A local dealer has a black, loaded FJ cruiser for display on their lot. I pulled the 80 up next to it and got out to check it out. I can say that from the front it looks cool and there is a cool catch basin for the oil filter to catch oil (since they installed the damn thing upside down). Anyways, the rear glass is supposed to open but none of the salespeople could figure out how to open it, either could i 
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One thing that really bothered me about it is the feeling i didn't get while sitting in the seat. In every cruiser i have sat in or driven, there is that feeling of connection with the vehicle and the terrain. Great views from the driver's seat on all cruisers, fj40 to the 80, even the 100 series. when sitting in those vehicles you really feel like you are out, and in touch with the truck, getting the goose bumps when you get your tires to stick and crawl or dig through an obstacle, easily being able to see your surroundings, feel the truck perform. When i sat in the FJ cruiser, i felt so out of touch with the ground and outside. I felt as if i was sitting down in a bomb shelter. Visibility over your shoulder is pretty bad, trying to look out the side window and see your tires in actiion is nearly impossible without rolling the window down and hoisting yourself over the window edge. I just thought it sucked
I had my 80 sitting there and told the sales guy that "it" was the last real cruiser, and that in my opinion toyota missed the boat on this egg thing in front of me.
So, i don't really see myself buying one. Maybe if they make some changes and have a removable top, maybe. I guess i'll just have to let everyone else get the first one's and figure out all the bugs.
. One thing that really bothered me about it is the feeling i didn't get while sitting in the seat. In every cruiser i have sat in or driven, there is that feeling of connection with the vehicle and the terrain. Great views from the driver's seat on all cruisers, fj40 to the 80, even the 100 series. when sitting in those vehicles you really feel like you are out, and in touch with the truck, getting the goose bumps when you get your tires to stick and crawl or dig through an obstacle, easily being able to see your surroundings, feel the truck perform. When i sat in the FJ cruiser, i felt so out of touch with the ground and outside. I felt as if i was sitting down in a bomb shelter. Visibility over your shoulder is pretty bad, trying to look out the side window and see your tires in actiion is nearly impossible without rolling the window down and hoisting yourself over the window edge. I just thought it sucked
I had my 80 sitting there and told the sales guy that "it" was the last real cruiser, and that in my opinion toyota missed the boat on this egg thing in front of me. So, i don't really see myself buying one. Maybe if they make some changes and have a removable top, maybe. I guess i'll just have to let everyone else get the first one's and figure out all the bugs.
