basic, down and dirty question

[hammer1]

with the attractive loan rates from my credit union, and the impending increase in the New Jersey sales tax, AND the stop and go around town MPG of my 60 series, a i am getting closer to buying a new FJ, and keeping the 60 for wirk related issues.
but i need serious imput:
1. rear visability, or lack of...do you get used to it?
2. auto or manual. i dont like driving to begin with, so an auto seems better to me. any input, or personal preferences?

3. any of you regret the purchase? ( beside spending 30k )

thanks

andy

 

[CandyPants]

1. It's not really that bad, and yes you get used to it.
2. I have an auto and since it's my DD and I live in a high traffic city, that's my preference. BTW, it does just fine off road too!
3. I don't regret it a bit. Love it. Wouldn't trade it for the world.

 

[Cuerno Largo]

blind spots are easy to get used to and probably make you a safer driver as you tend to check and double check. I have an automatic and love it. I would buy another and might when the prices fall some.

 

[Blues Dawg]

I find the blind spot a matter of adjusting the mirror and then no real problem. Much better than you would think looking at the vehicle.

Manual is my preference, even as a daily driver, but that's me. The hydraulic clutch is pretty light , the tranny geared very close, and it has sufficient torque to minimize the need for shifting a lot.

As the others, I love it. Best vehicle I've bought in a while.

 

[greytandy]

it has sufficient torque to minimize the need for shifting a lot.

Which is an excellent attribute of the FJC manual.

 

[Brazenhead]

with the attractive loan rates from my credit union, and the impending increase in the New Jersey sales tax, AND the stop and go around town MPG of my 60 series, a i am getting closer to buying a new FJ, and keeping the 60 for wirk related issues.
but i need serious imput:
1. rear visability, or lack of...do you get used to it?
2. auto or manual. i dont like driving to begin with, so an auto seems better to me. any input, or personal preferences?

3. any of you regret the purchase? ( beside spending 30k )

thanks

andy

1. Just like the rest of these guys have said, you do get used to the blind spots. If you need to you can get some smaller convex mirrors that attach to your already existing mirror, which will give you more of a viewing area.

2. If you don't like driving then don't get an FJ. If i didn't have to work, eat or sleep i would be driving the FJ. This is the first vehicle i've ever owned where if i simply wanted to drive off any existing road i just could.

3. As for regrets i have only one. When i purchased my FJ i wish i would have traded in the Dunlop tires that came with it. Although they are a great tire for road use they are absolutely garbage in the mud. Don't get me wrong i haven't got stuck yet but i also can't turn in mud just not enough knobbieness in the tires. (creative word knobbieness). Other than that i love my FJ and if i could afford another one my wife would have her own. I obligated to share with her since she is my wife.

Sorry about the novel i just wrote.

 

[aramweb]

1) I have gotten used to the visibility issues
2) I love my 6speed
3) I LOVE my FJ

 

[hammer1]

what i meant when i said i dont like to drive, was the stop and go with a stick gets to me, but would still consider it, if the feedback on the auto was negative...
so far..looks like every one is happy.
keep the input coming.
thanks

 

[gearguywb]

visability is not an issue...not only do you get used to it but that is what the outside mirrors are for.


Auto all the way...both on and off road.

No regrets here....still enjoy driving it just as much as the first day.

 

[TrAiLbUs1]

Visiblity is fine use fish eye bubbles on mirrors
Love the manual tons of power,unbelievable offroad capibilities
No regrets- go out wheeling 3 times a week usually, and have scratched the piss out of it loving every arizona pin stipe
Got to get one!

 

[weever]

Visibility is not really an issue, you just need to adjust the mirrors out and use them. I was a little concerned too at first..It is difficult to see someone in the rearview mirror (like cars) but the way my mirrors are adjusted I see them in the side mirrors.

I like auto....its less work if ever pass through a city and have to sit in traffic, stop & go...for me a clutch would get old...I am sure you could. get used to it

I dont regret anything about it...It is an incredible value. I wish sun visors were bigger and daytime running lights were on a switch. thats the only this I can muster up a complaint about...I put 285 bfg all terrains..no rubbing at stock height.. its higher and rides excellent...

 

[jeffxlh]

Visibility is an issue to me. Going down the road the mirrors are fine, it's not a problem. Backing out of parking places, visibility is very limited. (Does anyone have a rear bumper for sale).

I like the Auto trans, but it's all personal pref.

No regrets, it's alot of fun.

 

[Warren Peck]

Limited Viz

As many others have said, you do get used to it. However, DO NOT, EVER, EVER, EVER depend on that STUPID, WORTHLESS, NON-FUNCTIONING parking assist that beeps at you. All it does is tell you when you've already hit something, and is one more annoying beep in a vehicle full of annoying beeps. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my FJ, but it ain't perfect. Hopefully the next generation will correct some of the errors in this one (like seats not folding flat and having to remove headrests. Come on Toyota, that was just STUPID!

 

[jeffxlh]

I backed into the front of a parked car with my rear left corner and the parking assist beeper never sounded at all.... Still looking for a silver rear corner piece...

 

[mapleton cruiser]

love mine !

 

[weever]

You know Warren is right about the seats..Just like my 93 4runner you have to remove the headrest. At least in the FJ you can remove the seat bottoms so that the front seats will lean back while back seats are down. (Unlike the 4runner.) Warren, I hope they dont take 13 more years to get the it right....

 

[greytandy]

As many others have said, you do get used to it. However, DO NOT, EVER, EVER, EVER depend on that STUPID, WORTHLESS, NON-FUNCTIONING parking assist that beeps at you. All it does is tell you when you've already hit something, and is one more annoying beep in a vehicle full of annoying beeps.

Really? Mine works fine. Lets my wife know she's about to hit the garage door.

 

[Blues Dawg]

As many others have said, you do get used to it. However, DO NOT, EVER, EVER, EVER depend on that STUPID, WORTHLESS, NON-FUNCTIONING parking assist that beeps at you. All it does is tell you when you've already hit something, and is one more annoying beep in a vehicle full of annoying beeps. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my FJ, but it ain't perfect. Hopefully the next generation will correct some of the errors in this one (like seats not folding flat and having to remove headrests. Come on Toyota, that was just STUPID!

Maybe it sensitivity or adjustment. Never having had a reverse sensor before (depth finder on a boat tho), I am dubious of it. But my sensor seems to work fine - in testing it out it has worked at reasonable distances with bushes, a small shelf in my garage, other cars in parking spaces and, of course the garage door. However, I back in and out slowly and do not use it as a substitute for my eyes.