leather is even available if you want it.
I would not want leather anyways in a rig that is going to be seeing dirt.

You can practically hose out the interior of these, almost like "The Thing" made by Volkswagen many moons ago.

It will nice having a warranty too, I had a lot of things go wrong over the years with the 4Runner.

Most of all I am looking forward to a rig that has passing power and good off road as well as on road.

Motor Trend magazine gave it a very good rating.

 

Already happened. Blame God or Gaia, depending on your beliefs. Remember those violent thunderstorms in the Mid-West last week? A few blew over the Toyota holding area and prep facility in Kansas City. I've heard estimates of 400 totalled cars and trucks, about half of them FJ's being held for release on 3/27.

Besides ordering fleet, the way to get one is exactly the way Corey did it. It'll take a couple of months extra, but you'll get what you want at the best price.

I'm not worried about recalls. It's built on a modified, proven, Prado/GX/4R frame and uses drivetrains out of Tacomas and 4R that have been relatively bullet proof. I guess the 6M/T had a teething problem that's been fixed...I'll let you know.

I remember when the 4th Gen 4R debuted. YT interest was similar to what we're seeing in this thread, yet Toyota sold twice as many as the best 3rd Gen year. FJ won't have the benefit of advertising or soccermom buyers (thankfully), so sales estimates are lower. You watch, interest will ramp up as people actually get a chance to see and drive an FJ, and then when it wins SUV of the Year (bold prediction), you'll suddenly see a bunch of Xterras and Jeeps in the front corner of the Toyota dealers used lot.

 

I will probably buy one in three years, once the recalls have been fixed, depreciation has occured, and aftermarkets mods market has responded. Why pay 30k now, when I can pay 10k-12k later. Just my .02

 

ehhh, I really really really hate to say it, but I would pick up a Diesel Wrangler before I picked up the FJ, I think the Jeep following is a little too diehard to switch, and for good reason, the FJ isn't SA up front. I know the build quality is a little better, but that would be a bummer for me. I think you are correct on the XTerras though.

 

One more thing, I have said for YEARS that I would buy a FJ if it were released as a open-top/convertible. Why isn't this an option? It would surely put jeep out of business.

 

How about the option, would like to get one but cannot afford it.

 

there is speculation that the 'special' or 'moab' edition, or whatever they're gonna call it, may have a soft top/removable hard top. no one knows for sure though.

 

I like them, but they are just too small for my crew currently.

 

Thanks for adding the extra option Corey.