After seing one in person / got my deposit back and bought an 80

[Razor]

First just a few weeks ago, I was selling all my rigs and going 2 FJC's...one for the wife and a fully modified one for myself and be done with old cruisers...not a chance in hell.

I will gather my thoughts and let you know why later. but I have said I will own a FJC since the idea was launched in detroit, and most likely will but not the fist edition....I think they are great, but not that great....besides, I think my tacoma could outwheel the FJC or simular anyway........somebody need to post up a picture of the FJC in a shopping mall with one wheel on top of a curb.

I am so excited with my decision.......space / FJ80 / Locker / Slee / lift / ARB / Winch = Yipeeee !!.......pack 20 frickin grand somewhere else, that will appreciate. ( I don't finance anything ).

Anyway, anyone else change the mind after seing and driving ??

 

[calphi27]

I was seriously considering the FJC. I went to Pedersen's in Fort Collins to check it out in person. The sales drones were not sure what they had, so I drove all the way to the back and found two that they were hiding.

Anyways the shop guys were checking it out, and I decided to walk up and check it out. One guy kept slamming the rear door and was amused that it "sounded like one umdem subwoofers." After I showed them how to open the rear glass I began to check it out.

One of them asked me if I worked there, and I said yes. (At this point I contemplated asking for the keys and driving off with it) Anyhow after crawling all over it, I decided to wait and see what happens with this thing.

I had seen the concept at the Denver Auto Show a few years back and thought it was cool, but after today I am not that impressed. Not $32,000 impressed anyways. I have decided to just take some of the money I was saving and put it into my 62.

 

[semlin]

purchase is on hold here after the test drive and we may be done but i have not taken the deposit back. it beats the hell out of a subaru legacy which is what she wants today but tomorrow is another day.

 

[nickw]

The FJC to me was a let down.
Lots of marketing hype, and not enough delivered.
IMHO Toyota pushes it as a LC, but its just a glorified 4runner.

I will take my HDJ81 any day of the week over a FJC.
If Toyota fixes the major problems with the FJC, I might re consider.
But it has a ways to go still.

My advise:
Americans: By your favorite LC that was sold in North America
Canadians: By a nice JDM import (pick your favorite model) or your fav LC that was sold in North America
Rest of the world: You got the cool LC models. Why are you even looking at the FJC?

I would take any nice 60, 80 or 100 over the FJC (in diesel of course )
Oh wait, I did, I have a HDJ81 and love it.

Cheers,
Nick

 

[Cruiserhead05]

This is exactly what i have thought.

I'm in no financial position to buy an FJC and dont need one at all.

Nevertheless, my dad likes them and was seriously talking about it. While compared to everything else new on the lot, i think it would my choice....

But i told him i couldnt shake the fact that for 25-30k you could build a killer 80 and even a nice 40. Have two vehicles that are more capable and at least one that is alot more practical then the FJC

 

[nuclearlemon]

My advise:
Americans: By your favorite domestic model
Canadians: By a nice JDM import (pick your favorite model) or your fav domestic model
Rest of the world: You got the cool LC models. Why are you even looking at the FJC?

i'll pass on the domestic model...i've had too many of em. only domestic i'd buy would be dodge with cummins and that's only if i could afford a tow rig.

 

[nickw]

i'll pass on the domestic model...i've had too many of em. only domestic i'd buy would be dodge with cummins and that's only if i could afford a tow rig.

Sorry, I should of clarified more.
When I said domestic model. I meant a Land Cruiser that was sold domestically. I am not trying to say go buy a ford/gm/chrsyler.

Cheers,
Nick

 

[rockclmbr]

Last night ali176 and I dropped by the dealer to spy on the new FJCruiser that arrived. It was a yellow bling mobile!

I must say it looked impressive all shiny and bold with all the salepeople drooling on it. But there was much to be left unsaid...

I was not impressed by:

- Rear lights extruding so far from the body
- Front bumper (can always replace with ARB)
- Dash (too plastic feeling)
- rear subwoofer (way too cheesy!)
- Undercarriage had a lot of low hanging items (I didn't have a chance to really look at it since it was dark)
- Dash appeared to be very high, if you are short or have a short torso, you can't see out very well
- 'C' pillar is TOO big. It felt like I was looking out of a submarine! This is not desirable for offroading, especially backing up.

I would special order and get the bare minimum and not pay for the high priced upgrades.

I did like:

- Engine compartment (very roomy for spare battery)
- Oil filter location ( on top and easy to reach)
- Rear window opens
- feel of the seat fabric

I'll be heading back to take pictures and test drive later

 

[semlin]

the seat adjusts vertically which helps the visibility issue

I think maybe you guys are being too negative and ignoring the positives. This is definitely the most interesting new vehicle out there and a steal at the price compared to alternatives. It is not all a purist could want, but it has an awful lot going for it. It is a better DD than an 80 or a 40, can hold a ton of stuff, gets great mileage for a truck and will be very respectable off road with a small amount of tweaking. The SWB also gives it potential that an 80 does not have.

 

[kitkraft]

Well, I liked it. But after looking it over carefully, I decided I'd rather go ahead and dump $5K into fixing up my old 200K+ miles 100 and see if she'll go another 200K...............

 

[Brentbba]

Interesting - not in the market, but taking the 80 and daughter's Xa in for oil tomorrow afternoon. Asked service guy if they had any FJC's on the lot and he said yes.

Looking forward to finally seeing all the hype live and in person. May drive a sales dufas nuts for awhile killing time. My service guy (who knows me) asked if I was interested in getting rid of my 80 for it and I said NO WAY! He hasn't seen it since the ARB up front and the lift!

 

[hendo]

whats the major problems with the fjc

The FJC to me was a let down.
Lots of marketing hype, and not enough delivered.
IMHO Toyota pushes it as a LC, but its just a glorified 4runner.

I will take my HDJ81 any day of the week over a FJC.
If Toyota fixes the major problems with the FJC, I might re consider.
But it has a ways to go still.

My advise:
Americans: By your favorite LC that was sold in North America
Canadians: By a nice JDM import (pick your favorite model) or your fav LC that was sold in North America
Rest of the world: You got the cool LC models. Why are you even looking at the FJC?

I would take any nice 60, 80 or 100 over the FJC (in diesel of course )
Oh wait, I did, I have a HDJ81 and love it.

Cheers,
Nick

what is the major problems with the fjc ?

 

[Lt1FJ40]

I personally like the FJC, it is ment to fling back some heritage to the old fj land cruisers but not to ever replace it. I know most of you extremists will all complain about how this truck is not better and for this reason, but really like any other manufacture out there it is a DD that has some off road prowess for the active families 6 or 7 camping trips a year.

It is not made to replace a land cruiser and it never will be.

For what it does and what it has it is a really good bargain compared to any other new vehicle out there.

 

[fuelgeddes]

I agree with Lt1FJ40. I was thinking about it when I was having some issues because the look has grown on me. Plus it does look cool lifted with some good tires. But I think I am going to stick with the LX and when the engine goes replace it. Even if it costs $15,000 to replace with a diesel , it will be the truck everyone here in the states is looking for but cant find . So until then I have more then $5,000 to spend on modifications before I am even close to the cost of the FJC. I think the key is to modify slowly so you never grow tired of your truck.

 

[nickw]

what is the major problems with the fjc ?

Take a read of some of the other test drive threads.
I and others have pointed some problems out.

In my opinion, some of the larger issues include:
-very poor rear visibility
-transfer case hanging down (easy to hang on)
-gas tank hanging down (easy to hand on, dent, or worse, put a hole it )
-muffler hangs down (this is easier to move - but Toyota should fix this in production)
-Rad/AC stuff hangs to low for comfort in the front. Easy for a stick to get it
-back doors are pretty useless for adults. no room.
-back door are a bore to close for rear passenger (no kid could do it)


Don't get me wrong, its a good truck with a lot of positives. I like it, but I would not get one. Not until some if the big above issues are fixed.

My main issue is, it's being marketed as a cruiser, but its pretty much a upgraded 4runner.

Cheers,
Nick

 

[Lt1FJ40]

Ya i would agree with that,

I don’t know of any vehicle in history that came from the factory perfect, there is always something that people will not like.

 

[semlin]

My main issue is, it's being marketed as a cruiser, but its pretty much a upgraded 4runner.

Cheers,
Nick

Well they very deliberately did not call it a landcruiser. it is also on a prado chassis not a 4runner. You can't get a 6 speed manual 4runner v6 with a fulltime 4wd transfer case. In fact, unless you want to take your chances on the build and reliability of a rubicon or spring for a g-wagen you cannot buy a vehicle more off road ready out of the box.

sorry folks but too many sour grapes for me. Toyota has done a lot here. Be grateful for that instead of acting like jaded theatre critics.

 

[Darwood]

it is also on a prado chassis not a 4runner.

The Prado (GX470) and 4runner share the same chassis, so calling it a 4runner chassis is as correct as calling it a Prado chassis. I think in the brochure they said Prado (120 series Land Cruiser) to give it more Land Cruiser credibility.

I kinda like it but they could have done better by not bending to the awful high beltline trend (not to mention the titanic blind spot created by the C pillar). Sure it looks cool, but when was the last time you heard anyone complain about it being too easy to see outside of a vehicle?

 

[nickw]

Well they very deliberately did not call it a landcruiser. it is also on a prado chassis not a 4runner. You can't get a 6 speed manual 4runner v6 with a fulltime 4wd transfer case. In fact, unless you want to take your chances on the build and reliability of a rubicon or spring for a g-wagen you cannot buy a vehicle more off road ready out of the box.

sorry folks but too many sour grapes for me. Toyota has done a lot here. Be grateful for that instead of acting like jaded theatre critics.

Sorry Semlin,

I am think I am coming off the wrong way here. Not sure if you read my other posts. I think the FJ is a great truck, very solid built and has a lot going for it. Your right, it's one of the most cabable trucks you can buy out of the box (arguably the best)
I just want to see Toyota fix some of the large problems it has.

Cheers,
Nick

 

[semlin]

sorry, prado chassis and drivetrain. the manual tranny and fulltime 4wd xfer case combo is not from a 4runner. Not sure whether a 4runner and prado chassis are truly identical. Plus a Prado would also have a 2 door chassis design with a shorter wheelbase.